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It was a packed house for a news conference at Huntingdon city hall Monday afternoon, as Mayor Dale Kelley announced a new performing arts center for the town. Among the persons present was actress Dixie Carter, who appeared shocked that the center was being named in her honor. "I really don't think you all can imagine just how significant this is, how important it is to me," said Ms. Carter emotionally. "I thought Dale just wanted me to help, not that he would be calling it by my name.
In making the announcement, Mayor Kelley said that the block of four buildings between city hall and the Bank of Huntingdon will be the site for the new 26,000 square foot center. The facility will feature a 240 square foot stage, seating for 436, dressing rooms, an apartment for visiting artists and other necessary space.
Construction is slated to begin in early spring 2000 and should be finished within about a year, Kelley said. The Center will be the home for drama, dance, concerts, lectures and other types of artistic events. In the release Kelley said the Center would be closely tied to school systems throughout the county.
"Today is just the first step in our efforts to provide our citizens with a first-class performing arts center, and at the same time, recognize one of Huntingdon's most famous former residents--Dixie Carter," said Mayor Kelley.
Kelley announced that Councilwoman Melissa Powell had been named as chairman of the Steering Committee charged with raising the first $2 million in funding for the facility. The first phase of the fund-raising campaign is slated to kick off in February and run for about a month.
"I am excited to be a part of this effort, and I know that when completed, the Center will have a major positive impact on the qualify of life in Huntingdon and Carroll County," said Mrs. Powell.
The project has a good start, according to Kelley. Donations from banks and industries at this point total about $200,000, and Ray Smith--who owns the former Radio Shack building on the block--donated the building to the cause.
Smith noted that he moved to Huntingdon more than 50 years ago and went to work at Priestley's Dry Goods, which occupied the building he was giving away. He said that Ms. Carter's father and grandfather had operated a competing business right across the street, but had always been so nice to him.
"Carroll County and Huntingdon have been good to me, and I feel you should give something back" said Smith of his donation.
Billy Cary, President of Carroll Bank & Trust, said he was proud to be a part of such a project. "I don't recall Mr. Halbert as the competition, but I do remember those nickel cups of ice cream he had out in front of the store," said Cary.
Cary said that he was pleased to announce that his bank had made a donation, and added that the Wright charitable foundation--which Carroll Bank & Trust administers--would also make a contribution.
Also taking brief turns at the podium were Bank of Huntingdon President Johnny Clement, Union Planters President Larry Watson and Tom Stines, plant manager at Norandal USA, Inc. All said they were honored to be a part of such a project and pledged their best efforts to seeing it become a success.
Kelley also announced that former Huntingdon resident Larry Stewart, who is a professional fund raiser and known for a comedy routine he does, will assist in the effort. Carter noted during her comments that Stewart had already "hit her up" for a donation.
The actress told the gathering that good literature and the performing arts were the key to good education for children. Ms. Carter said that children could not be education by television--noting that she was "biting the hand that feeds me."
"If young people can be exposed to live performances, it does something for them," she said. "If Shakespeare is not the Man of the Millennium, I know Hal Holbrook is going to be mighty disappointed.
Speaking of her spouse, Ms. Carter suggested that Holbrook might be persuaded to do his highly successful Mark Twain act for a local fund-raiser.
"I know someone who puts on a pretty good show called Mark Twain, I think we can bring him in," she laughed. Holbrook was not in attendance Monday, as he was reportedly not feeling well.
She also took note that there is a lot of local talent available that can also help the Center to become a success.
Ms. Carter vowed to support the Center in all ways possible. And she attributed her success in life to the place, and the manner, in which she had been reared. She related an anecdote about how her father, Halbert, had foregone several scholarships to assist his father in the mercantile business when he was a young man.
"My daddy always made a good living for us without cheating or taking advantage of anyone," she said, adding that where she now lives in Los Angeles that was not always the case with people.
Also on hand for the announcement was architect David M. Schuermann of Architecture, Incorporated, Memphis. Schuermann presented several artistic renderings of how the building will appear inside and out when completed.
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