RIALTO PHOTOS (CURRENT) (Click on pictures for larger image) NOTE:  Older photos can be viewed by clicking here:  OLDER PHOTOS

Thank you for joining us on this visual journey of reconstructing our beloved Rialto Theater!  (The more current pictures are at the top so if you want to start at the beginning you'll have to go to the bottom!)   

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW, then right-click and click "back" to return to this page.

May 6, 2010

The change drive conducted by the kids in SD #1 concluded today with the counting of the coins at Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan.  Representatives from O.D. Speer & Granville Stuart were present together with teachers, Kathy Thompson & Michelle Horne and Principal Rick Ashworth  as well as Gayle Mizner, from the Rialto Board & Louie Mullen from the Silver State Post.  Much to the delight and surprise of all present the final figure raised in one month by the kids was $1928.00!!!   PFS&L had agreed to match up to $1200. but Mike Richards announced that they would add  $1500 instead!   THANKS ONE & ALL who helped make this another successful event  for us!   Kathy Thompson's class raised the most coming in at over $500.   WOW!!   Pictures of the day follow:

School kids arriving for the big day of counting their change raised over the past month of April, 2010.

Representatives of O.D. Speer & Granville Stuart schools at PFS&L, with teachers, Kathy Thompson, Michelle Horne & Prin. Rick Ashworth.

Kathy Thompson & Mike Richards getting ready for the count!

Mike asking for volunteers to help with the can of coins to be counted.

First can of money about to go in the machine for counting.

Group watching as money is counted.

Student in Kathy Thompson's class showing the chart that the class has drawn showing their progress.

Mike & his helpers handing out a goodie package for the kids that were there.

Mike Richards announcing that PFS&L will add $1500 to the amount raised by the kids. THANK YOU MIKE!!

 

April 25,2010

Pictures of the 3rd 5-course Dinner/Auction held on April 17, 2010.  225 lucky supporters were treated to a wonderful dinner and fun time at the auction that followed!   Final figures are not yet in but it appears that we have done at least as good as the past 2 years, with around $50,000 being netted from the event.  THANKS TO ALL that worked so hard to make it another success for our Rialto!

Jan Bender bringing lunch to the kitchen crew on Sat. L-R: Jan, Hal Loomis, Rich Sewell, Chef Becky Blakely, Ed Scharf & Micky Blakely.

Some of silent auction items.

Silent auction items.

Silent auction items.

Silent auction items.

And more silent auction items! We had lots of great items this year....thus a good return!

Kirk Sandquist, auction head, visiting with Beau & Amber Brown, who were such a handsome couple! Tux & formal to make the evening even more special!

John Beck, Dan Harris, & their wives, Martel Const. super & assistant! (We miss you guys!)

Lookers at silent auction...

Jim Lane, Joyce Scharf, Gloria & Jack Andersen, before dinner.

Ada Lee trying out the electric scooter.

Elk members, Dave Austin & Jerry Johnson, looking good! AND served the wine for the dinner! They were very popular!

Martel Const. table, Devin Wille, our project head, Cindy & John Beck.

Raffle lady, Joan Sewell and her assistant (sorry, forgot his name)....good job guys!

Front desk checking in ticket holders.

Keeping tabs on EVERYTHING, Jan Bender, with Mickey Blakely, seated & her husband Gerald.

Ron Scharf visiting with Fr. Bob Porter, who gave a wonderful blessing before we ate.

Front desk ladies, Carol Mjelde, Elizabeth Cozby & Helen Hanifen.

The line of many young people who volunteered to serve the dinner....FFA, Honor Society, IC Youth Group & other young people. They did OUTSTANDING!!

Our servers making sure our every needs were met, directed by Maggie Hunter!

Steve had just announced our stimulus grant of $161,000. to everyone's applause. Our State Rep. Cindy Hiner, right, had a huge hand in that!

Some of the crowd.

Steve Owens giving everyone an update of our progress.

Trying to get a shot of the dessert plate, which most everyone had to take home cause we were so full!

Jan Bender, giving the thanks to all involved. She forgot to mention that this whole event could not happen without her involvement. She does it al!l

Jim Lane & Jim Lee starting the evening with a hilarious bit on a take off of "whose on 1st", etc. Us oldster remember that!

