2022 is a big year for Friends of the Ritz.
Hello FRIENDS,
“I’M BACK”
In case you can't tell, I'm a HUGE fan of actor Jack Nicholson. Just hearing those two words, ‘I’m Back’…creates fear in many, including ME! (The Shining, 1980).
But I have no fear in telling you that I’M BACK!
This past January 25th, at the first quarter Friends of the Ritz, Inc. (FOTR) Board meeting, my colleagues voted for me to return as President for 2022... (I verified the ballot count…LOL….)
I really feel good about this year…
I enjoyed my experience of being the 2021 President having gained knowledge in the ‘arts’. I enjoyed networking with colleagues from other theatres in the state (some actually know my name!). I enjoyed working with my 2021 Board colleagues. But most of ALL I enjoyed meeting many of our individual Friends of the Ritz members who visited the Historic Ritz Theatre this past year...thank you.
And of course, we all are still dealing with COVID and its variants and omicrons. Hopefully, this New Year, we will ALL experience a ‘healthier’ 2022.
So please allow me to share some good (FOTR) news...
“I’M BACK”
In case you can't tell, I'm a HUGE fan of actor Jack Nicholson. Just hearing those two words, ‘I’m Back’…creates fear in many, including ME! (The Shining, 1980).
But I have no fear in telling you that I’M BACK!
This past January 25th, at the first quarter Friends of the Ritz, Inc. (FOTR) Board meeting, my colleagues voted for me to return as President for 2022... (I verified the ballot count…LOL….)
I really feel good about this year…
I enjoyed my experience of being the 2021 President having gained knowledge in the ‘arts’. I enjoyed networking with colleagues from other theatres in the state (some actually know my name!). I enjoyed working with my 2021 Board colleagues. But most of ALL I enjoyed meeting many of our individual Friends of the Ritz members who visited the Historic Ritz Theatre this past year...thank you.
And of course, we all are still dealing with COVID and its variants and omicrons. Hopefully, this New Year, we will ALL experience a ‘healthier’ 2022.
So please allow me to share some good (FOTR) news...
- We ended our 2021 season with a Christmas Concert featuring Katie Deal. Her performance was ‘EXCELLENT’…and we hope to have her return next Christmas season.
- The New Year began in a positive fashion. The Home Depot of Toccoa donated a $1,000.00 gift card to us as part of their annual ‘Operation Surprise’ grant.
- We also renewed most of the individual memberships that expired on December 31st and gained about a dozen more!
- We are excited to announce that we have added several new board members giving us a full complement of nine; and we have filled the Programming and Membership Committee Chairs. (click the 2022 Board of Directors tab in the menu bar).
- We (The Historic Ritz Theatre and the Friends of the Ritz) are excited to be the first theatre and non-profit organization to be featured in 2022 by the Fox Theatre Institute in their January 24th posts on Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.
- But mostly, we are very thrilled to learn the Toccoa City Commission recently gave the go ahead to draw up architectural plans for a proposed expansion of the Historic Ritz Theatre AND the formal designation of a downtown ‘Entertainment District!’
All in all, I really feel good about where we are headed this year.
Thank you for your continued support. Let's keep the good vibes rolling!
Sincerely,
Gary Cortellino, President
