McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

Related Photos

  • Karl and Kathy Scifres, at right, get volunteers signed up to help clean up the OKLA Theater late last month.

    Pride.jpg
September 4, 2010

Pride In McAlester, volunteer groups tackle downtown McAlester theater for cleanup

Submitted report

McALESTER — Volunteers from Pride In McAlester, Narconon Arrowhead, Westwood Construction, Hope House and  Interior Resources converged on the OKLA Theater Aug. 28, with the same intent in mind — clean up the OKLA.

“More than 30 people came armed with cleaning supplies, vacuums, brooms, ladders and various tools as the first step in seeing the OKLA Theater Project take shape,” said Gwen Titsworth of PIM. “Old props, paint and debris filled to capacity a 25 yard roll-off box and several utility trailer loads, and approximately 67 yards of debris were hauled away.”         Fundraising for the project has begun, she added.

OKLA fans and concerned citizens can now make a monthly or one time tax deductible donation on PIM’s website, www.prideinmcalester.com.

“Our financial goal is to fully renovate and establish a foundation for the OKLA so that it will never become  neglected again,” said Pride In McAlester President Mark Wilkett. “We want to make sure  generations to come will get to enjoy it as much as those did in the first 70 years of its existence. We cannot do this project without the help of the people. We need financial and community support.”            

The doors to the OKLA will be open at 10 a.m. Sept. 18 for balcony tours during the downtown National Chili Cook Off and Car Show. The theater’s concession stand will be selling popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones, and soft drinks, Wilkett said.  OKLA T-shirts will also be available for purchase, with proceeds going toward the OKLA project.

“Visitors are asked to write down their OKLA memories and leave them at the concession stand,” Titsworth explained.  “These memories might be used to publish an OKLA Memories book to be used as a future fundraiser.”

In addition, Titsworth said, Narconon Arrowhead has teamed with Pride In McAlester to host a fun-filled day downtown Saturday, Oct.  23, to kick off Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Week. Also partnering with PIM in this event are Main Street, the Chamber of  Commerce, Hope House and Westwood Construction. The morning will start with an 8:45 a.m. 10K Run and  Family Relay Race.  Registration will be

8 - 8:30 a.m. in front of the OKLA. The day’s events will also include Narconon Arrowhead  ‘Take McAlester Back’ Kick Off; Children’s Theater Presentation; Best Boston Cream Pie Contest; Halloween Costume Swap; Family Fun Health and Fitness  Activities; bands on the street; and a karaoke contest at the Gold Buckle Restaurant.

“Capping the day’s event will be a benefit concert performed by 2008 Oklahoma State Fiddling Champion  Michael Ginsburg to be held at the McAlester Masonic Scottish Rite Temple at 7 p.m.,” Titsworth continued.

“Ginsburg will be joined  by renowned fiddler Jana Jae and accompanied by guitarist Mayor Kevin Priddle and pianist Kathy Brod.”

All proceeds from the events will go toward the restoration/renovation of the historical OKLA Theater  landmark that was built in 1931.

For more information on the OKLA Theater, go to www.prideinmcalester.

com. 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
Seasonal Content
AP Video
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
NDN Video
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Beyonce Is Pregnant! SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion Woman tricked into taking abortion pill Emma Watson Goes Pantless IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot Hatchet-wielding viral video star, once a hero, now a murder suspect
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.