ROCKLAND — The Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland, is celebrating the first year of its membership program. Created as a way for the community to help support the theater's operations after it became a nonprofit in January 2014, the program now has more than 700 members.

According to Executive Director Sarah Ruddy, "All over the country, historic theaters like the Strand are turning to their communities for help. In Rockland, the community has really shown up for us in a big way. Residents of the Midcoast and well beyond have been incredibly generous."

Member support has helped make it possible for the Strand to expand its programming to include more family events and live presentations. Member dollars also support theater operations; in the past year, capital improvements such as replacing all the ceiling fixture bulbs in the theater's 20-foot high auditorium were accomplished, stage lights and gels were upgraded, and the digital projection system refined.

Over the winter, frozen pipes were repaired, an estimated eight tons of snow were removed from the sidewalk, stage loading ramp, and the roof; and 600 pounds of rock salt were spread. The giant "S" in the Strand's neon "blade" stayed lit despite the blizzards, thanks to the work of Bangor Neon.

More than 23,000 people came to see movies at the Strand Theater in the past year; another 10,000 came to concerts or attended the Met Opera, Bolshoi Ballet or other HD events. Many more joined staff for other community events; every seat was taken for the free Pirate Puppet Show offered during February School Vacation week.

According to theater manager Liz McLeod, "The theater bought 1 1/2 tons of popcorn last year, equaling over 10,000 small-size servings; laid end to end, the popcorn boxes required to hold this much popcorn would extend over 92 miles, or just a little less than the distance from Rockland to Saco."

The theater, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, became a nonprofit in January 2014 and is operated by Friends of the Strand Theatre. Memberships, as well as grants, sponsorships and fund-raising efforts, help pay the operating expenses supporting the wide range of cultural and educational programming the theater offers to the community.

The Strand Theatre was built by Ida and Joseph Dondis in 1923 and operated by the Dondis family for over 60 years.

The theater was bought by a multiplex in 2000, but remained undeveloped until it was purchased by Matt and Ellen Simmons, long-time summer residents of Rockport, in 2005. The Simmons family extensively renovated the theater, returning it as closely as possible to its original 1920s character while assuring that the building would also be a comfortable, state-of-the-art, modern facility.

In 2014, Ellen Simmons gifted the theater to the newly formed Friends of the Strand Theatre, Inc, a 501c3 non-profit.

For more information about the Strand Membership program, call Jessie Davis at 207-701-5053 or email jessie@rocklandstrand.com.

For more information on all upcoming live concerts, films, HD broadcasts, and events at the Strand, visit www.rocklandstrand.com. Tel: (207) 594-0070 EX 3 Email: info@rocklandstrand.com.