Theater in Charlevoix Program

Ever since the first settlers arrived, Pine River, then Charlevoix found ways to amuse itself, first with simple musical and literary gatherings, then church and school theatricals, until finally the first theater opened in 1881, the really grand Lewis Grand Opera House.  Now the town had a true meeting place, joined later by Bartholomew Hall, then the nickelodeons and the Palace and Majestic movie theaters.

Join us as we trace that history, first with a short illustrated program presented by your editor with photos from the Harsha House archives accompanied by images of programs, fliers, and advertisements.  After that, Cinema III owner Bill Supernaw will give a talk on Adventures in the Movie Showing Trade, anecdotes of his many years of bringing the latest box office smashes and not-so-smashes to town, plus how to run a movie theater, narrated in his own inimitable way. 

When: Tuesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Depot

After Bill’s talk, members of the audience will be invited to share their memories of attending local movies and theatrical presentations.  Everyone is encouraged to bring any movie or theater memorabilia they might have—posters, coming attractions leaflets, ticket stubs, programs, etc.

There is no admission charge.  Light refreshments will be served. 

See you at the movies!

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MUSEUM APRIL HOURS 

The Harsha House Museum will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 1-4 P. M. in April.  As usual, the side office door facing the First State Bank will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 A. M. to 4 P. M. for anyone who needs to conduct Society business or make a store purchase during off-hours.  Hours will be 1-4 P. M. Tuesday through Saturday beginning in May and will be in effect through June. 

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ITEMS NEEDED FOR RAILROAD AND DEPOT EXHIBIT

As mentioned in prior newsletters, we still need a telegraph key for the restoration of the ticketmaster’s office at the Depot.  Also needed are a coal scuttle and telegraph sounder,  railroad memorabilia such as tickets, calendars, timetable brochures and leaflets, invoices and receipts from the Pere Marquette and C. & O. Railroads, plus any related local railroad memorabilia.  Items can be either donated to the Society, photocopied if documents, or loaned long-term.  Stories related to the railroad can be made orally or in writing for possible inclusion in a projected historical booklet on the coming of the railroad, or simply for inclusion in our document files.  Call 547-0373 for  more information.   

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 

So close but still a ways to go……….The Depot needs your help one more time!  The Grand Old Lady is close to being grand again.  Over the past year, the Society has made great strides in bringing the Depot back into excellent condition.  With the help of a $40,000 matching grant from an anonymous donor, we have stabilized the walls and roof, redone sections of the floor with period wood salvaged from the classrooms of the old school on Grant Street when it was converted to the new library, got all but two of the exterior pillars replicated, and are currently restoring all five outside doors.  We are near to completion but not quite there yet, and need your help!—only $12,000 to finish the matching grant that will allow us to take up and relevel the bricks around the building that are uneven and pose a safety hazard.  (I guess any of us would be uneven if we were 116 years old.)  Please help with any contribution you can make to allow us to totally, finally upgrade the Depot, the community gem we all love and use for so much.   Thanks in advance to you all.   

Paul Nowak, Pres.

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Donation (unrestricted) received in February from: East Jordan Iron Works in appreciation for technical assistance

Lighthouse restoration donations received in February from: Dorothy Witherspoon Loughlin, Susan Reese, Georgia Britt, Adele Dilschneider, James Koman, Leland Bisbee III, George Crook