12/14/2007 9:00:00 PM
Fundraising efforts help Elks Opera House move toward total restoration
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| The Daily Courier/Jo.L.Keener
Author Chris Hoy poses with his new book, “The Elk in The Attic,” Friday at the Elk’s theater.
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PRESCOTT - Buoyed by an "elk in the attic," as well as on its rooftop, the historic Elks Opera House continues to progress toward an ultimate goal: total restoration.
Three new improvement projects recently wrapped at the downtown theater, setting the stage for even more fundraising and upgrades in the coming year.
In mid-November, the Elks reopened after going dark for six weeks for restoration of the second lobby, improvements to the concession area, and installation of a new sound system.
Those improvements came just a year after local efforts brought "Bill," the original bronze elk statue, back to the rooftop of the Gurley Street building after a decades-long absence.
Joe Place, city coordinator of the theater, made a presentation to the Prescott City Council this past week on the progress at the Elks, noting that the three recent improvement projects add to the functionality and the ambience of the theater.
For instance, the $125,000 sound system has added a critical component to the theater by offering state-of-the-art technology, Place said.
And in the lobby, Prescott Historic Preservation Specialist Nancy Burgess said the restoration has made the space "much lighter and brighter" by removing the dropped ceiling and exposing original artwork on the walls.
The money for the three projects came from a combination of a state grant, a contribution from local Questers groups, and city money.
Now, a new fundraising effort is under way to help pique even more interest in the Elks Opera House Foundation's effort to restore the grandeur of the theater's early-1900s opening day.
Prescott author Chris Hoy recently wrote and - with the help of a number of other locals - published a children's book, "The Elk in the Attic," to help further the Elks restoration effort. All of the proceeds from the book's sale will go to the Elks Opera House Foundation.
If all 2,000 copies of the book sell, Hoy said the effort should raise $18,000. That money will go toward the foundation's goal of raising $1 million by February 2009 for a host of additional theater improvements, such as new seats, the return of opera boxes, and restoration of the tin-stamped ceiling.
With illustrations by local wildlife biologist Walt Anderson and cover design by Bridget Reynolds, Hoy's book offers children - and adults - a whimsical glimpse into the plight of "Bill the elk," who lives in a little boy's attic.
Hoy pointed out that the idea for the book grew from his life-long interest in wildlife, along with his concerns about drought and its effects on wild animals.
While living in Boulder, Colo., years ago, Hoy said a large mule deer took up long-term residence in his backyard. At the same time, one of Hoy's friends was dealing with raccoons living in his attic. Hoy remembers jokingly telling his friend, "At least you don't have a deer in your attic."
That conversation gave birth to the idea for the book. After an original publishing deal fell through in 2001, Hoy said he put the book aside for several years.
Recently, Hoy's wife Leslie suggested that the book might make an interesting fundraiser project for the downtown theater.
"With a couple of minor tweaks, I realized it could be tied directly (to the Elks)," said Hoy, who changed the mule deer to an elk.
The book is appropriate for children from about 7 to 10, Hoy said, adding, "It's a fun book to read to kids. It would be a great gift."
"The Elk in the Attic" is available for $12 at a number of local locations, including The Worm; the Sharlot Hall Museum gift shop; Hastings Books, Music and Videos; the Heritage Park Zoological Society; and the Elks Opera House lobby. Hoy also plans a number of book-signing events after the first of the year.
Contact the reporter at cbarks@prescottaz.com
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