Manchester’s Castle Theatre Celebrates 75th
Anniversary
Posted
1
September
2010
Delaware County’s
only movie theatre, the Castle Theatre in Manchester, will note its
75th anniversary with a special celebration weekend planned for Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, September 10, 11 and 12 and everyone is invited to
attend! Join your friends and family for a movie this weekend and
you’ll be eligible for several prize giveaways, including one of
several $75 savings bonds.
Take a walk back in time and view photos, memorabilia and read about
area residents’ memories of the Castle Theatre. Many historical items,
photos and stories will be on display all weekend in the theatre’s main
lobby.
The feature presentation this weekend is Columbia Pictures’ action
comedy film “The Other Guys” starring Derek Jeter, Samuel L. Jackson,
Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Chase and Michael Keaton. “The Other Guys”
chronicles the adventures of two mismatched New York City detectives,
played by Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, as they seize an opportunity
to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize -- only things
don't quite go as planned. The movie, shown every night at 7 p.m.
through Sept. 16, is rated PG-13 for mild language and violence.
Friday night, Sept. 10, is Castle Theatre night and movie-goers can
plan to be greeted by volunteers dressed in 1930’s period costumes.
Everyone attending the movie Friday night will have the chance to win
prizes. Pre-show activities will start at 6:30 p.m. so be sure to
arrive early for the 7 p.m. show. Wear one of the new, limited-edition
Castle Theatre t-shirts (now available for purchase in the theatre’s
lobby) and be eligible for a special surprise! Friday will be a “Knight
to Remember” at the Castle Theatre - join your family and friends for a
great movie.
Saturday, Sept. 11, is Patriots Day. Make plans now to see a movie at
your hometown theatre. A special showing of the film “The Final Season”
will be shown as a 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon matinee. Members of the
public Saturday night are asked, in a show of support of our troops, to
exhibit patriotic pride in wearing red, white and blue to the evening
show. A special presentation of the colors by the American Legion and a
public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance will be held at the
theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m. Patrons should plan to arrive early for
the 7 p.m. show Saturday night to be sure they have time to register
for the chance to win one of several prizes being given away.
The special 75th anniversary weekend at the Castle Theatre wraps up
Sunday, Sept. 12, on Grandparents Day. Again, be sure to get to
the theatre early as only those attending the movie Sunday evening will
be able to participate in the night’s celebration giveaways. Prizes
will be awarded beginning at 6:30 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. show in
honor of grandparents – past, present and future.
W. A. Dutton first opened the doors to the Castle Theatre to the public
on June 25, 1935. Newspaper accounts of the opening stated the
new and modern movie theatre was a “far cry from the crude little
picture theatre” that opened many years prior in Manchester. “That was
in the days of the silent screen, devoted mostly to ‘westerns’ and
melodramas of the thriller type.”
In Manchester we’ve come a long way from those silent films to
showcasing those featuring Dolby Digital Surround Sound, which was
installed just last month at the Castle. The installation of the
new sound system was just one of the many improvements made in the past
year since a local non-profit group, Friends of Castle Theatre,
purchased the Castle and conducted a dramatic restoration of the aging
movie house.
Many individuals and businesses donated prizes and funds for this
week’s special 75th Anniversary celebration. Friends of the Castle
Theatre could not have noted their first year of ownership this month
without the continued support of the community and especially the help
of the many volunteers who assist on a daily basis at the theatre.
Thank you for a terrific year! With your continued support, the Castle
Theatre looks forward to providing quality family entertainment in
Delaware County for another 75 years.
Photo caption: The Castle Theatre will celebrate its 75th anniversary
with a special 75th Anniversary Weekend Celebration for movie-goers
Sept. 10, 11 and 12. The event is a way the Friends of Castle Theatre,
in great appreciation, can give back to the community for their
on-going support of family friendly entertainment in Delaware
County. Special prize giveaways will be held for those attending
the 7 p.m. movie each night Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Built in 1935,
the Castle Theatre was recently remodeled and restored. It is currently
run by a volunteer organization, the Friends of Castle Theatre. To join
the Friends, or to become a volunteer, contact the Castle Theatre at
(563)-927-5726.
