Capitol II Theatre - Newton, Iowa

I snapped a quick picture while visiting the Capitol II Theatre in Newton, Iowa last week - the place does show its age in places, but it's really gorgeous and has great potential!
Newton is half an hour north of us, and the owners of the theater there are going through many of the same things that our group here in Knoxville is, or will be once we start renovations and the digital conversion at our theater. It's nice to have friends in the industry! :)
If you're in the area, stop by and check them out....you might even meet Joy, the family pig that helps with popcorn cleanup after showings!
Our project: Grand Theater - Knoxville, Iowa - PO Box 151, Knoxville, Iowa  50138
All donations are tax deductible, and we would LOVE to have your support! :)

Just the other day, we received a donation from this woman's granddaughter! This was the owner of two movie houses here in Knoxville through the 1930's and 40's - this photo (and several others she shared with us) were taken inside the Grand and will be tremendously useful during our renovation!

HUGE News! :)

So, a while back I showed a picture of our local Theater and mentioned that we would soon be purchasing the building and renovating/reopening it. That process took a BIG step yesterday morning when we were presented with a check large enough to secure ownership of the property and start in on our projects! :D 

A rather 'large' check, indeed!

Our hope is to not only update and modernize the interior systems (including electrical, HVAC, the restrooms, and new digital projection and sound equipment), but to bring back what history still exists in the building.
For example, this beautiful brick facade has simply been covered up for the last 75 years - first by large glass tiles in an Art Deco style, then by metal siding. We'll strip the siding off, re-point the brick where needed, and replace the short, wide window and bold, neon signage over the marquee.

So. Stinkin'. Exciting!
The Grand Theater

An investment in this project is an investment in the entire town and our future. Not only will the reopening of this business create a couple part-time jobs in its own right, but it will help to support and complement countless other businesses in town, not to mention boost local housing sales, and create a greater pull for new businesses and business expansion within the community.
Of course, the most direct benefit is that we'll have our theater back! The place we all went for our first dates; the place many of our grandparents went for their first dates! A place to take part in the shared experience of being entertained, educated, and expanded beyond our current possibilities. In addition to new and classic films and film festivals, we'll host smaller live performances and special community events, speakers and lecture series, poetry readings and community theater. It's going to be a true jewel for our Downtown District, and for the region as a whole. Once we're operational and sustaining ourselves, any net proceeds generated by this business - if not reinvested into the Foundation - will be poured right back into the community. Very, very cool.
Our total project goal is $500,000 - if you or someone you know would have any interest in contributing to this project, please let us know! We're a 501(c)(3) Public Charity, and any contributions made to our group will be tax-deductible and VERY well utilized!
The Grand Theater Foundation, PO Box 151, Knoxville, Iowa  50138

Palmyra Church, 1870

While out driving back roads for work this afternoon, I came across the Palmyra Church built in 1870. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is absolutely beautiful..even through the peeling paint :)

Love a good bracket :)

The windows were what initially caught my eye from the road - HUGE, and all down both sides (and across the rear) of the church.

This old church was built just two years after the original portion of my house.
I'd say both are pretty cool places :)

A pretty typical Friday night..

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to take a private tour of the State Capitol Building.
Because I did, that's why..

Under the dome, looking toward the main staircase

Looking up from the floor of the rotunda to the murals and gilding above.
For YEARS when I was younger, the dome was wrapped in scaffolding as they restored and  re-gilded the interior and exterior. It's such a beautiful building now that major restoration work has been finished.
You can walk around the inside of the dome at two different levels - unfortunately, we didn't on this tour.

Crazy detailed ceilings to the side of the rotunda, just inside the east entrance.

North entrance to the building with stairs leading up to the Senate Chambers.

Second level rotunda, looking east toward the Law Library.

West side of the third level - really detailed tiled mosaics.

Looking down from the Senate stairs.

The Governor's public Reception Room.

The Law Library - the entire east end of the building, top to bottom.
Recently ranked as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

Love a good spiral stair..

Smelled like...a really old library. Lots of leather.

Stained glass skylight in the Senate Chamber.

The gallery of the Senate Chamber.

The man who designed the Statehouse actually also designed the Marion County Courthouse.
Well..actually, he designed our Courthouse, then the Statehouse..then he left that job prematurely to design the Washington Monument. I guess you could say we made him famous. :)

Kind of a big deal.

Mantel Project

The mantel before: not bad, but room for improvement if I wanted it to fit with everything else I had going on in the house. As big as the fireplace is, I thought the mantel needed to be a little bulkier.
Plus, I still had a good bit of salvaged wood left in the garage :)

The profile of the original mantel.  

Removed the little strip of molding..

Planed, glued, clamped, sanded.. the boards I had in the garage. Square nails, knots, and all!

Wrapped a wider band around the existing mantel..

Top in position..

The final profile! The square nails are still showing through on some of these end pieces. 

I actually made that cove molding underneath on the table saw..
..couldn't find a router bit big enough to make it look the way I wanted it.
Improvising.

All done!
I might stain/oil it, or I might leave it raw like this. I'll decide later :)

Solarium: Start to Finish!

This is what the house looked like in the listing when I bought it - cute right?

Nice little sitting room right inside the front door and adjacent to the living room.

Then I saw this. Everything might have been easier...if I hadn't seen this. ;)

So, naturally, we ripped everything apart..

..and fixed the things that needed fixed..

Here's mom/former roommate finishing up the last of the insulation. As with the rest of the house, the wiring was completely redone in the solarium, as was all the insulation, wallboard, wood floors, and trim..though, a lot of the woodwork throughout the house was salvaged.

Hooray for drywall!

..well..sort of. See, I got a deal on some really nice windows; so, rather than replace the two that were there, I decided to take it back to the way it looked it that damned old picture.

Finishing up the new windows and front door.

All in!

Testing out my new grilles :)

Trim is up and ready for sanding (which left dust ALL over the house), priming, and painting!

As of last night: all painted and ready to go! (As you can also see, the greenhouse is in full swing..)

Looks pretty good, if I do say!