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Harrington
Opera House Society |
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HOHS MeetingsAll are welcome to monthly meetings, usually held the first Monday in each month. The next HOHS business meeting will be May 7 , 2012, 7:00 pm in the Harrington Opera House Art Room. 
Piano Recital
Arts & Crafts for Kids Memberships Calendar Thank You to. . . .
Note to HOHS supporters - The refreshment table at our events helps bring in much needed donations. We can always use extra desserts, finger foods, beverages, etc.
If you can help, contact Bunny Haugan at City Hall 254-4345 or contact us at info Benefit Events Needed - The Harrington Opera House Society is looking for groups and individuals willing to perform, present, or exhibit at the Harrington Opera House for free or extremely reasonable fees to help fund our efforts to rehabilitate the Opera House auditorium and the Bank Block Building. Proceeds will help pay our operating expenses or fund priority projects such as the purchase of a sound system, installing an elevator, and rehabilitating the stage rigging and lighting. If you or your group are interested, or you have artists or events to recommend, contact us at info
2012 The Coulee Community Choir Quilt Show - April 28th Other Events at the Opera House on April 28th At 7:00 pm, the Christian Heritage School Piano Recital was held in th auditorium. Eight of Billie Herron's Christian Heritage School piano students shared pieces demonstrating the musical skills they have developed during the past school year. "Three in a Row - a Game Show " The Ritzville Community Theatre group generously donated ALL proceeds from the evening to the Harrington Opera House, even returning the modest expense check they had been offered. The MC also donated his honorarium from RCT to the Harrington Opera House. Additional support for the production was provided by The Lincoln Advertiser, The Odessa Record, and the Ritzville Journal. Tingstad & Rumbel Celebrated St. Patrick's Day at the
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Special Usher, AJ, announces prize winners |
Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel played to an enthusiastic crowd in the Harrington Opera House on Nobember 4, 1011. We were honored to host this amazing guitar & woodwing playing duo.
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Over the Rainbow MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband) from the CD "A Moment's Peace" |
San Antonio Rose |
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The Soda Creek 3 folk trio returned to perform at the Harrington Opera House, on Friday, September 23, 2011. This year, Paul Deuber joined Jack Harroun and Stan Timperley to provide a wonderful evening full of great folk tunes and humor.
 Click for more photos |
Also on Friday, September 23rd, Templin's Country Corner catered a
Gourmet "Old World" Spaghetti Dinner FUNDRAISER
for the Harrington Opera House
at the Harrington Memorial Hall
(accross the street from the Opera House). Thanks to generous donations of food, and labor, the dinner was a success and raised approximately $580! Thanks to all who helped, attended, and supported!
Was held 9:00 am to Noon - prior to and immediately following the Fall Festival Parade on Saturday, September 24th. Quite a few people stopped by for a tour or refreshments including people "just passing through Harrington" took time to stop and visit. Several young folk also enjoyed the arts & craft activities in The Art Room.
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FREE program was held at the Harrington Opera House Auditiorum
Friday, September 16, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Contemporary life in the American west is profoundly influenced by our rich heritage in the legend and lore of the early cowboys and cowgirls. In song, poetry, and story, this colorful program relates expressions of the work ethic, hardships, and joys of frontier life. These traditions continue and are strong and vibrant in present day agricultural life. Bruce & Susan Matley brought the vibrancy of this tradition to life with a musical and poetic presentation. This program was made possible by Humanities Washington. Also, the Ritzville Friends of the Library collaborated to help bring this program to the area. It was a small audience, but those who were there were totally engaged and captivated by the music, history, and presentation.
