The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Community shares memories of theater
It has been a busy two weeks at the Kallet Civic Center since we last met. We have had contractors in and out of the building repairing flooring, doors and some of the ceiling in the now-Art Galley area. We have submitted one grant application and are in the process of working on another.
The staff, board and their loved ones all have Kallet on their brains and in their emails. We are not just talking about all the great things happening right now, but about our future, and more importantly studying our past to help us define that future. We created the Kallet Korner column to create a partnership, a conversation with those of you who have a connection to this building, and by golly it’s working! In ways I never expected it to.
The letters are starting to come in, people are walking in our doors just to come in and tell their story. Over the last 10 days, we have heard stories about Clarabell the Clown from the Howdy Doody Show to first jobs as a ticket collector, first kisses under the marquee and roller-skating shenanigans. One of our newest developing stories did not even come from this fabulous column. A chance conversation with two kind men who have been on-site at the Kallet repairing a wall led to the discovery of a family connection to the Kallet. An intergenerational conversation, a few phone calls later and we have a name, a phone number and the promise of a future phone call filled with stories and memories from family members of one of the first general managers of the Oneida Kallet Theater. I am excited! This is more about the conversation between generations, the ownership and respect for the treasures of our city -- past, present and future.
Please keep sending letters, pictures, calling in, visiting or just continue the conversation. As we gather these gems, we will be sure to share them with you all, on our website, Facebook page and at a gallery display during the month of May.
My hope for the Kallet Korner column is that you will pause over the next few weeks to have intergenerational conversations about your connections to the Kallet Civic Center. Engage your history with ours. Remember that discussion can thread together the past, present and future and help to build this community. We want to encourage you to share your cherished memories of the Kallet to deepen your con- nections to the positive we have in this community. The Kallet Civic Center is looking for your stories and memories of you time at the Kallet. I encourage you to send emails, letters and photographs detailing your history here. We will be collecting these stories and pictures for a Gallery Display during the month of May as well as publishing some stories on our website and in the paper. Please send your stories to: Kallet Korner Kallet Civic Center 159 Main Street Oneida, NY 13421 oneidakallet@gmail.com