Helen Kellicut, the happy winner of the 1st live auction item.

Kirk Sandquist, demonstrating the electric scooter.

Marlene Olmstead showing off a darling cub bronze.

Amber Brown & Brooke Johnson, clerks at the auction...did a great job! (I think Beau can't keep his eyes off his lovely wife)

Sherm Anderson, Rick Hirsch & Sandy Porter. Rick & Sandy have put in many hours in the reconstruction work.

Jim & DeeDee Lane, taking a much deserved rest after the auction is finished. They do such a good job. Thanks both of you!

And away goes the winner of the electric scooter, Ed McCarthy.

 

April 10, 2010

Our painters, Dave Jette and Mike Grieshaber are keeping busy and have now done most of the ceiling work in the lobby, stairs and halls in the balcony.  More pictures will be posted as they continue the other colors.

Dave Jette, painter, in lobby area looking south.

Dave Grieshaber, doing the cutting work to start the wall painting.

Upstairs hall with ceiling painted. Side walls will have 2 different colors, with wood chair rail.

Dave G., Kirk Sandquist, Dave J. and Ron Mjelde, discussing colors of paint.

 

March 23, 2010

Another volunteer night and I actually got pictures of it!   We are currently in the process of picking out colors for the painters.  Dave Jette and Mike Grieshaber, both local painters are working hard to get the main auditorium painted.

Jimmer Lee, John Skibsrud & Sandy Porter in process of shortening light bar to make room for a wall on the side of the stage.

Sandy and Jimmer finishing the cut...

Louie Mullen, Tom Christnacht, Cal Thompson doing sheet rock in the stage entrance area on the south.

Ed McCarthy & Jack Andersen cutting sheetrock.

Mike Richard & Ed McCarthy delivering the sheetrock.

Another of the student helpers, Nick Moorman waiting to put the sheetrock on the wall with help from Ed McCarthy.

Tom Rachie helping with the measuring and cutting of the sheet rock.

Jim Decker and Cal Thompson, another student, whose been at almost every work night....and does a fine job as well!

Entire group trying to look like they're all doing something!

Documentation that Tom has returned a tool to Sandy...with Ron Mjelde as witness!

Dave Jette and Mike Grieshaber, both painters from Deer Lodge...not painting but have been!

Primer finished in lobby area.

You can see where it's been painted, for now...before the decorative features go up.

 

March 13, 2010

Painting has started in the auditorium but I don't have the pictures yet....will try to post them next week.  Meanwhile, the Board of Directors had their monthly meeting at the theater this week so we could get an on-site report and we are very happy with the progress made with so little money! 

Board members in lobby area at monthly meeting...L-R: Susie B., Kirk S., Lee J., Ron M. (behind Lee), Ed M. & Kathy T.

Ron M. gives board members an update in the balcony.

From stage, new wall, with stairs to the catwalk above.

Ron and others up in the ceiling area on the catwalk above stage. Pictures taken from stage!

Members coming down from catwalk.

Taper finishing tape work in balcony.

 

March 5, 2010

In-floor heating is now complete!  A volunteer group of 7 men helped Neil Owens pour the Therma-Floor for the radiant heat system on Thursday,  Feb. 25th.  Photos show all the tubing before the pour and then the finished product.  I wasn't there the day of the pour so will try to get those photos to post.  Painters should be able to start their work this coming week.  They will be priming  the auditorium, lobby, & entrance areas to prepare for the final painting.  Volunteers will be used to paint  other areas of the building.  A nice article with pictures was in the Silver State Post this past week. 

Larry Hart helping to staple down the tubing for the heating system, in entrance area.

Neil Owens praying it works in the end!

Tubing in place in lobby area, concession stand to the left, projection booth to the right.

Even floor heat in the ladies room.

Other side of ladies room...

And in the men's room too!

Other side of men's room.

Neil in concession area.

After the pour....entrance area from lobby,

Lobby area from front entrance door...projection booth to right.

Spot waiting to ticket booth!

Taping just about done in the balcony.

