Outdoor Movies in Omena? What a great idea! But it was not just for the fun of it that the Kimmerly’s and John Putnam decided to try outdoor movies one summer in Omena. Bea and Myles Kimmerly took over Anderson’s store in 1947 and for the next eleven years they lived over the store and worked hard, carrying a little bit of everything, from potatoes to kerosene, catering to everyone from resorters, and cottagers, to migrant workers who came to town to harvest cherries and apples. It was a short season that could “make or break” the store. But it was a fun season too.
John Putnams Gas Station ca. 1935 – Courtesy Omena Historical Society
John Putnam, whose Texaco gas station was across the street, had a plan. He and the Kimmerlys could co-sponsor occasional outdoor movie nights, beam the movies on the wide white wall of Kimmerly’s store, and invite everyone: migrant workers, Indians, cottagers, or year-round residents, for a free movie night. Think of the possibilities for selling snack foods, and for community building. A little free advertising for both businesses did not hurt either. Both had local competition from Barth’s Cash Store and other gas stations in the area.
Bea and Mike Kimberly in front of their store. – Courtesy Omena Historical Society
We are not sure how long Omena’s outdoor theater existed, but I suspect it was short lived. In 1957 John Putnam sold his gas station, and in 1958 Myles was appointed probate judge and the Kimmerlys decided to close the store and move to a new life without the long hours and worry about making ends meet. The store was vacant for a while, then in 1962 the Novaks bought it and used it as a vacation home. Of course, they did not want movies to be shown on their wall in the summer. Finally in 1976 David and Sally Viskochil bought the Anderson building and turned it into the lovely gallery it is today. Tamarack Gallery continued to be a destination for visitors to our area for the next 47 years, and an important historic landmark in our little village.
Courtesy Omena, “A Place in Time by Amanda” by Amanda J. Holmes and Omena Historical Society