MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A fundraiser is now under way in Middletown in order to create a summertime event for families at the community's new park.
Community member Marlene Elder is working with the Middletown Area Merchants Association on the goal of bringing movies to Middletown Square Park, located in front of the Middletown Library and Senior Center.
Tanya Striedieck, owner of Star Gardens Nursery and secretary of the association, said the merchants group is acting as the umbrella organization for the effort.
“Marlene really wanted to do this,” she said.
Striedieck said she heard Elder speak about the movies plan at a Middletown Area Town Hall meeting. Later, Elder came into the nursery and they began to talk about the project.
It was Striedieck who took the matter to the association, which had an informal discussion on it in April, with the board voting to support it in May.
There now is an association committee working with Elder on ironing out the details, said Striedieck.
One of the main focuses now is fundraising, Striedieck and Elder said.
“We need to get the money raised to get the equipment first,” said Elder.
Hardester's Market is conducting a fundraiser for the movies project, with people able to round up to the nearest dollar – or add more if they would like – to their bill when they check out, Elder said.
She said they are aiming to raise $6,000 to cover equipment – including a projector – as well as fliers and advertising, and other random expenses.
Striedieck said Hardester's has agreed to help pay movie licensing fees, with an association member offering the use of sound equipment.
As for when the showings of family friendly movies are set to start, “We're hoping for July, but we'll see,” said Elder.
At the Thursday Middletown Area Town Hall meeting, Elder updated community members on the movie plan and the Hardester's fundraiser.
She said the movies will be shown for free, but there will be a charge for concessions, which will be handled by the Boy Scouts.
Middletown resident Monica Rosenthal thanked Elder for her efforts on the movies project, noting she's been working on it for two years.
The Middletown Area Merchants Association can be reached through its Web site at http://www.middletownareamerchants.com .
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