More Information on this program Bruce & Susan as Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue
About the Humanities Washington’s Speakers Bureau
The Speaker’s Bureau brings Washington’s finest scholars,
authors, musicians and storytellers to communities for engaging free & public presentations. For more information visit humanities.org
The Ryan Larsen Band played Country and Country Rock music for a small but enthusiastic crowd on Saturday, September 10th at the Opera House. The Band members really seemed to enjoy the venue and connected with the audience from the very first numbers, keeping the energy going for the whole evening. Awsemoe musicians, awesome performers! Visit their Official Website or find them on Facebook
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Historic Preservation Presentation
Kristen Griffin, Historic Preservation Officer for the City and County of Spokane, Gary Lauerman board member of the Spokane Preservation Advocates, and Jim Kolva, a land use and historic preservation consultant provided an informative and interesting presentation to a small but enthusiastic audience at the Harrington Opera House on August 20th. The presentation, sponsored by the Harrington Historic Preservation Commission (HHPC) was FREE and open to the public. After the powerpoint presentation and question and answer session in the Opera House auditorium, Jim Kolva narrated a short tour of some of Harrington's downtown historic buildings. He described original uses and architectural features of many of the buildings and explained the value for the owners and the community of returning some of the buildings to their original look. Jim is willing to provide suggestions for options to consider when modifying, rehabilitating, or restoring Harrington's historic buildings and homes to help preserve Harrington's historic character. Harrington's relatively intact early 19th century downtown 3 block area is an economic development asset and potential attraction for new businesses and residents. For more information contact HHPC members Karen Allen at 509-244-5995 or Margie Hall 725-1170.
Charlotte Schacher is a
well known artist and
an admired art
instructor in the
Lewiston-Clarks ton
Valley gave her third art workshop in the Harrington Opera House "Art Room" on May 13th & 14th. Seven students enjoyed the landscape in oils class. Charlotte brought a finished landscape painting and then worked through the steps to create it with the class. It was amazing how unique each student's painting turned out, even though working from the same scene. Charlotte agreed to return in the fall if a class of at least 6 students could be guaranteed.
Those interested in future art classes, please contact us at 253-4719 or info
harringtonoperahouse.org for more information.
Charlotte's Elkhorn Gallery Website Youtube video of some of Charlotte's work
"Ride Along the Oregon Trail
with 'Aunt Phoebe' Judson."
A FREE Humanities Washington sponsored program by Mary Michaelson was held at the Harrington Opera House on Friday, evening, May 13, 2011.
Mary Michaelson is the sole proprietor of “Aunt Phoebe’s Corner,” a company which conducts historical research about Phoebe Goodell Judson and other pioneers in the Pacific northwest, as well as other related subjects. She gave a very interesting slide presentation focusing on the trials & tribulations of getting and staying with a wagon train.
About the Humanities Washington’s Speakers Bureau
The Speaker’s Bureau brings Washington’s finest scholars,
authors, musicians and storytellers to communities for engaging free & public presentations. For more information visit humanities.org
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There was a good turn-out for the energetic bluegrass music provided by the Panhandle Polecats on Saturday, April 30, 2011. The Panhandle Polecats are top performers in the Inland Northwest Bluegrass scene. The lightning picking, tight vocals and infectious stage presence of these five siblings have won them a devoted following throughout the region. |
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Handful of Luvin' A small but enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the "fiddle driven roots rock" quartet from Seattle. Their sound is described as a cheerful blend of folk-rock, reggae and world rhythms, and Celtic influences with catchy pop hooks. Handful of Luvin' was voted top 5 local band of Western WA 3 yrs in a row through King 5 tv station. |
Click on pictures above for large view. |
The HOHS Annual Meeting
Attendees of the January 10, 2011 meeting at the Harrington City Hall, enjoyed delicious refreshments during the presentation of the Annual Report accompanied by Power Point slides. A short business meeting followed the report presentation.
Report (Word) Report (PDF) Power Point (Click to advance slides)
All Welcome to attend the next Harrington Opera House Meeting:
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes and More on Meetings
2010 Events
Harrington Grade School Concert - 12-14-2010 |
Harrington High School Band Concert - 12-20-2010 |
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Santa and his Helpers. Click photo for larger view. |
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Bronn & Katherine Journey
in the Harrington Opera House - Oct. 14, 2010. Click on picture for larger view |
Thursday, October 14, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Bronn and Katherine Journey returned to the Harrington Opera House on Thursday, October 14, 2010. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance, including Bronn's humorous quips, his virtuosity on the harp, and Katherine's exquisite voice. Selections included some Broadway tunes, some movie and TV themes, some classical, and some folk tunes. They usually include a little bit of "music education" and this time was no exception as they shared some beautiful Welsh tunes and background information.
This was the first audience to see the newly installed ceiling in
the auditorium.
