FOLA Annual Summary of Accomplishments:

 

Year

2021

2020

2019 – No Summary Available

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2021

Summary of 2021

FOLA, during its thirteenth year of operation, continued to bring great programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2021 – Allbeit in spite of Covid-19.

In keeping with the town’s policy and that of the Governor, we scheduled movies during the period when the auditorium was open,  These movies includes:

  • Brigadoon
  • The Freshman (silent film)
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Little Women

In November, we featured the return of live music to the auditorium with the performance of Susan Haefner and Lisa Brigantino in the ‘Blue Sky Cabaret’.

FOLA continued its work with Okemo Valley TV and the Town of Ludlow to make major improvements to the auditorium for the hosting of regular meetings, like the Town Meeting.  The equipment upgrade simplified the use of various audio/visual equipment while enabling the town to conduct hybrid meetings, i.e., meetings where people could either be physically present or participate via the Internet.  It also created the ability to access equipment remotely.  To this effort, FOLA donated $7,000 to the town to help underwrite costs.

As part of the FOLA/Okemo Valley TV effort, we also spend over $500 on technical upgrades during the early part of 2021 in support of town board meetings in the Heald Auditorium.

FOLA assisted the town in conducting special town meetings and Select Board, Trustee, and other town board meetings.  Additionally, FOLA supported multiple police officer training activities and the BRAM/Black River Academy Museum Players production of “Sylvia” in the Summer of 2021.

Plans for its 2022 program schedule were finalized so that movie, special event, and information meetings will return in full to the Heald Auditorium.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2021 included:

  1. A Town Meeting approved budget line item for $2,000
  2. FOLA Membership and donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  3. Donations at FOLA sponsored events

FOLA lost a key member in 2021 with the passing of Don Richardson.  Officers for 2021 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Jim Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Scott Stearns, Program Director; George Thomson, Secretary; Darlene Remy, Director, Kevin Kuntz, Director, Janet Pace, Director, and Harry Welch, Director.

More detailed information on FOLA and its activities may be found on its web site, https://fola.us.

 

 

2020

FOLA, during its twelfth year of operation, continued to bring great programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2020 – But with a twist that was totally unplanned – COVID-19.

FOLA was able to show two films: “K2: documentary on the ascent of K2 Mountain” and “Easy Rider”.  In mid -March we offered the Broadway musical, “The King and I”.

Immediately thereafter, Town Hall was closed in response to coronavirus-19.  FOLA announced cancellation of its remaining 2020 schedule.

In May, FOLA funded a special virtual concert by Susan Haefner, with support from Okemo Valley TV Studios, that enabled over 500 people to enjoy an on-line musicale on YouTube to support area performing artists.

In September, following the guidelines of the State and the town’s Emergency Orders, it was agreed to allow FOLA to resume using the Heald Auditorium in compliance with the Emergency Order.  As a result, FOLA presented:

Sept. 5  –  “Parasite”, movie

Sept. 26 – “The Anchorman”, movie

Oct. 10  –  “Amazing Grace”, an Aretha Franklin concert

Oct. 24  –  “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”, movie for Halloween

Nov. 14 –  “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, movie

Dec. 19  – “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Christmas movie

Dec. 29 –  “Apollo 11”, movie

FOLA has worked with Okemo Valley TV and the Town of Ludlow to make improvements to the auditorium for the hosting of regular meetings, like the Select Board Meeting.  We have upgraded equipment, such as the purchase of a boom microphone for audience questions during Covid-19 (a handheld microphone is a non-starter with Covid-19).

FOLA will focus its medium- and long-term planning efforts to build a plan for betting meeting support in the auditorium, while maintaining a great movie and event space.  We want to a safe, effective and state of the art meeting space in the auditorium.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2020 included:

  1. A Town Meeting approved budget line item for $2,000
  2. Limited FOLA Membership and donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  3. Donations at FOLA sponsored events

This year FOLA did not seek financial assistance through fund-raising because of Covid-19.

