Mission Valley Friends of the Arts - Newsletter
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The Mission Valley Friends of the Arts received a grant from Travel Montana and its Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP). Ear- marked for safety and accessibility, the grant was awarded to MVFA, one of seven organizations throughout the state of Montana realized from a field of over fifty entries. Neal and Karen Lewing, who are facilitating the grant written by Deborah Hayden, have served as volunteer contractors implementing five projects approved by the grant review committee.
“It’s an honor to be realized by Travel Montana, under their tourism development agency,” commented Neal Lewing, Executive Secretary for the MVFA. “With so many Montana communities competing for this TIIP opportunity,” added Karen Lewing, MVFA Executive Director, “we’re thrilled the City-owned John Dowdall Theatre, with its performing arts opportunities, was considered a viable tourist destination to up-grade.”
The Lewings and Dennis Anderson, MVFA president, met with the Polson City Council in March to okay improvements to the city-owned John Dowdall Theatre, located on the old nine of the Polson Golf Course.
The TIIP grant addresses the following safety and accessibility issues prioritized by the MVFA Board of Directors and sanctioned by the Polson City Council, and Larry Newlin of the Polson Golf Park Department.
Western States Scaffolding & Abatement Inc. was contracted to remove the old boiler and blowers, which were found to contain asbestos. The facility has been tested and received a clean bill of health from MCS Environmental, Inc. Prior to the removal of the asbestos, MCS tested the blower and boiler sites and submitted a 24-page report to the Lewings who passed it on to the City of Polson, the MVFA Board and Victor Bjornberg, representing Travel Montana. The report stated that the asbestos had never been a threat to the public, but suggested removal with a professional abatement company.
 The old wooden stairs on the north side of the building were not up to safety codes. Marquardt Company of Polson was hired to remedy the situation. Cement steps were poured and both sides of the entryway were contained in a series of landings, which stabilized the sloped access to the building. The Tractor Shop, also a Polson firm, will complete the job with powder-coated railings for safety. Marquardt Co. and the Tractor Shop provided the east stairway from the parking lot to the theatre in 2001; the new access stairs match their prior job.
A security system is being installed by Mission Valley Security. The Ronan-based firm will wire the building with motion detectors and an alarm system connected to the Polson Police Department. The badly needed system will be monitored by Terry Janeway and Ultimate Safety LLC, also a Polson Firm.
 Rowley Lighting will be continuing both outdoor and indoor lighting improvements. To help audiences exit the theatre during dark evenings, two gooseneck lampposts will illuminate the new north access. Lights will also be added under the deck on the north side of the building with new fixtures added to illuminate the east handicap exit. Indoor safety lighting will include aisle lights, emergency exit lighting and additional theatre work lights. Hugh Henderson of Hugh’s Electric from Polson will work with Rowley Lighting as he has in the past, to continue safety upgrades involving lighting at the facility.
Handicap accessibility will continue to involve motoring up the cart path to the theatre. The TIIP grant funds will widen the existing path, illuminated under the new lighting plan.
“A great big thank you to the folks at Travel Montana!” says Anderson.
According to sources at Travel Montana, MVFA was chosen to receive a 2004 TIIP (Tourism Infrastructure Improvement Program) grant for a variety of reasons. The $36,000 grant is for “bricks and mortar” projects to address safety and accessibility issues and to improve viable tourism attractions. Mainly, the grant review committee was impressed with the long track record of the MVFA and its association with the Port Polson Players.
The Players have provided a three-part program of performing arts in the Mission Valley for two  decades. While their award-winning Children’s Theatre programs and Community Theatre provide shoulder season activities that attract patrons from as far as Kalispell and Missoula, it’s the Players Summer Theatre that brings audience members from across the region. In fact, according to directors Karen and Neal Lewing, nearly 70% of summer patrons are from out of town and many stay over at least one extra day, patronizing other area businesses.
With the Players’ reputation of providing quality education and entertainment projects, many involving the classics and works that are not available in other theatre markets, the Travel Montana panel provided substantial support to the value of performing arts as an economic development tool in western Montana.
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“How To Succeed” – A Musical Hit
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 The Port Polson Players teamed up again with the PHS Music Department to produce their 20th collaborative effort, the hit Broadway musical, “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
An ensemble cast representing the entire Mission Valley worked for just over seven weeks to put together this classic musical from the 1960’s about life in corporate America. Sticking to the ‘60’s theme, Carolyn Schoening’s set design reflected the blocky, angular lines of the era while the costumes featured a palette of brightly colored polyester dresses and neon neckties.
Bob Mazurek, PHS band director, conducted the orchestra while commuting from State Music Festival in Helena Friday and Saturday nights. “I’ve conducted all but one of these musicals,” he commented. “I really look forward to them.”
