The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-01-31, Page 7FILM BUFFS—John Schedler and Nelson Frank have owned and operated the Lyceum
Theatre for the past several years, updating equipment and expanding to seven day, year
round operation.
Wingham . . .
In its 100th year
v�,
i
Film buffs
The Wingham Advance -Times, January 31, IM—Pap T
Theafteis both a hobby and a business
It's not true that `they don't make movies
like they used to', John Schedler insists. They
Still make movies like they used to, only they
reflect today's world instead of the world as it
was 20, 30 or. 40 years ago.
"A good film is a good flim, no matter when
it was made," his partner, Nelson Frank,
-
agrees
The two speak with some authority on
Matters cinematic since, in addition to
owning and operating the Lyceum Cinema in
town, they are both flim buffs and collectors.
It was this common interest that brought
them together in the theatre business, taking
over the Lyceum after the Cruickshank
family got out of the business in 1974. Mr.
Schedler took over that year with another
partner, who later left, and Mr. Frank joined
him in 1976.
During that time they have installed
automated projectors, a new sound system
and reduced the number of seats to 177 from
300, replacing many of the seats and spacing
them to give more legroom and a second
aisle. A pair of new Cinemascope lenses
purchased this past summer for $1,200 each
have brightened the picture 100 per cent.
They also put the theatre back on a fulltime
schedule, with shows seven days a week,#nd
only a two week break during the summer. At
the time Mr. Schedler took over the Lyceum
operated only three days a week and closed
from May to September.
This makes Wingham quite unique for a
town with a population under 3,000, he noted.
This might be the only theatre in a town that
size that operates seven days and also the
only one that is fully automated. A six reel
feature film is transferred to two giant reels
on the twin projectors,, which switch from one
to the other automatically, making it possible
for the operator -to set up and start the film
and never have to change reels all night.
Mr. Schedler, who has been involved with
cinema since 1963 when he started out as an
usher in a Kitchener theatre, describes the
theatre business as "not overly profitable".
Film distributors take a percentage of the
gross box office receipts ranging between 35
and 7o per cent, depending on the filnf, and
then there is the cost of equipment and other
operating expenses.
The new lenses purchased last summer are
a big reason why the cost of admission went to
$3 from $2.50 for adults, he explained.
Then there's the competition from the chain
theatres such as the one in Goderich, which
get first crack at the newest and most popular
films.
All in all it's almost a hobby or a public
service kind of business, Mr. Frank com-
mented. Still the Lyceum hasn't gone the way
of theatres in some towns, which are operated
by the town and subsidized -by tax money.
The Lyceum's motto is: "The best films as
soon as possible" and they try to get the films
people are going to see, Mr. Schedler said,
noting that the main movie -going public is
under the age of 30 and so the films being
made tend to reflect its tastes. They run one
feature a night and sometimes two during the
course of a week, with one running Wed-
nesday to Saturday and the other Sunday to
Tuesday.
There are seldom matinees because of the
cost of running them and also because it's
hard to get good matinee films every week.
However they would run a matinee every day
if they could get the audience, he declared.
Mr. Scheer said theatre attendance was
rock bottom for a while but has shown a
steady increase over the past several years. A
lot of small towns lost their theatres during
the 1950s with the advent of television but now
people are returning to the theatres, partly
because TV movies are so awful—crammed
full of commercials and sometimes altered
almost beyond recognition—but also because
theatres have something to offer that
television can't.
So he doesn't feel particularly threatened
by such innovations as video cassettes or
feature movies over cable. "No matter what
you have in the home, it'll never replace the
theatre. Where would you go on a date?" The
atmosphere created by a large audience is a
big part of the theatre experience too,
especially for comedies or thrillers, and can't
be recreated in the home, he added.
NOSTALGIA FESTIVAL
An annual event associated with the
Lyceum is the Wingham Film and Nostalgia
CURRAH'S GENERAL STORE ` � -:►
'Schneiders Country Sausage ....:............. Ib: 1.59"" ' aSchneiders Kiss of Orange and Kent Bacon ...... Ib. 1.59 ro ram o r ret rded
Schneiders Large Cooked Ham .................... Ib. 2.59
Schneiders Wieners ......................... 1 lb. 1.39
Schneiders Luncheon and Spiced Ham ........... Ib. 1.59
Schneiders Shortening ....................... 1 Ib..69 "
'hredded Wheat, 24 Biscuit Size.............99 'Ons meet
Nabisco S heardat
Quaker Recdy to Serve Oatmeal ....................77
POP SHOPPE POP Businessmen in the area can schools in Wingham, Goderich university residence at- received a phone call from a
PHONE GORRIE 335-3451 play a large part in helping and Huron Park, serve male and mosphere. young girl who had received
t
n
/Z a�Qua/�fv ..
i4E-qil va%ve...
