Auburn's DeWitt 'heart bombed' on Valentine's Day

People usually shower friends and loved ones with candies and gifts on Valentine's Day. The DeWitt Community Complex and supporters, however, showed the love in a different way Sunday and heart bombed the DeWitt Theater, auditorium and Senior Center. DCC President Ramona Brockman said the purpose was to raise awareness and show "recognition that people definitely do care about those buildings and having community uses back in those buildings." According to Elinor Petuskey, part of the DCC committee, the idea to heart-bomb DeWitt came after hearing about others who have used heart bombing to save historical buildings. "We're trying to stay in the public's eye as best we can during the pandemic," Petuskey said, noting this was a fun way to raise awareness, especially since the virus has shelved other events and fundraisers. Petuskey said at least 18 people helped with hanging posters, signs and valentines on the fencing surrounding the buildings. Messages on the valentines included "Save DeWitt Theater," "Save our senior center," "I don't want to go" and "save me." "I'm hoping that people realize that the buildings are still there," Petuskey said. "That we're still trying to get the word out, and that there's a strong effort to save the DeWitt Theater and Senior Center." According to Brockman, the organization is on the Placer County Board of Supervisors April 13 agenda to request a letter of support from the county and extend the sunset provision beyond June 2021. The provision, approved by the board in April 2019, allowed the community two years to organize funding to rehabilitate the building before a decision is made on its future. Brockman said having the county's support will assist in applying for grants and raising funds toward renovations. "I think we've reached that point where we've proven the community has pulled together in a way that we can successfully renovate these buildings," she said. Brockman said DCC will also request to be a stakeholder in the preparation of the county's visioning study for the land at DeWitt, which is earmarked for private development and includes the buildings the organization is trying to save. "Since you're letting another firm regenerate a vision for the area, you should include stakeholders and the people trying to save the theater to have some discussion and input," Brockman said. Anyone who was not able to visit DeWitt on Sunday can still hang their valentine on the fence. According to Petuskey, the valentines will remain on display throughout the week and the DCC will remove them Friday. Supporters can also participate in the heart bombing by posting a picture of their valentine, in their hand or on the fence, on Facebook and tag DeWitt Community Complex, or sending the photo to preservedewittlegacy@gmail.com to be shared on the DCC website.