From the Desk of the Director of the Ashtabula Arts Center

Other Departments Director's Desk Theatre Department Auditions Calendar Dance Department Music Department Visual Arts Department Happenings & Events Volunteer News Picture Gallery Subscribe to ArtsCenterNews.Com Enter your name and email address to receive notification of updates to the site. email: name: Subscribe: UnSubscribe: Classes Workshops Theatre Classes Dance Classes Music Classes Visual Arts Classes Box Office Info Please call 440-964-3396 for more information Board of Trustees OFFICERS: President: Rob Schimmelpfennig Executive Vice President: Judy Robson Vice President: Mike Fedler Vice President: Bill Kline Treasurer: Rich Vanek Secretary: Debbi Waring BOARD MEMBERS: Baerbel Baginski, WSL Steve Candella Neroy Carter Arnie Esterer Adele Herzog Mary Ellen Higley Ken Johnson Mark Jones Randy Jones Gloria Kaull Kim Laurello Ed Looman Chris McClure Tom Picken Scot Sinkler Linda VanBuren Joseph Varckette Ellen Winer Phyllis Duffy-Zala Arts Center Staff Beth Koski Executive Director Cindy Rimpela Business Manager Pamela Hammond Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator Shelagh Dubsky Dance Coordinator Lyn Savarise Music Coordinator Meeghan Humphrey Visual Arts Coordinator Phil Mullet Technical Liason Joe Ford Maintenance Coordinator Marquitta Mollick Evening Desk Coordinator This Dept's Archives 07/2002 08/2002 11/2002 12/2002 02/2003 05/2003 06/2003 08/2003 11/2003 12/2003 03/2004 05/2004 07/2004 08/2004 10/2004 01/2005 03/2005 06/2005 08/2005 10/2005 12/2005 04/2006 05/2006 07/2006 09/2006 11/2006 12/2006 03/2007 05/2007 08/2007 10/2007 12/2007 03/2008 04/2008 06/2008 View Stats

2928 West 13th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 phone: 440-964-3396 Search This Site: Looking Toward the Future: Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 With 50 years behind us, the Arts Center now looks forward to the next half century of its lifespan. Throughout this past year I have been using this space to document and remember the people, places and events that have made up the Arts Center’s 50 year history. Rather than writing the final column of 2003 about the 21st Century - a decade of which we have only seen three years - I have chosen instead to share with you some of the wonderful letters we received following our 50th Anniversary celebration weekend in October. Arranged by AAC Theatre Coordinator Darrell Lowe, this celebration featured a cast of 11 very talented stage performers singing tunes from many of the well-known musicals produced on our stages since the Arts Center’s beginning. These performers included Bob Godfrey, Kim Godfrey, Adam Kapis, Connor O’Brien, Doug Anderson, Jacob Lowe, Jordan Malin, Jillian Forsty, Josh Twining, Linda Fundis and Judy Robson. Musical accompaniment for the concert was provided by Alex Lowe. The concert, which we called “Encore!” was accompanied by a cocktail party on Saturday evening and a birthday cake celebration on Sunday afternoon. We heard such wonderful reviews following the weekend’s events. There seemed to me no better way to end a year of remembrance and appreciation than to share some of those words which have put smiles on the faces of everyone here at the Arts Center. The entire Arts Center staff would like to thank everyone for their dedication and support over the past 50 years. We most definately would not be where we are without you. Onward to the 21st Century! Comments from the 50th Anniversary Celebration October 18 & 19, 2003 I just moved to Geneva-on-the-Lake from Pittsburgh, and was a guest at ENCORE 50 last weekend. To say the least, I was really impressed. Keep up the great work! Karl Rabeneck Just a wee note to congratulate you and the wonderful staff at the Arts Center for a magnificent birthday celebration. What a delightful evening! Thank you ... thank you ... thank you. The voices were so professional. The accompaniment was way beyond a high school senior. Art & Pat Vensel The Ashtabula Arts Center is a cultural asset to the city and county. I have enjoyed many fine performances at the Straw Hat Theatre since its beginnings at Walnut Beach as well as several other Arts Center productions. Congratulations and a wish for 50 more years! Carl & Patty Stauffeneger So we’re sitting in a restaurant in Playhouse Square in Cleveland and we are bragging about the Ashtabula Arts Center to some folks from Shaker Heights and Bay Village, and they say, “Isn’t it great when you find a gem like that?” And we say, “It sure is!” Thanks for 50 years of magic moments for Ashtabula! John & Elaine Maimone Be sure to check out our photo gallery for pictures from Saturday evening's cocktail party!