Officers for 2020 included: Scott Stearns, Chairman; Jim Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; George Thomson, Secretary; Rachel Liff, Director, Kevin Kuntz, Director, Janet Pace, Director, Ralph Pace, Director, Don Richardson, Director, and Harry Welch, Director. More detailed information on FOLA may be found on its web site, www.fola.us.

 

2018

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

 

Summary of 2018

 

 

FOLA, during its tenth year of operation, brought a number of new programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2018.

 

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

 

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “Wall-E”
  • “Pillow Talk”      
  • “Hard Day’s Night”
  • “Fistful of Dollars”
  • “Yojimbo”
  • “The Graduate”
  • “Singing in the Rain”
  • “Florence Foster Jenkins”
  • Ghost Story
  • Hello-My Name is Doris
  • “Boyhood”
  • “Star Wars”
  • “Harry and the Snowman”
  • “Hidden Figures”
  • “Fences”
  • “The Trouble with Harry”
  • “Silent Movie-Her Sister from Paris”
  • “Shaun of the Dead”
  • “Best in Show”
  • Streamed Broadway Musicals & Plays:

“Les Miserables”          “The Man Who Came to Dinner”          “Present Laughter”

  • Worked with Wright Construction and LaValley to repaint stage floor
  • Dedicated a completed dressing room that had been funded, designed and built by FOLA board members
  • Recommended renaming auditorium to honor Frank Heald
  • Sponsored a lecture on ‘Vermont in the Movies’ with a guest speaker from the Vermont Humanities Council
  • Featured a special musical sing-along presentation of “The Sound of Music”, benefitting  BRGN
  • Assisted BRHS/MS in production of “An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe”.
  • Sponsored a jazz band and dancing program featuring Castleton musicians
  • Cosponsored lecture on “The Red Scare in Vermont”
  • Presented a scholarship to local graduate, in memory of Anita Alic
  • Assisted the Black River Independent School Committee with audio/visual support
  • Conducted two regional candidate forums for the primary and general elections
  • Produced the annual “Community Christmas Celebration”  

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • Assisted town in celebrating Frank Heald’s retirement festivities
  • Assisted use of auditorium for Weston Playhouse rehearsal of musical, “Fun Home” 

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA developed a plan to improve the audio and electronic equipment in the auditorium, conducting a fund-raising program to fund the project that included:

  • A new back stage dressing room
  • Consolidated audio system, upgrading all speakers
  • Purchased computer system enhancements

All the new equipment and enhancements were turned over to the town.

 

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2018 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $2,000
  • FOLA Membership and donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events 

Officers for 2018 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Jim Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Martin Nitka, Secretary; Harry Welch, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Sandra Russo, Director, Don Richardson, Director, and Scott Stearns, Director.  More detailed information on FOLA may be found on its web site, www.fola.us.

Return to Year

2017 

 FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2017

 

FOLA, during its eighth year of operation, brought a number of new programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2017.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “Ice Age 2”
  • “Bridge of Spies”
  • “Brooklyn”
  • “Sunset Boulevard”
  • “On the Waterfront”
  • “The Killing”
  • “Silent Movie – The Kid”
  • “Inside Out”
  • “The Martian”
  • “Elsa and Fred”
  • “Eye in the Sky”
  • “Long Day’s Journey into Night”
  • “King of Hearts”
  • “Spectre”
  • “City Slickers”
  • “Blazing Saddles”

 

  • Streaming four Broadway Musicals:
      • “Gypsy”
      • “Cats”
      • “Kiss Me Kate”
      • “Phantom of the Opera”
  • Produced a movie anthology of classic movies of the 1950s with a guest speaker, supported by the Vermont       Humanities Council
  • Featured a special musical event with Broadway singer, Marissa McGowan
  • Presented with Black River Academy Museum, a scholarship to local BRHS graduate, in honor of Anita Alic, past FOLA vice-chair
  • Continued offering square dancing
  • Conducted a special “Buster Keaton” Silent Movie Fest with Glenn Brown at the piano
  • Assisted LES’ PTG and BRACC in presenting film “Screenagers” about the impact of the digital age on teenagers
  • Produced the annual “Community Christmas Celebration”

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in collaborations with other town and area groups:

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA developed a plan to improve the audio and electronic equipment in the auditorium, conducting a fund-raising program to fund the project that included:

  • A new back stage dressing room
  • Consolidated audio system, upgrading all speakers
  • Purchased computer system enhancements

All the new equipment and enhancements was turned over to the town.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2016 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

Officers for 2016 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Jim Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; Harry Welch, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Sandra Russo, Director, Don Richardson, Director, Scott Stearns, Director, and Martin Nitka, Director.  More detailed information on FOLA may be found on its web site, www.fola.us.

