I went on my first “date” when I was 15 years old. That was also the first time I had ever walked into a movie theater so I killed two birds with one stone that day.
While most kids have been to a movie before they can even walk, I was brought up in a church where movies were against the teachings. Therefore, much to my chagrin, I was never allowed to darken (pardon the pun) a theater door lest I be consumed by the fires of Hades as soon as I walked inside. But, being a rebel even at a young age, I kept begging and begging to go to a movie since all of my friends were going to the show and escaping without even the smell of brimstone on their clothes.
While my requests were rebuffed for my early teens, there came a day when going to the movies was coupled with a date. This made me double my onslaught and eventually my mother gave in and allowed me to go to the theater to watch a G-rated movie. Yes, they made G-rated movies once upon a time. It was "Swiss Family Robinson." And, in case you are doing the math, I was too late to see the first run of "Star Wars" here.
Anyway, I went to the movies and did not come out an evil reprobate, nor did I feel the need to drink the blood of others. Eventually the church relaxed its teachings to allow movies and, much to my surprise, I’ve even got my mother to go to a couple of shows.
Now, flash forward 35 years from that first movie – a movie where I didn’t even get a kiss from my date Boy, did she miss her golden opportunity.
Monday I’m back inside the place of that first date – Park Theater – shooting a video of the renovations. It was amazing to see the place after all these years. I guess the first thing that struck me is how huge the place is. Not counting the balcony, which is not going to be finished at this point, the Park will seat about 500. Add the balcony, which I believe they will before too long, and we’re talking over 600 seats.
They are already scheduling events such as plays, concerts and weddings so it looks like the Park will be getting a lot of use once it opens for business. This is one case where I think government got it right. By revitalizing this old building, which holds fond memories for many here, we are investing in downtown and I think its opening will have a major impact in further waking the historic downtown district.
I think we all want to see that Park marquis lit up and, even more than that, activities happening inside the historic building. Once that begins, I believe we will see folks flocking back downtown in the evenings, perhaps like the old, old days when the opera was open for business.
The Park Theater renovation, I must admit, was a great idea and, in the end, will be worth the $2 million-plus put into it.
Standard reporter Duane Sherrill can be reached at 473-2191.