Friends of Castle Theatre Note First
Anniversary of Theatre Ownership: Membership Drive Underway
Posted
26
August
2010
The Friends of Castle
Theatre are excited to observe their first anniversary as a local
non-profit group owning and operating Manchester’s Castle Theatre. It
was just one year ago that a small group of citizens, concerned about
the possible loss of the county’s only movie theatre, banded together
to do something about it. Last summer, members of this group could
hardly imagine what would transpire over the next 12 months – the
purchase of the Castle Theatre, intense cleaning and restoration of the
interior and historic marquee and, just a month ago, the installation
of a state-of-the-art digital sound system.
The Friends have a lot to celebrate in 2010 as their one-year
anniversary coincides with the Castle Theatre’s 75th anniversary.
Volunteers are busy with preparations for a big anniversary event to be
held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 10, 11 and 12 in
Manchester. A wide variety of special giveaways – including $75
savings bonds – will be among the many surprises for local movie-goers
who see a show during the three-day extravaganza. The celebration is a
way for Friends of Castle Theatre to say ‘thank you’ to everyone in the
Delaware County community for their help and support of the theatre
this year. More details about the anniversary celebration will be
shared next week.
Now is the time to renew your support to the Friends of Castle Theatre.
Annual memberships are $25 or more and help financially support the
not-for-profit organization. Membership allows the theatre to continue
to be able to provide quality and affordable family entertainment and
ensures the community the opportunity to bring in first-run movies. Not
a member of the Friends organization? New members are always welcome
and there is no obligation to join – although the theatre continues to
need good volunteers to help with a variety of jobs.
A special Volunteer Training session will be held Saturday, Aug. 28,
beginning at 1 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m., to train local volunteers
wishing to help work the Castle Theatre’s concession stand. Please RSVP
for the training if you’re interested by calling Pat Becker at (563)
608-1913, Deb Hamblin at (563) 927-2490 or Sue McCormac at (563)
927-3125. Volunteers are needed to sell popcorn, candy and beverages
each night for the 7 p.m. movie.
Besides becoming a member of the Friends group, local residents can now
also show their support by purchasing a limited edition Castle Theatre
t-shirt for $10. Available in the theatre’s lobby, those wearing a
t-shirt to this year’s anniversary events will be eligible for special
surprises so get your shirt today!
Organizers planning the anniversary celebration for Manchester’s Castle
Theatre continue to welcome prize donations for the anniversary event
as well as stories and photos of patrons and employees of the theatre.
We hope to share all of these with our current audience in hope they,
too, experience special moments and make memories at the theatre.
To become a member of Friends of Castle Theatre, make a donation, share
a story or photo, or to purchase a t-shirt, visit the Castle Theatre,
located on Main Street in downtown Manchester, or contact Friends of
Castle Theatre President Al Remling at (563)-927-5726.
Photo information: Volunteers Needed – Castle Theatre Volunteer Michele
Tiemens says being a theatre volunteer is easy! The Friends of Castle
Theatre are in need of more volunteers to help operate the theatre’s
concession stand each night. A special Volunteer Training session will
be held Saturday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m.
Interested persons are asked to RSVP to Deb Hamblin at
563-927-2490. Castle Theatre t-shirts, like the one Tiemens is
modeling, are available to both volunteers and the general public for
$10 and are on sale now in the theatre lobby. Wear the t-shirt to the
movie Friday night, Sept. 10, during the Castle Theatre’s 75th
Anniversary Celebration weekend to be eligible to win special prizes!
(Photo submitted)
Chamber Ambassadors Visit St. Mary's School
Posted
25
August
2010
The Manchester Area
Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors visited St. Mary's Catholic
School to meet and greet
new Principal Vicki Palmer. Vicki taught school for several
years before earning a Masters Degree in Education from Loras
College and served as principal at Hennessy School in Petersburg/New
Vienna and St. Paul's School in Worthington prior to coming to St.
Mary's. Vicky and her husband Dan have three children and
live in the Dyersville area.
While at St. Mary's
we also had the opportunity to meet and welcome Fr.
Richard Gaul as the new Sacramental Priest for the Blessed Trinity
Cluster (Manchester, Ryan and Masonville) of Catholic Churches.
Fr. Gaul, who is originally from the Luxemburg area, has served as a
priest for parishes throughout northeast Iowa including stops in
Anamosa, Oelwein, Waverly, Waterloo, Monona and McGregor. He brings his
47 years experience to Manchester to serve as the Sacramental
Priest while Fr. Jack Flaherty serves as thePastor .