   

February 22, 2010

Another volunteer night and more pictures to show the progress.  Neil Owens will be putting in the in-floor heating in the entry and lobby area this week and we'll have pictures to show that work.  Sheetrock is mostly done and the taping should be done by early next week. 

View of the finished columns...these will have the decorative finishes eventually.

Ron Mjelde coming down from the rafters above the stage.

Volunteers on this night....Jimmer & Ada Lee, Sandy Porter (his back), Ron Mjelde, Lewis Smith & Kathy Thompson, Rialto board member, on the stage.

Volunteers inspecting some of the work done tonight.

Only part yet to be sheetrocked...right in front of the stage.

Neil Owens and Paul Thompson cleaning up the concession, lobby & entrance area getting ready for the in-floor heating this week.

View as you first enter the auditorium on the south side. Better view of the columns...ready for their decorations!

 

February 15, 2010

More pictures of the finishing of sheetrock and taping in the auditorium.  It looks like we'll be finished with the taping by the middle of next week and might then be able to start the painting process.  The heating in the floor in the lobby area will also be going in soon.  Now if we can just get enough money to get the boilers and seats we'll be in great shape!

View to the balcony showing sheetrock done and taping going along.

Other side of balcony from auditorium.

View towards projector booth...sheetrock finished.

Looking toward exit on south side wall.

Up the first set of stairs going to exit or stage.

Up second set of stairs towards exit on the left or turn right to the stage.

North side wall.

Balcony from auditorium

South side wall...finished all the way to the ceiling.

 

 

February 8, 2010

Just a few pictures of more work in the front by the stage.  Also the sheetrock under the balcony is just about done.  I didn't get down for volunteer night so will do that next week.

Both side walls mostly completed and framing around the stage being completed. Looking to stage from auditorium.

Sheetrock done under balcony, facing north of auditorium.

Sheetrocking done under the balcony, facing the south of the auditorium.

Stairs leading up from auditorium to stage on north side.

 

February 2, 2010

Work continues.  We might not have all the money we need yet, but we do continue to have volunteers with huge hearts that are doing what they can to help us along!  Another 2 work nights....I missed one but have pictures from the latest one, on February 1, 2010.  Both side walls at the front of the auditorium have now been sheet rocked and are now waiting for the taping to be done. 

Volunteers have finished the sheet rock on south west side wall. The door will be an Exit and access to the stage area.

A fine job done on the curved ceiling in the balcony hall.

The stairs are in place and the electrical outlets in place for the aisles.

There's more than one way to get that extra sheet rock down from the balcony....ladders & ropes work just fine!

This is the whole group this night...new faces each week. Tom Rachie has been on hand recently in addition to our regulars.

Okay, this group does the cutting of the sheet rock....or at least one of them... others making sure it's done right...

...taking it to the lift crew to be put onto the lift....

....and up it starts....

One piece at a time....up it goes..

..and finally the final piece in place. The little bit at the top will be finished later.

 

January 20, 2010

Volunteers again descended on the Rialto for another work night.  They were mostly in the balcony setting the steps and cleaning up.  Our local contractors, Neil Owens & Sandy Porter have also been on hand to volunteer their help.  Cal Warrington and his crew were on hand today to finish the foam insulation on the south wall where the large opening was.  We also had Louie Mullen, the editor of The Silver State Post, helping out  tonight.  I think he was there to take some photos but it didn't take long before he was working with the rest of the crew.  Our youth was also represented tonight....Cal Thompson, Tyson Dippold, Lucas Finlay and K.C. Smith all lent their help to move us one step closer in this project.  It's hard to express how much these volunteers mean to all of us involved in trying to finish this restoration work!  THANK YOU ONE & ALL!!

Jim Decker, Paul Thompson & K.C. Smith working on the stairs in the balcony.

Mike Richards & Lewis Smith did the cutting for the steps. Mike even has a blister to show for it, he said.

Cal Thompson, Lucas Finlay & Tyson Dippold, PCHS students, waiting for work orders. Thanks guys!

Find some work for them before they leave! At least they'll eat the brownies!

Tom Christnacht, Louie Mullen & Sandy Porter figuring out next project.

Steps will soon be in place.

Our high school young men moving sheets of plywood.

I think that's Cal Thompson behind that sheet.

Tyson & Lucas moving the sheets of plywood.

