Life itself can be a combination of love, happiness, a sense of worth, loneliness, togetherness, poor health, perfect health, sorrow, pain, kindness and friendship, all wound tightly together. I have had the privilege in my life, to experience each one at certain stages in my lifetime. But today, I feel that I am a better person, with a better view of the world for having the opportunity to live the life that has been given to me.
Of course, and I have stated publicly, that I have not walked this road alone. There have been so many people, organizations, groups, foundations, and affiliations that have changed so many different aspects of the way in which statistics have been handed down to diagnose the way in which people now live.
This year I turned 44. In 1965, the year in which I was born, children living with Cystic Fibrosis were given a lifespan of twelve years.
With my first transplant being August 18, 1998, and my second transplant being June 25, 2001, this new life has given me a chance to fulfill some of my long term dreams and aspirations. On June 25, 2007 I had my six year anniversary check-up for my second Double Lung Transplant. I was given a clean bill of health, by transplant standards, and told whatever I am doing to keep it up. The Transplant team said to me; and I quote, “This is how we build upon our knowledge to help other patients.” Every patient that walks through the door may look different on the outside, but inside the body functions the same way.
This brings me to the reason I would like to tell you of the wonderful experience that has changed my life in the past few months. In the summer of 2005, I met Warner Maerten at a friend’s place of business. He said he has heard of me, and that I liked to play music. We chatted a bit, and he told me that he and his partner had purchased the Golden Leaf Restaurant building. He said there was a big stage there, and that I should come over and try it out. I can honestly say, and he still kids me about it; that I must have thought he was a kook, just coming up to me and talking. I really can not recall how I felt, but life in general never gave me the opportunity to take him up on his proposal.
In March of 2006, I did stop in to have a peek at the building. Warner greeted me with that friendly, “hello Mr. Robert Brush.” “What took you so long to come by?” As he took me around the building, showing me the changes that were being brought into the building, I honestly did not believe the amount of space that was in the building.
We finally came to the stage. It almost seemed to me, that the stage to him was the most important piece of the building to show me as he knew that I was a musician.
We talked some more about the Theatre, and how he found the stage, basically sitting there when he tore down the wall in front of it. He told me of the lowered ceilings that he had ripped out and quite honestly, the buried treasure lying there waiting to be brought back to life. If you have never been to the Backstage Capitol Theatre, just picture a building closed off for forty years, as this was the length of time the building stood as the Golden Leaf, and forgotten about. Now walk through the doors and into the courtyard of the Backstage Capitol Theatre. Imagine the possibilities. In all my life, there is nothing that comes close to the acoustics in this building.
Built in 1933 as a theatre, and restored to the 1933 building as much as possible, I use the word restored because the building was there, all it needed was someone to bring life back into the building. This has truly been an overwhelming experience to be part of the natural surroundings.
I am not sure how long it took me, as my story somewhat differs from Warners, but within that week I was on stage with my equipment ready to play and sing for a small, but sometimes enthusiastic crowd that worked along to my music, revitalizing the Backstage Capitol Theatre, as we know it today.
As many of my closest friends know, I am avid movie collector. One of my favourite movies is “Field Of Dreams.”
“If You Build It, They Will Come.” Is the phrase that always stayed in my head as I watched the work around me un-fold. As I sit on the stage and perform to the skilful Brick layers, handymen, electricians, and painters, I get to see just how much work it has taken to see the results that have been so pleasing to the eyes. Like a father being there for your child’s first steps, I have watched the walls around me being transformed into a beautiful display of natural beauty. As a home away from home, you can catch me there pretty much every day on stage, or trying to attract people to the building. Just playing on stage has brought people in to see inside the building. People follow the sound of music to the doors of the Backstage Capitol Theatre. Once inside, they are first of all welcomed, then we answer any questions they may ask. We have also given tours and spoke about the changes that are to be taken place to many of the visitors. I have also had a few people request songs.
Part of my responsibility of practicing on stage, is being stage manager. Right now, I have had only the Delhi Country Cruisers to pencil in. I have the stage cleaned and ready for their practices once or sometimes twice a week, depending on their performances in the communities at large. As we see it today, we have had some special events for Harvest Fest. Although Harvest Fest was not our “Grand Opening,” the Harvest Fest celebrations gave us a chance to add to the revitalization of Delhi as a whole. I have been part of conversations where the question was asked, “How do we attract more people to Delhi?”
I am pretty sure the Backstage Capitol Theatre has, and will bring people to Delhi, as a “Positive,” to the whole community.
The Maerten family and I, would like to welcome you to the Backstage Capitol Theatre. We look forward to supporting any, and all of your Theatrical events, including Birthday Parties, Business Meetings, and Field Trips.
If you would like to know more about the Backstage Capitol Theatre, please follow the link on this page.
Written By Robert Brush
Chamber of Commerce
Secretary
