Groundhog Year
Dear Friends, Supporters & Followers of Sisters Movie House:
Following on the recommendations of local, state and Federal authorities for helping to reinforce “social distancing” and reducing the risks of further contagion, Sisters Movie House temporarily closed its doors on Monday March 16th of the infamous pandemic year of 2020. We did so voluntarily, and a full week before the state's mandated "shelter in place" went into effect. Within days, the rest of the US (and the world) had followed suit and "going to the movies" was largely impossible (except for a handful of drive-ins).
As we come to the 11th month of this "Groundhog Year" we took some consolation recently by spotting an elder "scout" rockchuck over in the Redmond Dry Canyon right on time on Groundhog's Day. He didn't see a shadow. Did this mean we would be getting an early end to winter? Or perhaps an (eventual) end to the long Covid spring/autumn/winter we all have been living through?
Well, as we write this, another winter storm is barreling down towards us. So maybe not the former. But perhaps still the latter.
Also as we write this, Deschutes County has been "elevated" out of the Extreme Risk category, leaving us technically eligible to re-open again. This is indeed a hopeful sign, but we need such signs in places like New York and California too before our business can get back to anything like "normal." We also need the Governor's office to lift the ban on concession sales (fun fact: did you know Oregon is the ONLY state in the country banning concession sales?).
Until those two things happen, we will not set out another planned re-opening date for your little movie abode here at the east end of town.
For now, we are continuing to lead efforts to help our movie theater brethren around the state. Oregon has done next to nothing for its small town theaters, even as it put $25 million from the Oregon Cultural Trust into a raft of (well-deserved) recipients such as art museums and our own Sisters Folk Festival. Now we are out lobbying legislators to help redress the imbalance with some help directly to the cultural lifeblood of Oregon - small town movie theaters (fun fact number two: did you know Oregon has more single screen theaters than any state in the country?).
And you can help. First, if you don't know already, find your legislators here. Then, tell them how much Sisters Movie House (or your favorite local cinema) means to you, and how we need Oregon's help. Soon, we expect to have a bill introduced for this cause, but we do not have the details on this just yet. But we'll update that information here when we do.
[When we do re-open, we will do so safely. You can learn more about our protocols here.]
Given the strength and depth of the deferred movie slate to come, now is an excellent time to consider a membership in the Sisters Movie Club. Just click on the Movie Club tab above for more information and/or to register. Remember, all new memberships will be set up to commence from the date of our re-opening, and existing memberships also adjusted to allow for all the days shut. Also any existing gift pack certificates that expired in 2020 will be honored for another year. Remember, any SMH gift cards in your possession have NO expiration date and can be used for their full value as well once we are back open for business.
Until then, we say goodbye to the groundhog (and hopefully his year!) with the same message of gratitude to all of you. Whether a regular patron, supporter and/or friend of the Movie House, we MISS you and love you all and can't wait to get beyond these challenges to welcome you back.
For now, stay safe and see you later in 2021!
Drew Kaza & Yee Cheng
Co-Owners
