WALTON _ A memory tree has taken root at the Walton Theatre to acknowledge those who have donated time and money to restore the historic 1914 building.
An open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday to dedicate the gingko tree created by Lara Fassler. It bears leaves embossed with the names of some of the contributors.
Andrea Paternoster, Walton Restoration Committee spokeswoman, said the idea for the tree evolved to help accommodate the names of all the donors.
The Restoration Committee had decided that anyone who made at least a $50 donation would have his or her name permanently displayed.
"We kind of backed into (the tree)," Paternoster said Wednesday. "We had a huge amount of $50 donations and we had already filled two huge plaques with nameplates. We were looking at getting another plaque, which was getting kind of boring, when I saw a memory tree at Lourdes Hospital."
Paternoster said she mentioned the tree to Edythe Bowker, who suggested that Fassler, a Walton middle school art teacher, could create a tree.
Fassler said she was fascinated with the project and eventually became a member of the Restoration Committee.
Fassler said she looked up tree symbolism and discovered that the gingko tree represents rejuvenation. She added two cranes to the mural to represent hope.
After the tree was painted, Fassler crafted the trunk, roots and leaves from clay.
Leaves will be added as more donations come in.
Paternoster said the leaves are color-coded to denote the amounts of the donations. Copper-colored leaves represent $50 to $249, silver leaves denote $250 to $499, and gold leaves are reserved for donations of $500 or more.
Fassler said the leaves also inspired the creation of gingko leaf necklaces, which became beaded necklaces that are sold for $25.
A committee of Theatre Beaders meets weekly to design necklaces that are sold at theater performances and other venues, including the Delaware County Fair.
Paternoster said fundraising is ongoing, with the sale of theater seats at $250 per seat or $800 for four seats.
Restoration efforts have included reclaiming the stage; installing stage and flood lighting and a sound system; restoring the hand-stenciled walls; repainting the woodwork; replacing floors and seating, and restoring stained glass.
Paternoster said future projects include more stained-glass work and restoration of the balcony, including new carpeting and seating, and building small bistro areas in the balcony projections.
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