BenGil Business
Gillespie’s Canna Theatre forced to go digital, or die
Cary Eisentraut and the Eisentraut Company are trying to keep the doors of the Canna Theatre open as long as they can, but Hollywood’s switch from 35-millimeter film to digital movies is imperiling the future of the Gillespie theatre.
The family has operated the Canna Theatre since 2007 and says the digital crunch hits at the wrong time. “We are experiencing one of our busiest summers since we opened in 2007,” Cary Eisentraut explained. “This is part of why we are holding out as long as we possibly can.”
The move to digital movies has been in the works for nearly a decade now, but the theatre hasn’t been forced to make the switch because they have still been able to purchase 35-millimeter films. But according to Eisentraut, Paramount and Disney will no longer offer films in 35mm film.
“Galaxy of the Guardians” opened last weekend at the Canna.
The family is faced with a pretty big cost in order to transition the Canna to digital. The switch will cost between $35,000 and $40,000. “We are hoping to move forward with some way of purchasing equipment, but we are pretty maxed out as a company.”
The Eisentraut family also owns the Orpheum in Hillsboro, the Roseland in Pana and Plaza 3 Cinema in Keokuk, IA. Both the Orpheum and Roseland were recently transitioned to digital and much of the Roseland’s transition was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. “We still paid in excess of $10,000 out of pocket,” Eisentraut said of the digital transition for the Roseland.
The family is in the midst of transitioning the theatre in Iowa to digital as well, which is currently their largest market. Eisentraut believes equipment will become available in their price range at some time, but nothing is currently available.
The family is currently entertaining ideas how to transition the Canna, especially following one of their most successful months with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” showing the past three weeks. “Kickstarter is much harder than people think,” Eisentraut added. “And for a market as small as Gillespie, it’s not as easy as walking to the bank and signing a paper.”
Before opening in 2007, the Eisentraut family upgraded the theatre with a new sound system, new carpet and added leather couch seating. More recently, the family revamped the atmosphere by adding 10 more couches, unique lighting and tables with barstools.
The Assembly of God Church in Gillespie will be hosting Sunday morning services at the theatre
Eisentraut expects a decision to be made about the future of the Canna within the next two to three weeks. “A crowd funding site is certainly an idea we are throwing around,” Einsentraut closed, “But, we are weighing whether or not the support will be there.”
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BenGil Business
Gillespie nursing home changes ownership, renamed to Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Heritage Health Gillespie announces it has changed ownership. Renamed Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, the 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility provides a broad spectrum of care, including long- and short-term care and rehabilitation, in an intimate and compassionate environment.
The new ownership team is a group of individuals who are skilled nursing facility managers and operators based in Illinois. The ownership change was effective July 1, 2023, and Heritage Health was the seller.
“In these challenging times, it is very reassuring that our new ownership team has years of know-how, shared values and a great group of experienced experts – based right here in Illinois – to support our care team,” said Kim Schardan, the facility’s CEO/administrator.
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, at 7588 Staunton Rd., in Gillespie, Ill., will benefit from the hands-on attention that comes from a smaller, but very skilled “non-corporate” ownership and management team. The team has overseen operations at similar-sized care centers, in rural and suburban communities in Illinois and the Midwest, and brings many new ideas that have been very successful at other facilities.
“Our new owners view Gillespie Health & Rehab Center as a world of family and friends,” said Schardan. “They share core principles and standards that reflect the people and beliefs of our region: Genuine Hometown Care, Community Integration, and Employees are Family.”
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is known for its focus on providing hometown care with a commitment to fully integrating with the healthcare needs of the Gillespie, Ill., community. As it continues to grow, the center will benefit from working with a skilled, hands-on regional ownership team.
“The ownership group has significant experience in overseeing operations at similar-sized care centers in rural and suburban communities,” Schardan noted. “We anticipate incorporating new ideas that have been successful at their other facilities as we work to advance our mission of excellence in care.”
About Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is a 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility in Gillespie, Ill., and offers long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact (217) 839-2171 or visit the Gillespie Health & Rehab Center website at www.gillespiehrc.com.
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Enjoy a spring buffet at JoDanni’s Amore on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. The buffet will include pork chops, chicken spiedini, house salad, garlic rolls, scalloped potato, pasta con broccoli, vegetable medley, drink, and key lime cupcake for dessert.
The price for a ticket is $25. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, March 30.
For tickets, contact Catherine Young at 217-825-8488 or Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456. The meal is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
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Great joy took place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, as members of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie witnessed and celebrated six young people being baptized and/or confirmed at the 10:30 a.m. church service.
The students professed their faith in Jesus and became members of the church.
The new members include Clayton Bethard, Izzy Manus, Lydia Lowry, Makenna Martin, Marshall Garwood, and Wyatt Rondi.
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