2631 N. MEADE STREET, SUITE 101, APPLETON, WI (920) Back

Transcription

1 2631 N. MEADE STREET, SUITE 101, APPLETON, WI (920) Back MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 14, 2016 St. Bernadette s Catholic School PROGRAM SUMMARY Rio Theater and the Wurlitzer Organ

2 CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT TOM SUTTER TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 69 OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Tom Sutter, Gwen Sargeant, Laura Leimer, Mark Moderson, Linda Muldoon, Christine Williams, and Diana Sandberg. REVIEW OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS: October 12 The Appleton Picture Show. Bring your own photos for show & tell! November 9 Haunted Appleton Chad Lewis. Also, Annual Business Meeting. Upcoming Special Events December :30 History Fair at the Indoor Farmer s Market, City Center APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION: AHS Officers: President - Thomas Sutter Vice President - Gwen Sargeant Secretary James Richter Treasurer Laura Leimer AHS Board of Directors: Terms through November 2017: Mark Moderson John Marx Laura Leimer Diana Sandberg Terms through November 2016: Linda Muldoon Jim Krueger Gwen Sargeant Brian Schneider Terms through November 2018: Tom Sutter Christine Williams James Richter Fund Raising Committee:

3 A. James Richter, Chairman E. Brian Schneider B. Gwen Sargeant, Vice Chairman F. David Buss C. Laura Leimer, Treasurer G. Jack Voight D. Linda Muldoon Fund Raising Sub-Committee/Promotions: A. Mark Moderson, Chairman B. Jim Krueger, Vice Chairman C. Karen Moderson Building and Grounds Committee: A. John Marx, Chairman E. Brian Schneider B. Gwen Sargeant, Vice Chairman C. Laura Leimer, Treasurer D. James Krueger Additional Committee Chairs are as follows: A. Mark and Karen Moderson, Principal Organizers B. Brian Schneider, Technical Resources C. David Buss and Diana Sandberg, Research Specialists D. Gwen Sargeant, Public Relations and Web Page E. Christine Williams, Monthly Programs F. Gwen Sargeant, Publications PRESIDENT SUTTER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Introduced Officers and Board Members. Thanks to the Post Crescent for its announcement of tonight s meeting and all of its support. We express our deepest appreciation to St. Bernadette s Catholic Church for the use of their School Building located on Lourdes Drive on Appleton s south side. Thanks to Steve Brown, Greg Bell and Bob Salm for last month s program on the History of WHBY Radio. Gave an update on our purchase of the Gill Law Office Building at 128 N. Durkee Street. Final closing has been completed, ADA building compliance will be started promptly. Fund raising is in full swing. We have $10, raised to date. Only need 2,396 more people to give $ each to meet our goal. Gave a report on remaining monthly programs and special events for the year, including our History Fair on December 3 rd at the City Center. Reminded the audience that we will be having our Annual Business Meeting at our November 9 th Public Meeting. The door prize of a Wendy s Gift Certificate was won by John Lauber.

4 Sales of our book Images of America-Appleton continue to go well. Books are available at the registration table for $22.00 a copy. We also still have available Vulcan Electric Site Souvenir Booklets for $ You are all invited to attend the Wisconsin Historical Society s 2016 Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, October 21st and 22 nd at the Glacier Canyon Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells. CEMETARY WALK REPORT: AHS Vice President and event Chair Gwen Sargeant described the results of our Annual Cemetery Walk. Our annual event was held on August 21st at Riverside Cemetery and was again well received by the community. This year s focus was Pioneer Appleton Residents. Over 100 people attended and received a tour of the graves of five noteworthy pioneers. Each location had an actor in period correct costume portraying the deceased. Thanks to the five true-to-life actors for a great performance. PROGRAM: Rio Theater and the Wurlitzer Organ Presenter: Tom McNeely Speaker s Background: Tom McNeely is the founder and president of the Packerland Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society. Tom has a collection of Theater organ music, photos, books and magazines from various years. Tom started the Packerland Chapter in 2004 and was given the Charter at the 2004 ATOS convention in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Tom has been playing the organ since he was 16 years old and has constructed a large installation in his current home. Tom has given several talks about the Theater organ history for the NWTC learning in retirement program with featured Wurlitzer organ located at the Meyer Theater. Tom has also played on installations in theaters in homes, including The Chicago Theater, Hinsdale Theater, The Tivoli Theater and many others over the years. Recently Tom took some members to the Carmex warehouse to see and play one of the largest Theater organs in the state and it is still growing to rival the organ in the San Phillipo mansion in Illinois. Tom is employed by Humana, Inc based out of Louisville Kentucky. The Program:

5 The Rio Theatre was the showplace of Appleton since it opened on November 16, 1929 as the Fox Theatre. It was designed in a Moorish/Atmospheric style by architect Larry P. Larson. In the 1930 s it was renamed Rio Theatre and closed in It was demolished in April Tom projected multiple pictures of the exterior and interior of the theater. First shown is the original Fox Theatre. The Fox Theatre was then renamed the Rio Theatre in the 1930 s.

6 The Wurlitzer organ was one of just a few in the area. Tom projected a number of pictures of this rare item.

7 Tom concluded by extending special Thanks to the Appleton Historical Society, the History Museum at the Castle, The Post Crescent, and the Packerland Theatre Organ Society for helping with preparation of his presentation. Respectfully, James L. Richter AHS Secretary, 9/28/16 Back