Friends of Ludlow Auditorium
PO Box 83 • Ludlow, VT 05149
Tel (802) 228-3238 • email: info@fola.us
[a 50l (c)(3) organization]
"Our purpose is to promote the use of the Ludlow Auditorium for the benefit and entertainment of the people of Ludlow, the surrounding Black River & Okemo Valley area, and its visitors"
While You're here, take a look at what FOLA is all about . . .
FOLA Elects New Officers, Sets Plans for 2019
At its annual meeting in January, FOLA elected new officers and began developing new plans for the forthcoming year.
Scott Stearns was elected as FOLA's Chairperson, Jim Alic and David Almond continued as Vice-Chair and Treasurer respectively, and George Thomson assumed the post of Secretary. Scott agreed to temporarily continue as Program Director until a suitable replacement could be named.
The FOLA Board agreed to purchase new equipment and services to continue improving the auditorium facilities. Among the planned enhancements are:
· Communication devices between the balcony and back stage
· New equipment to support the auditorium lighting
· Protective coverings for electrical wiring in the balcony
· Testing and replacement of some spotlights
· Training on the new spotlight console
· Repairs to the 1900 upright grand piano
· Conversion of the web site to a Word Press format
Scott indicated that FOLA would be implementing new programs in 2019 to continue improvement of programs offered to audiences and organizations.
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"FOLA Presents" On
Okemo Valley TV
For the past year, FOLA has offerred an advance preview of its coming events on a TV program called "FOLA Present" aired by Okemo Valley TV on Comcast cable channels 8 (Ludlow, Plymouth and Cavendish) and 20 in Mt Holly as well selected VTel channels.
The purpose of the presentation is to advise viewers of the coming month's schedule of FOLA events. Information about each comng event is supplied as well as graphics heatured in them.
Pictured above are FOLA chairman, Scott Stearns and Treasurer, David Almond, in the latest episode of "FOLA Presents". Jim Alic is also a frequent contributor to the program.
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Thanks to Wright Construction & LaValleys, Stage Floor Gets Renewed
With the kind help of Wright Construction of Mt. Holly and LaValleys of Ludlow who supplied the paint, both the stage floor and the back stage areas of Heald Auditorium received two coats of new paint. Below, the Wright Construction crew is pictured. They are, from left to right, Chris Lafrenier, Rich Butrimas, Scott Grover, Scott Robertson, Joe Poston, Gordon Ashcroft, Carl Lavallee II, Sara Lavallee, Cody Lavallee, Autumn Lavallee , and Carl Lavallee III.
In addition to giving the floor a well-deserved coat of paint, Wright Construction also removed an extremely heavy piano harp which had plagued us since we dismantled the old piano.
Many thanks to the folks at Wright Construction and LaValley for their help in restoring the stage floor - and removing the piano harp!
Checkout FOLA's Summary of Activities and Accomplishments by clicking HERE.
Coming Movies:
5/1/2019
Date of last web site update
FOLA Continues Peter Sellers Movie Series
FOLA will begin its annual special movie series for 2019 on Saturday, April 13 at 7 pm in the Heald Auditorium at Ludlow Town Hall. There will be a pre-movie reception (with
snacks) with Vermont film historian Rick Winston at 6pm. This year's series will feature the films of Peter Sellers, starting with the hilarious comedy, "The Mouse That Roared".
This year’s film series demonstrates the range and breadth of Peter Sellers as an actor, starting with The Mouse That Roared from the 1950s to “The Return of the Pink Panther” and “Being There” from the 1970s. To kick off the film series there will be a pre-movie reception (with snacks) starting at 6pm on April 13 that will be followed by a brief presentation by Vermont film historian Rick Winston (pictured) about Peter Sellers and his films. People are welcome to come at 6pm to grab a bite to eat and chat with Rick before we start the movie at 7pm.
FOLA would say thanks to our generous sponsors for this year’s film series: Big Eyes Baker, Ludlow Rotary, Marylou Scofield, Attorney at Law, and The Book Nook.
As with all FOLA movies, the movies free and open to everyone; donations are appreciated. For information, call 802-228-7239 or visit the FOLA website at www.fola.us.
Peter Sellers Film Series Concludes with "Being There", May 11
Click Here for preview
FOLA’s annual Film Series highlighting the movies of Peter Sellers will finish up with a screening of “Being There” on Saturday May 11 at 7pm in the Heald Auditorium at Ludlow Town Hall.
FOLA would say thanks to our generous sponsors for this year’s film series: Big Eyes Baker, Ludlow Rotary, Marylou Scofield, Attorney at Law, and The Book Nook.
In one of his last movies, “Being There (1979), Sellers plays Chance, a gardener, who is forced into the world when his employer dies in this satire of television and politics. Chance grows up in the house of his benefactor in Washington, DC. Chance cannot read or write and only knows of the world from what he has seen on television. When the benefactor dies, he is put out on the streets. After being struck by a limousine of wealthy power couple, Eve Rand (played by Shirley MacLaine) and Benjamin Rand (played by Melvyn Douglas), he gets pulled into the inner circle of politics and power, which appreciates him for his “simple” brilliance. Despite making Chance a public figure, it is only a matter of time before everyone realizes that the Emperor, in this case, Chance the gardener, has no clothes.
“Being There” is open to everyone and is free (donations are appreciated). It is rated PG and runs two hours and ten minutes. Berkshire Bank will provide the popcorn with FOLA supplying water. This movie has been specifically sponsored by Ludlow Rotary and Marylou Scofield, Attorney at Law. For information, call 802-228-7239 or visit FOLA's web site at www.fola.us.
Thanks, AGAIN!
Through your generous contributions this year, FOLA will be able to:
• Upgrade stage & balcony spotlights
• Complete the audio consolidation in the balcony
• Design a permanent stage setting & rigging
• Bring New and Exciting musical events to the Heald Auditorium
• Continue streaming Broadway musicals and plays
We're planning on additional improvements this year and hope you'll continue to help us present quality entertainment and public service programming in the beautiful Heald Auditorium in the Ludlow Town Hall.
orMail to:
FOLA
PO Box 83
Ludlow, VT 05149