Strand earns standing ovation
ZELIENOPLE — The efforts of those who took on the task of renovating a decaying 1914 theater were rewarded on Wednesday.
The Butler County Chamber of Commerce bestowed its annual Community Champion Award on the Strand Theater Initiative at a luncheon sponsored by the Butler Eagle.
The award is given to county organizations that impact the community through a cooperative project or initiative. The luncheon was at the Strand on Main Street.
Ron Carter, president and CEO of the Strand Theater Initiative, said fundraising to revive the theater began in 2001. The group bought the building in 2002 and after seven more years of raising money and a construction campaign that began in 2007, the theater was opened.
"Our one-year anniversary is actually this week," Carter said at the luncheon.
While he has received other awards for his efforts to turn the Strand into a viable community venue, Carter said he appreciates that the Community Champion Award honors the entire initiative.
"It's a community of volunteers who made this happen," Carter said. "It's a chance for our volunteers to get some public credit for what they've done here."
Sue Casker, a retired Seneca Valley School District teacher who has pitched in at the Strand for nine years, said the goal of the volunteers has been to transform the Strand into an integral part of southwestern Butler County.
"I think we've been welcomed by the community," Casker said of the Strand group. "We're thrilled that the impact of the initiative has been felt after just one year of operation."
Stan Kosciuszko, president of the county chamber, said board members did their homework before selecting the theater group for the award. He said the Strand impacts the community culturally through its programming, and increases business for nearby stores and restaurants.
"And (the initiative) also brings volunteers together for a common purpose and a common goal that is positive," Kosciuszko said.
He said when the award winner was announced, he was amazed at the number of people who shared their stories about watching movies at the Strand until it closed in the 1980s.
County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton also attended the luncheon. He and his wife have watched four or five movies at the Strand in the past year.
"It has brought culture to the community and given the people things to do," Pinkerton said. "Plus they took a piece of property and turned it into something meaningful."
The Strand Theater Initiative has raised $1.7 million and continues to solicit donations to renovate an attached building into a full stage where live theater can be performed.
Information on the Strand and its events are at www.thestrandtheater.org.
