rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Rekindle the Spirit will now take over the Rialto Theatre and its operations as of the new year, with a new board of directors.
“Recently there was an announcement that the Rialto theater would no longer be showing films, and this triggered some unplanned ideas led by local advocates. These people were wanting to ensure a continued future of the Rialto theater in Canton and the surrounding community. A group has been elected to our board who enthusiastically embraced the idea and wanted to have the Rialto owned and directed by a non-profit organization to continue its existence,” said former Rekindle the Spirit board President Lucy Chamberlain. “We realized there was no reason to create a new organization when Rekindle the Spirit, Inc. already exists, and its mission statement was exactly what we would like to continue. Why (would we) start new when we can embrace a group from Canton that already shows who the Canton area has always been?”
Rekindle the Spirit, Inc. has been a part of the Canton community for a long time, but it was officially incorporated in 1999.
“The Rekindle the Spirit, Inc. mission statement reads, “to enhance the region by providing historical and cultural education projects through the exchanging of ideas and inter-community activities, aiming to provide a legacy for generations to come.”
This mission references their history and now it can also be its future. 2021 had a lot of changes for Rekindle the Spirit, including the sale of the historic Manley-Bohlayer farm,” said Chamberlain.
Rekindle has also recently donated to local organizations.
“The funds from the sale and other accounts have been shared 100% back into our community. Money has been donated to a comprehensive list of 501(c)(3) organizations and although we couldn’t help everyone, we were able to financially support 34 organizations,” Chamberlain continued.
The list includes: Abuse and Rape Crisis Center, Allen F. Pierce Free Library, Animal Care Sanctuary, AWAKEN Youth Ministries, Area Agency on Aging (Canton Facility), Bradford County Heritage Association, Bradford County Historical Society, Bradford County Humane Society, Bradford County Regional Arts Council, Bradford-Sullivan Counties Special Olympics, Canton Area Nursing Association, Canton Hometown Heroes, Canton Women of the Moose, Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers (CASD), Endless Mountain Mission Center, Endless Mountain Pregnancy Care Center, French Azilum, Friends of the Bradford County Library “PA Citizens for Better Libraries,” Friends of the Green Free Library, Futures Community Support Services, Happy Tails No Kill Shelter, Home Textile Tool Museum, LeRoy Heritage Museum, LeRoy Sportsman’s Association, Inc., Martha Lloyd School Inc., New Beginnings GodHab, Rainbow Riders, Rekindle the Spirit, Inc. – Rialto, The Children’s House Child Advocacy Center, Troy Historical Society, Troy Sale Barn, United Way of Bradford County, Western Alliance Ambulance Association, and the You Too Animal Rescue.
“Although the current Rekindle the Spirit Board of Directors are stepping down, we would like to thank everyone for their support and participation in our many activities and events. We are excited to continue supporting the new Board of Directors as they begin a new journey with the Rialto Theater as the new home of Rekindle the Spirit, Inc. You are why Rekindle the Spirit will continue to be successful and we are asking everyone to remember to always be a rekindled light in our community,” said Chamberlain.
The new board of directors includes President-Tom Schoonover, Vice President-Rick Hoover, Treasurer-Frank Watson, Secretary-Linda Nickerson and board members David J. Brann, Christopher M. Boggs, John Estep, and Claire Waldmeyer.
Make sure to check out the Rialto Theatre for updates as this story develops.