COUNTY LIFE
Now showing: Texas Theater returns
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The Texas Theater was established on the Saint Jo town square in the 1920s during an era of the first “talkies” led by “The Jazz Singer” and popular Saturday serials like “Rin Tin Tin.”
John Wayne surely ran many a head of cattle through the theater, while Greta Garbo’s sultry style filled the screen. Bugs Bunny followed Flash Gordon, not to mention all the gangster and monster movies filled the square.
Today the former dry goods store, theater and Masonic Lodge has been given life again as a theater bringing Hollywood to small town Texas.
The history
The theater is the creation of Craig Olden and Tom Weger, plus Weger’s daughter, Kate Clark and a team of creative craftsmen. Weger operates Coppell Construction in Saint Jo and has been active on the local business scene as the former owner of King’s Hotel on the town square
The theater building is on the west side of the square a few doors north of the Saint Jo Tribune. It operated as The New York Store, a dry goods store. Built in 1879 it was composed of two long, narrow buildings. Later it was modified into a theater in the 1920s,and in 1956 it was purchased by the Masonic lodge.
Used by the group for many years it was sold to Craig Olden around 2015. Weger says Olden bought it with the intention of doing something like the theater. The Masons had decided to downsize as far as a building was concerned, so the group purchased another building a few blocks way Weger assisted with renovating the new lodge building.
Olden and Weger began talking about the theater project as they both wanted to put it back into public use whether it be with movies which Olden liked or live theater which Weger liked.
Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The new Montague County Animal Rescue, which will be helping with operation of the new county animal shelter, invite you to “Wine Like A Dog” on Dec. 3 at Kimber Creek Wine Bar and Gift Shop in downtown Bowie.
The evening will include wine and charcuterie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while raising funds for the rescue organization. Tickets are $50.
Melanie Gillespie of Montague County Animal Rescue said the new 501c3 has completed its agreement to work with Montague County operating the animal shelter.
“Your support enables us to launch the opening of the first county-run animal shelter. We invite you to join our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for animals in need,” said Gillespie.
Limited tickets will be offered at the door based on availability. Those with questions may call Gillespie at 469-951-0215 or email [email protected].
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