History 1991-93

1991 began with a new Board President—Don Danford and four new members-at-large: Gwyn McKee, Herman Lee, David Stedelin, and Dr. Webb Mikesell.
Announcement of a grant from the Illinois Arts Council had been received in the amount of $8467. A workday was set up to straighten up the costume room, prop rom, storage spaces and perhaps put up cabinets in the kitchen if enough “carpenters” show up. All were asked to donate their time.
The Choral Society had sponsored a Gospel Sing, which had poor attendance. Plans were made to do a “Salute to the Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day. Some of the members attended Irish Jig lessons in St. Louis in preparation for this event. They also did a concert called “30 Years in Review.”
Anna B. Smith was honored for her 93rd birthday. Mike Boyll came to Centralia to direct the spring musical “On the 20th Century” and Doris Roberts volunteered her home while she was gone and he was the artist in residence. But later an anonymous donor gave funds to cover his stay at the Bell Tower Inn. LTP had no Fall show as they could not find a director.
A special event for volunteer recognition was done on appreciation afternoon and the Methodist Church Handbell Choir performed and Jeremy Joplin, an 8 yr. old magician performed. Ken McCall was the master of ceremonies while volunteers were honored, given certificates, and refreshments were served.
Heaters were added to the restrooms and office. The mortgage payments in 1990 were $4,554.96 plus interest of $7,582.92. The Puffer trust earned $21,475 in interest that year. A piano was lent to us by the Centralia Carillon.
Bob Cover did a very interesting program on the history of musicals and Coleman Wheeler gave a workshop that lasted for 6 weeks and then was renewed for another 6 weeks.
The Winter Pops concert in February featured the Illinois State Brass Quintet from the University of Illinois. Leila Crain asked if we could do exchange programs with the Belleville Youth Orchestra also. The second Balloon Fest was held and the Orchestra played. They also did a Peter & the Wolf Concert in October with Roland Burris as the narrator. The orchestra then went into rehearsal for the Christmas Concert.
A lazer printer was considered for purchase for $2353. At the time, we were borrowing Shoppers Weekly lazer printer.
The P& B Club held their spring art show which featured photography and High School Art in April. The Fall Art Show was held in the old Sears building downtown.
The CCS building was also used for the Balloon Fest, Clean and Green Benefit, the Holiday Craft Fair, a Youth String Recital, and a Drama Workshop for High School students. Beauty & the Beast, directed by Jeanne Jones, was the Children’s Play and St. Mary’s did Rumpelstiltskin.
Scholarship winners that year were Ericka Sanders, Bart Holland, and Michelle Crossland. Major income sources were program advertising and marketing was done by the use of bank statements. The acoustic panels in the Orchestra room began to mildew.
In 1992 the mortgage balance was $75,000. Barbara Cortelyou was the administrator until October when Margaret Loomis took over.
School programming started this year in coordination with Mitchell Museum. There was discussion of making the Palette & Brush room into part of the kitchen, but this was voted down. Silverware and the grey arm chairs were purchased, along with a Laser Printer for $1500 and a new copier for $5400.
Sherm Doolen directed “Fools” in the Fall and Bob Cover directed “10 Nights in a Barroom”. Viki Oliver directed “Ladyhouse Blues” and Dee Ann Ford directed “Funky Winkerbean’s Homecoming.”
The Spring Art & Photo Show, hosted by Light & Lens, featured the High School and Kaskaskia College artists. An Art Workshop for Jr. High Students was given by Coleman Wheeler and a Pottery demonstration by two women from Ecuador.
The Choral Group did a Madrigal, “Christmas with Richard the Lion Heart” and a Fall Concert and the Christmas Concert.
The Orchestra did a Winter Pops concert featuring Jean Kittrell and the Jazz Incredibles, a Concert in the Park, the Christmas Concert, which was directed by Bill Camphouse, and also performed at the Balloon Fest. The Orchestra received a grant for $1245.
The Craft Fair was especially successful this year and a special appreciation afternoon for volunteers was held in January. St. Mary’s play that year was “Jack and the Magic Beans.”
Mike Boyll passed away and memorials were given in his name.
Scholarship winners were Jennifer Jackson, Julie Kiyama, and Michelle Davis.
In 1993, the mortgage was refinanced which was $73,000 with mortgage payments of $1011 a month. Total income was $78,000 with expenses of $76,000.
Bob Cover reported that casting for “Lorelei” was completed and rehearsals began in January. Other productions approved were “Quilters” directed by Viki Oliver, and “Stone Soup” directed by Conchitta Grabowski for St. Mary’s School.
Special events were: the United Nations Day coordinated by Dottie Pedtke, the Holiday Craft Fair again, the Christmas Concert, and an SICA open forum held at the building.
The Orchestra had a sold out Winter Pops concert featuring Jean Kittrell again. They were asked to perform in a concert at DuQuoin in connection with the July 4 celebration. They officially declined to perform at Balloon Fest this year. The Fall Concert featured Bob Kramer’s Marionetts, and the Young Artist competition was held that year A string concert was also given featuring the youth string orchestra taught by Karen King.
School programs were scheduled with Mitchell Museum. They included Bobby Norfolk, Appalachian Music, A Visit with Mark Twain, American Fantasy STories, In Her Own Right, and Kids Save Planet Earth. The Muny Student Theatre performed. The Perrine Trust gave a major donation of $15,000 to be used for school programming. This grant was to provide seed money for the next 5 years. By then the programming would be self-sustaining.
Coleman Wheeler presented his SACK program. This is a Summer Arts Camp for Kids held in a Rend Lake youth camping area. This was later canceled due to liability reasons.
The Choral Society performed in a Sacred Music concert directed by Tom Hawkins. They also performed in the Oktoberfest concert.
Palette & Brush had their Art Sale and Show and also held a workshop with Don Ross as the instructor.
Little Theatre Players did “Welcome to the Theatre”, “Camp Shakespeare” with director Robert Biggs and “Hamlet.”—directed by Viki Oliver.
As a special event, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was brought in for everyone’s enjoyment.
The parking lot was resealed and 3 tall ladders were purchased. Four lights for the stage were also purchased and a stage fund was set up with $1000 of the proceeds from the production of “Lorelei.”
For a fundraiser, a cookbook and an auction were held in May. The janitor’s salary was raised to $175 a month. Guildlines for use of the building were created and Scholarship winners were Angie Simmons, Teasha Queen and Kathryne Alfred.
The Cultural Society’s IAC grant that year was $5380.