Former Keene church transforming into theatre
The founders of the Keene Centre for the Arts didn’t waste any time once the blueprints were approved for the transformation of the old Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge into a well-appointed theatre.
Matt Pukarowski and Ida Brown and their friends and family are quickly turning it into an attractive and practical building with a lighting room, offices, updated washrooms, dressing rooms, upstairs and downstairs bars and an audition room.
Upstairs a large practise room has a small stage and doubles as a green room, where entertainers can relax. The Masons kindly left behind some very solid, comfortable chairs that will be used in the MyIda Rose Theatre on the main floor. Rustic old church pews provide alternate seating and form U-shape seating in the workshop area upstairs. Stencilled walls and stained glass windows have been exposed and enhanced. The Rose window has been restored to its former glory.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be the first production of the Arts Centre, but it will be held at Keene United Church.
The Grinch is a dinner and a musical and runs Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
When the centre opens in January, auditions will be held for Alice. Stay updated with the Keene Centre for the Arts facebook page (but don’t pick the Keene, NY art centre by mistake).
REMINDERS
• OSM Food Cupboard, Thurs. Nov. 8, noon to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Keene United Church.
• Old Time Rock’n Roll with the Rev Tones, dinner and show, Sat. Nov. 10, Keene United Church. Tickets, $35 and $20, linda@trailers.net or call Linda, (705) 2954770 or Bette, (705) 295-6203. Dinner tickets must be pre-purchased. • Progressive Euchre Fri. Nov. 16, 7:00 pm. Assumption Parish Hall, Old Keene Rd., Admission $10. Cash Prizes, Light Lunch, Sponsored by Assumption/St. John’s Knights.
• Retirement open house for Reeve Nelson Dec. 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Elmhirst’s Resort conservatory.
• Lions Santa Claus Parade, Sat. Dec. 8, 10 am. All entries welcome, contact Marion Burton 705-295-6139 or Mark DuMoulin 705-295-4693
DIARY OF JOHN WEIR
1919 Nov. 10, Mon. Today we signed an agreement with Walter Oke and John Lowes for the sale of this farm. Deed to be given on or before the first of next April. The sale price is $6,000.
1920 Nov. 5, Fri.
This evening I attended the annual supper and concert and burning of Guy Fawkes at Downers Corners Orange Lodge. The entertainment was good, the attendance large and the weather fine.
1920 Nov. 8, Mon.
This morning Albert Crowley came here in his car and Lovina and I went home with him. I helped him grade a lane from the road to his house.
1921 Nov. 11, Fri.
This is the anniversary of the armistice and the end of the Great War at eleven o’clock on the eleventh of November 1918.