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October and November is time for the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts membership drive.
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 The drive traditionally coincides with the fall Port Polson Players production. To celebrate their 32nd season the Players are doing “Boomers,” a show which showcases music between 1946 and1964. The production features “harmony and humor” through the talents of John Glueckert, Steve Nelson, Bob Mazurek, Neal Lewing with Trish Tavenner on piano. You have six chances to see “Boomers”- so call early for reservations. It’s going to be popular!
Your membership dollars have extended the season at the John Dowdall Theatre. We’re able to keep the facility open longer. This past season the Players presented seven out of ten shows they produced at the John Dowdall Theatre. They staged the other three student shows on the PHS stage for the Polson School District. That’s a lot of performance opportunity for a small Montana town.
When the weather gets cooler, there is propane heat at the John Dowdall Theatre. A fire in the lobby’s stone fireplace creates an atmosphere of coziness and warmth. The theatre you’ve helped support continues to bring raves from visitors from all over the United States and our immediate region. The new entry stairs, handicap car path, the re-chinking and staining, asbestos removal, highway sign, outdoor and indoor safety lighting , additional electrical power, security system, new light booth and dimmer board are but a few of our accomplishments.
The MVFA board of directors, including Dr. Steve Irwin (Vice President), Chuck Jarecki, Brett McCrumb, Carmine Mowbray, Urban Roth, Ronnie Davis, Karen Lewing (Administrative Director), Neal Lewing (Administrative Secretary), and I, hope you will continue to support this important asset to our community. There is much left to be done to our beautiful log theatre, including a new roof and energy efficient / panic equipped doors and windows. These goals can all be obtained with your continued support. The article at the bottom of this page celebrates our four- year loan pay-off and also explains how your matching support can help attract grant funding. Many thanks on behalf of the MFVA Board Of Directors. Dennis Anderson, MVFA President
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Three Local Artists contribute Their Creativity for 2006
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Carolyn Schoening provided the beautiful back drops for “Teahouse of the August Moon.” Connie Bull painted the cute scenery for “Gypsy,” and Carmine Mowbray painted seven lovely moonscapes for “Moon Over The Brewery.” These talented women donated countless hours to give the perfect touches to three out of the seven shows that were presented at the John Dowdall Theatre, this past season.
In addition to the above mentioned shows, the Port Polson Players produced a kids camp, “How Kids Look At Stuff,” an additional community theatre production; “Life With Father,” and two more summer theatre shows; “The Taffetas,” and “Voice of the Prairie,” all at the John Dowdall Theatre.
Rounding out the Players 10 show season, three more shows were produced on the Polson High Stage using Polson students. 160 K-8 kids were in “Fortunes Fables,” an original musical by Neal & Karen Lewing. In addition, Polson High presented “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” under the direction of Karen Lewing.
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John Glueckert, Steve Nelson, Bob Mazurek and Neal Lewing will reminisce with ‘Boomer’ humor and music, recalling artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Mills Brothers, The Drifters and Elvis, to name a few.
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The Port Polson Players kick off their 32nd season with the lively musical, "Boomers." The show plays two weekends at the John Dowdall Theatre on the Polson golf course, Oct 13-15 and 20-22nd with curtain times at 8p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees at 2pm.
The show features "harmony and humor" from the Baby Boom generation, 1946-1964, performed by Steve Nelson, John Glueckert, Neal Lewing and Bob Mazurek, who accompany their own four-part harmonies on a variety of instruments. Trish Tavenner rounds out the ensemble on the piano. Tickets will go fast for this popular show so make your reservations early. You only have six chances to see it before the John Dowdall Theatre closes for the season!
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MVFA Membership Helps Support Live Theatre
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By becoming a member of MVFA you help keep a live theatre program going in the Mission Valley. The Port Polson Players, in association with MVFA, provide a three-part program for theatre performance opportunities, including:
Children's Theatre, with educational programs through the schools involving hundreds of students, grades K-12
Community Theatre, merging student, community and business people young and old.
Summer Theatre, combining professional guest artists with the best Mission Valley talent
Summer Theatre generates the most revenue, which in turn funds additional Children's and Community Theatre programs in the off-season.
Your tax-deductible MVFA membership or gift is directed into the John Dowdall Theatre on the Polson Golf Course, where all three performance opportunities take place. The MVFA membership money goes into renovation and upkeep of the John Dowdall Theatre. MVFA membership provides the roof so the Players can provide the plays! |
The Loan Has Been Paid Off
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Thanks To Mission Valley Friends Of The Arts Membership – The Last Of The Loan Has Been Paid In Full!
That’s right, folks! The loan each of our MVFA Board of Directors signed their names to four years ago, was paid off on time this
past May , thanks to the MVFA membership.
A $25,000 dollar loan was secured four years ago from First Citizens Bank to hire Northwest Log Home Care from Helena. The firm specializes in the renovation of log buildings. They spent nearly a month replacing rotten log ends, power-washing, rechinking, sanding and staining the beautiful John Dowdall Theatre. Local artist Jim Nesladek was engaged to paint the trim around all the windows and doors.
“Not only did the membership pay off that loan,” noted MVFA Administrative Director Karen Lewing, “your support landed us a $36,000 dollar TIPP Grant.” “When outside grant sources see how the community supports these kinds of efforts, they are eager to award non-profit organizations such as ours further assistance. In our case, safety and accessibility issues were addressed with additional TIPP money.”
“The job isn’t done,” added Neal Lewing, MVFA Administrative Secretary. “We need a new roof.” Lewing has applied for more grant money to accomplish the job. “The continued support from MVFA membership will come in handy in the form of required matching funds,” commented Lewing. “The more the membership contributes, the better our chance of being noticed again with grant funding.”Back to top of page |
MVFA Money Goes to Renovation AND Upkeep
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 Karen Lewing shows Greg Knutson, from Glass Connection, the damage one of the theatre doors sustained recently. It was broken by a stray golf ball. MFVA money keeps theatre windows in good repair !
Not only have the members of the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts contributed to updating the John Dowdall Theatre with costly renovations, MVFA funding has also been allocated to the upkeep of the building.
“Sometimes I think we should contribute to golf lessons,” Karen Lewing, MVFA Administrative Director, joked.
“Every year we replace about 3 or 4 windows. Gee, some of those golfers are so far off the mark, it’s pretty amazing.”
Recently, the glass door on the south side of the building took a hit. Replacing the glass in that door involved a $285 price tag.
“We love the glass on that side of the building because it allows light into the concession area,” said Lewing. “It just comes with the territory. After all, we are on a golf course. I’m just glad MVFA membership can keep the beautiful building in good repair.”
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What Do You Get From Joining The Mission Valley Friends Of The Arts?
*One Dollar Off MVFA / Port Polson Players Events
*Your name listed on all theatre programs
*A tax write-off - MVFA is a non-profit organization
*You’ll help preserve the historic John Dowdall Theatre
*You’ll provide a space for professional tourist-based community and educational theatre
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Wish List For The J. Dowdall Theatre
*New Roof
*Panic Doors
*Windows
*Update the Air-Conditioner
*Public Address System
*New flooring Downstairs
*New Ice Box
*Remodel Dressing Room
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Port Polson Players In the Schools
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Go To: www.portpolsonplayers.com
For updates on current plays and MVFA News
Special Thanks to Mike Hewston & ‘Click Here Designs’ For hosting our web site and to Doug Crosby for web design and maintenance.
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