Odd Fellows Hall - Revision history

MWanner: Text replacement - "Broadway" to "Broadway"

2026-07-14T12:14:59Z

Text replacement - "Broadway" to "Broadway"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:14, 14 July 2026
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	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.

	The Odd Fellows are listed at 70 [[~~Broadway\|~~Broadway]], the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]], in several advertisements from the 1970s.		The Odd Fellows are listed at 70 [[Broadway]], the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]], in several advertisements from the 1970s.
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MWanner: links

2026-04-12T12:55:35Z

links

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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 \|401x401px]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]		[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]
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	'''"How Light the Load"'''		'''"How Light the Load"'''

	Unscheduled Comedy Saranac Lake's [[Summer Theater\|Summer Theater]] is truly a community project as was proved yesterday when several able bodied men were recruited by [[Marta Byer\|Marta Byer]] and [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] to unload the chairs for the theatre's opening performance on July 3.		Unscheduled Comedy Saranac Lake's [[Saranac Lake Summer Theater\|Summer Theater]] is truly a community project as was proved yesterday when several able bodied men were recruited by [[Marta Byer\|Marta Byer]] and [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] to unload the chairs for the theatre's opening performance on July 3.

	Another fine effort was recorded in the theatre's behalf when tile Saranac Lake Fire Department places the advertising banner across Main Street. Miss Byer likes all this attention and the fact that the police channeled traffic during the sign raising made her doubly ecstatic about the cooperative community.		Another fine effort was recorded in the theatre's behalf when tile Saranac Lake Fire Department places the advertising banner across Main Street. Miss Byer likes all this attention and the fact that the police channeled traffic during the sign raising made her doubly ecstatic about the cooperative community.

MWanner: Text replacement - "Church Street" to "Church Street"

2026-03-18T14:08:27Z

Text replacement - "Church Street" to "Church Street"

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:08, 18 March 2026
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	[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]		[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[~~Church Street\|~~Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.

MWanner: Text replacement - "Hotel Saranac" to "Hotel Saranac"

2026-01-14T15:08:00Z

Text replacement - "Hotel Saranac" to "Hotel Saranac"

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 14 January 2026
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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[~~Hotel Saranac\|~~Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]		[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[~~Hotel Saranac\|~~Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[~~Hotel Saranac\|~~Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.
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	'''Saranac Lake theatre thrived in '50s and '60s'''		'''Saranac Lake theatre thrived in '50s and '60s'''

	. . . in the late '50s and early '60s, Saranac Lake enjoyed its very own in-town professional summer stock theatre. First owned and operated by Broadway producer [[Dorothy Olim\|Dorothy Olim]], the company boasted professional actors, staff and crew hired from New York City. These presented years of first-rate seasonal theatre in the old Odd Fellows Temple next to the [[~~Hotel Saranac\|~~Hotel Saranac]].		. . . in the late '50s and early '60s, Saranac Lake enjoyed its very own in-town professional summer stock theatre. First owned and operated by Broadway producer [[Dorothy Olim\|Dorothy Olim]], the company boasted professional actors, staff and crew hired from New York City. These presented years of first-rate seasonal theatre in the old Odd Fellows Temple next to the [[Hotel Saranac]].

	In 1960 the theatre was sold to [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]]. She refurbished the building and the theatre's program, transforming and expanding our Summer Theatre with an ambitious program that weekly alternated legit plays with alternate musicals -- many fresh from Broadway stages and newly licensed.		In 1960 the theatre was sold to [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]]. She refurbished the building and the theatre's program, transforming and expanding our Summer Theatre with an ambitious program that weekly alternated legit plays with alternate musicals -- many fresh from Broadway stages and newly licensed.
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	'''Surprise Responsibilities'''		'''Surprise Responsibilities'''

	[[File:Oddfellows2.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|TB Nurse [[Alberta Kenny Bodah\|Alberta Kenny Bodah]] with Odd Fellows Hall and [[St. Luke's Church\|St. Luke's Church]] visible at left, late 1930s/early 1940s. Photo property of Dan Bodah. ]]The first theatrical enterprise Ms. Frank undertook was the Saranac Lake summer theater next to the [[~~Hotel Saranac\|~~Hotel Saranac]] which she bought in 1961 with [[Marta Byer\|Marta Byer]] and [[Kenny Prohaska\|Kenny Prohaska]]. Prohaska, a building contractor who has since died, was the silent partner; Marta Byer was supposed to be the business manager; and Joan Frank was supposed to act and produce the shows.[[File:Oddfellows1.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Unknown woman outside Odd Fellows Hall, late 1930s/early 1940s. Photo property of Dan Bodah. ]]		[[File:Oddfellows2.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|TB Nurse [[Alberta Kenny Bodah\|Alberta Kenny Bodah]] with Odd Fellows Hall and [[St. Luke's Church\|St. Luke's Church]] visible at left, late 1930s/early 1940s. Photo property of Dan Bodah. ]]The first theatrical enterprise Ms. Frank undertook was the Saranac Lake summer theater next to the [[Hotel Saranac]] which she bought in 1961 with [[Marta Byer\|Marta Byer]] and [[Kenny Prohaska\|Kenny Prohaska]]. Prohaska, a building contractor who has since died, was the silent partner; Marta Byer was supposed to be the business manager; and Joan Frank was supposed to act and produce the shows.[[File:Oddfellows1.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Unknown woman outside Odd Fellows Hall, late 1930s/early 1940s. Photo property of Dan Bodah. ]]

