Curbstone Chorus Featured March 26

Ludlow Reviews New Movie Gear from FOLA

Pictured above is Frank Heald, Ludlow Town Manager, as he reviews the multitude of equipment being prepared by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) for use in showing first run motion pictures and other graphic devices in the renovated Ludlow Auditorium. The equipment, which will be formally presented to the town, was acquired by FOLA with the help of David Giancola of Edgewood Studios in Rutland. It consists of a professional level projector capable of projecting over 100 feet to the newly-installed large screen in the auditorium along with various devices to display DVD's, VHS, slide, and computer graphic images. FOLA will be adding a new blu ray player to the inventory of equipment to provide high definition movie images. With the help of Edgewood Studios, it has also installed new audio equipment to enhance the sound quality of the motion pictures it plans to exhibit in the near future. FOLA is looking for individuals interested in learning how to operate this equipment, principally to show movies in the auditorium. Anyone interested in participating in this project can get more information at 228-7239.

Christmas Celebration Draws SRO Crowd

The recent Community Christmas Celebration at Ludlow's Town Hall auditorium drew a much larger audience then expected by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), the group that sponsored the show.  According to FOLA estimates, the audience was well-over 200 people.  The audience enjoyed stellar performances by four different student musical groups, a humorous yet touching skit by two Broadway veterans, the lovely music of the Ludlow Community Handbell Choir, a touching solo rendition of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' by Cara White, a closing sing-along of Christmas songs led by the 6th grade class from Ludlow Elementary School, the wit and charm of George Thomson who acted as program emcee, and, pictured above, the reading of Dylan Thomas' classic poem, 'A Child's Christmas in Wales', by Bruce Farr with Tony Mastaler providing background music on the guitar.  Constance Wilcox and Allison Good provided considerable help with both student musical direction and the handbell choir.

Community Christmas Celebration Dec. 17

Ludlow and the Black River area will enjoy a free "A Community Christmas Celebration" at Ludlow Town Hall's Auditorium on Friday, December 17 at 7 pm.

The program will feature four different student group performances ranging from a Clarinet Choir to a Jazz Band, all made up of local students from Black River High School and Ludlow Elementary School. The 6th grade class from LES will lead a sing-along to end the gala event.


Bruce Farr, a local creative writer and commentator, will read the famous poem by Dylan Thomas, "A Child's Christmas in Wales". Supporting Bruce with the reading of this tale of youth and a remembrance of Christmas will be Tony Masteler on the guitar.


Broadway and TV writers and authors Stan and Jane Hart will offer their own seasonal play, The Lottery Ticket, and Constance Wilcox will lead the Ludlow Community Handbell Choir to open the performance.


There will be a surprise offerring during the celebration that will add to the spirit of Christmas.


George Thomson will tie the entire event together acting as program emcee.


"This will be a chance for FOLA to thank the people for supporting us and to offer everyone a chance to celebrate this holiday with family, friends, and neighbors," said Ralph Pace, FOLA chairman. He indicated that the event was free and open to all to attend.


The Community Christmas Celebration will be at Ludlow's Town Hall on Friday, December 17 at 7 pm. The event is free to everyone. For information, call 802-228-7239.

Broadway/TV Veterans Appear in Christmas Production

Two veterans of Broadway and television will appear in the December 17 production of "A Community Christmas Celebration" at Ludlow's Town Hall Auditorium.

Stan and Jane Hart will perform the skit, "The Lottery Ticket", in the forthcoming holiday revue sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium). The skit was written by the Harts and will be seen in its Vermont premiere in the Dec. 17 show.
Stan Hart was the head writer for the Carol Burnett Show on television, winning two Emmy's as a result. He also was a writer for TV specials for Hal Linden, Paul Linde, Carol Burnett with Julie Andrews, and Bonnie Franklin. When not writing for TV, he also managed to write the off-Broadway success, "The Mad Show", which was produced by Hal Prince and ran for twenty-two months, a record run at that time. His screen credits also include "Move", which starred Elliot Gould.
Jane Hart was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her book, "The Hidden Children: The Secret Survivors of the Holocaust". She also published a number of parenting books, including "We Have a Problem: A Parent's Sourcebook", "Help, My Parents are Driving Me Crazy", and "Help: a Guide to Counseling and Therapy Without a Hassle". She also found time to co-author "Old Enough to Know Better - A Comedy Sketchbook". When not engaged in these works, Jane was contributing editor and writer for Mademoiselle, Glamour, Seventeen, Parents' Magazine. She also was a contributor to: Woman's Day, Glamour, Working Woman, Town and Country, Ladies' Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Readers' Digest, McCall's, and others.


The skit will be one of the many segments of the Community Christmas Celebration. The program will open with the Bell Ringers, led by Connie Wilcox. Also included in the program will be a reading of Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales", read by Bruce Farr with Tony Masteller playing guitar support, an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite, the Black River High School jazz band, and music provided by the high school chorus and the a sing-along led by students from the Ludlow Elementary School.


George Thomson will tie the entire event together acting as program emcee.


