Article: Worthington Park stage goes up in Quilcene

Port Townsend Leader

May 23, 2012
By Viviann Kuehl

An idea germinating over the past five years sprang into being last week, appearing as the Worthington Park stage, gracefully sited next to Worthington pond.

Part of the Worthington Park project in Quilcene, the stage is slated to be a venue for performing artists, weddings, and other events, and managed by Linger Longer Productions. The stage is located along Columbia Street, between U.S. Highway 101 and Center Road.

The structure, largely a production of local volunteers under the guidance of Quilcene Historical Museum board chair Mari Phillips, and her husband, Gary Phillips, was constructed out of winter-cut fir logs harvested by Josh Mahan and painstakingly peeled by volunteers.

Two of the poles flanking the stage front were carved into totems by longtime Quilcene resident and veteran carver Bob Canterbury.

The site was prepared by Doug Reeves. Larry and Loren Hovde did the concrete slab floor, and Reeves, Jim Hamilton, Mark Pomerinke and John Helsper are credited with working long hours to finish the structure designed by Gene Thompson of Designs Unlimited.

“I’m really pleased with the way it turned out,” said Thompson.

“The best thing is how the community came together,” said Bob Rosen, Quilcene Community Center director. “We were overwhelmed with volunteers.”

“I’m not sure that we’re working miracles, but we’re working long hours,” said Gary Phillips.

“There are so many people to thank,” said Mari Phillips. “They put aside differences, and put in a lot of work, and I think it’s going to make Quilcene a better place.”

The first concert at the Worthington Park stage, with Chance McKinney and Kellee Bradley, is scheduled for July 21.

The Quilcene Historical Museum began its fundraising effort to purchase the Worthington mansion and the 10-acre parcel (including 660 feet of riverfront) in Fall 2011. The campaign needs to raise $300,000 by June 30, 2013.

For information on the campaign, call the museum at 765-4848 or visit worthingtonparkquilcene.org.

Read original article online at ptleader.com