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Community Comes Together To Save Movie
Theater
The Castle Theatre
opened in 1935, and is the only theater in Delaware County.
In 2009 a group of
concerned citizens received word that their local movie theater was
soon closing. After many meetings, research was done in other
community run theaters, a Board was formed, the non-profit status was
established, theater assets were purchased, teams of volunteers were
organized, movie contracts were signed, operating plans were developed,
two part-time managers were hired to run the day-to-day operations, a
website was created and the funds were raised to cover the initial
start up costs.
The Board consists of
nine local citizens and two area high school students. There are
a handful of committee members who also have assisted the Board in
other projects.
Since taking over
ownership from Fridley Theatres of Des Moines in early September
2009, Friends of Castle Theatre members and other individuals
have spent hundreds of hours working on the Castle Theatre. The
project included a much needed and thorough cleaning of the lobby,
concession area and auditorium. Necessary repairs and
improvements continue to be made throughout the building.
The lobby and
concession area received a new facelift featuring new paint and
wallpaper. During this time, the theatre’s projection equipment
was also refurbished, repaired and upgraded. An ongoing
restoration of the familiar downtown Manchester icon – the Castle
Theatre’s marquee – included the replacement of the neon sign, a new
roof and a fresh paint job. The outdoor poster boxes were also
repaired.
The theatre reopened
October 23, 2009 with a fresh new look and a first-run movie showing
every night at 7 p.m.
Volunteers continue
to staff the theater’s the theater’s ticket booth, concessions and
projector.
Having a viable movie
theater is important to the overall health of Manchester and Delaware
County in giving it’s citizens a choice of entertainment for all ages.
Grand Re-Opening
November 13-15, 2009
In appreciation of
the support of the community and many volunteers,
the Friends of Castle Theatre are planning a Grand Re-Opening
celebration this weekend, Nov. 13, 14 and 15th at the newly reopened
Castle Theatre in downtown Manchester and everyone is invited to attend!
The special
celebration will be filled with many surprises for patrons
and will coincide with the showing of the new Warner Brothers Pictures
film “Where The Wild Things Are.” The movie, an adaptation of Maurice
Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy
sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest
inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler, is
rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief
language.
“This film – which is
perfect for the whole family to enjoy – is the
type of films we’ll be striving to bring into the Castle Theatre on a
regular basis,” says Friends President Al Remling. The Friends of
Castle Theatre, a new non-profit organization, recently took over
control of Delaware County’s only movie theatre and after much cleaning
and restoration, reopened the facility last month.
The Castle Theatre’s
three-day Grand Re-Opening Celebration will
include a variety of special surprises – including free giveaways and
other promotional items for those attending the movie throughout the
weekend. Be sure to plan to attend this ‘red-carpet’ event and come
early to the 7 p.m. shows. Everyone purchasing a ticket to the show
will be eligible to win a door prize!
On Friday, Nov. 13, -
Friday the 13th - the Friends DARE YOU to visit
the Castle Theatre! Instead of bad luck, expect good fortune as your
chance of winning a free prize will increase. Show times at the Castle
Theatre in Manchester are 7 p.m. each night with free popcorn every
Wednesday evening.
Curious about
upcoming movies at the Castle Theatre? New Castle
Theatre Manager Kelly Stogdill says there are several ways you can find
out information about the theatre and upcoming movies. Patrons can
check their local newspapers and radio stations, call the “What’s
Showing” phone line at 563-927-5726, visit the theatre’s new website at
www.castletheatre.org and – of course – check the Castle’s newly
restored marquee in downtown Manchester.
Operated by the
generous talents of local volunteers, the Friends of
Castle Theatre continue to welcome volunteers willing to work the
theatre’s concession stand or ticket booth. Please contact Friends
Secretary Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490 if you are interested in helping
with this community project or if you would like to become a member of
the Friends organization.
Free Popcorn Night Returns to Castle Theatre
Posted 28 October 2009
Popcorn lovers
can rejoice! Free Popcorn
Night
has returned to the Castle Theatre in Manchester. Beginning tonight,
Wednesday, Oct. 28, Wednesdays will be considered "free popcorn night"
at the local movie theatre.
Grab your
friends and family and make plans to see the animated hit
“Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” now showing at the Castle
Theatre.
