By RICHARD SYMMES

Recent articles in The Herald Bulletin have drawn attention to changes and challenges faced by the Paramount Theatre Centre. As members of the Paramount Heritage Foundation, we want to take a moment to thank the community for its support of the Paramount over the past 80 years; from its initial opening in 1929, through its renovation in 1985, and particularly in recent months as we have endeavored to make necessary changes in procedures and staff to deal with the challenging economic situation we now face.

Our board of directors is comprised of diverse people from different social, political and ethnic backgrounds, but with one thing in common: A love for this storied old building and a passion for our community. We believe the two sentiments go together. 

The Paramount Theatre Centre differentiates Anderson/Madison County from other Indiana communities, as well as other General Motors and casino towns. Where else will you find one of the state’s largest Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, proms from 10-12 schools per year, Family & Variety Series, Character Counts rallies, children’s films and programs, weddings and banquets, dance classes, etc., all within what some consider the most beautiful historic building in Indiana? We are one of only 12 Eberson theaters left in America and house one of only three Grand Page Organs original to their theaters. The Paramount occupies a place on the State and National Historic Registers. Yet, rather than become a “museum,” our goal is to be an active participant in this community’s life and to help propel it forward.

The second weekend in June, many in our community enjoyed our “All American Weekend,” and we want to thank all who attended and/or took part in the Casey Jamerson concert June 13, and the Lapel Community Band concert June 14. Both of these concerts represent our stated mission to “serve the public with arts, entertainment and community events in the most beautiful historic setting in Indiana,” and both events were chaired by board members, and supported by the current staff.  

We want to invite you — yes, you — to visit the Paramount as we work and grow into the future. Our Special Events Committee has been planning programs we hope will interest you. In the coming months, we will host comedians featured on “Bob & Tom,” a local “Dancing With The Stars” competition, country and rock bands from around the state, dinner theaters, a gospel quartet competition, Phantom of the Paramount Mystery Dinner, the “Sounds of Indiana” musical variety series, ballroom dance classes, Sunday afternoon dances and, of course, the Festival of Trees. We hope to see you there, and we thank you for your continued support.

Richard Symmes, Anderson, is president of the Paramount Heritage Foundation board of directors.