FOLA Seeks Funding For Movies

The Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) hope to provide first run movies for area residents in the restored Ludlow Auditorium in town Hall in 2010.

According to FOLA chairman, Ralph Pace, the group is seeking to provide new entertainment forms in the auditorium. "One of the best ways to do this," Pace said, "is to offer some first rate movies here in Ludlow."

He noted that FOLA had already scheduled 5 summer concerts in the auditorium consisting of master concerts presented by the Okemo Young Artists Program (OYAP). These concerts will feature star pupils and their teachers in special concert presentations in June and July.

In order to underwrite the cost of the movies, FOLA has submitted an approved petition for Town Meeting seeking to raise $3,000 for the purchase of projection equipment for movies. Pace noted that FOLA has already begun to raise some of the additional funding required to get the equipment. "The people of Ludlow deserve a first class presentation of good family-oriented movies." He added that any equipment purchased by FOLA would be given to the town.

Pace indicated that, In addition to the summer OYAP programs and movies, FOLA was scheduling other programs at the auditorium such as a Christmas Festival featuring local students, possible band concerts, and public service programs.

The approved petition that will be included in the March Town Meeting agenda reads as follows:

"Shall the voters of the Town of Ludlow authorize the Select Board to appropriate the sum of $3,000 to the Friends of Ludlow Auditorium, Inc., to support its programs in the Town Hall auditorium that will include the showing of recently-released movies to local citizens, 5 summer concerts, Christmas programs, and other entertainment and community services in the auditorium in 2010."