"This will be a chance for FOLA to thank the people for supporting us and to offer everyone a chance to celebrate this holiday with family, friends, and neighbors," said Ralph Pace, FOLA chairman. He indicated that the event was free and open to all to attend.
The Community Christmas Celebration will be at Ludlow's Town Hall on Friday, December 17 at 7 pm. For information, call 802-228-7239.

FOLA Plans Christmas Program for BR Area

FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) announced the program for its Christmas Revue of Friday, December 17 at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, starting at 7 PM.

Working closely with Connie Wilcox, the program will consist of a wide range of holiday music along with a seasonal reading and playlet. Current plans will call for the students from Black River High School to provide some piano treats from the Nutcracker Suite, a number by the high school jazz band, featured singing by the BRHS chorus, and, to top of the evening, a sing-along lead by members of the Ludlow Elementary School's 6th grade class.

In addition to these treats, Connie Wilcox will direct the Bell Ringers in Christmas music, Bruce Farr, accompanied by guitarist Tony Masteller, will read Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales", and the Harts will perform a little playlet called "The Lottery", supplying some holiday humor.

To oversee the entire event, George Thomson has agreed to act as emcee.

According to FOLA chairperson, Ralph Pace, the Christmas program is free and open to everyone. "It's our way of wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and expressing our thanks for the community's support."

FOLA Gets Movie Equipment

Pictured above are Jerry and David from Edgewood Studios in Rutland with some of the motion picture and media equipment they delivered to the Ludlow Auditorium today.  The equipment, funded by donations from over 90 people plus an award from the 2010 Ludlow Town Meeting, will be used to show classic and recently-released family-oriented films to Ludlow and surrounding area residents in the auditorium.

According to Ralph Pace, Chair of FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), the purchasers of the equipment, Edgewood Studios will return to the auditorium in mid to late fall to finalize the setup of the equipment, designed to project films onto a large screen being purchased by the town.
A special "movie" committee is preparing to decided what films will be shown and the dates for them.

Pace noted that "all we need now is about $1,000 to enable us to finalize the legal requirements for displaying copyrighted films and purchase a popcorn machine to make everyone feel at home at the movies."

FOLA OFFERS ‘CELTIC MUSIC IN OVERDRIVE’

In keeping with its plans to bring great entertainment to the recently-restored Auditorium in Ludlow's Town Hall, the Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) announced that it had aranged to have the internationally-acclaimed musical group, Gypsy Reel, perform in the Ludlow Auditorium on Nov. 6. Gypsy Reel play high energy stirring music rooted in the Celtic tradition but garnered from the whole world. Their music is an exciting synthesis of world rhythms and influences from 3 continents. Their latest studio album, ‘Red Red Rose' features music from the tradition and original material from the band and is their eighth CD. Their tours of the States, Canada, Central America and the UK have gained them rave reviews - ‘Ended the set in a frenzy’, ‘Gypsy Reel rocks stage at Charleston Spoleto Festival’, & ‘Fine sparky playing - bags of originality’. As a band based in Ludlow for over twenty five years, they are delighted to be back at the Ludlow Auditorium for this special fund raising concert on November 6th. The line-up includes hot banjoist Claudine Langille, formerly of ‘Touchstone’, the sensational Irish/American fusion band that won critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, Graham Parker – eclectic fiddler extraoirdinaire; and Camille Parker who has captivated the hearts of audiences across the globe with her singing in Spanish, French and English. For this concert they will be joined by special guest Dave Paton on concertina. Dave most recently played with them on a live Celtic broadcast on WGBH radio in Boston. FOLA chair Ralph Pace enthused that "having Gypsy Reel perform in the auditorium will really make the place come alive. Hopefully it will be the beginning of a long-term relationship."

Ludlow Debate Draws Over 90

The debate among the five Democratic Party candidates for the party's nomination for Governor drew over 90 people last night in Ludlow's Town Hall Auditorium. The debate was sponsored by FOLA, Friends of Ludlow Auditorium.


Consisting of Susan Bartlett, Matt Dunne, Deb Markowitz, Doug Racine, and Peter Shumlin, the debate covered topics ranging from Ludlow's educational property tax, single-payer health care system in Vermont, to a balanced budget requirement for the legislature.


Ralph Pace acted as moderator while David Almond served as time-keeper.


A news account of the debate is available on the Black River Today blog by clicking here.

OYAP Concert Draws Over 100

In its first two concerts in the Ludlow Hall Auditorium, the Okemo Young Artists Program (OYAP) has drawn close to 200 attendees.  Over 100 attended the second concert which featured senior student and faculty members in a memorable concert performance.

In addition to the concerts at Town Hall, OYAP is presenting weekly concerts at the United Church of Ludlow on Tuesday and the Sugar House on Okemo Mountain on Wednesday.  All concerts on these dates start at 7:30 PM  and will continue through July 14.

OYAP will present a special 4th of July concert at the Calvin Coolidge State Historic site in Plymouth starting at 2 PM.  Its final concert will be at the Sugar House on Friday, July 16 to close its season.