Return to Year

2016

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2016

FOLA, during its seventh year of operation, brought a number of new programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2016.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “Frozen”
  • “The Imitation Game”
  • “The 39 Steps”
  • “Rebecca”
  • “Vertigo”
  • “The Birds”
  • “Into the Woods”
  • “Wild”
  • “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir”
  • “Ex Machina”
  • “Silent Movie – Metropolis”
  • “The Theory of Everything”
  • “Bernie”
  • “Maleficent”
  • “I’ll See You in My Dreams”

 

  • Sponsored a lecture by Jane Hart on “The Hidden Children”
  • Produced a movie anthology of Alfred Hitchcock films with a guest speaker
  • Produced the musical revue, “The FOLA Follies of 2016:  Comedy Tonight”
  • Began preparations and rehearsals for the FOLA “Your Hit Parade of 1927”
  • Conducted a Primary Election Gubernatorial Candidates Forum
  • Conducted a General Election Windsor County Senate Candidates Forum
  • Sponsored the “Black River Folk and Blues Fest” featuring 3 regional bands
  • Produced the annual “Community Christmas Celebration”
  • Streamed first Broadway musical, “She Loves Me”

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • Assisted the Two Rivers Supervisory Union in presenting an explanation and discussion of Act 46
  • Donated the proceeds from the FOLA Follies to Black River Good Neighbors
  • In concert with area schools, produced the annual “Community Christmas Celebration”

 

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA developed a plan to improve the audio and electronic equipment in the auditorium, conducting a fund-raising program to fund the project.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2016 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

 

FOLA will devote most of its 2017 auditorium improvements to enhancing the equipment so that it may begin “streaming” live productions of Broadway musicals and plays, special national events, and national public information specials.

Officers for 2016 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Tesha Buss, Director, Don Richardson, Director, and Martin Nitka, Director.

More detailed information on FOLA may be found on its web site, www.fola.us.

Return to Year

2015

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2015

FOLA, during its fifth year of operation, brought a number of new programs to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2015.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “Jasmine Blue”
  • “The Lego Movie”
  • “Inside Llewyn Davis”
  • “Captain Phillips”
  • “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
  • “Nebraska”
  • “Philomena”
  • “Laura”
  • “All is Lost”
  • Silent Movie Festival
  • “Touch of Evil”
  • “12 Years a Slave”
  • “The Judge”

 

  • Sponsored a Clean Energy Presentation
  • Featured a Small Business Administration program on new business opportunities
  • Sponsored 2 Introduction to Square Dancing programs
  • Began preparations and rehearsals for the FOLA Follies of 2016
  • Presented the Rutland Curbstone Chorus
  • The annual Community Christmas Celebration

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • Created and underwrote a special program, in conjunction with the Quest summer program, for area youth to see the behind the scene workings of the Weston Playhouse and actually see several Weston Playhouse productions
  • Continued discussions with Weston Playhouse to repeat “Introduction to the Theater” classes for area students at the auditorium

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA developed a plan to improve the audio and electronic equipment in the auditorium, conducting a fund-raising program to fund the project.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2015 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

 

FOLA has announced a 16 film series of movies for 2016, which will include an Alfred Hitchcock anthology.  It also plans on producing the annual Black River Folk and Blues Fest and the FOLA Follies.  Additional programs are in the process of being negotiated.

FOLA will devote most of its 2016 auditorium improvements to enhancing the audio equipment it uses for its various programs and updating electrical controls.

Officers for 2015 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Tesha Buss, Director, Don Richardson, Director, Lisha Klaiber, Director, Marty Nitka, Director, and Susan McNeeley, Director.

More detailed information on FOLA may be found on its web site, www.fola.us.