Whole group taking a break in balcony.

Neil Owens & K.C. Smith working on the stairs. We'll take volunteers of any age!

The Clean-up Crew..Louie Mullen, editor, The Silver State Post, multi-tasking...manning the broom & ..? with Mike Richards using the vacumn.

Cal Warrington and his crew finished the insulation on the south wall opening. That big garage door is now gone!

The bunch doing clean up work in the balcony.

And we're not without a little horseplay during our volunteer nights! L-R: Neil Owens, Paul Thompson!

 

January 18, 2010

More work being done on the south side wall.  Closing the huge opening there!  It looks like the north side wall is almost completed and ready for the sheet rock. 

Outside of building on south side where entrance was made to get the heavy equipment in & the fire debris out. New enclosed fire exit is being built.

Close up of new fire exit from outside on south side.

Almost complete on south side fire exit.

North side wall next to stage almost completed and ready for sheet rock.

Inside view of where the equipment entrance is. It will soon be finished and ready for the side wall on the south side to be built.

Taping moving right along in the lobby area...facing the projection booth.

Local contractors getting that huge opening closed up!

 

January 12, 2010

We are at the point where we can again utilize our generous volunteers for a few things.  The "Wed Night Shop Crew" have been working the past few days to finish up some of the sheet rocking and other jobs.  We are so grateful for their unselfish donation of time and skills.  (In spite of all their hollering at each other, they really do a GREAT job!)  Below are some of the pics from their work nights.

Local contractors putting in side walls in front on north/west side.

Left side of stage with opening, that will soon be closed up and ready for the side wall as on the right side of stage.

Front entrance with wall in for lobby area.

Volunteer workers getting ready to cut sheet rock.

Volunteers finishing sheet rock on north wall of auditorium.

Orchestra pit from stage. (Beam not a part of it! It will be used to build the side wall on the left of stage.)

Volunteers finishing sheet rock on south side of projection booth.

Right side wall looking down from balcony. By 1/13/2010 it should be finished and ready for sheet rock from volunteers.

Front of auditorium showing orchestra pit taken from balcony. Stage has a plastic sheet down to keep heat in for workers.

Our wonderful "Wed Night Shop Crew", volunteers extrodarinare! Dwight O., Brian T., Lewis S., Mike R., Paul T., Cal T., & Ed M. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Well, maybe they did cover up something in the wall...BUT they tell me it's their FIRST mistake! They were able to find it & undo this little error!

Up goes the back interior wall on the north/east end of the auditorium.

Looking towards the north/east corner of auditorium. Taping is coming along. Nice to see the sheet rock up and no more burned walls!

Auditorium floors...which have infloor heating to keep our toes toasty warm! All we need now are the seats to sit in!

Father & son, Paul & Brian, finishing up the last little piece of that wall.

Ron M. & Sandy P. conferring with work crew figuring out what to do next.

Framing going in to close up the opening in the south wall that was used to bring in all the trucks and heavy equipment. Side wall will be next.

The framing is all in place and ready for the sheetrock. Should be done in a few more days.

 

 

December 28,2009

The utility tunnel has been finished and work now continues on the auditorium floor.  Electrical work continues.  Water problem studies should start soon.

Tunnel now covered and ready for the rest of the floor! Looking from stage to the south of auditorium.

Top of covered tunnel from stage.

More rows for seating in auditorium, looking from stage.

And now down into the "boiler room", under the stage.

Entrance to the utility tunnel from the boiler room.

Some of the electrical wiring coming into boiler room.

Electrician hard at work!

 

December 4, 2009

Work on finishing the utility tunnel continues and is on track to be finished in the next week or so.  The water running through the ground has finally been controlled by the pump and it's hoped that the source of the water will soon be located and fixed!    Plumbers, electricians and local contractors are continuing with the construction as our money has allowed.

Local contractors working on footings for the final stretch of the utility tunnel.

Making quite a mess of the floor...soon will be covered up though.

Well and sump pump used to keep water at bay!

Footings for utility tunnel.

Walls for the light barrier on first level of floor seen from auditorium. (right side)

Left side showing walls for the light barrier.

Equipment used to dig hole for utility tunnel.