Building Rehabilitation Update October 31, 2010 - The floors have been leveled, and ceiling in the lobby and auditorium us up!!! New wall sconces have been added to the auditorium walls. Also, exterior wood trim work is being repainted! Photos coming soon!
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Recently, much of the original equipment from the Harrington Palm Barber Shop was discovered for sale on the Internet. The items, dating from the early 1900's, were quite "pricey" and beyond the Opera House's budget. Rather than risk losing these historical items for all time, arrangements were made to acquire them.
Click HERE for a list of the items and how you can help the Harrington Opera House keep a part of Harrington's History available for public display.
A Presentation and book signing by John Soennichsen, Cheney author, was held in the auditorium of the Harrington Opera House on Friday evening, September 24th. The audience was not large in size, but all seemed to enjoy the interesting slide show and explanation of how geologist, Bretz, preserve red to convince the scientific community and the public that these unique channels were formed by cataclysmic flood rather than over eons of glaciation.
Kathy (Thiemens) Walker, author of The Loving Family Tree, appeared at the Harrington Opera House on Saturday, Sept. 25th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Kathy,a 1971 graduate of Harrington High School, shared her childrens book, a true story of childhood memories. A portion of the book sales were donated to the HOHS.
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Doggie Days
The 2nd Annual Doggie Days on 21st. was a success. Several dogs received baths, grooming, and pedicures while a few owners visited the museum and Art Room. The day generated over $100 in donations.
Art Workshop!
Seven students enjoyed the Charlotte Schacher landscape painting workshop - June 25 - 25, 2010 in "The Art Room" of the Harrington Oera House. All would like to schedule another workshop later this summer or in the fall.
Harrington School Band Concert
Director, Monte Swenson, led our Harrington youth musicians in an outstanding performance in the Opera House auditorium on April 19, 2010. The concert included selections played by the Fifth Grade Band, the Middle Schoole Band, The High School Band, and the "Combined Band" (Middle & High School.)
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| Attendance by dontation to Band Trip Fund | The Bands played to a full house! |
Tapestry Women's Choir, based in Colfax
and
Bel Canto of Yakima 
filled the historic Harrington Opera House with beautiful music on April 17, 2010.
Jayne (Ottmar) Beauchene, a 1965 graduate of Harrington High School and current member of the
Bel Canto chorus, instigated bringing both choruses together for a wonderful afternoon of song and fellowship to benefit Harrington Opera House rehabilitation projects.
Click on photo for larger view. More photos soon.
Destination for Tour Groups
Inland Empire Tours brought a group of 11to visit the Harrington Opera House on April 11th. The tourists, originating from Spokane, were also treated to visits to local gardens, arranged by Harrington Opera House volunteer, Ed Haugan. The tour guide was very impressed with both the historic Opera House & Bank Block Building and the yard/gardens and plans to arrange another tour in the summer.
Wedding at the Opera House!
On Saturday, March 20, 2010, Jordan Wagner and Heather Yirak celebrated their wedding in the historic Harrington Opera House.
Click on
Britton Photography -Heather & Jordan Wedding Link
for beautiful photos of event.
A few "non-professional" photos (Click on photos for larger view)
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Building Update Recent work included replacing the curtain covering the "Box Office" in the lobby with sheet rock. Eventually, wainscoting may be added to the bottom portion of the wall, replicating the historical decorative styling from the Opera House auditorium. |
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Clint Dinwiddie working on "Box Office" Click for larger & more views |
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HOHS featured on Cathy McMorris Rodgers August 2009 Web Page
Become a Fan!
Visit our new FaceBook page & invite others to become a fan!
The Annual Meeting
on January 11, 2010 was well attended. Gordon Herron, President, presented the 2009 Annual Report. Word Document PDF accompanied by PowerPoint slides.
The February meeting was also well attended, and the next meeting is Monday, March 1, 2010 - 7:00 p.m. in the Opera House or Harrington City Hall, depending on weather.
New members welcome! Click HERE for more
Grant Received!
OnMonday, December 7, 2009, the Lincoln County Commissioners awarded the Harrington Opera
House Society with a grant of $9,000 which will go towards installation of lighting in the Opera House auditorium and stairways.
