I understand why the Centralia City Council postponed its decision until October on whether to fund a request for $1.5 to $2 million for Fox Theatre renovations.
City officials need to know where the budget stands before committing money to the project. That unanimous vote was the fiscally responsible decision.
And I also agree with longtime Centralia florist Dan Duffy, who spoke of his love for the old 1,200-seat theater during his presentation at McMenamins Olympic Club’s History Pub last spring.
He urged people to financially support its restoration and preservation, saying, “I think it’s a very important part of our community.”
The historic three-story theater at 119 S. Tower Ave., which opened on Sept. 5, 1930, is important to Centralia not only because of its rich history but for its potential for drawing people to the community for musical concerts, theatrical performances and other special events.
Many years ago, as a teenager in Vancouver, I worked in the concessions stand at the Paramount Theatre on Southwest Broadway Street in Portland next to the Heathman Hotel. At the time, the old theater was slowly morphing into a performing arts center, so while serving popcorn and drinks to guests, and later ushering them to their seats in what became a concert hall, I listened to the music of Three Dog Night, Harry Chapin, Michael Murphy and others.
Unlike the Broadway Theatre, which was demolished in 1988 to make room for a new building, the historic 3,036-seat Paramount Theatre gently gave way to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall through renovations of the ornate 1927 building. The architectural treasure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, about the time West Coast Theatres in Seattle purchased the building with its 65-foot lit sign. Although movie attendance was declining, the theater hosted concerts and special events in the 1970s and 1980s, which was when I worked there.
According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, Portland voters in March 1981 approved a $19 million bond to construct a four-theatre performing arts complex anchored by the Paramount, but negotiations to purchase the theater broke down. The city condemned the building and paid $4.1 million to West Coast Theatres.
Then local real estate investors Arlene and Harold Schnitzer donated money and led the $10 million restoration of the building, which seated 2,776 people when it was dedicated in September 1984. The theater complex in 2006 was valued at $36 million. The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is home to the Oregon Symphony and hosts concerts and other entertainment year-round.
If only Centralia had the Schnitzers or someone else with deep pockets willing to contribute money to spearhead restoration efforts, the community would benefit for years with a historic gem of a performing arts center downtown.
At a meeting last week, Councilor Tucker Voetberg moved to provide the requested money through $1.5 million in city bonds. But not knowing the state of the upcoming budget, council members opted to delay a funding decision until October. Another option would be using hotel-motel lodging tax revenue and money in the general fund.
While people want to see the Fox reopened, as Councilor Jan Nontell said, first legal and fiscal questions must be answered, such as whether the city must repay state grant funding awarded to the Fox Theatre Board if restoration fails to move forward.
As Mayor Chris Brewer posted on Facebook, urging patience by restoration advocates as budgetary and legal concerns are addressed: “The Fox Theatre is a gem in our downtown area, and I know the community at large wants to see it restored and thriving. I’m right there with everyone.”
So am I.
WRITERS CONFERENCE
This might actually be the year that the Southwest Washington Writers Conference sells out for the first time, which is exciting.
Since 2014, with the exception of one year during the coronavirus pandemic, the conference has taken place each September at Centralia College in the Walton Science Center, where the auditorium accommodates 103 people. With the July 31st early registration deadline fast approaching, we’ve already filled half those spots.
The all-volunteer nonprofit conference draws writers and presenters from throughout Washington and Oregon, and one of its benefits is the small size for networking with others. In recent years, the conference has come close to filling that auditorium but hasn’t done so yet. Proceeds from the conference, which takes place Sept. 12, and the Friday master class on Sept. 11 benefit scholarships offered through the Centralia College Foundation.
This year the conference features two award-winning keynote speakers — historical fiction author Kristina McMorris and middle grade author Rosanne Parry — as well as Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. Writers can choose four from among 24 proffered hour-long workshops covering topics such as writing for kids, embedding emotion in characters and narrative, writing mysteries, crafting transformational memoirs, story setting, screenwriting, query letters, proposals, adding humor, finding an audience for your work and creating buzz to promote it.
A one-day Friday master class features two experienced presenters. During a three-hour session, Christine Pinto, a developmental editor from Seattle, will help writers use research to craft compelling stories. And in the afternoon, Shawn Inmon, a Riffe native and indie published author in Tumwater who has published more than 50 books, will teach how to write, publish, and prosper while building a successful writing career. Participants also have the opportunity to gather in writing critique groups during the master classes.
McMorris, Parry, and Inmon will answer questions and talk about writing during an Evening with Authors at the TransAlta Commons on Sept. 11, hosted by the Lewis County chapter of the American Association of University Women. All proceeds from the AAUW event go to Hope Alliance, which serves survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
McMorris is the author of seven historical novels, including the New York Times best-seller “Sold on a Monday,” “The Edge of Lost,” and “The Ways We Hide.” Parry, who wrote “A Wolf Called Wander” and nearly a dozen other novels for young readers, recently won the Oregon Book Award for another book in her Voice of the Wilderness series, “A Wolf Called Fire.” Both keynote speakers live in the Portland area.
After early registration ends on July 31, the cost increases from $160 for two days to $210 (including snacks and lunch each day). To register, visit www.southwestwashingtonwriters.com.
LATE BUT SWEET
A Facebook post I saw on Lewis County Happenings in May from Brandi Meyer warmed my heart. She thanked a man and woman who shared their table during Vader May Day for offering her family their raffle tickets when they left.
“I just want you to know you were an answer to a prayer,” she wrote. “We won the bike with the ticket you blessed us with. You were such a godsend, and my 7-year-old is swollen with pride, riding her new bike around outside. I cannot thank y’all enough for making our day. Not just for the ticket but for the kindness, care and the conversations. May God bless y’all tenfold!”
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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
