The show goes on

Sunday, November 20, 2005

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The Ruskin Drive-in Theatre was hopping this weekend.

The drive-in theater is quickly becoming extinct in Florida.

With higher property taxes and lower turnout, owners are struggling to stay open. But this weekend, one Bay area community is rallying to make sure the show goes on at the Ruskin Drive-in Theater.

An hour before the movie lights flicker, cars are rolling into the theater. They pay $4.50, grab some popcorn, take out their lawn chairs and spread their blankets under the stars waiting for Harry Potter.

This is Ted Friewald's baby. He's run the theater since 1977, and it was heartbreaking for everyone when Friewald received his property tax bill two weeks ago. It read like a horror movie.

"My wife gave it to me," Friewald said of the bill. "I told her I'd look at it later. She said, no, you want to look at this."

Last year Friewald paid $3,900 in taxes. This year the appraiser wanted $18,000.

With a steady decline in drive-in moviegoers, the taxes were more than this theater could cover.

Friewald's wife made a plea to the community, asking them to write letters to the assessors office. Movie lovers answered the call.

Two weeks ago, 21 people came to the theater. This weekend, more

Ted Friewald, who has run the theater since 1977, was humbled by the public's support.

than 360 came, a response showing just what the theater means to the community.

"It's more than humbling," Friewald said.

More than 1,500 moviegoers wrote letters and emails to the assessor to show their support. This weekend, before Friewald popped the popcorn, he received another letter in the mail.

County leaders reassessed his property and he'll only have to pay about $8,500 in taxes.

"I'll have to keep taking it out of my savings, but we can do it," he said.

That gave his horror story a much happier ending.

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