Thank you for the support and memories

It is with the deepest gratitude that I say thank you for all your support over the nearly seven years since I arrived in Sandpoint.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this community at your beloved Panida Theater. We have accomplished much in the last seven years with your help and support. Increasing revenue to help us operate more in the business model was a huge help, especially during years of downtown construction and then COVID-19. It was always with an eye on the past blending with that with an understanding of current trends and changes to the industry as a part of the challenge. We added more foreign and arthouse films than had ever been shown, we also added more popular and requested films to help revenue. The addition of live events of more concerts and comedy was a huge hit. Gallagher smashing watermelon in his final comedic run and Richie Minervini were one of the many great laughter moments. So many great concerts it is hard to pick just a few. Our primary goal to expand programming to offer something for everyone. We purposely looked for areas that were underserved to expand.

Unique in that we were always looking through a historic lens to honor the legacy left since 1927 and yet help the Panida stay relevant to changing times and often make tough decisions. The board had added a beer and wine license before my arrival but the implementation of that in the theater was new. It has evolved and grown over the years and funds from those sales have paid many a power bill and expenses. That and more being added to help our productivity.

Several construction projects were completed including the process of restoring the ceiling and adding a lighting chaise for safety and better lighting. A safer landing outside the men’s room, an expansion of the Little Theatre and the opening of the space. We upgraded to a state-of-the-art sound system so projectionists didn’t have to lift heavy speakers for movies and added a level of quality to enhance live performances as well.

So many community organizations and collaborations that we are grateful for. The one thing that struck me as out of place when I arrived was the gold shiny curtains. Through the help of CAL and preservations grants, we were able to send them a copy of the original silk curtains and replicate the original ones F.C. Weskil intended. The help of the press and area businesses was so valued. Granting organizations have been a huge help to accomplishing the goals.

We made an event out of so many offerings and added fun. The remake of Casablanca for NYE, Paper Planes movie with a contest to see who could make one go the furthest. One of my favorites was the Wizard of Oz with an offer to dress in your favorite character. The older couple who dressed as the Tin Man and Dorothy still brings a smile.

One of the goals when I came on board, was to get live theatre back to the stage. Dinner theatre shows, Carole, Love Letters, Drinking Habits and CLUE helped further that goal. Collaborations with Unknown Locals for an annual production, the summer play of Panida Playhouse Juniors, and the new Festival of the Bards come to mind. Inviting and celebrating playwrights, actors, and directors to come join.

Working with the city on the downtown project, historical design standards and the arts and culture plan made for great partnerships. Making a difficult memory of the loss of the bricks into a statement of what they supported “Community Supported ~ Mission Driven” in brass as you enter will be a long lasting tribute.

In the many months over the last year of COVID-19, I cut back to minimal paid hours to help the finances and to ensure we had enough revenue to sustain the hours it took Becky and Katherine to put in new software. That was an extensive process but enables the theater to track and report movies, inventory, patron loyalty cards, and donors. It was a tough time for many without regular paychecks but the hardest part for me was not the financial as much as it was knowing how much the community had always been able throughout history to save their pennies to escape to a show or a movie. This time of being separated from people was hard on everyone including the downtown merchants who rely on the traffic.

Members of the current board, minus the three that left, have met with members of the public and organizations and they have decided the Panida needs a new direction and a refresh. They have decided to assume the duties and have selected people for those roles. Several of you have reached out to us about what that is but we were not a part of those meetings or decisions.

Expanding the programming and being inclusive by asking questions and listening were the methods I chose to do my best for the Panida. The entire movie industry has evolved and there are certainly many challenges ahead. When I started the Sunday afternoon programming, Mimosa’s at the Movies, it ended up to typically be our best day of programming. I started it to help those see films that didn’t like to venture out in the cold or dark. Those patrons were always so enthusiastic and they had their favorite seats but they always shared their wisdom and their insights. Those and the many who attended all types of events, some we produced and some were rentals, but the sounds of their laughter, their applause and even a few tears will be what remain in my heart. A line in a movie we showed inspired me to say – ‘the Panida is the heart of the community and it’s up to all of us to keep it beating’. I am so very grateful to the people, the businesses and the industry for making that possible. Work is love and it truly was a privilege and an honor to have worked at the Panida for nearly seven years. My deepest sincere gratitude. Hats off to Becky Revak - Associate Director, Bill Lewis – Facility Manager, and a large group of volunteers that handled a calendar that was so full and run by such a small part-time staff. Our new addition of Katherine Deacon - House Manager who became an instant part of the crew. Elissa, Martin, and Doug for projecting and more and a host of boards and committee members along the way.

Patricia Walker is the former executive director of the Panida Theater.