The Peerless Center is 25!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Peerless Center, and a group of local citizens have formed a committee to promote the Peerless Center and raise funds for improvements. Penny Dockins, Cherrie Brown, Penny Bailey and Paula Strode, who is the executive director for the Peerless Center, are working in coordination with the current Board of Directors to schedule events for every month for the remainder of the year.

“Many people do not know what it took for us to have the Peerless Center; it took three committees and an advisory board over 12 years to see the project to completion. During that time at least 100 people worked to raise funds for an intergenerational recreation center and a movie theatre for our community. In the end, we raised $750,000 in the final six months from local donors and grants,” said Brown, one of the original board members of the Peerless Center. Now she is back at work helping the Peerless Center raise funds for building improvements. The plan is to raise “$25K for the 25th.” To accomplish this, special events are scheduled each month:

— August — “An Evening in Italy!” is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be a social hour with an open bar, followed by a four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Bob Brandt. Guests will then enjoy a 1950s movie based in Italy, “Three Coins in a Fountain,” and the evening will conclude with another social and an Italian wine bar. 

Guests will be introduced to the list of improvements needed at the Peerless. Those who donate a minimum of $500 will be included in a drawing for a five-night stay at The Grace Cabin in Centennial, Wyoming, which accommodates up to 14 people. All profits will go toward improvements for the Peerless.

— September — “Pennies for the Peerless” will provide participating businesses with a “popcorn box” that will be available for patrons to make donations. 

Additionally, the schools are showing their support as each classroom will compete through donations. The high school class that raises the most funds will have a party at the Peerless Center, which will include a movie, a small popcorn and drink. The elementary school class that raises the most funds will have an ice cream party at the school.

— October — CineMagic is an annual gala that is always an enjoyable event. The Peerless Center’s Board of Directors is planning this event. Although plans have not yet been finalized, it will be scheduled for the end of the month. More details will be provided at a later date.

— November — The Peerless Center will host an auction on a Saturday morning (date to be announced later). There are a number of items at the Peerless Center that are no longer needed or used. 

Additionally, if members of the community have any nice collectibles and antiques or furniture in good condition, these can be brought to the Peerless Center (at a later date) as a donation and will be included in the auction. There will be no clothing or broken items accepted for this auction. Again, all profits will go toward improvements for the Peerless Center.

Also, this is the month that the classrooms will have their parties for the most funds raised in September’s “Pennies for the Peerless.”

— December — The Peerless Center was reopened on Dec. 25, 1998, and the first movie shown was “The Prince of Egypt.” To commemorate this event, this movie will be shown again free of charge on Dec. 25.

Then, on Dec. 31, the Peerless will host a New Year’s Party. Times are still being determined, but there will be lots of great activities. This event will include a social hour, followed by a showing of “Titanic” (which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary). Champagne and sparkling drinks will be provided to guests as they watch the New Year’s ball drop on the big screen. Coffee and breakfast burritos will be served afterward. 

This event will be open to the first 120 people who make reservations after tickets go on sale.

To make reservations for “An Evening in Italy,” contact Cherrie Brown at 970-520-5320. The event is limited to the first 80 people who make a reservation.