2009 Events
Santa & one of his elves
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Hot Chocolate & Coloring Activities for kids. |
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Harrington School Bands |
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A wonderful evening full of great folk tunes and humor. The trio donated all proceeds to the Harrington Opera House! They also played in the park the next day during the Harrington Fall Festival BBQ. |
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Historical Group Visit
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Dog Days of Summer Dog Wash & "Yard Sale" August 15, 2009 Elevator Fundraiser |
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Photo by Karen Allen |
On Friday, August 14, 2009, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
Photo by Peter Davenport |
to the Left: Cathy McMorris Rodgers signs the Opera House Guest Book Right: Volunteers and Cathy McMorris Rodgers on
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Afternoon Tea with Presentation and Book Signing by Author/Artist Nona Hengen was held in the Harrington Opera House July 18, 2009 |
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Images |
Article by Karen Allen More about Nona at: |
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Thanks to Alan Whitman and Washington Window & Door in the Spokane Valley
for the donation of the replacement window in the South wall of the lobby!
And thanks to Alan & Ed Haugan for the installation!
Thank you to
Spokane's Pages of Harmony!
"Broadway, Barbershop Style" on June 20th was a wonderful evening.
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The Harrington Opera House
A shining star in the heart of Lincoln County
Click HERE for article by Karen Allen,
printed with permission from the May 2009 issue of Wheat Life,
the official publication of Washington Association of Wheat Growers.
Recent Grants Received
4,500 from U.S. Bank
$2,500 from the Avista Foundation
to be applied to our lobby & auditorium heating projects.
Thanks to Billie Herron for writing the grants and
to Avista & US Bank for their support!
Wanda Buddrius helps with the bathroom tile project
Two Day Oil Painting Workshop
with Charlotte Schacher
May 15-16
Charlotte Schacher is a well known artist and an admired art instructor in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Along with wildlife paintings, she paints portraits and a wide variety of custom paintings. Her work has earned her numerous awards and has been featured in private galleries in the Pacific Northwest. |
 Charlotte Schacher (left) gives student, Renea Larmer, some oil painting pointers. U.S. Bank managers observe progress. |
 Wanda Buddrius, U.S. Bank Manager, Harrington Branch, checks out class progress on Friday, May 15th in the Harrington Opera House "Arts Room." |
Debra Hendrickson, 2009 Harringon Opera House Events Chair, posing with some of Charlotte Schacher's paintings in the lobby of the Harrington Opera House.
Click photo for high resolution file |
The Harrington School Bands & Chorus
under the direction of Monte Swenson
entertained a full house on Thursday, April 16, 2009
Click Photos for larger view
On Saturday, March 21, 2009
A fascinating evening in support of the Harrington Opera House! Thank you Peter, and ALL who attended GREAT turn-out! Watch for story in The Inlander ! |
Harrington Opera House Annual Report
December 31, 2008
Word PDF
| Thanks to the joint efforts of the Harrington Opera House Society and Davenport Theatrical the audience enjoyed a great show of music, comedy, and a little bit of choreography. Davenport Theatrical brought in professional lighting and sound system to help "set the stage" in the historic old auditorium. |
Bronn
Journey Concert
IN The Harrington Opera House!
12/6/08 Bronn not only coaxed his harp to sound like a whole orchestra, but his sense of humor and his awareness of his audience was so entertaining that even spouses who were "drug" to the concert found themselves enjoying the performance. And Katherine's exquisite voice was purely joyful to behold. Their selections ranged from Broadway to Celtic and Christmas, with snippets of Johnny Cash and even a Bronn Journey original, "Ode to My 401 K", thrown in to the obvious appreciation of our mostly rural crowd. And speaking of the crowd - the room was packed to capacity with Eastern WA folk as well as groups that traveled from Montana, Oregon, and Seattle! Quite a draw to this little town of Harrington! And thanks to all the people who were ready to pitch in and help at a moment's notice when the night before the performance we had a false fire alarm! An alert Harrington citizen noticed "smoke" coming from the Opera House roof and saw an orange glow through the auditorium windows. Turns out, it was one of the first nights for our newly installed heating system. There was a bonfire on a hill outside of town that was positioned at just the right angle to reflect off of the windows. With the smoke/steam and the fiery glow, a 911 call set off a flurry of activity and an outpouring of instant support. What a scary way to discover how many people treasure our efforts to resurrect this grand old building and monument to our cultural heritage. We still have a long way to go and major funding is still needed to renovate the auditorium and stage. Now that we have the required bathrooms, electrical service, heat, and the beautiful 2nd staircase, we can begin to use the building for concerts, art shows, dances, weddings, receptions, etc. Still rustic, with her history showing, the bare bricks, flaking plaster, and open rafters, are both reminders of her rich past and the amount of work that lies ahead.
