THE PARK THEATRE HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AT JAFFREY CIVIC CENTER
December 21, 2006: Over 60 people – including current and future Trustees and members of The Park Theatre Corporation - recently attended the Annual Meeting of The Park Theatre , held at the Jaffrey Civic Center.
Board President Caroline Hollister opened the meeting by inviting those present to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance. She then introduced and thanked Jaffrey Selectmen, the Town Moderator, Park Theatre Trustees and Executive Staff, the Park Theatre architect, and local residents for their enthusiastic support of this project over the past year. Two former owners of the theatre, Nancy and Roy Stone and Betty Sawyer Stoughton, also attended the meeting where history scrapbooks and architectural drawings of the theatre were on display.
The business of the meeting began with current members electing those present into membership in the corporation. Following the showing of a Park Theatre mini- documentary produced by Gary Hunter of Hunter Multimedia Services, Mrs. Hollister offered the Annual Report of the President.
Hollister reminded members that the project to purchase and restore the theatre had been turned over to the corporation only 18 months earlier. She reported that the building was now purchased, without debt, thanks to more than 800 residents, visitors, businesses and foundations from 11 towns around the region and 13 states across the country. She thanked all present who were among those who had contributed to the purchase of the building. Hollister shared with attendess that after the corporation had bought the building her husband commented that “it was a little like the dog that chases cars and, one day, finally catches one – now what?”
Hollister explained that the “now what” had been to create a stable and viable organization, evaluate the property and make plans to restore it. The Trustees had done all that and held the first Open House of the theatre in more than 30 years and selected
an arts managements consultancy to conduct the fundraising feasibility study. Trustees had also selected a statement that expressed their vision for the theatre: “The Park Theatre will be a regional center for the arts and entertainment, a meeting place for the community, and a dynamic force in the region’s vitality and quality of life.”
Hollister also reported that the theatre could not be used for public assembly because of life-safety code deficiencies; but that the Trustees were committed to offering programs at other locations until the theatre can be open for business. The first part of 2007 will be spent in making plans to do just that.
Hollister then asked attendees to join her in recognizing former Trustees Cyndy Burgess, Jeff Crocker, Bill Schofield, Steve Walker, and Ben Wheeler who served during the theatre’s first, start-up year, and she said, “ gave generously of their time and their ideas and have been an integral part of our success.”
Members then recognized Trustees Jim DuMont and Charlie Palmer, whose terms ended this year. Hollister noted, “ These two have spent every week of every year for the past four years working with TEAM Jaffrey in its efforts to restore the theatre. And if that wasn’t enough, they then stayed with the project for another year and a half to give us - The Park Theatre Board of Trustees - help where help was needed and advice when it was sought. Sometimes we got advice without seeking it. We are in awe of their steadfastness to this transforming idea of a movie theatre and a place for plays and concerts right here in our downtown. It is my great pleasure to present Park Theatre Lifetime Passes to Jim (left) and Charlie (right)."
The meeting continued with Facilities Vice President Stephen Krause presiding as the new Trustees were presented and elected to the board : Maria Belva, Director of the Peterborough Children’s Choir; Tim Foley, Founder and CEO of Cedarwood Development Corporation; Mike King, former Film Officer and Head of the Art Department at Brooks School; John Rider, Operations at Webber Energy Fuels in Keene; Deborah Thurber, theatrical producer and director in New Hampshire and elsewhere; and Dennis Wright, Teacher, Team Leader and Dean of Social Studies and History at Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School.
The program concluded with members of the Conant High School Drama Club performing the “Eros and Psyche” scene from their recent production of Ovid’s play Metamorphoses. Cast members were Joshua Breau, Larry Kenny, Erin O’Loughlin, and Kel Sauer.
As refreshments were served following the meeting, Louise Curran led members and guests in singing Christmas carols.