Showing how deep the tunnel will be.

Workers already using a portion of the utility tunnel.

 

 

November 7, 2009...The first few steps have been installed and are shown below.  This work will continue as money allows.

Forms in and ready for the pour for the first step.

Forms in and ready for concrete.

Forms going in for the second step.

And continuing on with the third step!

Working on the curved ceiling in the hallway leading to the balcony, in keeping with the historic architecture of our Rialto.

The hallway leading to the balcony....showing curved ceiling makings.

Sandy Porter putting the finishing touches on step 4....only 8 more to go!

Dirt & gravel being replaced by concrete.

October 27, 2009....Work continues with the leveling and preparation for the floor heat & beginning of the pour of concrete in the auditorium.  We continue to do what we can with the money that we have at this time.  We're hoping for an infusion of cash in the coming months so that we can do some of the bigger projects to move closer to our finish.  Below are pictures of the area that now has the in-floor heat and concrete.

View from auditorium along south side...to lobby. Getting ready for the concrete pour.

View from south lobby area to auditorium...sand and gravel in place for concrete pour.

Steve heading to lobby on north side..over the gravel in place waiting for concrete.

Steve giving tour for Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan board members.

PFS&L board members in balcony during tour.

Rebar and in-floor heating tubing in place waiting for concrete pour.

More heating tubing in place...on south side looking towards lobby.

Same spot but now with the concrete...and I didn't even see any footprints in it!

Same place....now we're on to the steps in auditorium.

Concrete done. Looking out onto Main Street from the auditorium.

 

September 20, 2009...   Much work has been done through the summer.  The side walls were completed and the sheetrock was mostly in place.  The taping should be taking place during the first part of Oct.    Many PCHS alumni were able to take tours of the Rialto when they were here thanks to the efforts and time of Steve Owens.  It was fun to be able to show off how far we've come....but also to show how far we also have to go.  Below are just a few pictures to show our progress, and the tour for the Class of 1959 in September, 2009.

Steve with Class of 1959 in lobby, in front of projection booth.

Sue I. with other class members.

Class of 1959 waiting for the upper balcony to open!

Members of Class of 1959 in front of stage area...taken from balcony.

Inside north wall from auditorium to lobby, under balcony.

Steve getting ready for a 1959 class reunion tour Sept.19, 2009. South wall leading to lobby.

Entire north side wall. Openings are for concealed speaker system.

Projection booth with new openings.

Sheet rock with electrical waiting for side lights.

 

 

June 26, 2009.....  The Budweiser Clydsdales were brought to Deer Lodge courtesy of Thompson Distributing of Butte.  These magnificent animals proceeded down Main St., stopping at the establishments that purchase products from Thompson and received a case of Bud at each stop.  They also stopped at the front of the Rialto for a photo op before continuing on to I-90 Plaza where there were loaded back into the trucks to return to Butte.

A photo was taken at the Rialto by Alycia Holland of Butte which will be used as a fundraiser for the Rialto.  This beautiful photo will be available from Alycia at her web site and one/half of the proceeds will be going to help our continuing efforts. 

The site to purchase the picture is accessed here: http://www.ahollandphotography.com/rialto_photo.html

Brian Kingston, Scott Thompson & Bob Sokolich from Thompson Distributing, Butte, Mt., the group that brought the Clydsdales to Deer Lodge.

 June 19, 2009....A construction meeting found our architect, Nathan Blanding; Martel Construction people, Devon Wille and John Beck; the electrician, Ray Peterson, and Dallas Eccles, from Sound Design, the "sound guy"; Steve Owens, Ron Mjelde, Lee Jewell, & Gayle Mizner (cookie lady) at the Rialto to go over where we are at this point.  With Nathan taking lots of notes, the general opinion was that things are pretty much in order at this time.  All we need is lots more money so that we can finish the job!    Just a few pictures of the group at this meeting follow....

 

June 16, 2009....There has been some more of the rough-in work done and our wonderful volunteers putting up side walls and just a few photos of that work in the past couple months.  We need more money before we can make bigger strides in our reconstruction.

 

 

March 3 & 7, 2009...More pictures of the balcony, with flooring and risers on. 

View of balcony from auditorium.

