Legendary dinner is night to remember
Foundation receives $10,000 donation from Central National Bank for project
About 100 people got "red carpet" treatment Saturday night when they attended the first fund-raiser for the community center and movie theater project, with the theme "A Legendary Night, A Formal Affair."
Guests were met in the Eastmoor United Methodist Church parking lot by Marion High School Key Club members who offered valet parking.
Members who participated were Adam Heerey, Molly Rhodes, Whitney Wear, and Katie Zogelman. Alissa Vogel was ill but her mother, Carol Vogel, worked in her absence.
Roger Schwab is the sponsor for the organization.
Guests strolled across the red carpet to the front door where they were announced as they entered.
Photos taken in front of a 10-foot movie poster.
Prior to the dinner, two announcements were made. The Marion High School National Honor Society donated $1,000 to the foundation. Chelsea Arnhold, NHS member, and Diana Costello, sponsor, made the presentation.
Kevin Fruechting, president of Central National Bank, presented a check for $10,000.
"The bank knows it's important to give back to the community and this is a good project to do this," said Fruechting.
Dinner was provided and served by church members.
Following the meal, members of Marion Advancement Campaign foundation board spoke about the project and vision.
Mike Powers, chairman of the board, explained it is a community project with participation needed from everyone to make it happen.
Gene Winkler, board member, explained the board has applied for a state Kan-Step grant. A maximum of $400,000 may be awarded to the foundation to assist with the expense of the building.
The matching portion of the grant will be cash, in-kind services, and volunteer labor or "sweat equity."
Mickey Lundy, board treasurer, and Jami Williams, board member, are in charge of fund-raising. They said donations may be cash or pledges of payments.
For significant donations, the community center, and two movie theaters can be named by the donor.
Jeff Cady, board member, said he was involved in the project because a community project brings members of the community together for a common cause.
Susan Cooper, board member, said the project was important for the local economy by attracting seminars and professional meetings to the facility.
Vernon and Madelyn Vogel were recognized for their donation of five acres for the project. The complex will be built on Eisenhower Drive, north of the baseball complex.
Guests were served buckets of fresh popcorn to enjoy during a presentation of a "silent" movie.
The movie was written and directed by Mike Powers and starred board members and Marion residents.
Ken Arnhold, Greg Carlson, and Andy Hanson participated in the movie with Cady, Lundy, Williams, and Cooper. Winkler was the camera man.
The movie depicted a young man looking for a place to hold a special event, and a young woman who is bored and looking for entertainment.
Villains are portrayed to surrounding communities outside of Marion County. These villains try to lure the young couple from Marion to their cities to hold special events, see movies, and other entertainment.
The day is saved when "Legend Man," (The Legend, which will be the name of the proposed movie theater) comes to the rescue and saves the young couple with plans for a community center and movie theater.
The moral of the movie is by working together as a community, this and other projects are possible.
Anyone interested in participating in the project with labor or money, contact a MAC board member or call 382-2115 for more information.
