Comments from mbergman

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mbergman
mbergman commented about Panida Theater on Jan 13, 2007 at 10:53 pm

I recall the “magic” of the local theater house. My experience was in my birh place, Sandpoint, Id. Our one and only movie and theater house was the Panida Theater. I vividly recall Floyd Grey used the theater to have “Farmer Grey” skits before or during intermission of movies. Mr Grey at the time was Mayor of Sandpoint. I recall one time Mr Grey allowed the younger folk to view a movie from “behind” the movie screen. We kids “loved” the special treatment. I believe it was during a time when Mayor Grey was sponsoring a proposal for economic development of Sandpoint… introducing a new “ski resort” for the area. Needless to say, today the Schweitzer Ski Resort became a “huge” economic development success that changed Sandpoint forever. I believe Mr Grey and his Panida Theater had a profound impact in that success story. I recall in the early 60s, I worked in the Panida Theater. Joe Breeden was manager at the time. I helped to clean the theater and also stoked and kept a watchful eye on the coal burning furnace. One winter, the snow was wet and very heavy. The ceiling developed a leak and a big section of ceiling fell during a movie. Thankfully no one was sitting in the area where it fell. Floyd Grey was an amazing individual. He certainly made a mark in my heart on several occasions. I fondly remember looking forward to going to the movies to see and holding hands with my then grade school sweetheart. The “magical” moments that building holds in my heart. (smiling) Mr Grey owned and operated the “drive-in” theater north of town which also holds many wonderful memories.

mbergman
mbergman commented about Is Rivoli Pendleton's Missing Link? by Tom Hebert on Jan 13, 2007 at 10:01 pm

I recall the “magic” of the local theater house. My experience was in my birh place, Sandpoint, Id. Our one and only movie and theater house was the Panida Theater. I vividly recall Floyd Grey used the theater to have “Farmer Grey” skits before or during intermission of movies. Mr Grey at the time was Mayor of Sandpoint. I recall one time Mr Grey allowed the younger folk to view a movie from “behind” the movie screen. We kids “loved” the special treatment. I believe it was during a time when Mayor Grey was sponsoring a proposal for economic development of Sandpoint… introducing a new “ski resort” for the area. Needless to say, today the Schweitzer Ski Resort became a “huge” economic development success that changed Sandpoint forever. I believe Mr Grey and his Panida Theater had a profound impact in that success story. In my heart… the Rivoli should “definately” be restored to former glory and once again provide the “magic” of theater that Pendleton so richly deserves. A platform that centers on giving “each” Pendleton citizen the opportunity to “be on stage” to experience the “magic” of the stage as an extra or character… will forever meld the heart of the Rivoli into the hearts of the Pendleton community.