A community meeting is planned for Saturday April 25th for updates, new ideas
By Kathryn Ross
WELLSVILLE – After a long winter of taking care of business the Babcock Theater Preservation Society is getting around to having some fun.
In the upcoming weeks the BTPS is sharing events with the community to keep them involved in the project and updated on the progress.
First up is Movie Melodies at 7 p.m. April 24th when members of the Starlight Theater Company will be raising funds for the Babcock when they take the stage for a FREE concert. Comprised of local faces and talents, they will be performing a program of music inspired by the silver screen.
Come and listen for your favorite songs at this free performance in the Grace United Mission Center (the former Christian Temple church) at 99 Maple Ave. Donations for the Babcock preservation will be accepted and any size or any amount will be appreciated. This is an ongoing project and is expected to cost $2 to $3million for the entire renovation. Some parts of the project have a smaller price tag such as the restoration of the iconic marquee.
The BTPS has had a marquee restoration company come and assess our marquee and we are waiting for their final report. The company which may have built the current marquee.
Next, a Community Meeting at 2 p.m. April 25th in the Monday Club Room at the David A. Howe Library has been scheduled.
The public is invited to attend for an update on this long-term Main Street project. New ideas are always welcome and volunteers will be needed to help with future projects. Don’t waste time asking questions in the coffee shop, get the reel dope on the Babcock renovation and preservation by attending the meeting.
From 4 to 6 p.m. May 6th come to the Unveiling at the Wellsville Creative Arts Center. The public is invited to the unveiling when Alfred State College Architectural students will be showing their concepts of how the interior of the theater can be adapted and decorated. They have been working on their designs for the past few months and their concepts for this historical project should prove interesting.
BTPS will also be hosting Puppet Making Workshops in May at times yet to be announced.
Finally on June 7th BTPS is bringing back its blockbuster Reel Pulled Pork Dinner. The event from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Duke Hose Fire Hall at 87 Stevens Street is a Drive-Thru. You don’t even have to get out of your car, it will be served and delivered to your vehicle by friendly committee members. It includes a pulled pork sandwich, salt potatoes, baked beans and dessert, all made by the hands of volunteers. The cost is $15 to take a day off from cooking and a chance to be involved in the revival of a beloved historical landmark.
Tickets for the Reel Pulled Pork Dinner are available at local businesses – From the Hart, L’Italia, Hart’s Jewelry and more and from committee members who will also be selling tickets at local banks on Thursdays and Fridays during May.
BTPS wants to keep the public informed and updated concerning the Babcock project and hopes to see the public turn out for these upcoming events.
