The lower level of the Historic Masonic Theatre is clearly visible during the reconstruction of the bridge in front of the Theatre. The Theatre was closed last year in preparation for renovation efforts, yet continued to offer events throughout 2011. "The Eve" Dinner and Dancing on New Year's Eve will be the last event for the year. Photo courtesy of The Historic Masonic Theatre.

Masonic Theatre Rings in the New Year with Last Fundraiser of 2011 December 31st promises an evening of food, fun and friendship for fans of The Historic Masonic Theatre   The Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation has had the task of planning and executing local fund-raising events without a building to host those events. The Theatre closed its doors last November 2010 in anticipation of beginning renovation efforts to revitalize and restore the landmark Theatre that was built in 1905. In April a group of volunteer college students on their spring break removed all the seats from The Historic Masonic and in August a community clean-up included local citizens who volunteered their time to clean debris from the inside of the Theatre. In October, asbestos was removed from the Theatre and pigeon waste was hauled out of the attic. The front of the Industrial Loan Building which is now Theatre property was strengthened because a rotted beam was discovered during the bridge construction which is happening outside the Theatre’s front doors. In the meantime, extensive fund-raising efforts have been on-going during the year. Historic tax credits must be in place before demolition and reconstruction can occur. To keep the Theatre plans in the forefront and to update the community on progress, the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation’s fundraising event committee planned creative fund-raising events while partnering with businesses in both Clifton Forge and Covington. In March, a “Jazz It Up” Progressive dinner was held with ticket-holders enjoying cuisine of local Clifton Forge restaurants culminating in a jazz concert by the Pat Howard Combo at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts. In June, the community enjoyed a “Trash and Treasure” Flea Market on the back property of the Theatre. Thirty booths were set up along Smith Creek and hundreds of community members saw the potential of the space behind the Theatre as they shopped for bargains from the vendors. The “backyard” of the Theatre was highlighted again in September with the “Picnic on the Pad and Kayak on the River” event. Riders Up! partnered with the Theatre to provide an afternoon Kayaking adventure in addition to Bill Cook and Friends playing their special brand of Bluegrass while diners enjoyed a late evening picnic complete with tablecloths and cloth napkins under two large tents donated by Monty Bowman and picnic fare supplied by Heirlooms, Jack Mason’s Tavern, Vic’s Family Restaurant and dessert donated by The Club Car. October ushered in cold weather and Halloween and the most successful fund-raiser of the year, “The BOO Event” ghost walks and dinner. The Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation partnered with Mountain View Restaurant and Ghost Tour Guides, Anne Wright and Biff Downey to supply food, fun, history and mystery with the dinner and historical ghost walk tours of both Covington and Clifton Forge’s downtown historic districts. “The end of 2011 has arrived and the ‘Theatre without a building’ has planned the perfect event to usher in the New Year and hopefully, the completion of a renovated Theatre. ‘The Eve’ Dinner and Dancing will be held at the Alleghany Golf/Country Club and food will be catered by A&B Bakery. In addition to a celebration dinner, music will be provided during the evening by The Marc Baskind Trio with special guest, Dr. Glenn Buck. This group of exceptional musicians will travel from Roanoke and Lynchburg to supply music for ‘The Eve’”, said Gayle Hillert, event fundraising committee chair. “The band will play a variety of tunes from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and the audience will be encouraged to dance or to simply enjoy the music, the fun and the friendship while supporting the Historic Masonic Theatre. Sponsorship donations of $100.00 are being encouraged in addition to ‘Buying a Table’ donations of $500.00 which will provide six tickets to ‘The Eve’, two bottles of wine for the table and the donation will go toward purchasing tables for the third floor Community Hall of the Historic Masonic. When renovation is complete the Community Hall will be the setting for family reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties, lectures and community events. In the original theatre, the local Masons held their lodge meetings in the third floor meeting room”. “The Eve” begins at 8:30 p.m. and ends at 12:30 a.m. Ticket price is $50.00 which includes dinner and music, champagne at midnight, noisemakers and hats. Tickets can be purchased at The Club Car, Heirlooms, Old Forge Coffee Company, The Alleghany Chamber business office and The Shoe Box and Sports Center. If interested in a Sponsorship or “Buy a Table” Donation, call 540 862 5655. Members of the Event Fund-raising committee are: John Hillert, Joe Wilson, Sandi Wilson, Jane Newkirk, Henrietta Crandall, Wilma McClung, Johnette Roberts, Don Roberts, and Joyce Ann Eller. For more information on “The Eve” go to www.historicmasonictheatre.com or visit the Masonic Theatre’s Face Book page.

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