Stories, Photos, Prizes Sought for
Manchester’s Castle Theatre 75th Anniversary Celebration
Posted
9
August
2010
Plans are currently
underway by Friends of the Castle Theatre in preparation and
celebration for the movie theatre’s 75th Anniversary this fall. A
special anniversary celebration will be held Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, September 10, 11 and 12 in Manchester. A wide variety of
special events – including many secret surprises for local movie-goers
- are being organized for the three-day extravaganza. Further details
about the celebration will be shared in coming weeks.
Organizers planning the anniversary celebration for Manchester’s Castle
Theatre need help from area residents. As a part of the anniversary,
members of the Friends organization would like to chronicle and share
stories and photos of guests and employees of the theatre. Many people
have fond memories of holding a part-time job at the Castle and even
more have enjoyed watching movies with friends over the years. We’d
like to hear these stories and memories and would love to see any
photos you may have of the theatre from years gone by to share with our
current audiences.
Manchester’s Castle Theatre opened in 1935. Last year, a new non-profit
organization, Friends of Castle Theatre, took over ownership of
Delaware County’s only movie theatre and after much cleaning and
restoration, reopened the facility to the public.
The Castle Theatre’s three-day weekend Anniversary Celebration will
include a variety of prizes, free giveaways and other promotional
events for movie-goers. Prizes and donations are currently being
welcomed with professional consideration and promotion being offered to
area businesses. But individuals are welcome and encouraged to
contribute as well. Many in the area have fond memories of the theatre
and are avid supporters of keeping family entertainment available in
Manchester. Individuals can purchase pass booklets or other gift
certificates to help others help celebrate the Castle’s 75th milestone
and to help keep the theatre open for years to come.
To share a story, nostalgic photos or to make a prize donation for the
Castle Theatre’s 75th Anniversary celebration to be held September 10,
11 and 12, please contact Friends of Castle Theatre President Al
Remling at 563-927-1425 or the Castle Theatre at (563)-927-5726.
Photo caption: Lou Ann Knaak and Verlene Kelly (left to right) are on
the Friends of Castle Theatre 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee
and are seeking memorabilia, photos, stories and memories from local
residents about the local movie theatre. The women are wearing new
Castle Theatre t-shirts which are now also for sale in anticipation of
the anniversary event. To share photos, stories or to purchase a
t-shirt, contact the Castle Theatre at 927-5726.
Boating Not Recommended at Lake Delhi
Posted
27
July
2010
Although there are
still portions of Lake Delhi that are navigable by boat, both the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources and the Lake Delhi Recreation
Association do not recommend boating.
“At this point, we really can’t see what’s underneath the water and
there are a lot underwater hazards right now. For safety reasons, we
are asking boaters to stay away from the area,” said DNR Conservation
Officer Scott Kinseth.
Kinseth said the wakes created by boating traffic also hamper the
cleanup efforts along the shoreline.
Speak Out for Military Kids Helps Kids,
Families, Communities Face Deployment
Posted
22
July
2010
Soon 2,800 Iowa
National Guard soldiers from across the state will deploy for duty in
Afghanistan. But that’s not the whole story. According to Mikayla, an
Iowa Military Kid, “It’s not just ‘oh, a soldier’s going overseas, no
one’s getting affected except for them.’ The families are [affected]
too.”
Mikayla is part of Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK). This team of
military and non-military kids develops communication and leadership
skills as they educate the public about the challenges faced by
Military Families throughout the deployment cycle. Said Mikayla, “We
get to tell our stories.”
Their stories are powerful. Many of these kids have faced multiple
deployments, said Chris Gleason, project director for Iowa State
University Extension 4-H’s Operation:
Military Kids (OMK). “These young people have strong voices and
it’s important that we listen to them.”
Mikayla’s dad has been overseas twice. Thomas’ dad has been deployed
five times. Paige has a brother in the Air Force, another in the Army
Reserve, two cousins in the Navy and an uncle in the Marines. These
kids understand the strain that deployment places on kids and families.
Through SOMK, they’re helping other kids, families and communities
learn how to deal with the challenge.
Said Thomas, “We’re just trying to get the word out about what families
face when soldiers are deployed.”
Just check the list of places from which Iowa National Guard units are
being deployed, Gleason said. For each location, the soldiers probably
come from a dozen or more towns. Teachers, fire fighters, police,
doctors, mechanics and others are being deployed. Every soldier’s
deployment affects the community, and communities can turn to their
military kids as a resource to help others cope, Gleason said.