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The HOHS at dusk the week before the Bronn Journey Concert held on December 6, 2008
Annual Report - For an overview of HOHS activities in 2007, read the 2007 Annual Report.
Word Version PDF Version
The Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC) Annual Meeting, "Evening for the Arts,"
Sponsored by Lincoln Co. EDC & Century Tel on March 27th,
was a gala evening. Held in the Harrington Memorial Hall, attendees enjoyed a sumptuous dinner hosted by the Harrington Opera House Society. Visual arts exhibited included the works of Joseph Goldberg, Jim Bauer, Edward Haugan, and Les Lepere. Pam Kelley, EDC Director, facilitated the evening with mini-presentations by sponsors and spokespersons for PDA projects throughout Lincoln County. Eileen Paulson, accompanied by Sara Jane Johnson on piano, provided interludes of music with Eileen giving an encore from the stage of the Harrington Opera House at the end of the evening.
HOHS members did a great job planning, cooking, and serving the meal which received numerous well-earned compliments. Thanks to HOHS volunteer efforts, the upstairs auditorium was equipped with temporary lighting so that the EDC meeting guests could experience the amazing acoustics while enjoying Eileen's encore musical numbers. Visit the Lincoln County EDC News page for a few photos. More photos coming soon.
HELP!!!
Desperately
Seeking Susan . . . or ANYONE to assist with upcoming
events or to complete some of our current renovation projects. See
Agenda & minutes on Meeting Page
for more information or contact HOHS President, Gordon
Herron
at 253-4594
Harrington Opera House Society Awarded Grant
Excerpt
from Davenport Times, 1/10/08
The Lincoln County commissioners agreed to help fund five local
projects recommended by the local Economic Development Council.
Grants were awarded
to . . . (and to the) Harrington Opera House Society - $12, 150 to
complete renovation of
the lobby area.
1/7/08 - Building Restoration Update
Temporary heat was recently set up for "work days" in the bank corner. The contractors working on the stairs need the heat to be installed in the lobby to finish woodwork. Gordon Herron is gathering bids for the heat installation.
Work was stopped after Christmas on the bathrooms. 2 more walls and ceiling joists need to go up before wallboard can be put up.
Gordon reported that some damage was done to the roof during the last wind storm and there is leaking. HOHS is looking for a contractor to repair the roof.
8/18/07
- Building Restoration Update
Remodeling of the bathroom adjacent
to the dance studio on the first floor of the opera house has been
completed except for painting. Labor for new sheet rock, flooring,
& new toilet installation was done by Tim Hampson of Davenport
Washington in conjunction with Warner Construction Co.
Mr. Mark Wetjen of Harrington, Wa. donated labor & materials to
do the wiring in the bathroom and throughout the rest of the South
West end of the ground floor.
Grants
breathe new life into Opera House project From the Davenport TIMES February 15, 2007 Easter came early for members of the Harrington Opera House Society. Two grants received from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation (INCF)* and the Lincoln County Economic Development Fund (EDF) for $29,337 and $10,000, respectively, will breathe new life into the society's plans to renovate the facility so it could be ready for performances in three years. Society treasurer, Billie Herron, said she and her colleagues were encouraged by the grants, which will go a long way toward constructing a second entry/exit stairwell from the second floor Opera House to the downstairs area that once was the "bank" of the "Bank Block Building." Click HERE for more |
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| Bank Block
Bulletin - January 2001 PDF File (slow to load - best for printing) HTML File |
May 8, 2001 News Article |
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PO Box 618, Harrington, WA 99134 Hosted by: Ritzville Computer and Internet |