Return to Year

2014

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2014

 

FOLA, during its fifth year of operation, brought a number of new venues to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2014.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “The Bourne Legacy”       
  • “Lincoln”      
  • “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”      
  • “Gigi”        
  • “The Iron Lady”      
  • “Quartet”      

 

  • “Yankee Doodle Dandy”     
  • “Jaws”      
  • “Trouble with the Curve”      
  • Silent Movie Festival     
  • “Silver Linings Playbook”      
  • “Up”      
  • “Tootsie”      

 

 

  • FOLA 2nd  Follies of 2014 (a musical revue)
  • 2nd  Black River Folk & Blues Fest (3 area bands)
  • Sponsored Opus 28 with Schools
  • Presented “Love Letters” with Sam & Barbara Lloyd
  • Featured a cello concert by Jari Piper
  • Conducted a Candidates Forum of area office seekers
  • Presented the Cowboy and Celtic music of Connie Dover and Skip Gorman
  • The annual Community Christmas Celebration

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • Worked with area schools and statewide organization to produce OPUS 28, student composed music played by classical musicians
  • Worked with area groups to present “The Last of the Doughboys”
  • Sponsored courses in the introduction to the theater for area students in conjunction with the Weston Playhouse

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA replaced the entire seating configuration in the auditorium with new, more comfortable seating.  This effort was made possible by funds raised from donors.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2014 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

FOLA has announced a 13 film series of movies for 2015.  It also plans on producing the annual Black River Folk and Blues Fest.  Additional programs are in the process of being negotiated.

FOLA will devote most of its 2015 auditorium improvements to enhancing the audio equipment it uses for its various programs and updating electrical controls.

Officers for 2014 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Tesha Buss, Director, and Susan McNeeley, Director.

 

Return to Year

 

2013

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2013

FOLA, during its fourth year of operation, brought a number of new venues to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2013.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘regular movie series, showing  films  that included:
  • “Extreme Skiing”
  • “My Week with Marilyn”
  • “The Artist”
  • “Hugo”
  • “The Iron Lady”
  • “Tales of Hoffmann”
  • “War Horse”
  • “The Verdict”
  • “Guys and Dolls”
  • “Skyfall”
  • “West Side Story”
  • “Argo”
  • “Top Hat”
  • Silent Movie Festival
  • “Life of Pi”
  • “Rear Window”
  • “Les Misérables”
  • “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein”
  • “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
  • “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”

 

 

  • FOLA 1st Follies of 2013 (a musical revue)
  • 1st Black River Folk & Blues Fest (4 area bands)
  •  “Sky Blue Boys”, aka Banjo Dan, concert
  • “Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and to Kill a Mockingbird”, presentation on To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Health Care Exchange for Small Businesses, forum on VT health care exchange
  • The annual Community Christmas Celebration

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in six collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • FOLA co-sponsored a healthcare forum on VT’s healthcare exchange with the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • FOLA sponsored a lecture/discussion on the background to the creation of the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, with the Weston Playhouse
  • FOLA assisted BRACC in presenting the film “The Hungry Heart”
  • FOLA assisted the Winter Carnival group in the showing of its extreme skiing movies
  • FOLA presented the Movie, “Rear Window”, to support a Friends of the Library program
  • FOLA presented a Halloween comedy for area children

 

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA purchased a new movie screen which was donated to the Town.  The new screen, twice the size of the original screen, is electronically controlled so that, when not in use, it is stored, out-of-sight, above the proscenium arch of the auditorium’s stage.  This provides a higher quality screen image, greater flexibility of use, and eliminates the need for Town personnel to move the screen off the stage when the stage is used for other purposes.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2013 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $2,000
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

 

While plans for 2014 are still being developed at this time, FOLA plans to present, in addition to its monthly movies, a new edition of the Black River Folk and Blues Fest, a second FOLA Follies musical revue, a candidates’ forum for the forthcoming state elections, the annual Community Christmas Celebration program, and several other musical events.

Long range plans will focus on the purchase of new seating for the auditorium  that will afford greater comfort to the audience, replacing  the current seating, much of which dates back to the 1923 opening of the Town Hall building.

