A couple of decade in the past, Ken Shockey informed Dr. C. Gregory Hoover, superintendent on the time, the Steinway grand piano within the Greencastle-Antrim Excessive College auditorium wanted to be refurbished, and it was going to value $50,000.
“Ken stated, ‘However I’ve a solution,’” Hoover recounted in the beginning of the primary of two Previous House Week group worship companies Sunday, Aug. 7, within the auditorium.
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Refurbishing the piano was the beginning of what would whole, as of this 12 months, $400,000 invested within the auditorium by the Paul Okay. and Anna E. Shockey Household Basis, created by Ken Shockey’s dad and mom. Paul Shockey was a co-founder of JLG Industries and Anna Shockey was a nurse.
“Ken in all probability regrets that reply as a result of I stored coming again,” Hoover laughed earlier than saying the auditorium will now be referred to as The Shockey Household Heart for Performing Arts. The identify seems in gold letters over the doorway to the ability.
“Final 12 months I stated, ‘We’d like $100,000,’ and in 30 seconds Ken stated, ‘Sure,’” Hoover informed the worship service viewers.
“We knew it was going to be put to good use, and it has,” Ken Shockey stated, thanking the college district for the distinction. He was adopted to the microphone by his spouse, Bonnie, who welcomed the viewers as president of the 41st triennial Greencastle-Antrim Previous House Week.
The newest enhancements — new curtains, higher lighting for the pit space and steps to the stage, and a brand new projector — had been evident throughout the Previous House Week companies, “Jesus, You Are Worthy” and the pageant “Yesterday, When We Have been Younger.”
The worship featured an 80-plus voice choir and a 30-plus member orchestra, with Ken Shockey on the keyboard.
“I’m nonetheless taking part in that darned piano,” joked Ken Shockey.
“We thank your loved ones for all that you’ve achieved for our district and we’re extraordinarily grateful for this generosity that may assist to offer a greater expertise for our college students and the group,” present Superintendent Dr. Lura Hanks wrote in a letter that was given to the Shockeys.
“It appears to be like superior now,” in keeping with Gerald Crable, the district’s supervisor of knowledge and evaluation and auditorium supervisor. “The projector is one thing such as you would see at an enormous theater, it’s that form of high quality. The image is gorgeous.”
The enhancements wouldn’t be attainable with out what Crable referred to as the Shockey household’s “excessive generosity,” for the reason that auditorium funds is just $4,000 to $5,000 a 12 months.
Shawn Hardy is a reporter with Gannett’s Franklin County newspapers in south-central Pennsylvania — the Echo Pilot in Greencastle, The File Herald in Waynesboro and the Public Opinion in Chambersburg. She has greater than 35 years of journalism expertise. Attain her at [email protected]