FOLA Moves to New Web Site

FOLA has decided it's time to have a real web site.  So it has created a new site at http://www.fola.us/.  Please take a look at it and make it one of your "Favorites" or "Book Mark" it.  All future entries will be posted at the new site.

"Citizen Kane" Next FOLA Feature, March 1

Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles's first feature film. The film was nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories; it won an Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) by Herman Mankiewicz and Welles. It was released by RKO Pictures.


The story examines the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane, played by Welles, a character based in part upon the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and Welles's own life. Upon its release, Hearst prohibited mention of the film in any of his newspapers. Kane's career in the publishing world is born of idealistic social service, but gradually evolves into a ruthless pursuit of power. Narrated principally through flashbacks, the story is revealed through the research of a newsreel reporter seeking to solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate's dying word: "Rosebud."


After his success in the theatre with his Mercury Players and his controversial 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, Welles was courted by Hollywood. He signed a contract with RKO Pictures in 1939. Unusual for an untried director, he was given the freedom to develop his own story and use his own cast and crew, and was given final cut privilege. "Citizen Kane" will be shown on March 1 at 7 PM in the auditorium. The movie is free; donations are appreciated. For information, call 228-7239.

FOLA Has New Web Site-www.fola.us

FOLA has created a new web site that will provide the user with more information in a user-friendly sequence.

The new web site is accessed at:

http://www.fola.us.

Take a look at it and use it for future information about the events and activities of FOLA.

Let us have your input by sending emails on what you like - and don't like - to:

info@fola.us.

'Lawrence of Arabia' Next FOLA Movie, Feb. 2

"Lawrence of Arabia" will be the next '1st Thursday' movie sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.  Considered one of the greatest film adventures ever made, the film tells the story of an inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence as he blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name. The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in Dorset at the age of 46, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.  The movie stars Peter O'Toole as Lawrence with Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Jose Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, and Arthur Kennedy.  Pictured above in a scene from the film are Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif.  The movie is free; donations are appreciated.  For information, call 228-7239.

FOLA Holds Annual Meeting January 26

FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) will hold its annual membership meeting on thursday, January 26 at 7 PM in the Conference Room at Ludlow Town Hall.


According to Ralph Pace, FOLA Chair, the agenda will include:

•  a summary of the 2011 activities and programs
• a financial report on the status of FOLA
• an update on FOLA's 501(c)(3) status
• the program projections for 2012
• future plans and goals
• election of officers for 2012
• other business 

Pace noted that FOLA had been very active in 2011, citing the following activities sponsored by FOLA during this period:

1. · Skip Gorman and Connie Dover in a country-western concert 
2. · The start of the ‘1st Thursday’ movie series, showing nine family-oriented movies that included: 
3.                § Secretariat 
4.                § March of the Penguins 
5.                § Mamma Mia 
6.                § Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 
7.                § To Kill a Mockingbird 
8.                § Chariots of Fire 
9.                § Close Encounters
10.                § Harvey 
11.                § North by Northwest 
13.  · Rutland Curbstone Chorus in concert 
14. · Sponsored major healthcare forum on Vermont’s proposed “universal healthcare” plan 
15. · Gypsy Reel concert 
16. · A Civil War remembrance piano concert 
17. · Original comedy skits by Stan and Jane Hart, “Old Enough to Know Better”, that drew over 175 people 
18. · The annual Community Christmas Celebration, that drew over 220 people in 2010

As part of its community support goals, FOLA was involved in three collaborations with other town and area groups:

• · The Movie, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, was shown and advertised as a collaboration with the Friends of Fletcher Memorial Library to mark the 50th anniversary of that historic book and film 
• · In conjunction with Black River Academy Museum and the Town of Ludlow, FOLA helped present a piano concert of Mark Twain and Civil War era piano music by Jacqueline Schwab 
• · The healthcare forum, featuring representatives on both sides of the issue, was sponsored by FOLA in conjunction with the Rutland Herald  

In keeping with FOLA’s purpose to enhance the auditorium and promote its use for the benefit of the residents of Ludlow and the area, FOLA formally turned over to the Town of Ludlow the movie and graphics equipment it had purchased in 2010, with the assistance of David Giancola of Edgewood Studios in Rutland. FOLA purchased two Sony blu-ray units to add to this equipment.

