SCT board member, John Rahn, calls them "the Godfathers of SCT." And he means that in the best way possible.

Everyone else calls them Jack Easter, Stan Schoelerman and Toby Shine. They are three of the original five SCT Trustees who raised the funds to purchase the vacant Spencer Grocer warehouse in 1981 and to transform it into Spencer Community Theatre. Once again, the three "Godfathers" have responded to the call, and have stepped forward as strategic donors in SCT's current $1.2 million capital campaign.

"The loyalty of these three individuals, from the original purchase of the building right up to our current project, has enabled SCT to meet its mission of providing great theatre to the community," said Rahn.

(Photo submitted) Stan Schoelerman, Toby Shine and Jack Easter -- "The Godfathers of SCT" are among those who are helping to generate the $1.2 million needed for the new theatre renovations.

In addition, there are many more supporters of Spencer Community Theatre whose pledges and donations have brought the theatre near to its minimum goal of raising $500,000 to match that same amount previously awarded through a grant from the Dvergsten Foundation.

Rahn said, "SCT is in the process of applying for state and national grants to help meet the challenge goal of raising $700,000, but those can't be counted upon to finish the project. We know there are many supporters of our theatre who still want to be a part of helping us achieve our fundraising goal,

and we continue to make contacts and invite anyone who's interested to make a pledge or donation."

Merlyn Winther, co-chair of the campaign effort, expressed his thanks, "Our entire board and staff have been overwhelmed and gratified by the positive and generous response from the business community, our patrons and our volunteers. We are proud and appreciative of the goodwill SCT enjoys in this area, and look forward to serving our audiences even more successfully with a renovated and expanded facility."

SCT board members aim to wrap up the main portion of their capital campaign by the end of August, and hope to break ground on the expansion in spring, 2009.

The other two original trustees who worked with Easter, Schoelerman and Shine on the original theater project are former Spencer businessmen: Gene Luken and Hank Toebes,