Officers for 2013 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Tesha Buss, Director, and Susan McNeeley, Director.

Return to Year

2012

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2012

FOLA, during its third year of operation, brought a number of new venues to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2012.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • The ‘1st Thursday’ movie series, showing 12 movies that included:
  • Casablanca
  • Lawrence of Arabia
  • Citizen Kane
  • On the Waterfront
  • The Maltese Falcon
  • Dr. Strangelove
  • The Manchurian Candidate
  • Dances with Wolves
  • The African Queen
  • Bridge on the River Kwai
  • Chicago
  • Shane

 

  • Skip Gorman and Connie Dover in a country-western concert
  • Start of a four film series in conjunction with Okemo
  • Sponsored Windsor County Candidates forum on Vermont’s
  • Two silent movie festival shows featuring background music
  • Springfield Community Chorus presented opera and Broadway music
  • “Sweet Music”, a quartet singing pop music
  • Original comedy skits by Stan and Jane Hart, “Look at It This Way”
  • The annual Community Christmas Celebration
  • Creation of a FOLA web site, www.fola.us

 

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in three collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • FOLA supported the Opus 24 project of VT MIDI where students have their original music played by members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra for an audience drawn from all over Vermont
  • FOLA assisted the Winter Carnival group in the showing of its extreme skiing movies
  • FOLA worked with LPCTV in showing the “Irene’s Wake” in the auditorium

 

In 2013, FOLA has worked with the merchants of Ludlow during the 2013 Winter Carnival by presenting a film as part of the carnival based on the carnival’s theme.  FOLA has also agreed to handle the showing of a film related to the disappearance of honey bees and its impact on agriculture.

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA purchased a new projection system, at a cost of about $6,700.  The new system is ten times more powerful than the initial projector and includes a lens capable of an 80 ft “throw distance” for projection from the auditorium balcony.  It has greatly improved the motion picture quality.  FOLA also purchased two new auditorium-sized speakers to enhance the audio segment of programs in the auditorium.  All of the purchased items were given to the Town of Ludlow.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2012 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

 

While plans for 2013 are very tentative at this time, they will include a May 4 concert by the Springfield Choral group, an end of May banjo concert by the Sky Blue Boys (aka Banjo Dan), a special four movies series called ‘Okemo Meets FOLA’, a silent movie festival, the annual Christmas production, a special ‘kids’ Halloween movie in late October, and the 12 monthly movies.  FOLA also hopes to present a special musical treat, FOLA Follies of 2013, featuring area performers.

Long range plans will focus on the purchase of a motorized screen so that the town does not have to devote resources to disassembling the existing screen when the stage is used for performances.

Officers for 2012 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; Jean Eggleston, Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; Tesha Buss, Director, and Susan McNeeley, Director.

Return to Year

2011

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2011

FOLA, during its second full year of operation, brought a number of new venues to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2011.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • Skip Gorman and Connie Dover in a country-western concert
  • The start of the ‘1st Thursday’ movie series, showing nine family-oriented movies  that included:
  • Secretariat
  • March of the Penguins
  • Mamma Mia
  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Chariots of Fire
  • Close Encounters
  • Harvey
  • North by Northwest
  • Rutland Curbstone Chorus in concert
  • Sponsored major healthcare forum on Vermont’s proposed “universal healthcare” plan
  • Gypsy Reel concert
  • A Civil War remembrance piano concert
  • Original comedy skits by Stan and Jane Hart, “Old Enough to Know Better”, that drew over 175 people
  • The annual Community Christmas Celebration, that drew over 220 people in 2010 and another 220 in 2011

 

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in three collaborations with other town and area groups:

  • The Movie, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, was shown and advertised as a collaboration with the Friends of Fletcher Memorial Library to mark the 50th anniversary of that historic book and film
  • In conjunction with Black River Academy Museum and the Town of Ludlow, FOLA helped present a piano concert of Mark Twain and Civil War era piano music by Jacqueline Schwab
  • The healthcare forum, featuring representatives on both sides of the issue, was sponsored by FOLA in conjunction with the Rutland Herald

 

In the coming year, FOLA will work with the merchants of Ludlow during the 2012 Winter Carnival by presenting a film as part of the carnival based on the carnival’s theme.