FOLA also upgrade the audio system in the auditorium to enhance the sound quality and enable it to support third party user interfaces, such as musical instruments and LPC-TV. FOLA also purchase custom made shades for the main section of the auditorium to provide room darkening facilities when showing movies. In keeping with the donation of an upright grand piano by Glenn Brown, FOLA paid for two tunings of the piano during the year. To make the auditorium slightly more comfortable during the summer, FOLA purchased five quiet floor fans to provide air movement during hot weather. All of the purchase items were given to the Town of Ludlow.

The current officers of FOLA include: Ralph Pace, chair; Anita Alic, Vice Chair; David Almond, Treasurer; Janet Pace, Secretary; and Bruce Farr, Program Director. The meeting is open to all FOLA members; all interested non-members of FOLA are invited to be guests at the meeting. For information, call 228-7239.

FOLA Movies for 2012

Now entering its second year of providing high quality movies to the Black River area, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) has released the schedule for its '1st Thursday' movies for 2012. All the movies are shown on the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium. Admission to all FOLA movies is free; donations are appreciated.


The 2012 season began on January 5 with the classic film, "Casablanca".


The remainder of the schedule is:


February 2 - "Lawrence of Arabia"
March 1 - "Citizen Kane"
April 5 - "On the Waterfront"
May 3 - "The Maltese Falcon"
June 7 - "Dr. Strangelove"
July 5 - "The Manchurian Candidate"
August 2 - "Dances with Wolves"
September 6 - "The African Queen"
October 4 - "Bridge Over the River Kwai"
November 1 - "The Third Man"
December 6 - "Shane"

Additionally, two movies still remain in the 'Okemo Meets FOLA' series:

January 19 - "True Grit"
February 16 - "The King's Speech"


For aditional information, call 228-7239.

'True Grit' Next Featured Ludlow Movie, Jan. 19

The film, "True Grit", will be the third movie in the 'Okemo Meets FOLA' series at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium on Thursday, January 19 at 7 PM. Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hires the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, a man with "true grit," Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn. Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn, whose drinking, sloth, and generally reprobate character do not augment her faith in him. Against his wishes, she joins him in his trek into the Indian Nations in search of Chaney. They are joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, who wants Chaney for his own purposes. The unlikely trio find danger and surprises on the journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested. Featured in the film are Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld (pictured above) along with Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. A Coen Brothers production, the film is an award-winning remake of the John Wayne classic of the same name. The movie is free to everyone; donations are appreciated. For information, call 228-7239. The final in the 'Okemo Meets FOLA' series will "The King's Speech" on Thursday, February 16 at 7PM at the auditorium.

Some Like It Hot Screened Jan. 12 in Ludlow

If you take a close look at the 6 "ladies" pictured above, you may note a somewhat disquieting fact - two of them don't really look like ladies.  That's part of the plot of the January 19 film being shown at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium at 7 PM.  The award-winning film, "Some Like It Hot", is part of the Okemo Meets FOLA movie series.  The plot line provides laughter in a form that only a Billy Wilder movie can imagine.  With a cast including Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Joe E. Brown, augmented by George Raft and Pat O'Brien, it's difficult to find a better comedy match.  When two Chicago musicians, Joe and Jerry, witness the the St. Valentine's Day massacre, they want to get out of town and get away from the gangster responsible, Spats Colombo. They're desperate to get a gig out of town but the only job they know of is in an all-girl band heading to Florida. They show up at the train station as Josephine and Daphne, the replacement saxophone and bass players. They certainly enjoy being around the girls, especially Sugar Kane Kowalczyk who sings and plays the ukulele. Joe in particular sets out to woo her while Jerry/Daphne is wooed by a millionaire, Osgood Fielding III. Mayhem ensues as the two men try to keep they true identities hidden and Spats Colombo and his crew show up for a meeting with several other crime lords.  The movie if free; donations are appreciated.  For information, call 802-228-7239.

