Volunteer Profiles: Don & Teri Theobald
Don and Teri Theobald live in one of the Willa Cather Foundation's Moon Block apartments and often volunteer at the Red Cloud Opera House. Both are small business owners in Red Cloud: Teri operates Southern Title insurance agency and Don is a practicing lawyer at Theobald Law Office. "We appreciate the support we get from the Red Cloud community," they said.
Where do you live and how long have you lived in the region? If you’re fairly new to the area, what brought you here or what brought you back if you grew up here?
We have lived in Red Cloud for twenty years and it is where Don was raised. We both saw career opportunities here and moved from Lincoln.
What brought you to the National Willa Cather Center and Red Cloud Opera House as volunteers?
The Willa Cather Foundation had a call for volunteers and we felt it was something we would enjoy. It has been a wonderful experience and we are glad we did it.
How do you like living in the Moon Block and what led you to renting an apartment there?
We really like living in the Moon Block. When the Foundation had the open house, Don saw the apartment and knew Teri would love it. When she saw it, she told him we are living here. The grocery store is across the street, we have the wine bar below us, a steakhouse out the back door, and our office is around the corner. And of course, the Opera House is right down the hall. The apartment is large and great for entertaining after shows at the Opera House.
what interested you about renting in downtown Red Cloud?
We were drawn to downtown by the beauty of the Moon Block renovation and convenience of being in the middle of things.
What do you do as a volunteer and what is it about your volunteering that you especially enjoy doing?
Don is on the Opera House program committee. Teri is on the board of the Republican Valley Arts Council. At events, we serve as bartenders and we get to visit with almost every guest in attendance at the shows.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
We like to visit our grandchildren. Reading is a favorite past time. We enjoy traveling — on our trip last fall we viewed the leaves changing colors in New England and made a stop at Willa Cather’s grave (in Jaffrey, New Hampshire), the Baseball Hall of Fame (in Cooperstown, New York) and also the Woodstock site and museum in upstate New York for its 50th Anniversary. We also enjoy concerts and sporting events.
What are your favorite Willa Cather novels?
The Song of the Lark and My Antonia.
If you were to tell someone who had never visited here before, what would say about Red Cloud and Willa Cather?
Willa Cather’s writing is so descriptive and by coming to Red Cloud you see the buildings and town and feel the openness of the prairie. You can easily visualize the time and placde in which she was writing.
Do you have any memorable programs and events that you’ve seen at the RCOH or NWCC?
We’ve enjoyed all the programs we’ve attended. It is hard to beat quality live entertainment in Red Cloud.
What would you say to someone who might be considering becoming a volunteer at RCOH or NWCC?
We say, "Do it!" The time you spend helping with programs is very enjoyable. We look forward to a time when there are more live events at the Opera House again.
[November 2020]
YOU CAN FIND OTHER VOLUNTEER PROFILES HERE.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Red Cloud Opera House or National Willa Cather Center, please contact
Rachel Olsen, Education Coordinator, at rolsen@willacather.org or find more information HERE.