Progress has been made after a 60-day campaign aimed at raising funds to restore the Historic Rodgers Theatre in Downtown Poplar Bluff. In celebration of the commitment of its volunteers and contributors, Rodgers Theatre Inc., would like to invite community members to attend the campaign's last hurrah, a Restore the Rodgers fundraising dinner.
The dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, with social hour beginning at 6 p.m., at the Black River Coliseum. Libations, entertainment, a silent auction, raffles and door prizes will be provided. Karon Campbell and Tasteful Creations will cater the event. Individual tickets are $30 and tables of eight are available for $500. Reservations must be made by June 15.
"The Rodgers Theatre means a lot to Downtown Poplar Bluff," Rodgers Theatre advocate Tom Lawson said. "It did then and it can in the future."
Lawson and his wife, Jean, attended the campaign's kick-off event in March. Since it began April 1, they have reached out to many folks, including those whom they graduated high school with in 1950.
"I remember going to that first movie, Red Canyon, in 1949," Lawson said. "I remember (the Rodgers Theatre) when it was the place to go, not just to see a movie but to loaf because of the cafe. It's where people my age hung out."
Since he retired from a lengthy career in education and as Poplar Bluff's city manager, Lawson has worked to bring positive changes to Poplar Bluff. The Black River Coliseum, McLane Park and Poplar Bluff Fire Department Station No. 2 on Baron Road are just a few of the projects he helped bring to fruition.
Currently, Lawson is supporting the Highway 57 Project, which will connect Chicago to Little Rock with interstate quality roads, and restoration of the Historic Rodgers Theatre.
Lawson said he feels a personal responsibility to help bring the former movie house back to life. He recalled a time when community leaders lined the corners of Broadway and Pine streets, watching the parades pass by, while the theater loomed majestically in the background.
"All of downtown needs a boost and we're hopeful this will be a step in the right direction," Lawson said.
Rodgers Theatre Inc. Board President Wally Duncan said Lawson and the many other volunteers have been integral to seeing the campaign end on a positive note. More than $30,000 was raised in the 60-day period.
"Without the community support, none of this would be possible. We're still very interested in trying to make the community aware of the Rodgers and what the Rodgers is doing. We're trying to raise awareness and raise the funds to restore the Rodgers to what it should be," Duncan said.
Though the 60-day campaign has come to an end, fundraising efforts will carry on, with the help of Lawson, Duncan and the community.
"We hope the Rodgers can be an example of positive changes that can happen and that's what we want to see," Lawson said. "Downtown Poplar Bluff needs help badly."
Tickets can be purchased by visiting rodgerstheatre.org or by contacting Duncan at the Duncan and Pierce Law Firm at 573-785-0699.