By Linda Whitmore
When Chamber of Commerce ambassadors suddenly entered his law office to announce he’d been selected Silverton’s First Citizen, Don Kelley was flabbergasted.
“I was caught flatfooted,” he said. “It was overwhelming.”
Reluctant to take the tribute onto himself, he credits others with doing what needs to be done to make the community a great place to live and work.
“It’s embarrassing,” he said of being honored, “But I can deal with it because it’s a recognition of all the wonderful things in our community that I’m allowed to be a part of. It’s a recognition of the programs that are very worthwhile.”
Shakespeare wrote “all the world’s a stage.”
Kelley, a life-long advocate of theater, sees Silverton as the stage where citizens’ varied skills come together. Some work behind the scenes, some take center stage to create a successful community.
Kelley, who was nominated for the First Citizen award by several people, is involved in many of these productions.
Don Russo, director of development for Silverton Hospital Foundation, said Kelley had given “generous service to the community in the theater arts, through his church and many other contributions over the years.”
Agreeing, Dana Smith-Madge said Kelley was “indispensable on Silverton High School’s bond advisory committee.” She also acknowledged his leadership as an advocated for community and children’s theater, in organizing teacher-led study sessions for high school finals and for serving as a volunteer judge for Peer Court.
In order to be chosen First Citizen, a nominee must be involved in community service through “contributions of time, labor, talent and other resources freely given to the community,” must show dedication and commitment through “extraordinary involvement in serving others,” and exemplify leadership through “influence that might encourage service from others.”
Kelley has long demonstrated these characteristics, say those who have known him in the various aspects of his community service during the nearly 40 years he has lived in Silverton.
Andy Bellando, noted that Kelley operates Center Stage, a community theater company; and arranges for Missoula Theater to make a week-long visit to Silverton annually for the past 25 years.
He has organized music for Sunday services at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and theatrical and musical programs at the church.
He strongly supports children and teens by working with youth programs at his church, Silverton High School and sports activities.
Kelley earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in theater before going to law school to become an attorney.
“I believe there’s not better education available on how to prepare for projects than theater – community projects, business projects, every play we do, we start out months in advance,” he said.
Continuing the analogy, he said, to organize a stage performance, one must first choose the play – the goal – then select the actors and stage workers – the people who have the needed skills. Then there are contracts to sign, costumes to design and sets to create – “all with a target date in mind when all the elements come together.”
Kelley has been producer and director for a number of Silverton programs.
He initiated study nights in the late 1980s and twice a year since about six teachers meet for four sessions with interested high school students in preparation for finals.
“Don has provided his equipment and expertise to nearly every theatrical production held at Silverton High School since 1990. He has also provided his equipment to numerous local churches and not-for-profit organizations,” said Bellando.
Kelley’s interest in youth extends to planning for the future. He worked on the One High School committee to pass the bond to complete Silverton High School at the Pine Street campus and is a member of the Bond Advisory Committee, which plans and gives design direction to the school district.
He is active in his church, serving on various councils and committees, organizing music and drama programs, and establishing St. Paul Youth where he and his wife were leaders for more than 15 years.
Kelley is instrumental in the community theater group, Center Stage, which he said wryly, presents “largely musicals when the whim hits us.”
Plans are “in the thinking stage right now” for the next performance and Kelley is gathering the necessary personnel.
“I like to involve a broad range of people. There’s no reason the entire community can’t be involved.”
He said his job is to discern the skills of people and encourage them to become involved.
“One of the great things about Silverton is the level of gifts, talents, that these people have. The talent pool is beyond unusual, it’s remarkable.”
As Jaques says in Shakespeare’s As You Like It:
““All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.”
Don Kelley was named First Citizen for the many parts he has played in service to Silverton.
