Firm Donates Timely Support for Vogue Restoration

MANISTEE, MICHIGAN — The restoration of Manistee’s historic Vogue Theatre is inspiring acts of philanthropy in all forms, shapes and sizes to spark the re-birth of the community theatre and the revitalization of the downtown, including a well-known Manistee law firm that was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.

The Manistee law firm Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor and Hesslin has provided over $4,300 in donated time, including legal services to help the Manistee Downtown Development Authority purchase the property in Feburary 2011 and again in transferring the property to the Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee, the new nonprofit organization that is overseeing the restoration and reopening of the Theatre.

“We were happy to donate those services,” said firm partner George Saylor. “The Vogue has a long and important history in downtown Manistee. My family had two businesses within a block of the Theatre and we have long understood and appreciated the importance of this landmark to Manistee and, specifically the downtown area. Just as our firm is contributing in ways that we can to support the restoration, like most Manistee area residents, my family is looking forward to the addition of a vibrant theatre with a variety of programming. Frankly, my wife Sandy and I can’t wait for opening night!”

In addition to Saylor’s time, attorney Kate Glancy donated her time to getting the new Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee nonprofit up and running, including writing the Articles of Incorporation and contributing to the organizational bylaws.

“It was essential at the time that we moved quickly to secure the property and form a nonprofit to launch an organized process to restore the building,” said Steve Brower who serves on the Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee’s Board of Directors.  “Manistee owes its thanks to George and Kate and the Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor and Hesslin firm for stepping up at a crucial time that enabled us to launch what is shaping up as a slice of history for the greater Manistee area.”

Charitable contributions to the Vogue Theatre’s restoration may be made on line by going towww.manisteefoundation.org or by calling the Manistee County Community Foundation.   In addition to financial contributions, nearly 400 individuals have pledged their time and other forms of assistance to restore the Theatre.