Alberto V05 - 400 mil . ,
Hair Spray
Alberto V05 - 450 ml
Shampoo
Alberto Balsam - 650 ml.
Conditioner
Scope - 1.18 Litres
Mouthwash
Downy - 2 Litres ��
Fabric Softener
Planters - 12 oz. Tin
Cocktail Peanuts
Large Selection of
VALENTINE CANDY
and CARDS
1.99
1.49
1.69
2.79
TRIANGLE
p DISCOUNT _
1/ it iso. � I�1.4t�tl /3/tom y.,.l ■t Kiri
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekdays - Sundays Noon to Six
on a work term, Jo ra n ng mus
be provided by an employer and a poem. The scripture reading
insurance is provided for the
mentally retarded person
through the board of education
and the Ontario Association for
the Mentally Retarded.
One of the largest problems in
placing the students, who are in
the upper teens and up to 21 years
old, is the competitive job
market. The mentally retarded
must compete with other people
for jobs in the job market.
There are many jobs the
mentally retarded have
demonstrated they can do well,
Mr. Lindsay said. Light
assembly work, operatong a
mechanical dishwasher, manual
skills, folding linen and other
tasks can be performed by
mentally retarded trainees.
Along with training the men-
tally retarded person in a job, an
employer is responsible for filing
an evaluation with Golden Circle
School, evaluating the job per-
formance of the. student, the
student's learning ability and
other areas like punctuality.
Mr. Lindsay, who spent four
years at Queen Elizabeth School
for the mentally retarded in
Goderich before taking over the
principal's position from
Florence Reavie at Golden
Circle, reported that the three
schools for the mentally retarded
in Huron County are operating
near capacity.
The three schools, operated by
the Huron County Board of
Education and located in public
NeW office
at St. Paull
The importance of the Holy
Eucharist, prayer, meditation.
Christian education and witness
was stressed by the rector, Rev.
J. T. M. Swan, in his address to
the vestry which met Sunday
after the worship service. The
various reports were presented
and all revealed progress durtng
the year 1978.
The vestry expressed ap-
preciation to Harry Brydges for
his faithful service in the position
of rector's warden; to Robert
Johnston for his four years as
envelope secretary; to the ACW
for their work and support ; to the
Senior Altar Guild and Junior
Altar Guild; and to Norm Rude.
treasurer, Mrs. William
Lockridge, vestry clerk, and
Richard Reece, sexton.
The rector thanked the church
wardens for their support and the
congregation for its cooperation
throughout the year.
A budget of $31,000. was
adopted by the vestry for the
year 1979. Extensive repairs will
be required for the church.
The parochial officials for this
year are: rector's warden, Jim
Beattie; people's warden, Don
Farnell; lay delegates to Synod,
rs elected
s annual
Mrs. Don Farnell, Mrs. Robert
Ritter; alternates, Mrs. W.
Connell, Gordon Cowman;
treasurer, Mr. Rude; vestry
clerk, Mrs. Lockridge; chairman
of the sidesmen, Norm Deyell;
auditors, Tom Greenall and Alex
Walton; board of management,
rector's appointments, Robert
Ritter, Steve Trapp, Elmer
Walker; vestry's appointments,
Norm Cronkwright, Don
Delmage, Lee Grove, Mrs. Jack
King.
The vestry was informed about
the forthcoming ' centennial
parade for the town's centennial.
The two members to serve on the
committee for the Ministerial
Association's ecumenical float
are Mrs. John Swan and Mrs.
,Jack King. A committee of four,
two from the board of
management and two from the
ACW, is to be requested to be a
committee for the congregation's
participation in the town's
centennial for the church.
The refreshmentsfor the
meeting were served by mem-
bers of the board of
tanagement. The meeting
closed with Grace being said in
unison.
and a medilauuu Vu Lim i,J via a'
and blessing of prayer were
given by Mrs. Alan Falconer.
Mrs. John De Boer gave a
reading and the topic, New
Year's resolutions, was given by
Mrs. Rintoul. President Mrs. Don
Ross presided for the rest of the
meeting.
The roll call, a New Year's
thought or verse, was answered
by nine members. The minutes
were read by Mrs. Bill Purdon,
secretary, and the financial
statement given by Mrs. Bill
Evans. Mrs. Harvey Osborne
was asked to be the speaker for
the World Day of Prayer. The
offering was received and Mrs.
