Lakesiders are worried about the Old Town Hall/Theater (built in 1911). It has been sitting empty for several years . . . "What's to become of it?" they fret. The old building is still up for sale, the asking price is $600,000.
  The former owner, Fay Emerling, passed away a few years ago and the executor of her estate has been working with MARA (Maine Avenue Revitalization Association) and a realtor to find a new owner who will lovingly restore it, or at least not tear it down! MARA has their office in the old theater and has had work parties to haul out unused junk. They were hoping that other theater groups would be able to use old costumes and stage props that are not longer in use. They are trying to take care of the building and keep the homeless from breaking-in.
  MARA had planned to get the Lakeside Play House up and running right away with plays, musical events and other community theater venues. They even hosted a couple of fund raisers for the benefit of the theater. MARA is attempting to work with the Broadway Players to breathe new life into the historic theater.
  Lakeside Fire Marshall, Greg Shriner, took a serious look at the place and declared that there needed to be major electrical and other upgrades done before the public would be allowed inside. MARA set about applying for historical and cultural grants, hoping to purchase the building and perhaps someday, with the help of the community, reopen the theater. Unfortunately, they couldn't come up with matching funds.
  Some business men have expressed and interest in the building to use as a warehouse and a place to park their work trucks. MARA would rather have a theater come back to life for the community to enjoy. For a while a doctor was interested in purchasing both the theater and former Montessori building for a "Wellness Center," that idea has gone away too.
  A few months ago the Lamplighters Theater Troop from La Mesa lost their long time theater and was eying the Lakeside Theater/Playhouse as a possibility of moving there. Unfortunately they found the same problem, lack of funds. They said they would even be willing to take a long term lease and restore it along the way. MARA offered to give them a hand and some members of the community have offered to help too.
  If you remember back to the 1980s when the fledgling Lakeside Historical Society decided to take on a huge, almost impossible task -- to rent the Olde Community Church for $300 a month while spending their own time and money to fix it up and restore it. Much later they were able to purchase it from the Presbyterian Church for a whopping $150,000! At first they wondered if they would ever be able to pay back the loan, but after a few short years of working hard at fundraisers they paid off the mortgage. That is exactly the kind of people needed, ones with vision and tenacity to restore the Lakeside Old Town Hall/ Theater.

  The Woman's Club of Lakeside purchased land so a community building could be built in Lakeside. Town folks donated money toward the project and the building was finished in 1911. Mr. Fedders built it of poured concrete after he finished building the "Second School" on Channel Road using the same poured concrete method -- it was a new building concept in those days. The walls are think and sturdy.
  The Town Hall was used for community meetings, dinners and dances and even silent movies. In the 1940's the Kersave family turned it into a movie house. The whole family worked at running the business. It continued to operate until the mid 1980s. After Mr. and Mrs. Emerling tried their hand at running the little theater but poor health forced them to retire and the building fell into lean times. For a while it was a black ministry, then a jazz theater, and finally in it became a thrift store.
  In 1997 MARA restored the facade, rebuilt the falling down marquee, repainted the front and re-glazed the windows with the hopes that something good would. Their prayers were answered, along came Octad One Productions Theater Company who had been having their theater group in College Grove Shopping Center for the past 20 years. They revamped the interior with new stage, seating, sound and lighting. They poured their hearts and dollars into the theater. Wayne Erreca, the director, and his troop produced many fine live shows there for seven years. Wayne later took a fall off a ladder and was unable continue his work . . . the theater closed its doors.
  MARA entered the picture to try a hand at saving the Old Town HaIl/Theater/Playhouse. To continue, they will be needing help from our community in the near future. To find out how you can help, call Betty McMillen at (619) 443-1133.