Rated PG,
promoters say “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” is the most
delicious event since macaroni met cheese! It’s the perfect movie for
the whole family to enjoy!
The soon-to-be
children’s classic will be shown at the Manchester
theatre through Thursday, Oct. 29. A 7 p.m. show is scheduled for each
night.
The Castle
Theatre, now operated by a local non-profit group Friends of
Castle Theatre, reopened its doors to the public last Friday, Oct. 23,
after several weeks of intensive cleaning and restoration.
GREAT Night to Remember for the Castle
Theatre
Posted 26 October 2009
"Friday,
October 23, 2009, will be a GREAT
night
to remember for the Castle Theatre in Manchester!
The doors of the
Castle opened early because people were arriving
early. There was a waiting line out on the sidewalk. People
were crowding in to buy their ticket to the show. More people
were buying lots of popcorn and pop. The movie starting time had
to be delayed in order for all the people to find a seat.
We had to turn
people away because all of the seats had been
SOLD. The Theatre was full and sold out. (Now I realize
that I didn't get to see the movie...and I bought a ticket!)
Here's hoping
that we have many more nights like this.
Many, many
thanks to you for all that you have done to make this
night happen.
I'll see you at
the Castle!"
Al Remling
President
Friends of
Castle Theatre
Movies Return to the Big Screen
in Delaware County!
Posted 23 October 2009
The wait is
over! The newly
refurbished Castle Theatre in Manchester reopens its doors to the
public Friday, Oct. 23, with a 7 p.m. showing of the animated hit
“Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.” Rated PG, promoters say “Cloudy
With A Chance of Meatballs” is the most delicious event since macaroni
met cheese! It’s the perfect movie for the whole family to enjoy! The
soon-to-be children’s classic will continue to be shown at the
Manchester theatre through Thursday, Oct. 29, with a 7 p.m. show
scheduled for each night.
Members of the
Friends of Castle Theatre and the many volunteers who
have donated hundreds of hours into the restoration of the 74-year-old
movie theatre have anxiously awaited the theatre’s reopening as the
culmination of all of their hard work.
“It was a labor
of love,” says Deb Hamblin, volunteer coordinator and
Secretary of the Friends organization. “We’re very excited and ready to
reopen the theatre. We hope everyone will come out to the movies and
see all of the work that has been done.”
What will
visitors notice when they return to the Castle Theatre?
A fresh new look to the lobby, concession area and auditorium.
Much needed cleaning, repairs and improvements have been made
throughout the theatre. And since being temporarily closed, the
theatre’s projection equipment has been refurbished, repaired and
upgraded – an action which dramatically improved the picture and
sound. Work has been done to restore the Castle Theatre’s
historic marquee’s neon lights and movie-goers will definitely notice
the new paint job and addition of new lettering on the sign.
New Castle
Theatre Manager Kelly Stogdill says there are several ways
which people can find out information about the theatre and upcoming
movies. Patrons can check their local newspapers and radio stations,
call the “What’s Showing” phone line at 563-927-5726, and – of course –
check the Castle’s marquee in downtown Manchester. In addition,
the Castle Theatre now has a website where the public can see the
latest information about movies, learn about volunteer opportunities,
discover details regarding special promotions – like the upcoming free
kids holiday movies – and gift certificates, view photos of the recent
restoration project and much more. The website can be accessed by going
to www.castletheatre.org .
A Grand
Re-Opening weekend event has been set for Friday, Nov. 13, and
Saturday, Nov. 14. A thank-you reception for the
volunteers, contractors, Friends board and committee members, Friends
Members and everyone who did so much to make reopening the Castle
Theatre possible will also be held in the next few weeks. And, in the
planning stages, are some surprises for movie-goers as well. Watch for
more details regarding this celebration in the next few weeks.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre, a local non-profit group that owns and
operates the local movie theatre, continue to work towards making
improvements to the facility so that movie-goers can enjoy shows well
into the future. To help with upcoming projects or to volunteer to work
the concession or ticket booth during shows, contact The Friends by
calling Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490, e-mailing the theatre at Castletheatre@yahoo.com or
sending contributions or correspondence to The Castle Theatre, P. O.
Box 127, Manchester, IA 52057.