Peter QeBoer offered a prayer.
Mrs. Rintoul spoke on China
and Mrs. Ross closed %ith
prayer. The Ladies' Aid then
met, the collection was taken and
the meeting closed with the Miz-
pah benediction. The hostess,
Mrs. Tiffin; served lunch.
-Weekend visitors with Mrs
Gershom Johnsdon, Catherine
Street, were Miss Judy Robinson,
Kitchener; Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Ritchie of second
concession, Kinloss, and Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Wood, P-gmond-
ville.
Festival, now going into its third year. "We
hope someday this might become one of
Wingham's big seasonal attra�," Mr.
Frank said. Last year in just its second year
the event tripled its attendance, drawing not
only from Wingham and area but from as far
afield as Toronto and Detroit.
The nostalgia festival is for anyone who
likes old movies, comic books or nostalgia in
general. It features continuous showings of
older movies --serials, Westerns and rare
films --and dealers showing and selling
nostalgia material.
It runs for one weekend and this year the
festival is set for the first wee* in August, to
coincide with the centennial celebrations.
The Lyceum doesn't provide a fulltime job
for either of the owners, Mr. Schedler also
works as a projectionist at CKNX-TV and Mr.
Frank operates the Triangle Discount store.
They are helped at the theatre by Ward
Robertson, a licenced projectionist who
"really looks after the place", his wife Patti,
Rhonda Frank and Lisa and Jane Vath.
The present theatre was put up in 1930 by W.
H. Rintoul, but a previous theatre stood on the
same site and dated back to the early 1900s.
"There was a theatre here even before there
were feature films," Mr. Schedler com-
mented.
He noted that the big, spectacular films
such as "Birth of a Nation" and "In-
tolerance" used to run at the Wingham Opera
House, which he assumes was upstairs in the
town hall, since there was no room for an
orchestra in the smaller theatre.
The Lyceum was operated by a Capt.
Adams until the Cruickshanks took over in the
1960s. An article in a 1930 issue of The Ad-
vance -Times announcing the opening of the
new theatre notes the building is of steel,
brick and concrete, constructed according to
the latest regulations. Seats were purchased
from the Globe Furniture Company of
Waterloo and the machines were Sin-
chrodisks, equipped both for sound track and
disc, while the loudspeakers were Operadios
and were five feet in diameter. Concrete work
at the Lyceum was by R. Vint, electrical by H.
Campbell and the interior decorating was by
E. Wilkinson..
mentally retarded youths, Bevan
female mentally retarded
The emphasis in dealing with
benefits from funds for crippled
Lindsay, Golden Circle School
students from 5 to 21 years of age.
mentally retarded people today
children.
principal, told the Lions Club of
There are two nursery sehools
is on trying to make their
She wanted to. pledge five cents
,s Your Home
Wingham at its Jan. 23 meeting.
Mr. Lindsay is
in the county serving young
Silver
situation as normal as possible so
they
a mile for the 100 -mile run and
determined to raise the
presently
mentally retarded people,
are among other people.
was
developing a work program in
Circle in Wingham and another
Many schools for the mentally
money by herself. Mr. Ritskes
Leaking Money
which mentally retarded people
up to age 21 can find work with
serving the Grand Grand Bend
area. Silver Circle is now
retarded used to be in separate
buildings but have been in-
said it was very gratifying to see
a crippled child who had
local businesses.
operating at about capacity with
corporated into public schools.
'benefited from crippled
Many people are wary of hiring
11 students,;
Schools close to their homes
children's funds to which Lions
If so call Consumers Insulation for free esti-
a mentally retarded person
The Jack Reavie Opportunity
allow retarded students to live at
contribute.
Ates on residential or commercial insulation
because of some potential
problems which include training,
Workshop in Wingham is one of
three adult workshops for the
home with their families.
In Lions club business the club
appl,bcations.
the level of responsibility to
mentally retarded in the county.
decided it will sell tickets on a
Chalmers WMS
PHONE 6VELPH 836-5611
assign a retarded person,
The other workshops are in
Cadillac car and other prizes.
Or
transportation to work and in-
Dashwood and Goderich.
Lions clubs across Ontario are
holds
surance.
These adult centres train
selling the tickets, which are a
meeting
LISTOWEL 291-1433
"Retarded (people) learn
participants in crafts, assembly
dollar each.
Information on government grants
slower than other people, but
and such skills as baking.
Andy Ritskes, local coor-
The Chalmers WMS held its
January meeting last Wednesday
also available.
they do learn," Mr. Lindsay said.