Another view from auditorium

Framing for front of balcony

Duct work and air exchange in lobby area

Tiers for front rows of balcony

View of stage from balcony

More views from balcony

Upper portion of balcony

Upper portion of balcony

Lower portion of balcony

Ramp leading to balcony from mezzenine

Stairs leading to balcony from mezzenine.

Front of balcony in place

Beautiful finished dome looking down of our new balcony....YEAH!

 

February 23, 2009... Most of the trusses are now in place and the sheeting is starting to go on for the floors of the balcony.  A portion of the side wall is also going up.  Pictures below...

All the balcony trusses now in place waiting for the sheeting.

Close-up of trusses in balcony.

Work continues on balcony.

Side wall studs starting to go in.

 

February 17, 2009...We've had a lot of activity this past week.  The tunnel, as far as we're going right now is complete and covered, the new steel beam for the base of the balcony is in place, the cement curb, on the sides of the auditorium, is done, electricians and plumbers are busy and the trusses for the floors in the balcony are going up.  All we need now is more money to keep going!   Pictures below show some of the current work.

Utility tunnel waiting for the roof

Covering up finished (one-half) tunnel.

New steel beam in place

Rest of steel beam in place.

Four trusses in place for balcony.

Curbs on side in place for walls.

Curb on other side ready for walls.

Under side of beam and trusses for balcony.

New frame around projection booth.

Bringing in another truss.

In through the door.

Moving into place for lift to the balcony.

Up it goes.

Lots of moving around to get it into place.

It even takes some help from John on the ground.

It takes all of them to get it level and straight (or curverd as in this case).

It looks like 5 are in with only 45 more to go...One truss at a time!

 

February 5, 2009...A ditch is being built to make way for a utility and access tunnel and guess what....we've discovered another branch of the old Cottonwood Creek...right in the middle of our theater!   I'm told that it's not going to be an insurmountable  problem but just a temporary bump in the road...Sandy Porter has the footings partially in for the tunnel and will continue the work all this week, water or no water.  Below are some more pictures from this week.

Neil Owens & Carol Mjelde in the concession area.

John Beck and Neil Owens double checking specs.

Carol, Ron, John Beck and Neil. Lots to think about and plan.

Ron & Steve giving members of the Powell County Historic Preservation committe a short tour of how far we've come.

Footings for the utility tunnel from the lobby area.

Our little underground pond at the end of the tunnel footings.

Very last row in the upper balcony (nose-bleed seats) and the site of many "first kisses"!

View from the very last row in the balcony...Yes, John's right...not much else to do from here! Sure can't see the movie!

View from balcony showing the tunnel excavation.

January 25, 2009... The cookie lady was down at the work site but much to her dismay the volunteers were so fast that they were not coming  back  tonight.  Sorry the cookies were a day late....I'll try to make it up to you the next work night!   Pictures show the third floor of the balcony now in place.

Third floor of balcony now in place.

John Beck said he can see why there were so many first kisses in the balcony...it's so far up there you couldn't see the movie anyway! Right on, John!

Another view from the auditorium area...The projection booth is in the middle.

Some welding work going on.

Yes, the balcony is almost to the roof! The nose bleed section as John Beck said!

 

 January 24, 2009     Pictures  that show the second level of the balcony with the floor in and walls framed.  Word is that there will be another "volunteer night" the  last week in Jan. and there will be more pictures from that. 

View from the auditorium towards right side of front, showing first flight of stairs.

View from auditorium toward left side of front.

Second floor of balcony.

Second floor of balcony with stair entrance at the left.

Second floor of balcony showing office area.

From second floor of balcony looking down elevator shaft.

From second floor of balcony looking down on the entrance area.

Framing of entrance, ticket booth, inner doors.

 

January 8, 2009 @10:00 P.M.....Personal Note from Gayle: I just got home from the theater and I have to tell you I was totally overwhelmed when I got there and saw the unbelievable hub of activity going on!  There were 25 men (firefighters and the Wed. night crew) volunteering their time to help us on our road to restoring the theater!  These are all guys that had already put in their shift at their respective jobs.  They will also be there tomorrow night and as one of them said to me they will be there WHENEVER we call.  To say there was a tear in my eye is an understatement!!   Whenever I get discouraged that we might not be able to get all the money that we need to finish this project, we have these kinds of things happen and we certainly are encouraged that there are people out there that really do care that we will have this theater again...Thank you so much you guys for giving us hope!!  

