When couples begin to consider naming their baby they usually purchase a book that specializes in “Babies Names” or they look at past family members and consider following tradition by naming their precious bundle of joy either Herschel, Minnie or some other big name that the child will have to grow into.

But where do you go when you need to name a building? I'm talking about the old theater that has been under renovation for the past - I know, I know it seems like it has been going on for over 100 years. In the past the old theater has been called the Dixie Theater, the Logan Theater or the Russellville Theater - then the drive-in was called the Jesse James Drive-In Theater.

The name Dixie has a negative connotation connected to it and to name it the Russellville Theater would probably upset some people because many throughout the county seem to think that if it has something to do with “Russellville” they don't want to participate or have anything to do with the program.

Over the past three years we have continued to seek an individual or corporation to bequeath or grant the old theater with enough money to complete the project and by doing this the facility would take on their name.

From the time that I started with Main Street Russellville I began a list of possible names for the Arts Center- those on my list have been The Russell for the gentleman that founded Russellville, the Revival Arts Center for the Great Revival, The Crittenden Arts Center for a local prominent family back in the 1800s, The Phoenix (being pulled from the ashes), The Granville Arts Center, and The Rogue Arts Center for the name that was given to this area prior to 1799 due to the kind of people that settled here.

For me, if I were to make the choice, I would have to go with either the Revival Arts Center, because the theater itself is going through such a change it is literally being revived, or the Rogue Arts Center. Many do not like the negative connotations that this word has but due to the roguish state that the facility was in when we began our restoration - we are taking it from its rough beginnings and turning it into a gem - to me that is the perfect name.

I recently read a story about a salesman who was having a hard day and seemed to be unable to sell even one suit - what made it even worse was that he was the floor supervisor. At the end of the day an older gentleman came into his department and the salesman began helping him pick out the perfect outfit for his granddaughter's wedding, but after about twenty minutes the salesman saw a look streak across the customer's face. It was the look that says “This is too expensive I think I will look elsewhere.” Usually the salesman would have stepped up and began really pushing the sale. Instead, he took his business card out of his pocket, gave it to the gentleman, thanked him for his time and said the he hoped he would come back soon. The gentleman took the card, said thank you and turned to leave. It was then that the man looked at the card, turned and said “I know your father, he's a good man. Son can you tell me a little bit more about that suit?” He made the sale. That evening he called his father and thanked him for being the kind of man that people look up to and consider being upstanding. The father hung the phone up and thanked God for being part of his life and by leading him throughout his life to be the kind of man his son could be proud of!

That is what we are trying to do - we are trying to find a name for the facility that we can be proud of. What do you think would be the perfect name for a wonderful theater facility?

Think about it and call me at 270-726-1303 or email me at pizzazzonmainstreet@yahoo.com. Hope to see you soon at the _______ Arts Center (fill in the name of your choice)

- S. Darlene Gooch is the Director of Main Street Russellville