In addition to the other county
dinator of the Timmy
at the home of Mrs. Wesley
"They all do learn."
facilities for the retarded, there
Snowarama, reported that all the
Please call collect for free estimates.
The county board of education
are group homes in Exeter and
help Lions members could
Tiffin. Mrs. Bill Rintoul presided
will provide transportation to and
Goderich where the mentally
provide for the annual run would
for the worship period which
from work for retarded students
handicapped can live in a
be needed. He also said', he had
opened with a hymn, extended a
b t t
warm welcome to all and recited
t
n
/Z a�Qua/�fv ..
i4E-qil va%ve...
Alberto V05 - 400 mil . ,
Hair Spray
Alberto V05 - 450 ml
Shampoo
Alberto Balsam - 650 ml.
Conditioner
Scope - 1.18 Litres
Mouthwash
Downy - 2 Litres ��
Fabric Softener
Planters - 12 oz. Tin
Cocktail Peanuts
Large Selection of
VALENTINE CANDY
and CARDS
1.99
1.49
1.69
2.79
TRIANGLE
p DISCOUNT _
1/ it iso. � I�1.4t�tl /3/tom y.,.l ■t Kiri
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekdays - Sundays Noon to Six
on a work term, Jo ra n ng mus
be provided by an employer and a poem. The scripture reading
insurance is provided for the
mentally retarded person
through the board of education
and the Ontario Association for
the Mentally Retarded.
One of the largest problems in
placing the students, who are in
the upper teens and up to 21 years
old, is the competitive job
market. The mentally retarded
must compete with other people
for jobs in the job market.
There are many jobs the
mentally retarded have
demonstrated they can do well,
Mr. Lindsay said. Light
assembly work, operatong a
mechanical dishwasher, manual
skills, folding linen and other
tasks can be performed by
mentally retarded trainees.
Along with training the men-
tally retarded person in a job, an
employer is responsible for filing
an evaluation with Golden Circle
School, evaluating the job per-
formance of the. student, the
student's learning ability and
other areas like punctuality.
Mr. Lindsay, who spent four
years at Queen Elizabeth School
for the mentally retarded in
Goderich before taking over the
principal's position from
Florence Reavie at Golden
Circle, reported that the three
schools for the mentally retarded
in Huron County are operating
near capacity.
The three schools, operated by
the Huron County Board of
Education and located in public
NeW office
at St. Paull
The importance of the Holy
Eucharist, prayer, meditation.
Christian education and witness
was stressed by the rector, Rev.
J. T. M. Swan, in his address to
the vestry which met Sunday
after the worship service. The
various reports were presented
and all revealed progress durtng
the year 1978.
The vestry expressed ap-
preciation to Harry Brydges for
his faithful service in the position
of rector's warden; to Robert
Johnston for his four years as
envelope secretary; to the ACW
for their work and support ; to the
Senior Altar Guild and Junior
Altar Guild; and to Norm Rude.
treasurer, Mrs. William
Lockridge, vestry clerk, and
Richard Reece, sexton.
The rector thanked the church
wardens for their support and the
congregation for its cooperation
throughout the year.
A budget of $31,000. was
adopted by the vestry for the
year 1979. Extensive repairs will
be required for the church.
The parochial officials for this
year are: rector's warden, Jim
Beattie; people's warden, Don
Farnell; lay delegates to Synod,
rs elected
s annual
Mrs. Don Farnell, Mrs. Robert
Ritter; alternates, Mrs. W.
Connell, Gordon Cowman;
treasurer, Mr. Rude; vestry
clerk, Mrs. Lockridge; chairman
of the sidesmen, Norm Deyell;
auditors, Tom Greenall and Alex
Walton; board of management,
rector's appointments, Robert
Ritter, Steve Trapp, Elmer
Walker; vestry's appointments,
Norm Cronkwright, Don
Delmage, Lee Grove, Mrs. Jack
King.
The vestry was informed about
the forthcoming ' centennial
parade for the town's centennial.
The two members to serve on the
committee for the Ministerial
Association's ecumenical float
are Mrs. John Swan and Mrs.
,Jack King. A committee of four,
two from the board of
management and two from the
ACW, is to be requested to be a
committee for the congregation's
participation in the town's
centennial for the church.
The refreshmentsfor the
meeting were served by mem-
bers of the board of
tanagement. The meeting
closed with Grace being said in
unison.
and a medilauuu Vu Lim i,J via a'
and blessing of prayer were
given by Mrs. Alan Falconer.
