FOLA Opens Membership Drive

The Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) announced that it is opening its 2010 membership drive to all area residents and property owners.

FOLA, the Friends of Ludlow Auditorium, was incorporated in Vermont with the purpose of promoting the use of the newly-restored auditorium in Ludlow's Town Hall. FOLA, chartered several months ago, has a board of directors that includes Bruce Farr, Christine Fuller, Jean Eggleston, David Almond, Anita Alic, Janet Pace, and Ralph Pace.

Its mission is to foster the use of the auditorium to benefit area residents.

"We'd like to invite all area residents to join us in promoting the use of this great facility," said Ralph Pace, Chair of the group. "FOLA needs the input of people in the Ludlow area to determine what kind of entertainment and programs they'd like to attend at the auditorium."

He noted FOLA already arranged for the use of the auditorium in the coming summer by the Okemo Young Artists Program, producing five concerts in June and July.

Some of our other plans include: 

• 2010 Christmas Program,
• the showing of recently released motion pictures,
• photographic and art exhibitions,
• performances by area musical groups, and
• political forums

We'd like to benefit from your thoughts and ideas as to how we can accomplish these and - as yet undetermined, other uses of the auditorium.

Pace indicated that FOLA was a totally independent group that acted as an agent to promote various programs of interest in the newly-restored auditorium.

The annual membership fee is $25 per person. He said that joining FOLA could be accomplished by sending a check to:

FOLA
c/o Chittenden Bank
213 Main Street
Ludlow, VT 05149 

He suggested that an email be sent to ralphpace@tds.net  to alert FOLA that a membership check had been sent so that FOLA could update its records.


The first meeting of FOLA in 2010 will be in January; the date will be announced shortly. At this meeting, officers will be elected and the goals for 2010 formalized.

FOLA Meets Weds., Nov. 11

Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA), a newly-formed group to promote the use of the Ludlow Town Hall auditorium, will hold its second meeting Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 3 pm at Town Hall.

Following its organization meeting in September, FOLA Chair Ralph Pace indicated that this mtteing would concentrate on increased membership, preliminary planning of auditorium events, and preparation for the Okemo Young Artists Programs scheduled for mid-June through mid-July of next year at the auditorium.

The meeting is open to the public.  For information, 228-7239.

FOLA Seeks Piano for Town Hall

The newly-formed Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) is seeking a grand piano for the auditorium in Ludlow Town Hall.

According to FOLA Chairperson, Ralph Pace, the group has arranged for five master concerts next summer in the auditorium for the Okemo Young Artists Program. "The only problem," Pace said, "is that they need a grand piano for their performances."


Pace noted that FOLA has made acquisition of a grand piano its first priority. Pace added, "We need a grand piano in the auditorium for a number of reasons beyond those of the Okemo Young Artists Program. Many musical groups depend on a piano to augment their programs. Additionally, it would be of use to local students and school performances."


FOLA was organized to support and promote the use of the newly-renovated auditorium in Ludlow Town Hall.


Anyone who would like to donate a grand piano to the auditorium may contact Pace at 802-228-7239 or ralphpace@tds.net.

FOLA Organizes to Serve Ludlow

There's a new guy on the block in Ludlow by the name of Friends of Ludlow Auditorium, or FOLA for short.  Fola formally came into existence on Oct 1 when Vermont issued it a certificate of incorporation as a non-profit organization.

According to Ralph Pace, FOLA's Chair, "FOLA's mission is to encourage and promote the use of the renovated auditorium in town Hall for all appropriate forms of the performing arts". He said that "Ludlow has a great venue to support the entertainment and education of its residents. FOLA is a means of ensuring that area residents will benefit from it".

FOLA already has arranged five concert dates in June and July for the Okemo Young Artists Program. OYAP will present master concerts featuring members of the renown teaching faculty along with advanced students.

Christine Fuller of Ludlow observed, "I jumped at the opportunity to join some of our most outstanding community leaders who share my interest in bringing additional entertaining venues to Ludlow. We have a beautiful Town Hall auditorium recently refurbished by the support of our citizens and this our chance to use it to make a difference".

Bruce Farr noted that the creation of FOLA provided Ludlow with an opportunity "to sponsor and promote a variety of art and entertainment programs that would benefit the community".
Fellow board member David Almond playing added, “We don’t expect to just fiddle around!" Almond already proved this point by beginning the process of registering FOLA as a 501 (c) (3) organization.

Anita Alic called the formation of FOLA a "great opportunity for everyone in Ludlow to work together to provide a venue of entertainment that matches the richness and quality of our restored Town Hall auditorium".

Pace indicated that FOLA is open to all area residents. "The more people who become involved in FOLA, the better we can reflect programs that are of interest to them". He said information about membership may be obtained by contacting him at ralphpace@tds.net or 228-7239. Pace said a web site would be available in the future.

At its recent organization meeting, seven area residents gathered to serve as the initial Board of Directors of FOLA. Pictured above are, from left to right, Ralph Pace, Janet Pace, David Almond, Frank Heald, Bruce Farr, Anita Alic, and Christine Fuller.