Although the news has spread like wildfire throughout most of the Kendallville area, there are still people who are unaware that a legend of Kendallville is dying. The historic Strand Theatre in downtown Kendallville has been given only until the end of the January 2014 to live due its outdated technology and the expenses of upgrading. The theatre is desperately in need of digital film projection equipment totaling $110,000. At the end of next the coming January, studios will no longer release 35mm film that The Strand uses to show its movies. This means the silver screens inside the legendary theatre will no longer be illuminated with the movies we love to see.

The East Noble History Club, creator of Project STS (Save the Strand), went on a visit to the Lutheran Life Villages nursing home this past Sunday to learn just how legendary The Strand actually is. Their stories are amazing and show us another world where The Strand was the highlight of Kendallville. Bondie Leighty remembers The Strand being, “the spot to be” even during the Great Depression. Her family did not have much money back then, so they couldn’t go very often, but she definitely remembers how delicious the popcorn was. Helen Smolinske, another citizen of Kendallville during the Depression, stated that being able to go The Strand was a privilege. Her family was lucky if they could go once or twice a month. The Strand was the only place people could afford during this time period, and you had to make sure you behaved in the theatre, or you would be thrown out.

Connie Rhodes remembers fantastic movies starring the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe, and her favorite movie she saw at The Strand was Singing in the Rain. Another resident, one who had to work incredibly hard to be able to see a movie at The Strand, was Mary Ann Rottmiller. She would work for hours washing her brother’s car to earn enough money to be able to afford one movie. “I just had to see John Wayne,” she reported. Mrs. Rottmiller remembers that there were other theatres in the area, but The Strand was by far the best. “It would be a shame for such a Kendallville legend to close down,” she sadly remarked as she hung her head.

Some of the History Club members also had the opportunity to talk with some residents who had worked at The Strand. Ken Smolinske, a former usher at The Strand, remembers the theatre only costing 12 cents to enter. Cleon Point was the manager at the time, and the balcony was a favorite place for teenagers to sit. He also remembers that teens would buy a Coke from the Palace of Sweets downtown and sneak it into The Strand. Sam Pratt, a Strand employee in the 1950’s, remembers playing tricks on the girls working the candy counter.

After talking to Gaytheyl White and her husband, the History Club learned that The Strand was a popular dating spot even back then. This couple went on many dates at the Theatre, and their first date together was at The Strand. Kenneth Freiburger remembers that it was favorite hangout and date spot, and Connie Rhodes says removing The Strand would be taking away something special from today’s teenagers.

Clearly, many things have changed over the years in Kendallville, but The Strand theatre has not. Today, we do not know what it is like to barely be able to afford to see a movie. We have our Netflix, our NCG, and our Youtube, but can we really let such a wonderful place die? If you could have seen the sad looks of the residents when we mentioned what was going to happen to The Strand, your answer would be no.

So, what can you do to help? First, you can show your support by following @ProjectSTS on Twitter. Here you can find information about fundraisers as well as daily movie trivia and Instagram puzzles. Next, you can start taking your business to The Strand. It’s cheaper and closer than the NCG or Fort Wayne, and, believe it or not, a movie is the same no matter where you see it. Finally, you can spread the word to everyone you know. Post it on your social media, tell your friends, and tell your family. It is going to take some work, but if everyone in this community helps out, a Kendallville legend can be preserved. The statement Evelyn Shoemaker reported is true. “It would not be right if The Strand was not on Main Street