Castle Theatre Opens Friday
Posted 21 October 2009
Nagle Sign,
Inc. works on installing new
neon
sign on historic Castle Theatre marquee in downtown Manchester today,
Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The restoration
of the marquee, which also included a fresh paint job,
structural repairs and a new roof, is just a part of the entire
rejuvenation project currently underway at the local movie theatre.
The Friends of
the Castle Theatre, since obtaining ownership Sept. 1, have been busy
cleaning, repairing and remodeling the lobby, concession area and
auditorium.
As the marquee
says, the theatre is expected to reopen this Friday
night, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. with the animated feature "Cloudy With A
Chance of Meatballs."
Restoration Work in Full Swing at
Manchester’s Castle Theatre
Posted 16 October 2009
Many local
volunteers have been busy
cleaning
and repairing Manchester’s Castle Theatre. Closed to the public
since Sept. 1, members of the theatre’s new management team – The
Friends of Castle Theatre – and others interested in preserving the
county’s only movie theatre, have been hard at work for over a month
preparing for the Castle’s upcoming Grand Re-Opening celebration. The
event hopes to feature the debut of a newly restored and lighted
marquee and lobby/concession area as well as the return of first–run
movies on the large screen.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre, a relatively new non-profit group,
raised community awareness about the theatre when Fridley Theatres
announced plans to close the local landmark. After months of
planning, fundraising, mountains of paperwork and a lot of hard work,
the organization purchased the 74-year-old movie theatre and
temporarily closed its doors Sept. 1 for repairs and renovations.
The intensive
restoration project, which has included hundreds of
volunteer hours and generous donations of time, product and services
from local individuals and businesses, has kept Friends members and
area residents who offered to help out very busy during the past few
weeks. Over 100 volunteers to date have assisted in the project.
The project
included a much needed and thorough cleaning of lobby, concession area
and auditorium. Necessary repairs and improvements continue to be
made throughout the building. The lobby and concession area have
already received a new facelift featuring new paint and
wallpaper. During this time, the theatre’s projection equipment
has also been refurbished, repaired and upgraded. An ongoing
restoration of the familiar downtown Manchester icon – the Castle
Theatre’s marquee – will include the replacement of the neon sign (as
weather permits), a new roof and a fresh paint job. Visitors to
the theatre should also be watching for the installation of two new
show poster boxes on the exterior of the theatre, framing the entrance.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre are looking forward to the day when the
doors to the local theatre re-open and movies are once again playing
for the public on the big screen. Plans for a Grand Re-opening
celebration event, to be held in November, are currently underway.
“We want to
express sincere thanks and appreciation to all the board,
volunteers, workers, Friends members, and everyone who is helping with
the theatre project,” says Friends President Al Remling. “The interest
of people throughout our community and area is wonderful.
Expressions of support for the success of the Castle continue to come
from miles around. The willingness of people to help is
overwhelming.”
Although
excitement is high over the work that has been done, The
Friends of Castle Theatre, have outlined many additional projects that
will also need to be addressed in the near future. The group –
appreciative of the support it has received to date - continues to
welcome financial donations to help with the ongoing restoration and
preservation projects. New members are also encouraged to join at
any time. Donations for the organization or memberships may be
sent to The Castle Theatre, P. O. Box 127, Manchester, IA 52057.
“We hope for
continued support after we open,” adds Remling. “We
will continue to need volunteers, donations, and - most importantly -
people coming to the movies.”
Volunteers
interested in working in the concession stand or taking
tickets are still being sought. If interested in helping, please
contact Friends Secretary Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490 and keep watching
for more information in the next few weeks regarding the theatre’s
grand reopening celebration.
(Photos courtesy
of Friends of Castle Theatre)
Castle Theatre Hires New Manager
Posted 13 October 2009
Kelly Stogdill
of Manchester has been
hired as
the new manager for Delaware County’s only movie theatre – the Castle
Theatre in Manchester.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre, a local non-profit community group
interested in the preservation and continuation of the 74-year-old
movie theatre, officially took over ownership of the local
entertainment center Sept. 1 from Fridley Theatres. Members of
The Friends organization formally welcomed Stogdill to the manager
position last week.
Stogdill comes
to the position with ample experience – she started
working part-time at the Castle Theatre in 2002 and spent six years as
assistant manager with Fridley management. She was promoted to
co-manager of the theatre in 2007.
