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For a city of its size, Grand Rapids,
Minnesota stands apart for its support of dance, theater,
music, and popular entertainment. As a result of years
of dreams, dedication, and hard work - people throughout
Northern Minnesota, during the past 25 years, have had the
opportunity to enjoy some of the best talent in the world.
Nearly 45 years ago, the dream began as a group known as the
Performing Arts Council. Concurrently, groups
such as the Grand Rapids Players, Grand Rapids
Showboat, Blandin Chorus, and others helped to
bring the performing arts to the forefront. The very
existence of the Reif Center, today, is a testimony of the
community support that has and continues to nurture and
provide a stage for performing arts in Northern Minnesota
today.
Myles Reif was a general manager and
plant manager of the Blandin Paper Company. He later
became President of Blandin Paper and his civic leadership
played a significant role in the development of the
Blandin Foundation. It was Myle's suggestion to
bring together an Arts Building project and a new
High School Building project. The advantage was to
combine the community's utilization of a new arts facility
on the site of a new high school. Myles Reif, Lois
Guildemeister and others approached the school board and the
concept was eventually approved.
After
incredible support by the Blandin Foundation, the School
District and the Grand Rapids Community, construction began.
Unfortunately, Myles Reif did not live to see the building
completed. Because of Myles' involvement and his
unwavering support of the new construction, the center was
dedicated in his name at the opening ceremonies on January
31, 1981. Lois Guildemeister was the emcee, John Reif,
son of Myles Reif, gave presentation remarks, and Dr. James
Sauter accepted the Reif Performing Arts Center on
behalf of School District #318.
Twenty-five
years may seem like a long time. Yet, Myles Reif is
still probably making a statement that, "this is just the
beginning." Thank you, Myles.
--The above is based on excerpts of "A
History of the Reif Center", authored by Dick Gustafson
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