The Community Came Out For The Stissing Center's Grand Opening Surprise Party
The opening of The Stissing Center marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Pine Plains, New York.
Theyer Durell, Stissing Center Executive Director Brian Keeler, and Peg Keeler
The creation of The Stissing Center in what was the long-abandoned former Pine Plains Memorial Hall is a genuinely heartwarming example of the passion and community spirit present in this little out-of-the-way town. While construction is far from complete, that didn't stop roughly 500 people from getting their first look at how the renovations of the central performance hall are coming along at the Center's first public event — a grand opening surprise party on Saturday, Aug. 31. Design details — built-in raw wood benches lining the central floor space and a grand tin ceiling with its original patina — tie the hall to the building's past while making it accessible as a modern and respectable venue for events like an upcoming fundraiser with Wynton Marsalis. Executive Director Brian Keeler held back tears as he thanked everyone involved in the long process that started when Pines Plains native Jack Banning called him four years ago. Banning told him he'd just bought the crumbling building in the center of town and needed some help. Now, quicker than many would have believed, the building is back as a cornerstone of this small proud town.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
