It was a classy way to announce an event that was designed to celebrate the future of the historic Himmler Theatre on Lake Street in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

It took place at one of the grand homes in the Back Mountain, the Collini Manse. To the occupants, it is a home. To everyone else who sees it from the road, it is a topic of conversation, folklore and wonder.

We weren’t exactly sure how our names got on the guest list. Our life is centered here in Windsor Park, and because of our responsibilities with the New Windsor Park Stories, there is very little time for house parties and the like.

But why not go? The date was available. The cause was excellent, and the guests would be a group of people we seldom rub shoulders with.

We arrived at the Collini home just as they were lighting the torches. It had been a beautiful day in May, but the weather was changing. The sky was overcast. The wind was strong, and it was chilly.

One of the first persons we met was Susan Collini, our hostess for the evening. She is a charming woman, fashionably dressed with a welcoming smile. When we asked for her permission to record the evening for a possible segment of Windsor Park Stories, her eyes lit up with approval.

In the words of Stephen Covey, it was going to be a win-win situation. The Back Mountain Arts Association would get some free publicity, and we would be able to contribute our services to the cause.

The setting for the gathering was the pool area where a large white tent was set up overlooking the grounds. Spring flowers decorated the space, and there was a wonderful array of food and drink.

The guests were dressed in evening finery and enjoyed their conversation as they grazed at the different stations. On hand were representatives of area colleges, business leaders, members of the Back Mountain Arts Association and state representative Karen Boback and her charming husband, Buz.

For us there was a special surprise, two of Tony’s former students, women who had very successful careers, were in attendance, and it was a joy to be able to watch from afar as Maureen Bufalino and Kathleen Godwin charmed everyone they met.

Old friends from College Misericordia were there to lend their support to making an abandoned and deteriorating building a new center for the cultural arts.

Providing coverage for the Suburban News was writer/photographer, Elizabeth Martin. She worked the crowd with the dignity and class of a true professional.

While Martin snapped her pictures on one side of the room, Jim O’Connell of Resource Media carefully set up his Flash presentation about the rebirth of the Himmler Theater on the other side. Carol Wahl introduced us to Jim and he was more than willing to share his creation with us for inclusion in our story. He is a delightful person of great competence and creativity.

Along the perimeter of the tent, posters on easels depicted the history and glory days of the theatre that was opened in 1928 by Wesley Himmler.

Hemmer sold it in 1955, and it closed nine years later. Since then the red brick building has maintained its place on Lake Street, serving as a storage area for the adjacent Dodge dealership but that era is over.

The car business left in 2004 and the theatre building was bought by Chris and Rebecca Matus. The dream is to refurbish the theatre and use it as a cultural art center in the Back Mountain for amateur and professional events.

Next to the posters on easels were architectural drawings of what the building will look like when restored.

In a “Case For Support” pamphlet, the Arts Association notes that while the quality of life is at a high level in the Back Mountain, the arts are “conspicuously absent.” It further states that the vast majority of the 30,000 residents want more arts, theatre and performance venues in the area.

Hence the first steps toward that goal and using what is already a perfect building in Dallas Borough are underway. Once finished, the Back Mountain Cultural Center will give the community all kinds of events. There is a long road ahead before that dream becomes a reality.

The elegant affair at the Collini residence was a vehicle to get people up to speed on the progress already made and the steps to come.

To do that, guests were transported back in time to the Renaissance and the Globe Theatre of 1613 to hear the poignant songs of that era. This was followed by a song from Henry Purcell called “If Music Be the Song of Love, Sing On.”

Those in attendance were brought quickly into the 21st century by songs sung by members of the KISS Theatre Co., Kids Innovating Stage and Sound.

The purpose of the performances was to give examples of what the restoration of the theatre will be able to do when it’s complete. Support for the project, said emcee Beth Ann Delaney, will bring the building back to its heyday.

For us conversations with Judy Ellis, Kathleen Godwin and her husband and our former colleague Jerry Godwin, and a lengthy discussion with Buz Boback, made the evening very special.

Our friend and successful businesswoman, Elva Valentine, was very charming and quick with the quip as usual. Those of us who know Elva admire and like her genuineness.

We were introduced to independent filmmaker Robert May, but the demands of a publicity picture terminated our conversation just as it was beginning. Perhaps the next time we meet we will be able to explore our common interests.

The crowd was encouraged to get excited and to spread the word about the project. Money is needed, said Delaney, but now is the time to promote the idea and develop an enthusiasm that will make raising the funds easier.

Residents of the Back Mountain will then understand what an asset it can be for everyone to get involved.

As we maneuvered our car around the ornate water fountain in front of the Collini home, we thought to ourselves how wonderful it is to be with people who are dedicating their time, talent and resources to restore a part of our past so that we can have a more civilized future.

Here’s hoping that the dreams dreamed on a chilly night in May will be fulfilled with the restoration of the Wesley Himmler Theater.

A wise person once said: “Everything old is new again.”

(For more information about the restoration project, contact the Back Mountain Arts Association)

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