McHaffey Opera House

12/13/2025

Eldon Forum, Dec. 14, 1977--WINTER WEATHER CAUSES PROBLEMS. The weather has been making headlines for the past week. With winter still officially two weeks away, a snowstorm raged into Iowa late Sunday, and by Monday afternoon had dumped up to ten inches of snow on the southeastern part of the state. The storm, accompanied by high winds, caused drifting, closing many roads and making driving extremely hazardous. Schools in the Cardinal district were closed most of the week. Classes were held on Wednesday but were dismissed early on Thursday as another storm moved into the area. Road crews worked overtime trying to keep the highways cleared. The new snow, up to three inches, caused more problems as it covered the already ice and snow packed streets and roads, making driving even more hazardous. Temperatures dropped rapidly and northwest winds combined to register wind chill factors of near sixty below zero. With winter still officially a week or so away, it makes one wonder what old man winter has in store for us this year.

12/10/2025

Thank you to all of you who stopped by McHaffey Opera House for last weekend's Christmas celebration in Eldon. We appreciate you all for your support for the historic 134-year-old treasure. We couldn't do it without you!
Are you wishing for an old-fashioned Christmas this year? You may find just what you're looking for at our thrift sale. We also have Christmas trees available. We're open Monday thru Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Hope to see you there.

12/09/2025

McHaffey Opera House thrift sale will be open a little late tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10th. We should be open by 10 a.m.

12/06/2025

Still lots of baked goods available. We're here until 3:00...

12/06/2025

Someone needs this old-fashioned raisin pie....

12/06/2025

Don't miss out on all the goodies at the Opera House today!

12/06/2025

How was Eldon celebrating the Christmas season in 1962? Here's a shortened version of the Eldon Forum article that tells what was in store. The photo was taken around that time. Do you recognize anyone?
MOVIES, TREATS, AND CHRISTMAS DRAWING SATURDAY AFTERNOON.--The Christmas shopping season will be climaxed in Eldon Saturday with the "Appreciation Day" sponsored annually by more than forty local business places that are members of the Eldon Promotion & Better Business Club. For the past two weeks registration has been going on at all participating stores and offices for the Christmas Drawing that is held each year in conjunction with the event. Those registering may do so daily at each of the business places where the drawing containers are to be found.
A FREE MOVIE for all youngsters in the community will have two showings at the Eldon Theatre. Title of the feature film is "The Flying Fontaines". FOLLOWING THE SHOW a visit has been scheduled with Santa Claus who should appear about 2:45 p.m.
FINAL EVENT of the "Appreciation Day" program will be the drawing for twenty turkeys to be provided by the Eldon businessmen. Gene Jacobs, proprietor of the Eldon Shoe Repair, is President of the businessmen's club, and has been directing this year's Christmas event.

12/01/2025

What's your specialty--cookies, candy, pastry or breads? Consider gathering up your helpers and making a batch or two to donate to McHaffey Opera House's Christmas bake sale. The sale will be this Saturday, December 6th from 8 a.m. to 3:00. All proceeds will go towards the maintenance and restoration of the 134-year-old opera house. Thanks so much!!!
(photo courtesy of Fortepan Iowa)

11/29/2025

Eldon Forum, Nov. 21, 1957--SHARTZER STUDIO IS NEW ELDON BUSINESS FIRM.
A new business enterprise and convenience for the Eldon area people is the Shartzer photographic studio, located at the Paul Shartzer home at 704 High street, in Eldon. It opened two weeks ago. Mrs. Helen Shartzer is the photographer. She has had considerable experience in photography and worked for some time at the Campus Camera studio in Boulder, Colo. The Shartzers have a full line of photographic equipment, including portrait and other cameras, developing equipment, enlarger, and similar items. Mrs. Shartzer does her own photo toning, developing, tinting and portrait work. Mrs. Shartzer is still taking orders for Christmas delivery. She is equipped to make photographic Christmas cards in short order.

11/26/2025

McHaffey Opera House thrift sale will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but will be open regular hours the rest of the week. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Here's a nice little blessing you may want to share before you begin the feast: "Lord, thank You for the food before us, the family and friends beside us and the love between us. Amen."

11/25/2025

11/22/2025

The following is a partial article from the Dec. 1, 1955, Eldon Forum: Selma News Items. The children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Michael held a Thanksgiving celebration at the Michael home near Selma. All the relatives were present except one granddaughter, Jane Miller, who is a member of the Missionary college at Beirut, Israel. Present were their sons, Joe, who lives at home, George, a blockman for the Case company at Manchester, Dean Michael, circulation manager for the Des Moines Register at Fort Madison, and a daughter, Mrs. C. F. Miller of Davenport. Mrs. Miller was accompanied by Mr. Miller and their daughter, Carol, who was an exchange student last year to Israel where she swam in the Jordan river near the spot where Jesus was baptized. The affair was a happy occasion, with Bob Luce as master of ceremonies. Few families can be blest with total attendance on such an occasion.