In 2006 we set some goals.   The first year of operation we wanted to present all the major types of entertainment we intended to provide.   A year ago at this month we accomplished the final piece in the puzzle which was to show a movie (Santa Clause Conquers the Martins…fun wasn’t it!).    Our goal for the second year of operation was to have the theatre used at least 125 times.   On Sunday you can come to hear the New Life United Methodist Church present their cantata “God Bless the USA.”   This is the 125 event of the 2009 season!   We are proud to have accomplished our goal with 7 weeks to spare.   As long as we have an all volunteer staff, 125 is the magic number.

October has come to a close.  It was quite the month.  There is one tidbit that we want to share.   In October the Strand had 92 different volunteers!   The Strand is for everyone.  The Strand was renovated with a tremendous amount of effort from many people.  The trend continues.   Cindy and Sharon will have quite the job trying to fit all those names in the SRO Newsletter.    The SRO, our monthly newsletter, is available in either print (via US Mail) or electronic (via email) format.  If you aren’t getting it, please let us know.  We will be happy to send it whatever format you prefer.

We notice that the Culligan Water Company moved from their Hendricks Street location. There is no longer a need for the loading zone on Hendricks Street.   Thank you to Mayor Scott Furgeson on removing the yellow stripe and giving the Strand (2nd Baptist, 1st Baptist, the Library and everyone else on the block) an extra parking space.   The Strand appreciates the quick action on the part of the City to help provide as much parking as possible.  Parking is one thing that has not been an issue.  Even when we are packed, everyone seems to have a parking space.   It will be nice to have one more so close!

This fall the Strand applied to the Blue River Foundation for a grant for roof repair.  In these tough economic times the BRF was unable to fund our grant request.   We appreciate the opportunity to apply for these grants and certainly understand that not every request can get funded.   That still, however, leaves the issue of our roof.   We repaired the roof when we renovated, but there is work that needs to be done that is just too dangerous for our volunteers.   It requires a contractor that is equipped and experienced with such things.   When we applied for the grant, the professionals that we had look at our roof noted that if we could do these repairs, we could extend the life of our roof 5 to 7 years!   If anyone out their feels so inclined, the request was for $6423.00.  This will not only repair the flat and shingled roof, but it will replace our alley gutters which drip down the back wall.  You never know until you ask.  In the mean time Bob S. ascended to the roof to do some preventative caulking.  This should hold us through the winter.

While he was doing some maintenance tasks, it was time to replace the valves in the toilets.   Sure enough, we had one that didn’t seal and was causing the water to run.  By doing this simple maintenance, the Strand is able to keep our water bill low.

Halloween was fun.  We had trick or treaters and ghosts & goblins.   The costume contest on Saturday night was quite the buzzzzz (those of you who were there know what we mean).   Thank you to John at Grandma’s Pancake House for providing the door prize.   We went in to buy a gift certificate and when he found out what it was for, he was happy to donate it.  The generosity of our community is a wonderful thing!  Check out the Halloween pictures on our web site.

This week we have quite the varied line-up:

Friday 7:30pm   Laurel and Hardy + The 3 Stooges – Movies

Saturday 8:00pm Bustin’ Loose - Concert

Saturday 11:00pm A Bucket of Blood – Movie

Sunday 7:00pm God Bless the USA – Cantata

Welcome to our new readers.   This past week we added over 15 new contacts to our list!  By reading these weekly emails you have helped the Strand do what we set out to do.  We want everyone “in the loop”.   You can tell we leave no stone unturned.  We hope to see you at the theatre soon!  Thank you for all the support.