Palisadian., 1923-10-05
PALISADES new 100000 THEATRE
DEDICATED With CORNER Stone
y LAYING BEFORE LARGE AUDIENCE
Interesting Talks by Prominent Bergen County Men,
Guiding Senator Mackay, Ex-Mayor White Chair
man, Judge Suefert, Judge Kenney, Arthur Kerwein,
Mayor Cadien, E. Thornton Kelly, George Roedes
and Charles T. Logan.

The laying of the cornerstone of the
Grant-Lee Theatre at Palisade juno
tion last Saturday afternoon proved to
be one of the most entertaining public
functions ever given in the village.
There was large crowd out, the cere-
mony taking place on the West end
of the building where platform had
been built for the speakers and special
guests. The entire framework of the
building being up, it was all dolled up
with bunting from one end to the 9TH
er and made very pleasing spectacle
for passers-by, particularly those in
the trolley cars.
There have been three public build
ings dedicated in Palisade, the Union
Church of Palisade, the Public School
and the Grant-Lee Theatre. In point
of general interest, it is a question
which one of these public events was
the most interesting. Mr.. e. Thornton
Kelly, who has been the guiding gen
ius of the Palisade Theatre enterprise
and who, because of his untiring eff
forts, it might be said was entitled to
the chief honors, was on hand and
stated as the first speaker that the
Grant-Lee Theatre would be devoted to
the highest type of motion picture art
together with the very classiest vau-
deville talent He emphasized the fact
that there would be nothing common
place about the Palisade Theatre and
that it would be "Broadway moved to
Palisade." This was a good hit and
he was roundly applauded for the
thought. The cornerstone box, made
of copper, contained a copy of the Sew
enteenth Anniversary Number of The
Palisadian, badge with ribbons pen
dent worn by the guests and members,
together with the cards of the execu-
tives and speakers who had come for
the day, mention of whom will be made
later on in this notice. Taken as
whole, the event was not only enter
tanning but it marked an event in the
history of Palisade most notable. That
the people of the village appreciate it
things that George Roedeles who was
present, said was that they would have
new $4,000 organ, one of the best
in the country anywhere, and the gen.
eral equipment will be of the highest
quality. The interior of the theatre
will be beautifully decorated and there
will be a stage with regulation seen
cry. Mr.. Kelly's chief aides were
George d. Roedeles, John Hodgins and
G. B. Hearn. All were present at the
ceremony.
The first speaker was ex-Mayor Ed
ward White of Fort Lee, who announc-
ed the name of the new theatte as the
Grant-Lee Theatre, explaining that the
name was made from parts of the
names Grantwood and Fort Lee, which
in combination not only embraced the
two adjoining communities, but also
two great generals of the Civil War.
After a brief and splendid address
mplimenting the men who had made
the project possible .he introduced
the next speaker, Judge Suefert.
The judge stated that he had lived
in Bergen county since he was "kid'
and remembered roaming over the
hills of this section before there was
house on the Palisades. He empha-
sized the great value that the new
theatre meant to the community and
stated tha, it would help to spread
the fame of this section far and wide.
Mr.. Rodels followed Judge Suefert
and read a letter from Governor Sill
zer giving his reasons for not being
present, and also letter from Mr.. J.
Otto Hunike, president fthe Palisade
Improvement Association, saying that
it was impossible for him to be pres
ent.
Senator Mackay was the principal
speaker of the afternoon and received
much applause as he advanced to de-
liver his address. He said that in an
enterprise of this kind it was very un-
usual for the men at the helm to pause
amid the building operations for pub
lie demonstration such as the corner
stone laying. He went on to say that |
usually the object was to put up the |
building just as soon as possible so
the receipts would start to come in |
In this case the men had taken the |
people into consideration and had |
stopped awhile to let the public share
in the glory that the laying Of the |
cornerstone represents-that being |
the glory of achievement. He told of |
the great power for good that moving |
pictures havee in the life of commu-
nifty. Immediately following the ad-
dress the senator spread the mortar
for the cornerstone with silver |
trowel which was afterward presented |
to him by ex-Mayor White in behalf
of the Theatre Corporation.
Arthur Kerwein made a very fitting
address and congratulated the officials
of the corporation and expressed his |
delight, in seeing that the construction
was almost complete. Mr.. Kerwein is
naturally very composed and pleas
Continued On Dapa