Theater fondly remembered
The recent death of my sister, Doris Ann Lashen, caused me to reflect upon her work history and particularly her earliest employment at the Hollywood Theater. What I think many of your readers will recall is that she was the cashier, but also appeared on the stage to conduct the “bank nights.” She would choose a child from those in attendance to draw a would-be-winner’s number and reward the child with a bag of candy. If the winner was not present, the next week’s jackpot increased.
The Neighborhood Theater, such as ours, served a real purpose. It was here that the class of 1948 had its commencement. Many other things could be related about the special place such theaters had in the life of the communities where they were.
Two other theaters were in California, but this one was central to our lives, as was perhaps a theater in your childhood community.
Kenneth M. Lashen
Mount Pleasant