The bench pictured in the photo was designed and made by area blacksmith, Glen Bryant. The beam that forms the bench is made from a beam that was salvaged during the 2016 restoration of The Historic Masonic Theatre. The legs of the bench were forged on Glen Bryant's forge. An estimate of the age of wood used in the bench is 200 years or more. Three coins are embedded in the finish of the bench--one is 1905, the year the Theatre was built; one is 2016, the year the Theatre was restored and one is 2018, the year the bench was made. The bench has been donated to the Theatre for the Heart of the Community Silent Auction. Bidding begins November 2. photo courtesy of Chuck Almarez, Fire & Light Gallery.

Heart of the Community Silent Auction at The Historic Masonic Theatre   Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 29, 2018) - Fifty generous donors from the Alleghany Highlands have contributed a variety of items for The Historic Masonic Theatre’s Heart of the Community Silent Auction. Donors include artists, businesses and individuals and all proceeds go toward the support of The Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre. The Heart of the Community Campaign showcases the Theatre and Amphitheatre as the Community Center that was part of the vision for renovation. Over 225,000 people have passed through the two structures in the two years that the Theatre was renovated. On July 1, 2016, the 1905 Historic Masonic Theatre reopened after a 6.9 million dollar renovation. Since that time the Theatre and Amphitheatre have been used continually as community gathering places for family, business and community events in addition to providing state-of-the-art stages for plays, musical events and entertainment programs. For viewing and bidding, The Heart of the Community Silent Auction hours are: Friday, November 2, 6:00 to 7:00, Before Dirty Dancing, 9:00 to 10:00 after movie Saturday, November 3, 6:00 to 7:30, Country Music Hall of Fame Intermission, 9:30 to 10:30 after the show Tuesday, November 6, 10:00 to 3:00 pm, 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 7, 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, November 8, 10:00 to 3:00 pm, 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, November 9, VIP Reception, 6:00 to 7:20, Intermission during Frankie Valli Tribute Auction and Bidding end after “December ’63 Jersey Boys Tribute” Intermission, 9:00 pm. If not attending VIP Reception, you may call 540-691-6618 to bid by phone. Auction items include experiential items - lodging locations, Theatre events, in addition to jewelry, hand-made quilted items, Theatre collectables such as a Chuck Almarez framed photo of The Historic Masonic Theatre, a bench made with a beam from the Theatre created and donated by blacksmith, Glen Bryant; hand-turned vases and wine stoppers from woodworker, Troy Cottrell; porcelain and decorative items for the home, a Fender guitar donated by Maurice Ulmer; Virginia Tech/Miami tickets and much, much more. The items represent a variety of price point values. A list of auction items may be obtained from The Historic Masonic Theatre Box Office, 510 Main Street, Clifton Forge. The Box Office is open from 10:00 to 3:00 on week days. The Heart of the Community weekend also includes the Heart of the Community VIP Reception on Friday, November 9 from 6:00pm to 7:20pm, the “December 63: A Tribute to the Original Jersey Boys” show on Friday, November 9, 7:30pm, and the John Hillert Soup-er Sunday event at the Masonic Amphitheatre on Sunday, November 11 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm sponsored by the Soup-Sunday Committee. Tickets for the Heart of the Community VIP Reception and the “December 63: A Tribute to the Original Jersey Boys” show may be purchased online at www.historicmasonictheatre.com or by calling the Theatre Box Office at 540 862 5655. For more information about The Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre, please visit the Theatre website and/or Facebook page.

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