Hello All,

Mother Nature has decided to help with the scheduling of the Strand. Last week, M.N. decided that the I.U. Children’s Choir shouldn’t perform. As you know, you can’t argue with Mother Nature. We are disappointed that we had to cancel the concert, but the safety of the performers and our patrons is paramount. Waking up on Saturday morning to all the snow verified that everyone involved made the right decision.

A few hardy souls ventured to the theatre for the concert. While there wasn’t a performance to see, they did get a treat in the lobby. Steve D. and Darin M. have our 1940’s vintage wall sconces lit and working. The old sconces from the auditorium are a familiar fixture at the Strand. They hung high on the side walls on the gold fabric for decades. Bob S. carefully restored the wiring on all 16 lamps sockets per fixture. Cindy L., Rhonda S. and Steve F. painted the back plate to match the new colors of the theatre. We hung these on either side of the bathrooms. Now you can see them in all their former glory with 16 light bulbs each. They are a nice tie to the past. Very few people over the course of the years have had the opportunity to see these lights up close and personal. Visit the theatre and you too can touch this small part of our theatre history. Thank you to all involved for getting these safe, clean and operational again.

Did you get a newsletter in the mail? Thanks to Debbie E. Sharon S. and Cindy L. we had our very first "S.R.O." mailed last week. Plans are underway for the next issue for April. If you would like to receive a copy, please reply to this email with your name and address. We would be happy to add you to the list. For our April addition we will be able to send the email electronically. If you wish to receive the "S.R.O." electronically, please let us know.

The usual suspects have been at the theatre slowly tweaking away. We have always done all our work with the expectation that we would provide the greatest level of detail possible. This fine tuning of the space, whether it is work on the sound system, painting or just fixing door knobs and latches, is an important part of what we set out to do. Gordon H. has continues painting in hard to get places. The capitals at the top of the pilasters all needed a little touch up here and there. Its difficult to notice the imperfections when they are 30 feet high, but we (should I say Gordon) knows it needed to be done. While you head is peering skyward, or at least ceilingward (I, like Roger Clemens can make up words too!) you should look at those capitals. When we started our project we had 9, however today you will see all 10. One is a wonderful reproduction by master woodworker Vernon Sharp. We will not divulge the replacement capital. See if you can spot which is the new piece. I will give you a BIG hint. The originals are pine wood, but the new capitol is made from poplar….oh, their painted, so I guess that isn’t a very good hint. Too bad.

The Gateway Trio will be at the Strand on March 29, 2008. Please come to this very entertaining show. Tickets are available at Mickey’s T-Mart and the Shelbyville Antique Mall. I hope we can sell out for this all too rare visit by our own hometown musicians.

Thanks for all your support. We are having fun!

David