“I have always
been intrigued by film and the movie business,” says
Stogdill. “I think it was a great thing the Friends of the Castle
Theatre did – they stepped up to keep the theatre alive in Manchester
for our kids and for our adults. Manchester really needs a theatre.”
Stogdill works
with troubled teens as the day manager at Four Oaks in
Monticello. She is the mother of four children – Alyssa, 14; Austin,
12; Ashley, 10; and Alec, 7. As Manager, she will work
approximately 30 hours per week - primarily in the evenings and on
weekends - overseeing the general business operation and coordinating
the volunteer workforce. She will be helped by part-time paid
staff, members of the Friends’ Board of Directors and other key
volunteers. Duties at the theatre will include putting together
and breaking down each movie, operating and monitoring the projector,
coordinating volunteer schedules, orchestrating the cleaning of the
auditorium after every show and conducting routine theatre business.
“I think it will
be very exciting and fun to work with all of the
volunteers. They have done such a terrific job in getting the
theatre back into shape and I know they will continue to be great
help,” adds Stogdill. “It’s important to have the support of the
community and getting people involved – either helping with the daily
operation or attending movies each week. That’s what we’re here
for!”
As part of the
theatre’s reorganization, the Castle Theatre has been
closed for the past few weeks for cleaning, repairs and restoration of
the lobby, marquee, concession area and auditorium. Watch for details
concerning the celebration now being planned for the Castle’s Theatre’s
upcoming grand re-opening.
Manchester’s Castle Theatre Under New
Management
Restoration Begins Sept. 1
Posted 31 August 2009
Delaware
County’s only movie theatre –
Castle
Theatre in Manchester –
is now under new management. A newly created non-profit community
group, Friends of Castle Theatre, has secured ownership and officially
took over formal operation of the movie theatre Sept. 1, 2009 from
Fridley Theatres.
As part of the
reorganization, the Castle Theatre will be temporarily
closed beginning Sept. 1 for necessary cleaning, repairs and
restoration of the lobby, concession area and auditorium. During this
time the theatre’s projection equipment will also be repaired and
upgraded. The Friends of Castle Theatre plan to reopen the theatre to
the public with a special restart and grand re-opening celebration
slated for October.
Doug Hawker,
Vice President of the Friends organization is excited
about the changes but says there is still a lot of work that needs to
be done. “We have most of the paperwork in place for the transition and
we are excited for the Castle Theatre to begin a new chapter. During
the month of September we will be undertaking many projects to improve
the theatre for movie goers. Inside the group of volunteers will
be repainting and updating the concession area and deep cleaning the
auditorium. Future projects we hope to undertake include
restoration of the marquee and neon sign and installation of new show
boxes on the exterior of the building.”
Hawker added,
“We have been told by many theatre owners and experts in
the industry in Iowa that the Castle Theatre, for its age, is in
remarkable condition and we intend to keep it that way.” The
253-seat theatre started showing movies to area residents in 1935 and
next year will note it 75th anniversary.
Also on the
group’s agenda during its temporary closure in September
are improvements to the theatre’s projection and perhaps the sound
equipment. Additional financial donations will be necessary to
accomplish these goals.
Do you have
great memories of time spent at the theatre? Want to be a
part of the restoration? Do you wish to be among the first to see
improvements as they’re completed? Volunteer crews continue to be
sought to assist with the cleaning and updating of many areas.
Volunteers will be scheduled on an individual or group basis at various
times this month. To lend a hand in this community project contact
Friends Board Members Sue McCormac at 563-927-3125, Pat Becker at
563-927-6603 or Friends Secretary Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre welcome financial donations to help with
the restoration project and encourage new members to join. Watch
for more information in the next few weeks regarding the theatre’s
grand reopening celebration.
“Friends of Castle Theatre” Seek Volunteers
Posted 24 August 2009
The Friends of
Castle Theatre are looking
for
volunteers willing to
donate their time and services to keep the local theatre open to the
public.
The newly
created non-profit organization will take over operations at
Manchester’s only movie theatre Sept. 1, 2009. “We need
volunteers to help with a variety of projects,” says Friends
President Al Remling.
The Castle
Theatre will be closed for a few weeks in September to help
volunteers clean and prepare the theatre for their grand
re-opening. Volunteer crews are being sought to assist with the
cleaning and updating of the concession stand, lobby, restrooms and
auditorium. Be among the first residents to ‘sneak-a-peek’ at the
newly restored Castle Theatre in progress. Volunteers will be
scheduled on an individual or group basis. To volunteer contact Friends
Board Members Sue McCormac at 563-927-3125, Pat Becker at 563-927-6603
or Friends Secretary Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490.