The show was sponsored by First Citizens Bank, First Interstate Bank and Super 1 Foods.
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MVFA President Speaks Out
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 When the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts was formed in 1989, its primary purpose was to ensure that a live theatre program would survive and thrive in the Mission Valley. The Port Polson Players was the theatre group we chose to support. Over the years, our focus broadened to include a viable performance venue, the John Dowdall Theatre.
It’s been a busy year for both groups. We call it growing pains.
We wrapped up the final phase of our NEA-funded feasibility study of arts activities throughout our region, a necessary hoop to jump through in order to attract more grants to support a variety of arts-related programs.
Later, we received the TIIP grant you’ve read about and, at this writing, work progresses to address even more improvements to the theatre. It’s very unusual for a small rural community to offer such strong, year-round performing arts programs, the envy of many larger Montana cities. We appreciate the strong support of our immediate residents as well as the tourists that such programs attract.
We also must acknowledge the producers of the Port Polson Players, the only one out of eight year-round theatres in Montana whose owners make their living exclusively from the theatre.
Thanks to strong programs and local support, we can truly say that Arts = Empowerment!
-Dennis Anderson
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Port Polson Players In the Schools
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Port Polson Players producers Karen and Neal Lewing work in the schools from January through March, providing many performance opportunities for Polson kids grades K-12.
“With huge education cuts occurring nationally, some of the first programs to suffer are arts related,” commented Karen Lewing, Artistic Director for the Players. “The Polson School District values theatre and the benefits of presentational skills that come with performance. We’ve been very fortunate to have worked with Polson students for two decades.”
Polson Players Managing Director Neal Lewing is also a member of the Montana Arts Council. “Some Montana communities may be able to bring in artists for a one or two week residency.
Karen and I are happy we can lend some consistency to a program that serves a need.”
 This year, the Lewings produced their original adaptation of “The Elves and the Shoemaker” with ninety students in grades K-8. The lively musical was later viewed by Polson’s Middle and Elementary schools who were bused up to the PHS auditorium as part of the Players Peers Performing for Peers Program.
The Players then produced “ The Mouse That Roared” for Polson High. Twenty-two students were involved in the script adapted by Christopher Sergel. “’Mouse’ is a very sophisticated comedy from the ‘60’s. The cast worked six weeks, on the show about a loveable nincompoop who leads intrepid warriors from the ‘smallest country in the world’ to war with the United States in hopes of reaping the benefits of reconstruction.
The cast performed several shows for the public and the PHS Student Body.
“Many students may not have the opportunity to see live theatre,” commented Neal Lewing. “When you blow life into a script and put it on a stage, using student performers, you can imagine the educational impact both high school audiences and performers enjoy.”
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Dubay Foundation & MVFA Team Up
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Last year the Louis Dubay estate awarded MVFA a sizeable donation based on the Port Polson Players fine work through the schools and community.
This spring, Anita Dubay Swope, Don Dubay, Lou Marchelo, Dennis Anderson , Karen and Neal Lewing met and agreed to set up a matching contribution system with the Dubay Foundation, to start an endowment fund.
Interest from the fund will be used to pay a part-time administrative position for MVFA, which has been held by the Lewings on a volunteer basis, and to provide maintenance for the John Dowdall Theatre.
The Polson City Council also met this past spring, and voted to extend the lease agreement with MVFA for twenty years.
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In Memoriam – Passing of Theatre Friends
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 Rich Stripp
Rich will continue to be remembered for his humor and big heart. he appeared in six player productions, portraying gangsters, a 2nd. grader, Martini in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and the role he loved best, Lennie in "Of Mice and Men."
In an excert from Stripp's Ramblin' Man column, which he wrote when he served as editor for the Lake County Leader, Rich described his theatre involvement better than anyone could.
"In the end, Lennie found his little place. And I came to realize that for all the real-life Lennie's in the world, that place is anywhere you find yourself surrounded by loving, caring friends."
Rich Stripp as Lennie in “Of Mice and Men.” His love was the written word, on and off stage
 Blanche Harding
Blanche Harding was a talent extraordinaire. her marionettes were not only fine pieces of working art, they were researched representations of Montana and American history.
Blanche created a marionette for the Diamond Jubilee production the players wrote in 1985. her tour d'force arrived when she portrayed the Lewis and Clark Expedition with over a dozen marionettes. The Port Polson Players recorded local personalities to 'voice' Blanche's script that toured Montana.
Blanche spent her life working with children. She gave puppet workshops for many "Player Kid's Camps'. An inspiration to all, she passed away, just shy of turning 96.
Blanche Harding inspired all sharing her support , energy, and a huge zest for life.
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