Helping Opera House helps us all

Main Street in Norway has been a hive of activity for the past few months. The Opera House has never looked better. New glass in the windows, new lighting illuminating the lovely clock tower which, at night, looks beautiful. The clock is accurate and chimes the hour.

Inside, the walls are fresh, bathrooms installed, heat and electricity updated, creating gorgeous rental spaces almost ready for new businesses to move into.

Members of the Norway Maine Opera House board have received many compliments on the lighting of the architectural features and clock tower and the restoration in general.

Many have supported the acquisition, stabilization and restoration. Some have been critical. But this is important to the town and its residents. Why?

With the Opera House restored, the "look" of Main Street will also be restored.

With empty storefronts, the street gives the impression of a dying town. Who wants to invest in that either residential or commercial?

A restored and rented Opera House will completely change the face of downtown. It will act as a magnet, attracting others to come to Main Street with their businesses and for their business.

This in turn will help create jobs which, in turn, will see a return to buying local. It is a win-win for all of us here.

However, the restoration requires a huge outlay to fund it. The Opera House Corporation has had many donations. However, it is still in need of help to complete the project. Everyone's help.

Not many of us can make a $10,000 donation, a $1,000, or even a $100, but every donation counts.

We are all struggling to make ends meet these days. Some more than others. But even a few dollars count. So maybe instead of beer or soda, we might, instead, give those dollars to something that could, in the long run, benefit us. Or perhaps the vacation this year could be less expensive and the difference could go to help finish the Opera House.

Perhaps we have a friend or loved one that we want to remember or a grandchild with a birthday.

We can leave a lasting legacy by donating to the Opera House in that person’s name, in our own name.

And every time we walk or drive by we will know we were a part of something wonderful ... that we made a difference in our town.

Donations can be made at Norway Savings Bank – attention Katie Letourneau.

The Advertiser Democrat Editorial Board