Fund drive just shy of $50,000 goal; event raises record amount from current and former residents of community

Long-time Ellendale Opera House leader and advocate Jeanette Robb-Ruenz had much more to celebrate than her 80th birthday at the Opera House Lobby & Gallery Saturday, July 20.

That’s because her birthday event generated $48,000 in donations for renovation of the historic landmark on Main Street.

A total of $24,000 in contributions was made to the“Building Our Future and Preserving Our Past” campaign from more than 70 individuals, businesses and organizations.That amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar by anonymous supporters.

The resulting $48,000 was just shy of the $50,000 campaign event goal, but was a major advance for the capital campaign to raise $560,000 for the Phase I renovations of the 110-year-old building.