Georgia Magazine - September 2016 - 5

(Continued from page 24) FROM THE EDITOR Enjoy! Laurel George Editor September 2016 draw crowds We thank you! Well done Thanks so much for the great articles that were in the May 2016 issue [bit.ly/ga0516]. I can't thank you enough for the great coverage. Blueberries are the star this time! [See "Sweet Georgia blues," page 32, bit.ly/sgb516; and "Blueberry best," page 34, bit.ly/bbm0516.] You did a super job, and the blueberry industry got some great promotion! -Ann Wildes, Alma Historic theater coverage I read the article on the PAL Theater in the online bonus pages of the July issue. [See "The show must go on!" July 2016, page 26; bit.ly/ histh716.] Thanks again. I have shared it with my renovation committee and authority members. -Alexa Carter Britton, executive director, Vidalia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Vidalia More online at www.georgiamagazine.org The Springer Opera House in Columbus hosts theatrical performances, including family favorites such as "Beauty and the Beast" during the 2015-16 season. BY H.M. CAULEY Americus Rylander Theatre, built 1921 310 W. Lamar St., Americus (229) 931-0001, rylander.org Few structures can withstand being abandoned for 40 years. The 620seat, three-level Rylander Theatre is one of the exceptions. Having started off in the 1920s as an entertainment venue decorated with murals 26 and plaster work on one of Americus' main streets, it closed in the 1950s and stood shuttered for four decades. It took almost $5 million to revive it, but in 1999, the theater Because the boyhood home of former President Jimmy Carter again opened its doors is only about 10 miles away, it's not surprising that the main for plays, recitals, con- performance space at the Rylander Theatre in Americus is certs, classic films and dubbed the Jimmy Carter Auditorium. special events. "It was in a total state of disremodel was restored and donated. pair," says Heather Stanley, Rylander's And in the 1920s, there would have managing director. "A lot of our arti- been a pipe organ here." facts, especially lighting fixtures, had been taken out. But during the restoAthens ration, many local families came for- Morton Theatre, built 1910 ward and returned some of them. We 195 W. Washington St., Athens also worked from original photos to (706) 613-3770, mortontheatre.c om restore the original art deco designs, This performance venue built, so today what we have is a beautiful owned and run by African-America ns mix of old and new." began life as a vaudeville, burlesque The most notable elements are and movie house. three murals: one that depicts the "The theater was part of a profesfive Muses over the proscenium and sional building where all the businesstwo landscapes on the orchestra lev- es were African-America n-owned," el. The theater has one of only two says Lynn Green, managing director. Möller pipe organs in the state, the "In those days, West Washington and biggest being the Mighty Mo at the Hull streets were 'the hot corner,' and Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. the theater was the crown jewel with "We have the mini Mo," Stanley an orchestra level, balcony and upsays. "It's not original, but a 1928 per balcony with backless benches, More online at www.georgiamagaz ine.org COURTESY IMPERIAL THEATRE W hat do parking lots, bulldozers and energized citizens have in common? They are frequently the catalysts that came together to save an old theater. The story repeats around the state, from Atlanta's Fabulous Fox to Augusta's Imperial to Brunswick's Ritz: A dearly loved memento of a city's past falls into disrepair, is abandoned and then is threatened with demolition. But a band of motivated residents advocate for a different result, and a gem is preserved. Visitors to these theaters also will find fascinating stories of glamour and revitalization. When traveling through the state, take a short detour into a bygone era and discover what these historic locations offer to contemporary audiences. Call ahead and ask for a tour. DAVID PARKS On July 18, one of the most violent storms I've ever experienced blew through Sautee/Monroe Ridge, leaving my above-ground transformer box completely blown out by a well-positioned lightning strike that took out my neighbor's box as well. A call to HEMC [Habersham Electric Membership Corp.] at 3:30 p.m. brought help by 4:30 p.m., and by 7:30 p.m. we were good to go with newly installed transformers. The gentlemen were professional, friendly and helpful. They worked steadily in 90-degree weather and then made amazing efforts to complete the project as yet another storm approached so that we might have our electricity up and running by the next round of bad weather. Rain and lightning were happening all around as they finished up. Too often people doing their jobs fly under the radar of appreciation. We were grateful to and impressed by this group of fellas "just" doing their job. It was not a simple task, and though we don't know you by name, we thank each of you. -DeDe Vogt, via email DONNY KENT Every child should have access to high-quality instruction so that he or she can have more chances in life. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Competitive Advantages report on education in Georgia, our state ranks No. 1 in the U.S. in connecting the K-12 education system with higher education and the world of work. However, in the face of rising tuition and conflicting data on the quality of results, questions have been raised about the accessibility and value of higher education. Fortunately, there are programs available to Georgia students that can help address these issues. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) was created in 1948 by Southern governors to link education and economic opportunity across the region. Turn to page 18 to learn how programs the SREB offers provide alternative ways for students to pursue their education, while also improving teaching, learning, access and outcomes. Next, we look at the lighter side of higher education with a retrospective of the University of Georgia's mascots. The tradition begins with a goat in 1892; the line of iconic bulldog mascots starts with Trilby in 1894 and continues to this day with UGA's current mascot, Uga X. See "Top dawgs" on page 24 for the history and highlights of Ugas (and others) down through the years. Finally, on page 34 we tour Georgia's bumper crop of corn mazes. Visitors can learn about agriculture, play games or solve riddles in addition to going on hayrides, picking out pumpkins and other autumn pursuits. And if your appetite for fall activities extends beyond corn mazes, see our calendar of events on page 10 for even more seasonal fun. The show must go on! Historic theaters in Georgia still GEORGIA MAGAZINE 26-28_Around_0716.indd 26 6/13/16 9:45 PM As a lifelong Georgia resident, growing up in Marietta, I really appreciate and enjoy having the opportunity to read my GEORGIA Magazine! I read the article "The show must go on!" in your July Around Georgia department and thoroughly enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane, as I remember going to several of the theaters highlighted in the article. Marietta is so rich in history and extremely well-known for its historic theater that is still drawing crowds today on the old town square. I was so eager to browse through the article, including the digital portion, to find the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, but I was a bit disappointed to find that it was not represented in the article. Built in 1935, it has a story similar to so many of the other theaters that were in the article. Today, this grand old theater is buzzing with a full calendar of events year-round. Again, I'd like to thank you for all that you do in the community with GEORGIA Magazine! It is an outstanding publication! -Vicki Young, via email Editor's note: Unfortunately, we didn't have enough space to cover all of them, but you're right: The Strand is one of Georgia's great historic theaters! If we missed one of your favorite theaters, please let us know at magazine@georgiaemc.com for a possible future story. Share your thoughts. Email us at magazine@ georgiaemc.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. 5 http://www.mortontheatre.com http://www.rylander.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.bit.ly/ga0516 http://www.bit.ly/sgb516 http://www.bit.ly/bbm0516 http://bit.ly/histh716 http://bit.ly/histh716 http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - September 2016