Rutherford Weekly

A theatre that exists only in pictures and old news articles may yet again rise in downtown Forest City. Sue Fair, who has created the non-profit Tri-City Arts, is currently working to raise money to renovate and restore the Romina Theatre. The Romina, which opened in 1929, closed as a theatre in 1960s, and more recently served as a retail space. "This organization is going to refurbish the Romina to bring it back to the Art Deco style that it once was," Fair explained. Once completed, the theatre will provide a performing arts space with s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t equipment as well as classroom and community space. Fair, who is an adjunct professor at Gardner- Webb University, said the idea to renovate the theatre came after a conversation with her husband, who mentioned there needed to be more offerings downtown. "One morning I woke up and said 'I guess it's time.'" Timing, she continued, was perfect. "It just happened that when I decided to do this, Jim Griffin, who owns the building, had decided he was going to sell it. He had put a sign up above the door, and my friend told me there was a theater for sale in downtown," Fair said. "I've been on a bullet train ever since." A Hendersonville native, Fair's career has been spent in theater and theater education. She is an instructor, designer and managing director in the Theatre Arts Department at GWU. "I've been doing this sort of work for years," she said. A family member who is a construction consultant will help with the renovation, she continued. He was a part of a group that restored the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, which suffered destruction during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. From outside the building, it's hard to imagine the beauty that lies within. "There is kind of a time capsule in the building," Fair explained. "When they put the floor in upstairs, they left all the tin roofing. The original colors and designs from the 1920s are there, and it hasn't been touched since the 1960s. You feel like you're in a different era." Prior to work beginning, Tri-City Arts has to raise $37,000 to cover the cost of the architectural plans. Fair has been working in the community to raise awareness of the project and its mission. "The community has been 100 percent on board," she said. Donations for the project have already come in from local businesses, like Hardin's Drug, which was once located in the building. Once that funding is in place, the remaining funding for the $4.5 million project will come through grants and donations, Fair said. "Our finish date is December 2017," she added. "Our hope is to have all the renovations finished and have a holiday play or variety show." With new businesses and restaurants opening in Forest City, Fair said she believes the restored Romina will "tip it over the edge." "I think this is a moment in time for a big change for Forest City and the whole county." If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to Tri-City Arts for the Romina Theatre Project, contact Fair through the Tri- City Arts Facebook page or email tricityarts2016@gmail.com. Additionally, those who would like to purchase a theatre seat in memory or in honor of someone may do so. Seats in the balcony will be $500; those on the floor will be $1,500 for the back and $2,500 for the front. OUR 24 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 29 • July 21, 2016 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE ©Community First Media Community First Media Mon-Sat 11am-6pm E Juice • Glass Pipes T-shirts • & More 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 828-229-3123 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC Like Us On Like Us On Facebook! Facebook! HOURS: 8AM-6PM • MON-.SAT. 8AM-6PM • MON-.SAT. HOURS HOURS: H Ora & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS SUPERMARKET VOTED BEST MEAT MARKET 4 YEARS IN A ROW! VOTED BEST MEAT MARKET 4 YEARS IN A ROW! 70 704-4 4-487-4 -4377 • 377 • WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM Bacon Wrapped Filets We Accept EBT, SNAP, Food Stamps, Debit ONE DAY ONLY! ONE DAY ONLY! FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 ONLY ONLY Limit 10 Limit 10 $ 5 99 99 each each MAKE MAKE PLANS PLANS NOW! NOW! SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS Women Roofers celebrate 100th roof The Women Roofers celebrated a milestone Friday, July 8, with the completion of the non-profit's 100th roof. A celebration was held at the house being completed by Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity for the Birriel family, whose home includes the 100th roof. Those in attendance had an opportunity to learn more about the Women Roofers and to see them in action. "We are proud the 100th roof completed by the Women Roofers is in Spindale," said Spindale Mayor Mickey Bland. The Town of Spindale, as well as the County, made proclamations celebrating the Women Roofers. The Women Roofers began in 2002 when a Sunday School class from First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton volunteered to repair a leaky roof. Only three members of the class showed up - all women - but it didn't stop the group from accomplishing their goal. Since that time the group has grown to include many other women, and the completion of 100 roofs, including 16 outside of Rutherford County. The group has been featured in People magazine's "Heroes Among Us" segment as well. The Birriel family's home is one of 34 the group has roofed for Habitat, said Rutherford County Habitat Executive Director Kim Freeman. "We couldn't be more thankful for your hard work," Freeman said. The original three roofers - Susan Kernodle, Lori Herrick and the Rev. Billy Honeycutt were honored for their time and dedication over the years. During his invocation, the Rev. Tim Marsh summed up the work of the Women Roofers. "Each shingle, each nail a volunteer hammered is your love being expressed." It is work that provides much more to those doing it than those who receive it, said Rutherford Housing Partnership Executive Director Nell Bovender. "We are changed by this work. We are part of God's work in this world." For more information on the Women Roofers, visit rutherfordhousingpartnership.com. s e a c a a W s t t a w w Local non-profit seeks to restore Romina Theatre Articles By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly Articles By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly History of the Romina Theatre Built in 1929, the Romina Theatre was originally owned by Walter Haynes and later sold to the Griffin family, who owns the building to this day. Originally designed for vaudeville performances, the theatre ran "first run" movies in the 1930s. The theatre was used as such until the 1960s. The building was renovated to house retail stores, and the seats and raked floor removed and replaced with a level surface. It was also at this time that a second floor was installed to create a ceiling for the retail space. Cost of the building and furnishings, when it was originally built, was $125,000. The name combined the names of Haynes daughters, Amanda and Rosa Mae. w ' c p t d J o h w i s Above photos contributed by Sue Fair. Above photos contributed by Sue Fair. Above photos by Nathan Flynn. Above photos by Nathan Flynn. Fair describes the upstairs of the building as a "time capsule." The original Art Deco designed plaster is still visible on the walls, as are the tin tiles on the ceiling. The outside of the Romina Theatre after it was opened in 1929. Thus far, photos from the inside of the building haven't been located. F i d ib th t i f th b ildi "ti The proscenium arch in the Romina Theatre is still visible from the upstairs portion of the building, which is located in downtown Forest City. Tri-City Arts, a non-profi t created by Sue Fair, has been created to raise funding to restore the theatre, which was built in 1929. A sign marking women roofi ng was located outside the home where the 100th roof was being completed by the Women Roofers. Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kim Freeman hugs Rutherford Housing Partnership Executive Director Nell Bovender after thanking the women for their service. Spindale Mayor Mickey Bland presents Rutherford Housing Partnership Executive Director Nell Bovender with a proclamation declaring July 8 as Women Roofer Day in Spindale. A i ki H COMICS Page 18! All New

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