Mrs. John De Boer gave a
reading and the topic, New
Year's resolutions, was given by
Mrs. Rintoul. President Mrs. Don
Ross presided for the rest of the
meeting.
The roll call, a New Year's
thought or verse, was answered
by nine members. The minutes
were read by Mrs. Bill Purdon,
secretary, and the financial
statement given by Mrs. Bill
Evans. Mrs. Harvey Osborne
was asked to be the speaker for
the World Day of Prayer. The
offering was received and Mrs.
Peter QeBoer offered a prayer.
Mrs. Rintoul spoke on China
and Mrs. Ross closed %ith
prayer. The Ladies' Aid then
met, the collection was taken and
the meeting closed with the Miz-
pah benediction. The hostess,
Mrs. Tiffin; served lunch.
-Weekend visitors with Mrs
Gershom Johnsdon, Catherine
Street, were Miss Judy Robinson,
Kitchener; Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Ritchie of second
concession, Kinloss, and Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Wood, P-gmond-
ville.
Festival, now going into its third year. "We
hope someday this might become one of
Wingham's big seasonal attra�," Mr.
Frank said. Last year in just its second year
the event tripled its attendance, drawing not
only from Wingham and area but from as far
afield as Toronto and Detroit.
The nostalgia festival is for anyone who
likes old movies, comic books or nostalgia in
general. It features continuous showings of
older movies --serials, Westerns and rare
films --and dealers showing and selling
nostalgia material.
It runs for one weekend and this year the
festival is set for the first wee* in August, to
coincide with the centennial celebrations.
The Lyceum doesn't provide a fulltime job
for either of the owners, Mr. Schedler also
works as a projectionist at CKNX-TV and Mr.
Frank operates the Triangle Discount store.
They are helped at the theatre by Ward
Robertson, a licenced projectionist who
"really looks after the place", his wife Patti,
Rhonda Frank and Lisa and Jane Vath.
The present theatre was put up in 1930 by W.
H. Rintoul, but a previous theatre stood on the
same site and dated back to the early 1900s.
"There was a theatre here even before there
were feature films," Mr. Schedler com-
mented.
He noted that the big, spectacular films
such as "Birth of a Nation" and "In-
tolerance" used to run at the Wingham Opera
House, which he assumes was upstairs in the
town hall, since there was no room for an
orchestra in the smaller theatre.
The Lyceum was operated by a Capt.
Adams until the Cruickshanks took over in the
1960s. An article in a 1930 issue of The Ad-
vance -Times announcing the opening of the
new theatre notes the building is of steel,
brick and concrete, constructed according to
the latest regulations. Seats were purchased
from the Globe Furniture Company of
Waterloo and the machines were Sin-
chrodisks, equipped both for sound track and
disc, while the loudspeakers were Operadios
and were five feet in diameter. Concrete work
at the Lyceum was by R. Vint, electrical by H.
Campbell and the interior decorating was by
E. Wilkinson..
LIONS GUEST—Bevan Lindsay, Golden Circle School
principal, was guest speaker at the Wingham Lions Club
Jan. 23 meeting. One of the projects he is pursuing is a work
experience program in which local businesses take on
mentally retarded students for work terms.
The
Fruit Market
And
Candy Shoppe
Fruit Baskets
Fruit & Vegetables
Eedy\6 Country Bread
Listowel Dilly Donuts
Mixed Nuts
Pine River Cheese
Peanuts & Popcorn
Come in and meet Coca Cola
our Manager Candy
SHARON .s9
SPECIALS
She will be delighted tome in and
find them.
to serve you. You Will be
Surprised
OPENS THURS. FEB. 1
198 Josophino St., (Boside Mclntoe Roal Estatol
OPEN Tuos. through Sat. 9-6
Friday until 9 p.m.
u
a'
LIONS GUEST—Bevan Lindsay, Golden Circle School
principal, was guest speaker at the Wingham Lions Club
Jan. 23 meeting. One of the projects he is pursuing is a work
experience program in which local businesses take on
mentally retarded students for work terms.
The
Fruit Market
And
Candy Shoppe
Fruit Baskets
Fruit & Vegetables
Eedy\6 Country Bread
Listowel Dilly Donuts
Mixed Nuts
Pine River Cheese
Peanuts & Popcorn
Come in and meet Coca Cola
our Manager Candy
SHARON .s9
SPECIALS
She will be delighted tome in and
find them.
to serve you. You Will be
Surprised
OPENS THURS. FEB. 1
198 Josophino St., (Boside Mclntoe Roal Estatol
OPEN Tuos. through Sat. 9-6
Friday until 9 p.m.