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA formally turned over to the Town of Ludlow the movie and graphics equipment it had purchased in 2010, with the assistance of David Giancola of Edgewood Studios in Rutland.  This equipment, along with David’s professional work, was valued in excess of $50,000.  To this equipment, FOLA purchase two Sony blu-ray units.

FOLA also upgrade the audio system in the auditorium to enhance the sound quality and enable it to support third party user interfaces, such as musical instruments and LPC-TV at a cost of about $3,000.  FOLA also purchase custom made shades for the main section of the auditorium, at a cost of $1,600, to provide room darkening facilities when showing movies.  In keeping with its donation of the upright grand piano, FOLA paid for two tunings of the piano during the year.  To make the auditorium slightly more comfortable during the summer, FOLA purchased five quiet floor fans to provide air movement during hot weather.  All of the purchase items were given to the Town of Ludlow.

The funding sources for these expenditures in 2011 included:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $1,500
  • An award of $1,000 from People’s United Bank
  • FOLA Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations
  • Donations at FOLA sponsored events

 

While plans for 2012 are very tentative at this time, they will include a March 31 concert by the Springfield Choral group, a special four movies series called ‘Okemo Meets FOLA’, the annual Christmas production, and the 12 monthly movies included in the ‘1st Thursday’ movies series.

Long range plans will focus on improving the quality of the film projection so that the “throw” distance of the projector is adequate to provide professional theater quality resolution.  FOLA will also seek to fund the purchase of a motorized screen so that the town does not have to devote resources to disassembling the existing screen when the stage is used for performances.

Officers for 2011 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Bruce Farr, Programming Director; Jean Eggleston, Director; James Alic, Director; Kevin Kuntz, Director; Mary Jane O’Hara, Director; and Susan McNeeley, Director.

Return to Year

2010

FOLA – Friends of Ludlow Auditorium

Summary of 2010

FOLA, during its first full year, brought a number of new venues to the Ludlow Auditorium in 2010.

Some of the activities sponsored by FOLA during this period included:

  • Three concerts by the Okemo Young Artists Program
  • A debate of the six Democratic gubernatorial candidates
  • A debate of the Windsor County Senate and RW-1 House candidates
  • A concert by Gypsy Reel, that groups first return to the auditorium since 2001
  • A Community Christmas Celebration that drew more 220 people

 

In addition to these seven activities in the Auditorium, FOLA also purchased, with the technical assistance of Edgewood Studios of Rutland, a vast array of motion picture and graphics equipment which will be turned over to the Town once it has been fully installed and tested.  This equipment, with a market value of over $50,000, will be used to promote the use of the Auditorium for classic and recently-released family movies for people in the Ludlow area.

The purchase of this equipment was made possible from the following sources in 2010:

  • A Town Meeting approved article for $3,000
  • An Enterprise Grant of $350
  • An award of $1,000 from Ben & Jerry
  • An award of $250 from the staff of People’s United Bank
  • Membership and out-right donations from a variety of individuals and organizations

 

In addition to this, FOLA was able to secure the donation of a historic upright grand piano for the Auditorium.  It helped the town underwrite the moving expenses for the piano and covered the tuning of the piano.

While plans for 2011 are very tentative at this time, they will include a country-western performance by Skip Gorman and Connie Dover in April, a continuation of the Christmas Celebration program, arrangements for a “cabaret” night, and, highlighting the year, periodic movies using the new screen purchased by the Town.

Long range plans will also focus on improving the audio system in the Auditorium so that it is “user-friendly” for musical groups and interfaces directly with the needs of LPC-TV, the local public broadcasting system that frequently broadcasts directly from the Auditorium.  Efforts will be made to install removable and quiet fans to alleviate the impact of hot weather so that the Auditorium will be more comfortable during Summer uses.

Officers for 2010 included: Ralph Pace, Chairman; Anita Alic, Vice-Chair; Bruce Farr, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; Christine Fuller, Director; Jean Eggleston, Director; and David Almond, Director.