Packed House, Optimistic Mood at Gatling Reception

Lance Martin, Herald Senior Staff Writer

ROANOKE RAPIDS— The theater was packed, the mood was optimistic as the Roanoke Valley welcomed Lafayette and Marguerite Gatling to the venue they may someday own.

“I just wanted to see what was going on,” said Edith Gay of Roanoke Rapids, who attended the reception last night. “Sometimes a bad beginning makes a good ending.”

Gay was referring to the initial struggles The Roanoke Rapids Theatre faced, first under the leadership of Randy Parton, then a management company and finally the city, which is in the process of selling the venue to Gatling, a Chicago businessman and Northampton County native.

“I hope it’s successful,” said Madison Mullen, a former Roanoke Rapids City Council member. “I see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Josephine Jordan attended the gospel extravaganza that was held at the venue earlier in the year and believes Gatling can make the theater a success. “I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s going to grow.”

She believes the nearly elbow-to-elbow crowd in the theater’s lobby was a good sign. “I see people from Northampton and Halifax.”

Roanoke Rapids businessman Mike Davis attended the event and was encouraged by the crowd. “I’m excited to see the crowd show up and show support,” he said. “I hope the people will support the venue so we can have it for many years to come.”

Michael Dunlow, the developer of Carolina Crossroads, was encouraged by the attendance. “I’m happy. You’ve got to be tickled. I think he’ll do a wonderful job.”

Dunlow said he and Gatling have been discussing the future of the Carolina Crossroads and believes the Chicago businessman is the person who can get things started. Dunlow joined the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Daily Herald in sponsoring the reception.

Ernestine B. Beck-Fulgham, director of corporate development for Gatling Community Development Inc., was pleased with the crowd attending the reception. “I think the turnout is awesome. I wouldn’t have guessed.”

The reception was held two days before L&M Hospitality LLC plans its first show at the venue, a Christmas show featuring Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review.

Fulgham-Beck said ticket sales have been good. “We’re going to pack the house.”

She said attorneys for Gatling and the city continue to work on the final agreement that would allow Gatling to buy the venue through a lease-purchase arrangement.

Sandra Turner and several other people sat in the upstairs lobby looking down on the crowd below, the buzz of scores of conversations reaching the top in an indistinguishable muddle.

“I was just sitting thinking who would have ever thought in Roanoke Rapids something like this could be,” the Littleton resident said. “People are not looking at color. It’s a change, a great change. I’m enjoying myself. The atmosphere is pleasant, to see it’s us, we the people. It’s a long overdue change.”

Turner believes under Gatling’s direction the venue will succeed. “Oh, yes, with God’s help he’s going to make it work. To me, all things are possible through Christ Jesus.”

Lily Young of Garysburg was sitting with Turner. “This is the year of great new beginnings,” she said.

Before the evening wound down, Gatling spoke to the crowd. “I told my wife, if anything happens to me, you know what to do, just get me back here.”

Gatling thanked a long list of people for their help, including members of the Theatre Advisory Committee and Dunlow.

His wife, Marguerite, also spoke to the crowd. “It’s going to take almighty God and all of you to make this work,” she said. “It’s going to take all of us. We put God first. If God don’t ordain it ... he’s already shown us that he ordained it for us.”

Mrs. Gatling said they will not stop with the theater. “It goes beyond what you will see tonight, Thursday night. We can put this town on the map.”

Algernon Alston, who had shelved plans to develop a restaurant and shops after the initial missteps of the theater, said he was pulling his plans back out. “I’ve got something on the table,” he said. “I’m keeping the same ideas and a few different things.”

Russ Collins, who with his partner Jef Wilson put in a bid to run the theater as employees of the city, said he came to show support for Gatling. “We hope and wish the best for Mr. Gatling,” he said. “We want what’s best for the Roanoke Valley. We wish we had the chance. It was really nice of him to do this.”