The Highway 61 Film Festival and “Photos on Buildings” were two great arts events that entered their third year on Oct. 4-6, 2013. The Highway 61 Film Festival Committee would like to thank the many contributors who made it possible, especially Pine Center for the Arts, Dan Carlson and all staff at Danny C’s BeachRocks, Pine Technical College and PTC staff, and all the great folks at the Pine City Pioneer: Kathy Ericson, Donna Heath, Sharon Fore, Annette Krist and Wade Weber. Thank you to Donna Sandberg, who went above and beyond in delivering programs and posters.
Thank you to our judges, C.J. Gustafson and Pamela Jambeck, for their thoughtful and discerning work choosing the best from among the contenders. Also, a big thanks to C.J. for turning her home into a B&B for our itinerant filmmaker friend! Thanks to Becky Schueller for her key support and Loreal Lindstrom for making the late night films possible. Thank you to Supervolunteer PJay Siltanen and Red Carpet photographer Noah Sikkink, to East Central Minnesota PFLAG members Paul Oium, Paul Wilkens, Don Quaintance, Phil Schroeder and Barb Schroeder. Also, thanks to the Pine City Public Works crew for babysitting our banner – for the second year in a row! – through the windstorms of October, and to Lee’s Pro Shop for getting the battered banner repairs done so quickly.
Thank you to Eric Carlisle and the Paradise Theatre for including us in their first annual “Magic of Movies” Film Festival this past April.
Thanks to all the “Photos on Buildings” photographers: Judy Scholin, Cliff Odendahl, Terri Huro, Kelli Maag, C.J. Gustafson, Gene Webster and Stan Grubbs. Thank you to the owners and occupants of Pine Plaza (Journey North Church, Jim and Kandis Koppen, and John and Mary Jo Lahr) for offering a viewing location, although rainy and windy weather conditions forced “Photos” showings to the PTC indoor location. Thank you, Robert Musgrove and PTC, for being an accommodating rain site.
Our gratitude to Kirk Eckstine and Nate Johnson, Kevin Horn, Ryan Becken, Zach Hammill, Elliot Diviney, Mike Gainor, Jerome Erickson and the DAAM Crew for providing films not for competition.
Thank you to the following Film Fest program advertisers for their financial and other support: Coldwell Banker Results, Mary Kay Brautigan, Campbell Auto & Tire, Images of America: Pine City and (new book) Legendary Locals of Pine City, by Nathan Johnson, Stogies, A&W, Shear Obsession, Old Oak Inn, Cabin Coffee’s, Roubinek Motors, JoLyn’s Sewing Service, The Pine City Scrapbooking Co., Sauser’s Hardware, Rick’s Auto Sales, North West Company Fur Post, Lee’s Pro Shop, Chris’ Food Center, Deutschlander Fencing, Pizza Pub, Signatures Closing & Title, Inc., The Wizard of Oz, Peaceful Pines Farm, The Flower Box, D.Q. of Pine City, Pine Insurance Agency, Voyageur Bottle Shop, East Central Men’s Circle, Chubby’s, Jan Carl, RedRock on Air and FirstLight Health System.
A special thanks to the inspirational Al Milgrom for returning to Pine City to share two amazing international film selections along with the amazing insights he shared with our audience.
Thank you to the tri-county coalition of Carlton, Pine and Chisago for choosing us to help launch their “Discover the FUN on Old Hwy. 61” promotional effort, and thank you for collaborating with us to bring the charming, gracious, and talented journalist/filmmaker Cathy Wurzer to Pine City on Oct. 4.
Thank you, Cathy, for your support and enthusiasm and for so generously sharing your time and “Tales of the Road: Hwy. 61” – part one – with us. We wish you well on your sequel journey and eagerly anticipate the finished film in 2014!
Big thanks to ALL the filmmakers who came to the event and shared their creativity and time, and to all those who came to enjoy the films. To anyone we’ve forgotten, please forgive us. Thank you all and see you next year!
Sincerely,
The Highway 61 Film Festival Committee: James Tuckner, Kris Magnuson, Sara Maki, Jimmy Keebs, Nathan Johnson, Stan Grubbs, Mike Gainor, Heidi Briski-Gainor