	While Prohaska kept up his end of the financial arrangement it became obvious, and she admitted, that Ms. Byer had no expertise whatsoever for business details and the entire burden of running the theater fell on the shoulders of Joan Frank. After a weekend crash-course in management from the former owner of the theater, Ms. Frank took over the business end of the partnership and ran everything for three years virtually by herself.		While Prohaska kept up his end of the financial arrangement it became obvious, and she admitted, that Ms. Byer had no expertise whatsoever for business details and the entire burden of running the theater fell on the shoulders of Joan Frank. After a weekend crash-course in management from the former owner of the theater, Ms. Frank took over the business end of the partnership and ran everything for three years virtually by herself.

MWanner: Text replacement - "Winchester MacDowell" to "Winchester MacDowell"

2026-01-08T21:43:26Z

Text replacement - "Winchester MacDowell" to "Winchester MacDowell"

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	Play to Capacity Houses at Both Performances		Play to Capacity Houses at Both Performances

	Declared to be one of the finest program of its kind ever presented in Saranac Lake, the Odd Fellows minstrel show, staged by the local lodge, played to capacity audiences at both performances of it fourth annual fun revue given in the town hall last Wednesday and Thursday. [[Victor Jordan\|Victor Jordan]], [[~~Winchester MacDowell\|~~Winchester MacDowell]], [[Rov Lobdell\|Rov Lobdell]] and [[Jack Walker\|Jack Walker]] as end men captivated the audience with their sparkling humor, against a foil of [[Percy E. Miller\|Percy E. Miller]] as interlocutor.		Declared to be one of the finest program of its kind ever presented in Saranac Lake, the Odd Fellows minstrel show, staged by the local lodge, played to capacity audiences at both performances of it fourth annual fun revue given in the town hall last Wednesday and Thursday. [[Victor Jordan\|Victor Jordan]], [[Winchester MacDowell]], [[Rov Lobdell\|Rov Lobdell]] and [[Jack Walker\|Jack Walker]] as end men captivated the audience with their sparkling humor, against a foil of [[Percy E. Miller\|Percy E. Miller]] as interlocutor.

	Mr. MacDowell, with his clever presentation of the well known song, "It Ain't Goin' to Rain No Mo'," in which numerous verses were travesties on local subjects and characters, scored one of the hits of the evening, and the enthusiastic audience called for repeated encores. He also featured with his chalk talk in the second part of the program, this unique form or entertainment being well received.		Mr. MacDowell, with his clever presentation of the well known song, "It Ain't Goin' to Rain No Mo'," in which numerous verses were travesties on local subjects and characters, scored one of the hits of the evening, and the enthusiastic audience called for repeated encores. He also featured with his chalk talk in the second part of the program, this unique form or entertainment being well received.

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2025-12-31T18:02:50Z

Text replacement - "''''" to ""

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	'''SUMMER THEATER FIFTH YEAR'''		'''SUMMER THEATER FIFTH YEAR'''

	'''Stock Group at Saranac Lake to spend a few months In reality Produce ‘In the Round.~~''''~~		'''Stock Group at Saranac Lake to spend a few months In reality Produce ‘In the Round.

	By Edith Gelles		By Edith Gelles

MWanner: Text replacement - "Adirondack Daily Enterprise" to "Adirondack Daily Enterprise"

2025-12-30T15:01:41Z

Text replacement - "Adirondack Daily Enterprise" to "Adirondack Daily Enterprise"

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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]		[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.
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	''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 15, 1926		''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', November 15, 1926

	'''Odd Fellows Dance'''		'''Odd Fellows Dance'''
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	''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 15, 1961		''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 15, 1961

	'''"How Light the Load"'''		'''"How Light the Load"'''
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	''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 8, 1976		''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', July 8, 1976

	'''Joan Frank, Tri-Lakes Pied Piper of the arts'''		'''Joan Frank, Tri-Lakes Pied Piper of the arts'''
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	'''Source'''		'''Source'''
	* ''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003		* ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003


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	===Footnotes===		===Footnotes===

	1. ''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', January 6, 1996		1. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', January 6, 1996

MWanner: Text replacement - "]] File" to " [[File"

2025-12-25T14:59:34Z

Text replacement - "]] File" to " [[File"

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 25 December 2025
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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]

			[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

			[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.