Boggie and Bergman Hit Ludlow Jan. 5 in Casablanca

On Thursday, January 5 at 7 PM, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) will start its second season of '1st Thursday' movies at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium with the showing of the classic movie, "Casablanca". Casablanca is an American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in the words of one character, love and virtue. He must choose between his love for a woman and helping her and her Czech Resistance leader husband escape from the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis. Casablanca won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its characters, dialogue, and music have become iconic, and the film has grown in popularity to the point that it now consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of all time. The line, "Play it again, Sam", has been woven into our movie culture. The movie is free; donations are appreciated. Other '1st Thursday' films selected by FOLA for the 2012 season include: Lawrence of Arabia, Citizen Kane, On the Waterfront, The Maltese Falcon, Dr. Strangelove, The Manchurian Candidate, Dances With wolves, The African Queen, Bridge Over the River Kwai, The Third Man, and Shane. For information, 228-7239.

FOLA Starts 2012 '1st Thursday' Season with "Casablanca"

On Thursday, January 5 at 7 PM, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) will start its second season of '1st Thursday' movies at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium with the showing of the classic movie, "Casablanca".  Casablanca is an  American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in the words of one character, love and virtue. He must choose between his love for a woman and helping her and her Czech Resistance leader husband escape from the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.  Casablanca won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its characters, dialogue, and music have become iconic, and the film has grown in popularity to the point that it now consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of all time.  The line, "Play it again, Sam", has been woven into our movie culture.  The movie is free; donations are appreciated.  Other '1st Thursday' films selected by FOLA for the 2012 season include:  Lawrence of Arabia, Citizen Kane, On the Waterfront, The Maltese Falcon, Dr. Strangelove, The Manchurian Candidate, Dances With wolves, The African Queen, Bridge Over the River Kwai, The Third Man, and Shane.  For information, 228-7239.

Okemo Meets FOLA Starts Dec. 29 with 'Young Frankenstein'

The special four movie series sponsored jointly by Okemo and FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) opens Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7 pm at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium with Mel Brooks' hilarious film, "Young Frankenstein". The film stars Gene Wilder as the title character, a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The supporting cast includes Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn and Gene Hackman. The screenplay was written by Brooks and Wilder.The film is an affectionate parody of the classical horror film genre, in particular the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein produced by Universal in the 1930s. Most of the lab equipment used as props were created by Kenneth Strickfaden for the 1931 film Frankenstein. To further reflect the atmosphere of the earlier films, Brooks shot the picture entirely in black-and-white, a rarity in the 1970s, and employed 1930s-style opening credits and scene transitions such as iris outs, wipes, and fades to black. As a special added treat, FOLA will raffle-off all of the films it exhibited this past year as part of its '1st Thursday' program. These include DVDs and Blu-Rays of Mamma Mia, March of the Penguins, Secretariat, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, To Kill a Mockingbird, Chariots of Fire, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Harvey, and North by Northwest. The Okemo-Fola series will continue with the following films: Jan. 12, "Some Like It Hot", Jan. 19, "True Grit", and Feb. 16, "The King's Speech". In addition, FOLA will continue its first Thursday of the month series throughout 2012 starting with the all-time favorite, "Casablanca" on Jan. 5. All films are free; donations are appreciated.

FOLA Readies Christmas Tree for Celebration

In keeping with its tradition, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) helped the Town of Ludlow ready for the Christmas season by erecting the annual Christmas tree in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium this past week. FOLA will be sponsoring the annual Community Christmas Celebration in the Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 pm. The Christmas tree was decorated by members of FOLA in anticipation of the this celebration.


Pictured above is a display of the difficulty of dealing with bulbs imported from China that lack any means of connecting them to the tree is being solved, with considerable effort, by David Almond and Jim Alic as they patiently insert wire leads into the bulbs, bend the the leads to hold the bulbs securely and pass them to Susan McNeeley who has the responsibility of then bending the other end of the bulb's lead to attach it to the tree. Other FOLA members who participated in the tree decoration included: Anita Alic, Janet Pace, Jean Eggleston, Mary Jane O'Hara, and Patricia and Kevin Kuntz.


