About the Friends

Mission Statement

To recapture the look, history, and use of The Strand Theatre both as a location for showing classic films, hosting film festivals, movie series, and lecture series, and as a venue for local film production premiers, light stage activity, and concerts including the use of the theatre organ and film.

Letter From The Friends

June 10, 2008

Dear Friends,

The Strand continues to be an exciting place to watch every day. You can already see the poor girl in rags transforming into Cinderella. But she’s still getting ready for the ball.

CONSTRUCTION VIDEO
You’ve probably seen a construction truck or a crane outside The Strand at some point or another in the last few months. But thanks to Cindi Costoulas, one our volunteers, you can now have “sneak preview” of the work going on inside The Strand. I hope you’ll enjoy a short video of our behind-the-scenes footage in a video at: http://www.friendsofthestrand.com/tour/index.html.

A UNIQUE FATHERS DAY GIFT
Still looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? An engraved seat or brick at The Strand is a unique idea that will bring back happy memories. Four by eight commemorative bricks in the sidewalk in front of The Strand are $250 and seat commemorations are $1,000. More information is available at www.friendsofthestrand.org or by calling 678-569-1321.

PIPING HOT!
Twelve members of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society moved a theatre pipe organ from mid-Georgia to Marietta during one of the hottest weekends of the year! It’s currently being restored in a Marietta Warehouse, but once restored, it will make The Strand its home. The finished product will consist of over 1,000 pipes and a 15-horsepower blower, and will be one of the largest theatre organs in the southeast when complete.

EARL SMITH TRIBUTE EXTENDED
The Friends of Earl Smith group recently extended the deadline for the Earl Smith Tribute, allowing the community to continue showing its support for The Strand and the Earl Smith Tribute. Dedications of bricks or seats can count toward the tribute – over 130 bricks and seats have been dedicated in honor of Earl Smith. Less than $70,000 remains to be raised toward the Earl Smith Tribute.

For more information about The Strand and our various fundraisers, explore the website or call 678-569-1321.

Thanks for your support as always, and I look forward to seeing you at the grand opening in January of 2009!

Earl Reece,
Executive Director
Friends of The Strand, Inc.

Board Members

	U.S. Rep. Phillip Gingrey Honorary Chairman
	Earl Smith, Chairman E. Smith Heating & Air
	Sam Olens, Vice Chairman Chairman, Cobb County Board of Commissioners
	Ralph Knight, Treasurer Cobb Housing Inc.
	Ron Carter, Secretary Georgia Bureau of Investigation, retired Member of the Atlanta Theatre Organ Society
	Bob Ash, Chairman Board of Advisors Director of Public Services, Cobb County Government
	Roger DeBoy, Restoration Chairman Chairman, deOplossing, Inc.
	Sam Kelly, Capital Campaign Chair V.P. of Public Relations, Cobb Energy
	Kimberly Gresh, Seat Campaign Chair President, S.A. White Oil Co.
	James “Micky” Blackwell Lockheed Martin, retired
	Otis Brumby Publisher, Marietta Daily Journal
	William Bruton, Jr. City Manager, City of Marietta
	Bruce Dean Partner, Brock, Clay & Calhoun, P.C.
	Mayor William B. Dunaway City of Marietta
	Judge Conley Ingram Cobb Superior Court
	Mary Karras Sr. V.P., Riverside Bank
	Carol Ann King Realtor, Harry Norman Realtors
	John Nipaver Architect, John Portman & Associates
	Becky Paden Writer & Member of Cobb County Historic Preservation Commission
	Pete Quinones President & CEO, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service
	Beth Sessoms Economic Development, City of Marietta
	H.E. “Gene” Weeks V.P. & General Manager, Entertainment Design Group
	Jack E. Wilson Insurance Store, retired
	Stan Wise Georgia Public Service Commission

Staff

	Earl Reece Executive Director
	Christy Rosell Director of Business Development & Marketing