Be Prepared to
Support Military Families
Iowa communities need to be prepared to support Military Kids, Gleason
said. OMK partners are encouraging professionals who work with young
children, school-age children and teens to learn about the additional
stressors that military children and families experience during
deployment.
Teachers, counselors, school nurses and child care professionals all
have the opportunity to offer vital emotional support and provide the
secure, safe environments that these children need, Gleason said. These
caring adults who work with military children on a daily basis can
develop plans in partnership with parents to support military kids
throughout the deployment cycle.
“For example, community libraries and veterans groups can host story
hours that focus on supporting military kids. Schools can create
bulletin boards highlighting the military service of their students’
family members, past and present. Many schools are developing in-school
and after-school support groups for Military Kids,” Gleason said.
“We want kids to thrive, not just survive, during deployment. It takes
many caring adults in their lives to make this happen,” Gleason added.
OMK Provides
Training, Resources
Operation: Military Kids and partner agencies provide free training and
resources to school districts and communities to help them develop
community capacity to support children and Military Families affected
before, during and after deployment, Gleason explained.
Training includes understanding how the deployment cycle affects
children, identifying stress reactions and intervention strategies
designed to mitigate psychosocial stress caused by deployment, and how
to access and use resources to build community-based support networks.
“Multiple deployments put many children at risk” according to Gleason.
“Iowa soldiers have a mission to focus on, and they can do that more
effectively when they know that their children are safe and supported
in their schools and communities.”
Operation: Military Kids is funded by the U.S. Army’s Child, Youth and
School Services in partnership with USDA/4-H National Headquarters and
the land-grant universities. National and state partners also include
the American Legion, Military Child Education Coalition, Boys and Girls
Clubs of America, the National Association of Child Care Resource and
Referral Agencies, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Army/Air
National Guard, Reserves – Army, Navy, Air, Marine, Coast Guard, Iowa
School Counselors Association, Operation Give a Hug and the Iowa
National Guard Officers Auxiliary. Information is available online at www.operationmilitarykids.org
or www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/omk/.
Passage Quilts Presented to Local Funeral
Homes
Posted
20
July
2010
Kathy Wilgenbusch of
The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe in Manchester recently presented Mark Mier of
Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home and Brian Muller of Leonard-Muller
Funeral Home with Passage Quilts made from a pattern entitled “Homeward
Bound”.
A Passage Quilt is used to cover the body bag of a deceased loved one
as a last act of kindness and respect when the person is removed from a
home or a facility by the funeral director. It is hoped that the quilt
will leave the family with a softer image and a comforting memory as
they look back on this time of sadness and loss.
A customer from Wisconsin made the staff of The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe
aware of the Passage Quilts used by funeral homes and nursing homes and
they decided to provide these quilts for use in Delaware County.
The “Homeward Bound” Passage Quilts were made in warm, rich, country
colors and sewn by Marianne Nodurft, Jean Fisher, Carol Dighton and
Kathy Wilgenbusch.
They will be happy to share more information about the Passage Quilts
for those interested in the project. Contact The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe at
563-927-8017.
Kathy Wilgenbusch and Mark Mier (dark-haired gentleman) and Kathy
Wilgenbusch and Brian Muller (tall gentleman) pictured in accompanying
pictures. Used with permission.
Parade Caps Awesome Delaware County Fair
Posted
19
July
2010
The Delaware County
Fair Parade concluded an outstanding week of activities, contests and
events. Many thanks to those who helped out!!
Many Attend Event for Military Members,
Families
Posted
28
June
2010
Over 70 individuals
were served at a special picnic and pool party sponsored for local
military service members and their families by Military Families
Standing Together in Manchester’s Tirrill Park Sunday, June 27.
The event was sponsored through a grant from Operation: Military Kids,
a partner of ISU Extension and 4-H. Several local sponsors also
assisted in funding the event, including the American Legion, Community
Circle of Care, the Delaware County Veterans Affairs office and
others.
The families – who
were able to network with other families with
soldiers facing military deployments - were treated to a grilled picnic
supper, free swimming and live music courtesy of members of the band,
The Swamp Cats. Colin and Justin Brown (left to right) were just
a few of the kids who made their own dog tags courtesy of Operation:
Military Kids. Military Families Standing Together hopes to
sponsor other activities for military kids and their families
throughout the year. For more information about the new
organization or to get involved, contact Harold Blatt at harold-blatt@uiowa.edu or
call him at 563.608.4919.
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