The Christmas Celebration on Dec. 16 will feature a number of area residents and students in a variety of holiday presentations.


Constance Wilcox,along with directing the Ludlow Elementary School singers and the Black River High School Chorus, will lead the "Bell Ringers" to start the program.


She will also play piano for two local singers, Cara White and Ashlee Shook, who will be singing some popular Christmas and holiday pop numbers.


The program will feature three student group performances by the Black River High School Jazz Band, the high school chorus, and the 3rd and 4th grade students from Ludlow Elementary School who will lead a sing-along to end the gala event.


Bruce Farr, a local creative writer and commentator, will read the popular Christmas poem, "The Night Before Christmas", accompanied by Tony Masteler on the guitar.


Broadway and TV writers and authors Stan and Jane Hart will offer their own seasonal play, "A Holiday Story".


George Thomson will tie the entire event together acting as program emcee. George will also present the classic reading of "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus".


The Community Christmas Celebrate is, according to FOLA chairman, Ralph Pace, "FOLA's way of thanking the community for its support of various FOLA activities". For more information about this free event, call 228-7239.

Community Christmas Celebration Dec. 16

Ludlow and the Black River area will enjoy a free "A Community Christmas Celebration" at Ludlow Town Hall's Auditorium on Friday, December 16 at 7 pm, sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium).

Constance Wilcox,along with directing the Ludlow Elementary School singers and the Black River High School Chorus, will lead the "Bell Ringers" to start the program.


She will also play piano for two local singers, Cara White and Ashlee Shook, who will be singing some popular Christmas and holiday pop numbers.


The program will feature three student group performances by the Black River High School Jazz Band, the high school chorus, and the 3rd and 4th grade students from Ludlow Elementary School who will lead a sing-along to end the gala event.

Bruce Farr, a local creative writer and commentator, will read the popular Christmas poem, "The Night Before Christmas", accompanied by Tony Masteler on the guitar.


Broadway and TV writers and authors Stan and Jane Hart will offer their own seasonal play, "A Holiday Story".


George Thomson will tie the entire event together acting as program emcee. George will also present the classic reading of "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus".


"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 16 at 7 pm. The event is free to everyone. For information, call 802-228-7239.

North by Northwest Next FOLA Film on Dec. 1

Comedy Skits Draw Over 175

The 9 original comedy skits by Stan and Jane Hart, called "Old Enough to Know Better", was a huge success last Friday night at the Town Hall Auditorium, drawing a full house of over 175 people.  The area actors performed flawlessly and drew constant laughter from the audience.  Pictured above is Stan Hart as he directs some of the cast members in one of the skits.  Pictured from left to right are Stan Hart, Kata Welch, Barbara Dickey, and Sandra Russo.  In addition to the Hart’s, the other members of the cast, all from the Black River area, include: Gloria Leven, Sandra Russo, Patty Greenwood, Scott Stearns, Leo Graham, Kata Welch, Barbara Dickey, Paul Cooper, Judith Edwards, and Michael Pember.

Nov. 4 is 'Comedy Tonight' at Ludlow Auditorium

Original comedy skits by Stan and Jane Hart will be the featured show at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium on Friday, November 4 at 7 PM. Sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), the show, entitled "Old Enough to Know Better", will consist of nine skits written by the part time Proctorsville couple.

In describing what the skits will be about, Jane said, “Look in the mirror. That funny object you see is you!


In the nine comedies we wrote, you will surely recognize yourself or someone you live with, demonstrating the comedy of everyday life”.


The titles of the skits will provide some clue as to what the “human conditions” she alluded to may be about: “Look at It This Way’, ‘Wedding Bells’, ‘Tell Me about It’, and ‘Where’s There a Will’.


In addition to the Hart’s, the other members of the cast, all from the Black River area, include: Gloria Leven, Sandra Russo, Patty Greenwood, Scott Stearns, Leo Graham, Kata Welch, Barbara Dickey, Paul Cooper, Judith Edwards, and Michael Pember.


