Kirby speaks to Kiwanis

The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday night, November 19, at the Rustic Grille at 7 p.m. With President Paul Cerpovicz presiding, they had 9 in attendance including guests, Melisa Kirby and Joelle Romanchik-Cerpovicz. Cheryl Goodman won the cookies and cream cake donated by Cheryl Goodman and gifted it to Melissa Kirby. The program for the evening was hosted by Dess Smith. Substituting for Dess, Deana Patrick introduced Melissa Kirby, Swainsboro Downtown Development Director. Melissa presented a program about the proposed Barbara and Tobe Karrh Community Arts Center, who oversees the renovation of the historic Dixie Theater as it becomes the Karrh Center Theater, centerpiece of the Karrh Community Arts Center on Green Street. The completed Center will include a gathering plaza in front of the building, offices for the Emanuel Arts Council, an art gallery, and community meeting spaces. The City of Swainsboro was awarded a Cultural Facilities Grant for fiscal year 2025 from the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in supporting arts and culture. The Cultural Facilities Grant supports the acquisition, construction, restoration, or renovation of buildings and space to be used for arts programming. The Dixie Theater was built in 1934 by W.M. Karrh. His grandsons, Bill and Jim, donated the former theatre to the City of Swainsboro for redevelopment into a Community Arts Center in 2014. In 2017, the renovation of the Dixie Theater began with renovations of the building and construction of the façade. The building stills needs a marquee outside and seating needs to be installed, and the 241 seat Karrh Center Theater is aiming for a Summer 2025 opening.

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