In addition to
cleaning projects, volunteers will be sought to help
sell tickets and concessions this fall. Volunteers can sign-up to
work on a regular or as-needed basis and are encouraged to work shifts
with friends, family or co-workers as a fun activity…and then enjoy the
show together that evening. The group hopes to develop a database of
available volunteers with shifts rotating on a monthly basis.
“We are
also interested in individuals or businesses wishing to
donate their time and talents to the project,” adds Remling. The
Friends of Castle Theatre welcome individuals with skills in carpentry
work, electrical, plumbing, painting, clerical, bookkeeping, cleaning
and more to join forces with them to help repair and sustain theatre
operations.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre are in the middle of a fundraising
campaign to cover initial start-up costs, inventory and marketing
expenses, and repairs to the marquee and poster boxes. The group is
also raising funds for equipment needs – including new projection and
sound equipment – as well as new auditorium seats.
The Friends of
Castle Theatre welcome new members and currently
encourage anyone interested to become involved with the project.
The group is also accepting financial donations as well. For more
information on how you can become involved or volunteer, please contact
Volunteer Coordinators Pat Becker at 563-927-6603, Sue McCormac at
563-927-3125, or Deb Hamblin at 563-927-2490.
“Friends” Group Secures Ownership of Castle
Theatre
Posted 10 August 2009
The Friends of
Castle Theatre, a newly
created
non-profit community
organization, has secured ownership of the theatre equipment and will
take over operation of Manchester’s only movie theatre, the Castle
Theatre, effective Sept. 1, 2009.
Jack Klaus,
Executive Director of the Manchester Area Chamber of
Commerce, made the announcement last week as the deal with Fridley
Theatres became official. Klaus says the organization has been meeting
for nearly a year since Brian Fridley, president of Fridley Theatres,
shared the news that he intended to close or sell the local movie
theatre as part of his restructuring plan to reduce the number of
single screen theatres owned by his company.
Fridley
approached the Chamber with his plans but also with an idea –
to turn the movie theatre over to a local community group so that it
could continue to operate. Without prospects of a new owner interested
in buying the business, Fridley shared that several non-profit
community-based organizations in cities such as Vinton, Charles City,
Sumner and Grundy Center have been quite successful in operating movie
theatres. Fridley told the Manchester Chamber that if a community
non-profit group wished to take over operations at the Castle Theatre,
he would be interested in donating the existing theatre equipment to
the project.
Klaus followed
up on the concept, first contacting several of the
non-profit groups currently running movie theatres in Iowa. “After
making some contacts and asking a lot of questions, it seemed to be a
viable idea for these groups to work together and keep their theatres
open,” Klaus says. The Chamber then worked to form a group of
interested people, which, after many meetings, eventually became the
Friends of Castle Theatre.
“The people who
have stepped up and shown commitment to keeping a
theatre in Manchester have been wonderful to work with,” says Klaus.
Last March the
Friends held an informational and fundraising event at
Castle Theatre – featuring a special showing of the “Curious Case of
Benjamin Button” – and shared the concept of a volunteer based theatre
to gage local interest. With positive support at the event in
volunteers and funds, the Friends moved forward with plans to take over
operations of the theatre in Manchester.
Klaus says
non-profit groups, like the Friends of Castle Theatre, have
three advantages to successfully running single screen theatres. Local
groups can utilize volunteer labor to operate ticket and concession
sales, reducing the cost of employees and keeping expenses low.
Communities are more likely to support a local non-profit partnership
instead of businesses whose owners reside outside of the community.
And, most importantly, non-profit groups can qualify for grants and
welcome tax deductible donations to help with repairs and upgrades.
“To be
successful, community-owned theatres need two kinds of support
from the community,” says Klaus. “Volunteers are needed to help operate
the theatre and movie goers are needed to make the theatre successful.”
The Friends of
Castle Theatre welcome new members, volunteers and your
financial support.
For more
information on how to become involved or to volunteer to help
keep the Castle Theatre open, please contact Friends of Castle Theatre
President Al Remling at 563-927-1425.
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