MWanner: Text replacement - "## Comments" to "===Comments==="

2025-12-23T19:03:44Z

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	## Comments		===Comments===

	===Footnotes===		===Footnotes===

	1. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', January 6, 1996		1. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', January 6, 1996

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2025-12-23T18:20:28Z

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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of ~~the <span style="">Independent~~ Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.
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	. . . in the late '50s and early '60s, Saranac Lake enjoyed its very own in-town professional summer stock theatre. First owned and operated by Broadway producer [[Dorothy Olim\|Dorothy Olim]], the company boasted professional actors, staff and crew hired from New York City. These presented years of first-rate seasonal theatre in the old Odd Fellows Temple next to the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]].		. . . in the late '50s and early '60s, Saranac Lake enjoyed its very own in-town professional summer stock theatre. First owned and operated by Broadway producer [[Dorothy Olim\|Dorothy Olim]], the company boasted professional actors, staff and crew hired from New York City. These presented years of first-rate seasonal theatre in the old Odd Fellows Temple next to the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]].

	In 1960 the theatre was sold to [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]]. She refurbished the building and ~~the <span style="">theatre~~'s program, transforming and expanding our Summer ~~T<span style="">heatre~~ with an ambitious program that weekly alternated legit plays with alternate musicals -- many fresh from Broadway stages and newly licensed.		In 1960 the theatre was sold to [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]]. She refurbished the building and the theatre's program, transforming and expanding our Summer Theatre with an ambitious program that weekly alternated legit plays with alternate musicals -- many fresh from Broadway stages and newly licensed.

	During my childhood years in town, I participated in local community theatre productions, but I was actually living in New York City when I auditioned and won the role of Helen Keller in the Joan Frank's stock production of "The Miracle Worker." Hired out of the city, I then returned to live and work summers in Saranac Lake with Joan's theatre.		During my childhood years in town, I participated in local community theatre productions, but I was actually living in New York City when I auditioned and won the role of Helen Keller in the Joan Frank's stock production of "The Miracle Worker." Hired out of the city, I then returned to live and work summers in Saranac Lake with Joan's theatre.

	In Saranac Lake the line between professional theatre and ~~community <span style="">theatre~~ seemed often blurred. Local professional residents often worked in community theatre, and members of the community were sometimes drafted to fill in as needed at ~~the <span style="">Summer T<span style="">heatre~~ . Our Joan Frank went on to found the Lake Placid Playhouse and North Country Center for the Arts, but later returned ~~to <span style="">Saranac~~ Lake, creating community theatre productions of Broadway shows with local children performing all the roles, inspiring new generations with the magic of theatre.		In Saranac Lake the line between professional theatre and community theatre seemed often blurred. Local professional residents often worked in community theatre, and members of the community were sometimes drafted to fill in as needed at the Summer Theatre . Our Joan Frank went on to found the Lake Placid Playhouse and North Country Center for the Arts, but later returned to Saranac Lake, creating community theatre productions of Broadway shows with local children performing all the roles, inspiring new generations with the magic of theatre.

	Bibbe Hansen<br>Hudson		Bibbe Hansen<br>Hudson

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	[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]		[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

	[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[~~Church Street\|~~Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 25 December 2025
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	[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]] [[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.		[[File:Odd Fellows Hall.jpg\|right\|thumb\|\|The future Odd Fellows Hall. The [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] is under construction, at right. (1926) ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', October 25, 2003 ]]

			[[File:Summer Theater ad.jpg\|left\|thumb\|\|Summer Theater at the Odd Fellows ad ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', August 20, 1957 ]]

			[[File:Summer Theater ad2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', June 20, 1961 ]] Located just east of the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] on what is now a parking garage for the hotel; it is shown as 99 Main Street on the 1924 and 1945 [[Sanborn Maps\|Sanborn Maps]], that show the [[Hotel Saranac\|Hotel Saranac]] at 95 Main Street (now 100 Main). The building was built as [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]; when they built their new church in 1925 on [[Church Street\|Church Street]], their first church building was sold to the local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) for $35,000.

	Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.		Later, the Odd Fellows moved to the [[Masonic Temple\|Masonic Temple]]. In 1961, the building was bought by [[Joan Frank\|Joan Frank]] and used as a summer theater until 1963, when she moved her troupe to Lake Placid. The building had seen earlier theatrical use, dating to June, 1952). <sup>1</sup>.