STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORD
A recently repaired and refurbished piano that hadn’t been played in more than 50 years will be dedicated during a reception and recital at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center Friday evening. RAINES SAID restoration was substantial. THE RECEPTION for donors and Friends members starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Dale P. Creitz Recital Hall. The concert begins at 7:30 in the Bowlus auditorium.
The piano, a 1905 Henry F. Miller manufactured in Boston, was the centerpiece in the parlor of Iola benefactor Thomas H. Bowlus, before his home was razed to make way for the fine arts center named after him.
Bowlus, Iola banker and philanthropist, left money to build the center, as well as a $1 million trust for its maintenance. The center opened in 1954 and the piano was sent its way by relatives.
With other pianos in better fettle, the Miller was put in storage. Over the years ivories fell from keys. The sound board, its melodic heart, was cracked.
With the center’s 50th anniversary nearing, the idea of restoring the Bowlus piano to its former glory took hold.
Fern Marsh, Iola’s music woman if there ever was one, had left $1,000 in her estate to the benefit of the Bowlus Center and Bowlus supporters agreed that using it as start-up for a capital drive for the piano’s restoration made good sense.
Contributions big and small went to the piano’s $20,000 restoration.
In total, 45 individuals gave toward the piano, some through memorials in a deceased person’s name.
Every dollar helped, said Susan Raines, Bowlus executive director.
“Kendall Jay was at a program and wondered if $1 was too little,” Raines said. “‘Not at all,’ I told him.” In fact, his donation totaled $10.
Jay, an eighth grader at Iola Middle School, will be one of those playing the piano in the Friday night concert.
Burton Bowlus, 91, a nephew of Thomas Bowlus, also gave to the cause.
In addition to replacing the sound board, the piano has new keys, pads and wires and the cabinet was taken apart and refurbished to like-new condition. The process took about 10 months.
“The mahogany baby grand was appraised several years ago at $5,000,” Raines said. “In today’s condition, it is appraised at $35,000.”
The work was done at Hulme Enterprises, operated by Greg Hulme and son Conrad in Greenwood, Mo.
“Leon Hazen of Chanute, who tunes our pianos, was instrumental in putting us in touch with the Hulmes,” Raines said.
Among those who will perform are Loretta Ellis, Jay, Lloyd Houk, Ted Claus, music instructor at Allen Community College, Glen Singer and Jan Knewtson.
