Dedication reception in the new events center addition to the Wieting Theatre - Opera House on Sunday, Sept. 8. Chronicle photos/John Speer

It was a near full house Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, for the dedication marking the completion of Phase II of the Wieting Theatre – Opera House project. The program highlighted the $2.9 million work including an event center addition and upgrades to the 107-year-old Toledo landmark.

Jim Roan, retired Toledo attorney who has served as the project manager for both the restoration and modernization of the facility, was master of ceremonies for the program. Roan credited the Wieting trustees, Theatre Guild members and acknowledged the more than 200 corporate, grants programs and individuals whose contributions paid for the undertaking.

“When RLou Snyder, who had served as Guild president for 40 some years, came to me in 2005 with the message “Something’s got to be done or the theatre will have to close” Roan said the plans began to develop. From there, he said, with the focus on using local contractors wherever possible, the work was done.

From the Rev. LaVerne Seth’s opening prayer to Roan’s comments and those of Toledo Mayor John Lloyd, Tama Mayor Mike Carnahan and Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce President Danielle Hardon the vital importance of volunteers for the community-owned theatre was the thread running through all. The important continuing role the theatre plays in providing for the arts was stressed.

The theatre was a gift to the community in 1912 by Ella Wieting in memory of her husband Philip, who had been a leading business person and resident of Toledo.

Philip Wieting IV, great grand nephew of Philip Wieting II, displays the gold pocket watch belonging to Philip Wieting II for which the theatre was built in memory of in 1912 during the Sunday, Sept 8, dedication.

On Sunday, the remarks of Philip Wieting IV continued the family’s tradition. “Our purpose for being here today is to honor and appreciate what you achievers have done, he said. “This is not about us it’s about all of you. As a Marine, I’ve always been discouraged about how two words have been used- that is Gung Ho. You’ve read about how they took off like a gung ho Marines. Gung ho was a reference by the Chinese of the Marines- it means work together. I think of no betters words to say than you are a gung ho group.”

An encore performance by the kids taking part in the summer Campy Creamery production of “Calamity Jane” was followed by tours and refreshments in the newly-completed event center addition.

Roan made special mention of the dedication of Guild members Denise Fletcher and Michelle Evans? and the financial assistance provided by Enhance Iowa, The State Bank of Toledo, the Mansfield Foundation, Tama County Board of Supervisors and the cities of Toledo and Tama for their backing.

Some of the more than 100 Wieting volunteers stand as they are recognized during the Sunday dedication.

Members of the Wieting family on hand for the Sunday dedication of the Wieting Theatre and Opera House Phase II?were (left to right) Ken Fox-Cameron, John Fox-Cameron, Liz Fox-Cameron, Debbie Booth, Shannon Cornett Glass, Cassidy Free, Phil Wieting V, Mary Lou Wieting, Phil Wieting IV and Dave Wieting. They are descendants of Philip and Ella Wieting, Nathan Wieting and John Guy Wieting who were in prominent roles in Toledo beginning in the 1850s and 60s.

Long-time Wieting Theatre Guild President and What’s Happening columnist RLou Snyder with Philip Wieting IV in the new event center dedication on Sunday,?Sept. 8. Philip is an Omaha, Neb. resident and was on hand with nine other Wieting family members for the Sunday ceremony.