Here is the list of guys that were hard to work tonight:  FIREFIGHTERS and FRIENDS:  Sandy Porter, the leader, John Skibsrud, Sean Steinbeck, Conn Coughlin, Andy Cook, Rex Anderson, Troy Anderson, Bob Martin, David Martin, Steve Lunceford, Dan McQueary, Troy McQueary, Kenny Neubauer, Andy Scharf, Shanley Kellicut, Brian Porter, and the WED NIGHT SHOP CREW, Mike Richards, Paul Thompson, Dwight O'Hara, Ed McCarthy, Jack Andersen, Tom Christnacht, and Board members, Ron Mjelde and Steve Owens, and photographer, Gayle Mizner.

Lots of workers up in the rafters.

They were everywhere!

Jack Andersen, Ed McCarthy, Paul Thompson and Tony Pfaff

In the back, Ed McCarthy, Tony Pfaff, ?, Ron Mjelde, and Paul Thompson

Tony Pfaff, Ron Mjelde and Conn Coughlin

Sean Steinbeck and Rex Anderson, taking a break!

Tom Christnacht and Dwight O'Hara, waiting for the next board.

Steve Lunceford dropping off some water for the crew.

Andy Cook and Conn Coughlin

Kenny Neubauer deliving the wood.

Dan McQueary and Shanley Kellicut

Ed McCarthy, and Steve Owens.

Jack Andersen, Tony Pfaff and Paul Thompson

Andy Cook

Mike Richards and John Skibsrub at the saw

Jack Andersen waiting for more measurements

And the work goes on

Shanley Kellicut and Conn Coughlin hanging from the beam..

Ron Mjelde and Tony Pfaff in the area behind the concessions.

Sandy Porter and Dwight O'Hara

Tony Pfaff and ? getting to put in the 1st landing for the stairs to the balcony

Bob Martin sending up another sheet of plywood for the upper floor

Andy Cook and Conn Coughlin setting up the scaffold

The completed first landing of the stairs to the balcony.

 

January 6, 2009....

Work is progressing with the framing going in for the concessions, restrooms, elevator, entrance and lobby area.  Another work night is coming up so we are able to continue on and make our money go lots further!  (Click on pictures for larger view)

Front of building looking from stage area

Framing looking towards front.

Elevator shaft and framing

Concession area

Restrooms area

Ladies restroom

Storage area behind concesssion stand and elevator

View from front entrance into lobby area

Construction committee, Steve Owens, Lee Jewell, Ron Mjelde, with Devon Wille and John Beck from Martel Construction going over monthly details.

December 18, 2008

  On the cold, dark evening of Dec. 18, 2008, a group of 15 men, some firefighters, led by Sandy Porter,  and others from the Wed. Night Shop Crew, led by Mike Richards arrived at the Rialto to do the framing and subfloor for the lobby, concession, bathroom area.  It was so wonderful to see this group of volunteers, knowing that the last time some of them  were in the theater was on the night that they tried to valiantly to try to save the building.  Those present were:  Firefighters, Sandy Porter, Dan McQueary, John Skibsrud, Brian Porter, Steve Lunceford, Shanley Kellicut,  and the Wed. Night Shop Crew, Mike Richards, Dwight O'Hara, Tom Christnacht, Ed McCarthy, Lewis Smith, Casey Smith, Paul Thompson, & Cal Thompson, and Ron Mjelde, Rialto Board Member.  The comment made by one of the crew was that they were happy that they could finally get in and do something to help....and it was very much appreciated....knowing that in just this one evening they have saved us several thousand dollars....THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS!!      (Click on the pictures to see the larger one..NOTE:  I know some of these pictures aren't a lot bigger and I'm trying to get that corrected!) 

Mike Richards and Ed McCarthy man the saw.

Ed McCarthy & Paul Thompson

Steve Lunceford, Tom Christnacht, Dan McQueary and other workers

Everyone hard at work!

Lots of activity!

