The Strand is shrinking….. 

We started with 385 permanent seats.  Those pesky Sound Guys kept complaining about their cramped quarters.   We just listened politely and smiled.   Then, on purpose, they rented some really great equipment for the Christmas Show.   This was $25,000 worth of wireless microphones and all the support equipment.   Only AFTER we rented the stuff, did they say "oh, we need to remove the 2 seats next to the sound booth for this equipment."  Right…this was the play all along, even though they don’t admit it.   We went from 385 to 383.   The sound booth is scheduled for an expansion and those 2 great seats are going to be just a memory.

Then in December we received a very nice donation of 2 follow spots.  These are 2000 watt fixtures, and although old, the optics are great.   We had prepared the upper NE corner of the balcony for a spotlight.   We installed one of the two, and it works great.   Then, everyone said "hey, how about the other?  Aren’t we going to install it too?"   The bad part about that is we would be required to remove the 4 seats in the SE corner of the balcony.   These are great seats, but more importantly they are our "Teenager Only!" seats.   They are in the corner (where it is dark), the other 300+ seats have their backs to these seats.   If you sit there, we are sure you aren’t watching the stage, hence "Teenagers Only!". 

Time marches on.  We realize that the 2nd spot light will be a great benefit.  The 4 seats, including the 2 top corner seats, were removed.  In its place will be a platform and a spotlight.   After 93 years of clandestine activities, the seats are making way for equipment necessary to our stage performers needs.  383 in now 379.  Hopefully that will be it, but we still don’t trust those Sound Guys!

Below are the 4 seats before their removal:

Steve Frazee and David Finkel break a "rule of the house" by sitting in the spot reserved for Teenagers.  Notice all hands are visible!

For Immediate Release:

On April 10, 2008  Steve Frazee embarked upon the 2nd half century of his life.    Steve is looking healthy and very well for someone of his age.   Here is a picture of Steve smiling for the camera.  

Paul H. Meloy, 68, 53 W. Washington St., died Wednesday, apparent heart attack.
Born near Smithland on Feb. 3, 1895, s/o  William C.  and  Jessie L. Meloy.  1921 married  Mary Rogers , surviving.  Owned and operated Meloy’s Inc., photo equipment firm at 214 S. Harrison St.
Owner and operator of the Strand and former Alhambra Theatres, in theatre business for 35 years.  One of the founders and directors of Affiliated Theatre Owners of Indiana; owner and operator of Meloy’s Gift and Camera Shop with his late brother, Joe Meloy.  Another brother, Dr. Earl Meloy,  and a sister  Mrs. Edna Niemeyer preceded in death.
Former director and mgr Dorsey Realty Corp; with his late father and brothers held many farm interests.  Rotary Club, the Salvation Army Board and the Shelbyville City School Board.
World War I, France, occupation in Germany; Mexican Border War.  Member of American Legion Victory Post 70 since it was founded here.
Director of W. R. Meloy. Inc., and Photo Modes Corporation.  Member of the EagIes Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church and was a former church trustee.
Surviving with his widow are a son, William R. Meloy;  two grandchildren, Michael Paul and Candace Lee Meloy, two nieces and one nephew.

          “W. C. Meloy, 75, pioneer in the moving picture business Indiana and one of Shelbyville’s most widely known residents, died Friday afternoon at his home, 518 south Harrison street.  He had been ill since the first of the year, suffering from a heart ailment.  He passed away about 2:30 p.m.  His death came suddenly and was due to a heart attack.
          “Mr. Meloy was a lifelong resident of the county and was closely connected with civic affairs here for many years before his retirement a few years ago.
          “The son of  Jesse and Elizabeth (Hacker) Meloy, he was born January 19, 1863.  He had lived in Shelbyville the past forty-one years.
          “His business career began at Smithland, where he operated a sawmill.  When he came to Shelbyville he operated a livery business for several years and then went into the contracting business with  Ed Porter, under the firm name of  Meloy & Porter.  The firm developed several new additions to Shelbyville during its existence.
          “In 1916 Mr. Meloy founded the Strand theatre here and the business was extended several years ago when he purchased the Alhambra theatre.
          “He was united in marriage to  Miss Jessie Stewart  on December 31, 1885, and the widow survives with three sons, Earl S., of Highland, Ill.; Paul H.  and  Joe B. Meloy, of this city; two grandsons, three granddaughters and four brothers, Fred Meloy, of northeast of this city; Frank, of Ohio; Thomas  and  John, of this city.  A daughter, Mrs. Edna Neimeyer, died two years ago.
          “Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the late home, with Dr. C.A. Bowler, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Walter P. Halbert, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating.  Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery in charge of Ralph J. Edwards, funeral director.
          “He was a member of the Elks and Red Men lodges and of the Smithland Baptist church.”

The Shelbyville Republican, August 5, 1915
Page 1

NEW MOVIE THEATRE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED
DORSEY BROTHERS AND WILLIAM MELOY SIGN CONTRACT FOR BUILDING TO BE ERECTED IN SOUTH HARRISON STREET.

The Dorsey Brothers, William V. and S.L. Dorsey, and their mother have signed a contract with William Meloy for the erection of a building to be used by Mr. Meloy as a moving picture theatre. Much has been said about this proposed building. It is now assured and there will be some jostling among the tenants who will have to move. They have all been provided for and will get into their new locations in ample time. The building will front on Harrison street forty-one feet, three inches. It will run west to the first alley, 140 feet. The building will take out two stories of the livery stable building but will support the third story of that building. In every respect the theatre building will be modern. The ceiling will be twenty-three feet high. It will be heated with steam and ventilated by automatic machinery located in the roof. The gallery will be of cement as will much of the building. The entire construction will be of practically fire proof material. The front will be highly ornamental. The furnishings are all up to Mr. Meloy. He says they will eclipse any moving picture theatre in Indiana that he has visited. He will place 800 chairs. The contract for the building has been let to John Meloy, who will begin the work of construction as soon as the rooms now occupied are vacated.