Rachel Louchen reports from Great Barrington. The 20th anniversary celebration of the Triplex Cinema was as much a lesson in Great Barrington history as it was a party. On Thursday, Nov. 12, the town's one and only movie theater celebrated two decades with food and a special screening tracing the history of how the cinema came to be. It's hard to believe, but 20 years ago the Triplex and its surrounding area were not the bustling social hub we know today. Instead of restaurants and stores there were empty buildings and a lumber yard. But after a fire at the lumber yard, Triplex owner Richard Stanley wanted to make use of the desolate space and, after some consideration, decided to open a movie theater. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears for Stanley, and help from the community, many of whom spoke on Thursday night. Everyone involved, from the mortgage broker to members of the Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged what a special presence the Triplex is and how it revitalized the town by bringing in businesses and people, and becoming a destination for Great Barrington. Shown above, former president of the South Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Richard Brittain, president of Berkshire Housing Elton Ogden and Richard Stanley.
Great Barrington town manager Jennifer Tabakin with Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire executive director Tim Geller; Great Barrington selectman Bill Cooke and Annie Okerstrom-Lang.
Gun Stanley, wife of Richard, and Gayle Raser; Berkshire Bank's Louann Harvey and The Darrow School's director of advancement for annual fund and alumni relations Alexandra Heddinger who worked at the Triplex when it first opened.
Berkshire Meadow director Lisa Kelly, architect Craig Okerstrom-Lang and his wife, Annie.
Thornwood Innproprietor Terry Thorne with Barb Mulholand; Great Barrington selectman Ed Abrahams and Bill Cooke.
Richard Stanley cutting into the "20 Years of Great Films" cake; the crowd of supporters, patrons and film lovers.
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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
