About Us
Board of Directors
Current Board Members
Randy Paxson –President
Vicki Jackson– Secretary/Treasurer
Janet Moeller
Terri Kelley
Eric Dunstan
Andrew Underhill
Solomon Valley Cinema Manager
Amanda Schwerman
Histry
History of the Solomon Valley Cinema
The cinema began when community people wanted to build a theater in Beloit. The Mitchell County Foundation was formed so contributors could make a tax free donation and a board of five was appointed to head up the cinema project; Wayne Ronnebaum, Carol Tolbert, Sharon File, Guy Steier and John Cashatt. Errol and Deloris Schafer became the Fund Drive chair people and played a major role in getting the much needed funding set in place.
Most of the work on theatre was done by donated labor. Dick Wise of Wise Construction Co., Cawker City, erected the building with Steve File and John Cashatt doing the framing and the Vocational Technical College students doing much of the electrical work. Overall there were close to 200 volunteers who helped build the building with many Beloit businesses and people pledging time, money and materials. The initial cost of the building was $203,000. This was in addition to all of the volunteer hours and materials donated.
There came a point when the board decided that even though the financial goal had not been met, they needed to get the theater finished and the doors opened. They took out a $70,000 loan and showed the first movie in November of 1995. Even though there was skepticism about the longevity of the theater, it was a great thrill to pay off the note and have a mortgage shredding ceremony on the theater's fifth anniversary.
The theater was initially run by area volunteers and the board members. Two people a night were scheduled to run the projectors and sell tickets and concessions. As revenue increased, Kelly Peters was hired as manager and high school students were employed. Today, the cinema employees three adults and three high school students, with board members still donating one shift a month to the cinema. Randy Paxson, a long time president of the cinema board, is our “Mr. Fix It”, performing all the maintenance and repairs on the projectors and the building.
Over the years, the cinema has made various improvements. The Mono-sound system was upgraded to Surround sound and then to the Digital Sound System that is in place today. A supply room and office have been added on to the building. Sidewalks were put around the building and the parking lot was redone. In 2008, new carpet, updated lighting, and a remodeled lobby were completed. In 2009, the cinema will have in place a new projection system which will allow films to be played digitally instead of from 35mm reels. This will dramatically improve the quality of the picture. It will also have the ability to show movies in 3D.
It's with great pride that through the years the cinema has contributed some of its excess revenue to the Mitchell County Foundation, which awards the money to other worthy causes needing funding. It's also a source of pride that there has been very little price increases. In fact, one time prices on some concessions were even lowered. Original ticket prices were $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. Today, after 15 years, an adult ticket is still only $6.00 and a child’s ticket is only $5.00. The cinema makes every effort possible to keep overhead and costs down so attending a movie can be affordable for everyone.
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (PG)Fri. & Sat.: 7:00Sun.: 2:00 & 7:00Tues.-Thurs.: 7:00Running Time: 1 hr 40 minsThe Best Christmas Pageant EverRunning Time: 1 hr 40 mins
The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully…and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.
Genre: Family, DramaDirector: Dallas JenkinsCast: Judy Greer, Lauren Graham - Venom: The Last Dance (PG-13)Fri. & Sat.: 7:30Sun.: 2:30 & 7:30Tues.-Thurs.: 7:30Running Time: 1 hr 55 minsVenom: The Last DanceRunning Time: 1 hr 55 mins
In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance.
Genre: Action, Sci-FiDirector: Kelly MarcelCast: Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Alanna Ubach