by Bea Peterson
Duane and Betsy Greenawalt have been working hard this season to find ways to raise the $70,000 necessary to purchase digital equipment to keep the Hathaway’s Drive-in in North Hoosick open. Movie studios are phasing out film. Next year, all theaters will be required to have digital projection equipment to play first run movies. [private]The Greenawalts have a raffle going on a post and beam 8×12 foot tool shed/cabin made by Jamaica Cottage Shops in Jamaica, VT. Chances cost $20 each, a book of six costs $100, with free delivery within 25 miles of the theater. Greenawalt hopes to sell 1,000 tickets. So far ticket sales have been meager. If he doesn’t sell at least 500 tickets, then the raffle will become a 50/50 raffle.
The drive-in is 65 years old this year. Anniversary glow in the dark T-shirts are available at the theater for $19 each. The couple have also been selling the old speakers for $50. Two speakers and a junction box are available for $159. Greenawalt said he advertised them in Hemmings Motor News and has sold a few across the country. Local sales have been dismal.
Will Close
Greenawalt said he and Betsy love the drive-in. “We both have full time jobs, so the theater is a hobby for us. “I’ve already invested all we could afford in buying it,” he said. “There’s no way we can borrow $70,000 for digital equipment for a seasonal business.” Greenawalt concluded, “It will kill me to close it, but I will. Our season is almost over, and we are not even halfway toward our fundraising goal.” Greenawalt believes he could sell off the screen and some of the equipment, then the land.
Last year the marquee was destroyed in a storm, and the couple has not invested in a new one in case they close. “If in another year we raise the necessary money, then we could reopen, if the property isn’t sold by then,” he said.
Unique Opportunity For Everyone To Help
There is a pie in the sky chance that Hathaway’s could win the equipment; Honda Motors is running a nationwide contest that will help offset the cost of digital projection equipment for five drive-in theaters across the country. Starting August 9 and running through September 9, everyone can help make Hathaway’s one of the awardees by placing a vote a day – every day – at the contest website, by computer or cell phone. The competition will be fierce. Help save the drive-in by voting daily and telling your friends across the U.S. to do the same.
The website, www.projectdrivein.com, will be live from Friday, August 9, through Monday, September 9. Anyone can vote once a day for 30 days for the drive-in of their choice. Of the 400 drive-ins remaining in the country, it’s rumored that only 80 are entered in the contest. If there are really only 80 entries, that makes the odds of winning one of the five digital projectors one chance in 16! The top five drive-ins with the most votes in America on September 9 will each win a $70,000 digital projector!
Thank You Honda
The Greenawalts have submitted a one minute video, a theater bio and four pictures to highlight the drive-in. Honda is producing a national television ad campaign announcing the contest.
Channel 6 is doing a piece on “things to do in the area” and they have interviewed Duane. The couple is hoping the station will mention the drive-in, North Hoosick and the contest.
An all-out effort could put Hathaway’s Drive-in and North Hoosick on the map. Perhaps the community could do something to keep this 65 year old landmark. For more information call or email Duane at 802-447-7278, 802-688-5425 or dgcpa@sover.net.
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