Dear Friend of the Rialto Theater:
We would like to provide our donors and friends like you with a progress report for the Historic Rialto Theater. Below is an update for you on what has been going on since our last newsletter.
Fundraising News
- Seven kegs of special beer called “Reel Rialto” was brewed by the Florence Brewing Company to help serve as a fundraiser. A number of sponsors committed to donate a specific amount of money per each 16 ounce glass sold.
- The Rialto Theater received a check for $500 from the Merchant’s Car Show, sponsored by the Florence Chamber of Commerce.
- Board member Donna Murphy organized an exhibit of 11 of Suzanne Phipp’s paintings, held at the Artist’s Gallery in Canon City. Any monies from work sold will be donated to the theater. The exhibition will be on display through the end of November.
- Board member Nancy Fenyves is directing a Fremont Civic Theater play entitled “”A Bad Year for Tomatoes”. It is a story about a woman who is tired with the demands of her acting career. The famous Myra Marlowe leases a house in the small New England town of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography. The play will be a fundraising event for the Rialto. It will be performed over two weekends: January 19, 20, and 21, and January 26, 27 and 28. Friday and Saturday showings are at 7:00pm, and Sunday matinee showings are at 3:00pm. Doors open 30 minutes prior. Tickets are $10 adult, $7 seniors and FCT members. Preferred seating in the first two rows are $3 extra. A VIP reception will be held on opening night and the $35 ticket includes ticket, 2 drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres beginning at 5:30pm. Each show includes a “meet and greet” and Rialto tour.
- Historic Rialto Theater tee shirts have been printed and are available at the theater for just $10 per shirt.
- Chili’s Restaurant is hosting an all you can eat breakfast fundraiser for the theater on Saturday, December 10th from 7 am – 10 am. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased at Fox Den, Heartland Antiques and Pour House in Florence and Absolute Accounting and City Market in Canon City.
- Board Members Steve Steele and Donna Murphy recently attended Rural Philanthropy Days at Copper Mountain Resort. The conference was held for eight Colorado counties including our very own Fremont County. The Rialto Theater was given a “green light” to proceed with grant applications from the Gates Family Foundation as well as the Colorado State Historical Fund. We were declined by the Daniels Foundation, as their foundation does not support the arts. There is also some potential funding from Colorado Creative Industries as well as the USDA.
- “Our Souls at Night” movie producers donated $500 to the Rialto for the temporary use of our film editing station, popcorn machine, and sandwich sign. The new movie stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda and will be out in 2017.
- Florence Rotary hosted a Halloween Party and Auction this past October 29th. More than $1500 was raised for the Rialto.
- We are just $2000 shy of matching the generous challenge grant of $50,000 offered by Larry and Beryl Baker. Help us meet or exceed this match before year’s end! Please consider a year-end donation. Those who donate $200 or more during 2016 will qualify for a 25% enterprise zone tax credit on your 2016 Colorado State Income Tax returns.
Construction News
- New paint colors have been carefully chosen by the board for the front of the theater. The new paint will really help us freshen up the theater’s façade.
- We are in the process of having the Rialto marquee repaired. This includes a new transformer and wiring, a neon tube replacement for one of the letters, and a fresh coat of paint.
- Owners of the old Sunflower Bank building in Canon City have donated two very large chandeliers that will look fabulous in the upstairs area just outside the theater balcony.
- Plans are underway to install new fire-rated exit doors- one set of double doors on the west side of the theater, and one single door at the rear of the stage. We are working with a local engineer on the west exit to allow for an exterior handicap ramp. The interior handicap ramp has been completed and plans are underway for the installation of handrails for the ramp as well as for two sets of stairs leading up to the stage area.
- Work will begin any day now on the critical brick tuck pointing on the exterior of the building in order to seal up the spaces between the bricks as well as prevent bats from making their home in the theater walls.
- Bathroom stalls and partitions have been ordered and delivered for all four restrooms. Board members will install the new hardware during the first few weeks of December.
- The Rialto Theater Board will be working with Denver architect Robert Armon (Bob). Bob has already updated our architectural drawings and he will be a valuable consultant on our project.
Other News
- The Rialto Board of Directors welcomed Ken Trusty to the board. Ken is a long-time Fremont County resident and has many skills to contribute to the theater’s various projects. Welcome Ken!
Simple ways you can Help
If you shop regularly at City Market, you can enroll in their Community Awards program where with each dollar you spend, the Rialto Theater receives a small percentage of your purchase, paid quarterly. Log on to www.citymarket.com to apply for a Value Card or to choose Florence Architectural and Cultural Traditions (aka Rialto Theater)
If you shop at Amazon.com, you can enroll in Amazon Smiles.com and many of your purchases will provide our theater with a small percentage, also paid quarterly. All of the products listed on Amazon are available on Amazon Smiles. Again choose Florence Architectural and Cultural Traditions as your charity of choice. www.smile.amazon.com
To access these sites, you can find links above or go to our web site: www.historicrialtotheater.org.
Future News Updates
You can now keep up with all the news regarding your historic Rialto Theater by going to the following sites:
www.facebook.com/rialtotheaterflorence
www.historicrialtotheater.org
Merry Christmas and thanks again for being an important part of the future of the historic Rialto Theater! Board meetings are held in the Rialto board room on the first and third Fridays at 10am.
Sincerely,
Rialto Theater Board of Directors
Ron Hinkle – President
Todd Williams – Vice President
Larry Baker – Project Chair
Marty Burleson – Secretary
Dick Baker – Past President
Donna Murphy- Archives
Nancy Fenyves – Treasurer
Steve Steele-Project Committee
Ken Trusty-Project Committee