Both Stan and Jane spent a good deal of their lives in New York. When Stan wasn’t writing comedy material for Carol Burnett, he might be found writing articles for Mad Magazine, writing a play produced on Broadway or, as a change of pace, inventing products like the Ring Pop, Push Pop, and the Garbage Pail Kids for the Topps Company. Jane began as a journalist who wrote articles for popular magazines. She then authored the highly-praised book, ‘The Hidden Children of the Holocaust’ about the experiences of Jewish youngsters who were hidden and saved by non-Jews during the Second World War. The latter work was recognized by the Pulitzer Prize people with a nomination for that prestigious award.


Jane later turned to art, becoming a leading art therapist and portraitist. Her paintings are available at an art gallery on Depot Street in Ludlow.


Jane likes to simply say that the skits to be performed at the Nov. 4 show are “about you and me”.


With all that is going on in their lives, Jane did note that the Harts “are still talking to each other”.


Jane and Stan Hart are part-time residents in Proctorsville (aka a village within Cavendish). Jane is a licensed art therapist and acclaimed portraitist while Stan won two Emmys as the head writer for the popular Carol Burnett TV program.


The two started their Vermont theatrical careers last year in the first annual Christmas Celebration produced by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium). Since then, they have been badgered by FOLA to develop new comedic productions.


The play is free to everyone, although donations to offset costs are appreciated. For additional information, call 228-7239.

Harvey, the Invisible Rabbit, in Ludlow, Nov. 3

On Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 PM in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, an invisible rabbit will be the center of attention as FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) presents the classic comedy, Harvey. Starring Jimmy Stewart as the the only one who can apparently see (and talk to) this rabbit, Harvey is a comedy about a family (and a good part of a town) trying to come to terms with this invisible rabbit. Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart) is a middle-aged, amiable (and somewhat eccentric) individual whose best friend is an invisible 6' 3.5" tall rabbit named Harvey. As described by Dowd, Harvey is a pooka, a benign but mischievous creature who is especially fond of social outcasts (like Elwood). Elwood has driven his sister and niece (who live with him and crave normality and a place in "society") to distraction by introducing everyone he meets to his friend, Harvey. His family seems to be unsure whether Dowd's obsession with Harvey is a product of his (admitted) propensity to drink or perhaps mental illness. Elwood spends most of his time in the local bar, and throughout the film invites new acquaintances to join him for a drink (or to his house for dinner). Interestingly, the barman and all regulars accept the existence of Harvey, and the barman asks how they both are and unflinchingly accepts an order from Elwood for two Martinis. What happens to Elwood's family, his doctors, and his friends throughout this relationship is comedy at its best. The movie is open to everyone and is free; donations to support the movie's cost are appreciated. For information, call 228-7239.

Healthcare Forum on Act 48 on Oct 20 in Ludlow

With the mounting discussions concerning Act 48, the legislation aimed at creating a statewide healthcare policy, and the on-going questions as to how such a system might work and cost Vermonters, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) decided it was time for the two major sides to address the pros and cons of the issue before an area audience.

As a result, FOLA has created a panel of six statewide leaders in the healthcare field debate to discuss the meaning and impact of Act 48 on Thursday, October 20 at 7 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium. To ensure that the panel discussion addresses all the key questions concerning this issue, FOLA asked Stewart Ledbetter, Senior Political Reporter for WPTZ/WNNE, to moderate the panel discussion.

The panel will consist of, top row, left to right, Steve Kappel, Dr. Deb Richter, Wendy Wilton; bottom row, left to right, State Senate President John Campbell, Bob Gaydos, and Darcie Johnston.


The forum will begin with an introduction of the panel and moderator, followed by a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the major elements of the Act 48 legislation. Following this, the moderator will ask the panel members to respond to his questions. The audience will then have the opportunity to ask the panel questions about both Act 48 and its impact. For additional information, call 802-228-7239.

FOLA Cosponsors Civil War Piano Concert Oct. 9

Gypsy Reel at Auditorium Oct. 1