Fundraising campaign launched for Howmet Playhouse

November 30, 2006
Muskegon Chronicle Live

Fundraising campaign launched for Howmet Playhouse When Whitehall city officials took ownership of the Howmet Playhouse this month, they made it clear it would take a community effort to help save and improve the historic downtown theater.

That community effort kicked off this week with establishment of the Blomdahl Howmet Playhouse Fund through the White Lake Community Fund and Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

The White Lake Community Fund board created the fund with the transfer of $10,000 from the Leonard and Edna K. Blomdahl Fund, money bequeathed to the foundation from Whitehall civic activist Edna Blomdahl prior to her death in 1999.

Officials are launching a fundraising effort to add to the fund, with a goal of raising $310,000 by Sept. 30, 2007.

“I think it’s glorious,” Whitehall Mayor Mac Hatch said of the establishment of the fund. “It’s a way for the entire White Lake community to participate in a worthwhile project. I’ve never seen such enthusiasm for anything in my 35 years here.”

An agreement approved by the Whitehall City Council Tuesday calls for money from the Blomdahl Playhouse Fund to support “programming, presentations, building repair, maintenance and general operations of the theater.”

“The Howmet Playhouse has been an integral part of our community,” said Holly Hughes, one of three White Lake Community Fund board members who attended Tuesday’s council meeting.

“All of the Community Fund board members are excited about this. The Blomdahls’ legacy will live on.”