York Town News
After almost 17 years with Old York, Cheryl Farley takes new position at the Ogunquit Playhouse
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Cheryl Farley
OGUNQUIT and YORK - There's a new face at the Ogunquit Playhouse beginning this month, though she's a familiar face to fans of the Old York Historical Society.
Longtime head of Old York Community Relations Cheryl Farley has departed from the position she essentially created at Old York to begin work as the community relations manager at the Ogunquit Playhouse.
"I was just feeling that I wanted to do something different," Farley explained.
Farley had worked at the Old York Historical Society since September of 1990, and finished her final days at Old York in June, after almost 17 years with the organization.
Farley's position began as membership and volunteer coordinator, and evolved over time to the community relations manager post she held up until this month. Among the many tasks Farley handled as the annual Decorator Show House, which is set to open in just a few weeks.
Farley had nothing but praise for the volunteers and Show House Coordinator Carol Coles, adding she has no doubt this year's event will be just as successful as past years.
"I had a wonderful run there," the York Village resident said of the Old York Historical Society, meeting last week to talk about the decision to explore a new phase in her career. "There are really good people there."
Last summer, while listening to Ogunquit Playhouse Executive Artistic Director Bradford T. Kenney speaking to the audience prior to the start of the production of Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella," Farley said she was inspired by his enthusiasm and vision for the playhouse, and decided to send Kenney her resume in case he could foresee a time when her skills and creativity could be of use to the future of that historic organization.
In what can only be described as serendipity, Farley said, the call came and, just shy of one year later, she was preparing for her move from one historic nonprofit to another.
"I know that it was the right thing to do," Farley explained.
However, she said, that did not make it an easy decision.
"It was really, really emotional for me," Farley said of the final decision to say good-bye to Old York. "It's a close-knit family. It's like leaving home. ... So much of my life is intertwined with that place."
That is a sentiment shared by her colleagues at Old York.
"Her personality is part of the personality of this organization and it's hard to see her go," Old York Executive Director Scott Stevens said Monday.
In hear 17 years, Stevens said Farley has handled a remarkable array of tasks for Old York, and will be deeply missed.
However, he said, he and her fellow staff members at Old York are excited for her as she begins her new position as there is no doubt it will allow her the opportunity to find new ways to use her creativity.
Farley said it is exciting to begin working for an organization that, like Old York, is an integral part of the community. She remembered seeing productions at the Ogunquit Playhouse in her childhood, and said the historic aspects of the theatre are also very compelling.
"The playhouse is another phenomenal historic resource on the Seacoast," she said.
Her work there will include organization and maintenance of the membership program - something she knows well from her work at Old York.
"The ‘people' aspect of the job I'm really going to enjoy," she said.
While her specific tasks with the playhouse will evolve as she begins working side by side with the current staff, Farley said she anticipates assisting with the ongoing "Diamond Jubilee" 75th anniversary season as well as the new President's Club for key donors to the nonprofit organization.
For Old York, Stevens said, the year ahead will be a time to reassess needs as work on the visitor and education center continues and the work Farley performed for so many years is taken up by other staff members.
With the Show House in capable hands, he said, the development director is taking on the public relations aspect and some of the marketing associated with Farley's position, while a part-time assistant will be working with Education Director Anne Poubeau on the adult education piece of Farley's work.
"I'm reorganizing rather than trying to find another Cheryl, because I don't think another one exists," he said.
