Upde Designs

I had a real treat yesterday in that I got to do a photographic assignment for one of my favorite communities.  One of the things I love about working for our organization is that we are a community banking organization.  We are deeply integrated into the communities we serve and the philosophy of our ownership is to be involved, engaged, and contribute to the communities we serve.

The Gentleman that I work for began working with the DeWitt Opera House over 30 years ago to rescue and preserve this vital part of the community’s cultural  center.  That is a long story in itself.  However the purpose of this post is to chronicle another chapter in a long list of events that have impacted the Opera House.

This wonderful structure also serves the community as a movie theater.  The Opera House was originally constructed to attract the traveling Vaudeville troops that would tour the small communities.  DeWitt did not have a place for them to perform so they organized a fund drive and built the Opera House.  It immediately became the communities’ cultural center.

Later a movie projector was installed and the Opera House became one of the first theaters in Iowa to show “talkies.”

The latest renovation to the Opera House is the installation of digital projection.   All movie theaters will have to be digital in the next couple of years and so faced with a $150,000 outlay the community once again stepped up and raised the necessary funds to install a digital projection system.

The purpose of my photography was to be used in a presentation at the dedication ceremony, which will be held this coming Monday.  It was an enjoyable project and I learned a lot about the rich heritage of this wonderful old Opera House.

Thanks as always for stopping by.  Enjoy your Thursday.  Watch the snow and be careful.