The theater was full with 312 patrons and 51 student couples. Thank you to the staff and chaperones of LDHS: Tony Biesiot, Kip Mau, Tim & Kim Hansen, Rhonda Brightzman, (and more) and the Prom Committee: Gary Linn, Eva Thompson, Lori Aberle, and Claussen Photography, and also to Nick from Colt 45 DJs. 

Thank you, Volunteers, for making this building a priority in your lives.
On Thursday, April 20, 2017 the Volunteer Committee and the staff and board of directors of the Homestake Opera House hosted the past, present, and future volunteers for the Volunteer Appreciation Reception, Presentation & Awards Party. Dr. Helen Usera of Aspiring Business Consulting of Rapid City, SD gave an inspiring presentation on volunteerism, encouraging all those who volunteer to encourage young people to get involved – bring someone with you next time who has never volunteered before. She also quoted Ghandi:
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." 
Awards were given to 14 generous community members, including DIANA MATHISRUD who received the WHOA Award for a whopping 132.5 recorded volunteer hours for lights/sound and acting onstage, and also the Crescendo Award going to SPENCER ROSSI for 98 hours for the 2016 Crescendo Gala in which she helped to raise $15,500 for the Homestake Opera House programming, building projects, and operations. 

This beautiful plasterwork is the first in the theater to be restored. Huge applause to Jerry Aberle and Dennes Barrett and Chad Aberle for their close attention to historic detail, respect for accuracy, and for hundreds of hours put towards this very important project – and to Deadwood Historic Preservation for their Outside of Deadwood grant funding that helped this project along. This project also wouldn't be possible without the legacy of longtime SD Senator Jim Dunn and his wife Betty for which this initial project was funded by an anonymous donor. Their legacy is bringing the color back into this beloved building.
This wall is a 100% replication of 1914 color and plasterwork, and the remaining work to be done is the installation of the original sconce light and the baseboard near the bottom of the wall. We are so very honored to show that this work can be done right here in Lead, SD.
This project also could not be completed without the support of an experienced, energetic, and enthusiastic staff and board of directors who provide the strategic planning to continue this important work. This year also features a full schedule of music and theatre programming, concerts, and large events while restoration and other special projects are planning and completed throughout the building this year and into next year. Thank you to all involved. Stay tuned to find out what's happening next.