Mike Richards

Dwight O'Hara and Steve Lunceford waiting for more materials.

The main floor being put in.

L-R: J.Skibsrud, L. Smith, T.Christnacht,P.Thompson, D.McQueary, M.Richards, D. O'Hara, C.Smith, S.Lunceford,C.Thompson,E. McCarthy.

Steve Lunceford and Mike Richards checking measurements.

Sandy Porter, the leader, and Paul Thompson.

Brian Porter and his dad, Sandy Porter.

Mike Richard trying out his new dance step...oh wait, he really likes to sing instead!

Ron Mjelde, Rialto board member, Dwight O'Hara and Lewis Smith.

Ed McCarthy, Paul Thompson and Tom Christnacht.

Shanley Kellicut, Ron Mjelde and Lewis Smith.

Just about done for the night.

Brian Porter, Paul Thompson, Steve Lunceford and Lewis Smith.

 

December 4, 2008...Phase II work being done in the lobby area.  Footings are going in and cement will be poured for the crawl space.  Sandy Porter of Deer Lodge is doing the cement work for this Phase.

Start of crawl space to connect with utility tunnel in auditorium

Footings under lobby area

Dan Harris, from Martel Construction

John Beck, Superintendent from Martel Construction

Sandy Porter, Deer Lodge, doing cement work for footings, crawl space and utility tunnel.

Crawl space/tunnel area

 

November 30, 2008...Pictures from the Open House sponsored by Peoples Bank with assistance from Jan & Gerald Bender from Valley Foods.

Grandma Betty Brown, parents Jody & Janice Neubauer admiring the beautiful artwork of son Cody Neubauer on dome and celiing.

The "Cookie Ladies" from peoples bank....they also served the cheese and crackers to the crowd...compliments of Peoples Bank.

Visitors from the 350 peoples that attended the open house.

More visitors.

Steve telling about his favorite subject....the Rialto restoration!

Jan Bender from Valley Foods serving wine, pop and coffee.

Visitors enjoyed refreshments at open house.

The happy crew! Jan Bender, Steve Owens, Gayle Mizner, Gerald Bender, Kirk Sandquist, Carol & Ron Mjelde.

 

November 21, 2008....With the last of the work platform gone Stage 1 has ended and with no time lost Stage 2 has commenced.  P&M Excavating, Brian Porter and Jeff McQueary, of Deer Lodge,  have started digging out a crawl space, etc. at the front of the building as shown in the photos that follow.  Brian was trying to pretend that he had done all that work by hand but I was there to prove he really was using that big machine.  Cement will be poured for footings and a crawl space in the next few days.

 

November 18, 2008.....  The dome was raised into place and the work platform is almost gone.  I will try to keep the pictures coming now that  we can see what's going on!

November 14, 2008

The work platform is coming down to reveal a new and improved ceiling!!!  The entire platform should be gone by Nov. 20, 2008.  On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 the dome will be raised into position .  Maggie Hunter, Cody Neubauer, Colleen Owens and many others have worked hard painting the decorative items on the forms that went on the ceiling.  MANY THANKS to all of those that have helped in this phase of the restoration!  These are just some of the pictures of the platform coming down and the ceiling being revealed! All of these pictures were taken by Gayle from the stage facing east to the front of the building. 

The crew from Martel Construction, John Beck, Superintendent, Dan Harris,  Mark Berner and Jim Chamberlin have been great and said I could keep coming back as long as I keep the cookie jar full.  Thanks you guys for making this  a really fun event!

Another beam being lifted away.

The plywood from the platform will be re-used.

The dome being lifted.....

lifted.....

lifted....

until it's finally in it's final resting place!

Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan board members seeing what their money has helped us achieve.

Board members from Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan, Deer Lodge & Dillon, who presented us with a check for $100,906.20 in June, 2008.

The dome & lattice was painted by Cody Neubauer, with Colleen Owens assisting.....it took them many, many hours to create such a beautiful replica of our original dome and decorative touches.  Maggie Hunter and some of her art students painted  4 of the little arms with the round things on the ends!  Cody and Colleen did the other 4 panels.  We are very grateful to all of our supporters.  We wouldn't be at this point without everyone!   A HUGE JOB  WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!