>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

- Trish Yerges

- For The Observer

ELGIN — After a two-year closure, the historic Elgin Opera House will open its doors again on Saturday.

Terry Hale, formerly of the Portland area, signed a one-year lease with the City of Elgin, effective Nov. 1, to offer both theater and live performances to Union County audiences.

The opera house office will also be home to Hale's day-time business, Any Dream Corp., where he provides marketing consulting and designs business Web sites.

The Hale family, Terry, Stephanie and daughters Madeline, 6, and Abigail, 4, recently moved to Elgin and will take up residence on Palmer Junction road this week, said Hale.

He gained his interest in the theater while attending Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho), where he earned his associate's degree in Interpersonal Communications.

Hale went on to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing communications and a minor in English from BYU in Provo, Utah.

He also directed some shows in theaters while living in the Portland area. Since then he has dreamed of operating his own theater.

It was during a visit with relatives in Elgin that he noticed the opera house was vacant. The circumstances were inviting.

"I've wanted to do this for 15 years. We're excited about it, and we know that a one screen theater will mean that we have to be creative. This isn't a one-man show, though. Success will require support from the whole community," Hale said.

Hale invites the community to get involved.

"I'd like to feature local talent whenever possible," Hale said.

He is looking for future volunteers and local talent for upcoming events, he said, including a holiday program to benefit the Elgin food pantry and a spring musical.

For more information or to share your talents, contact Hale at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 971-226-1850.

At opening night this Saturday, Hale will introduce one of Portland's finest classic guitarists, William Jenks.

Jenks will be performing songs from his newest CD, "Sounds of the Scenic Route," which musically portrays his memories and experiences while traveling through the Pacific Northwest, the Sierra Nevadas, the Rocky Mountains, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Austria.

Read more about his music at www.williamjenks.com

The William Jenks performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets sell for $10 per person and $8 for seniors and students.

For more information about the schedule of upcoming events at the Elgin Opera House, visit www.elginoperahouse.com and sign up on the VIP list to receive online news releases.

"This is going to be an adventure," Hale said, and he encourages everyone to enjoy it with him.