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    Edgar Richardson who has been active in nearly every organization in Daniels County is celebrating 54 years in business in Scobey and his 40th year in the theatre business this weekend.
    Part of the celebration will be an old time, black and white movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life” at the theatre this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The box office will have old time prices and old time prices in the concession stand. It’s been a long time since anyone has been able to go to a movie for $1.; get a small pop for 10¢ and a small popcorn for 10¢; all three nights!
    A public open house will also be in his honor on Saturday,  November 28th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Nemont Friendship Room.
    Edgar grew up on the family farm near Peerless and graduated in Scobey in 1945. He joined the Navy
receiving the good conduct award and the WII Victory medal and was honorably discharged in 1947 when he came back to Scobey to work as a plumber and electrician for Leibrand’s Service. He tended bar in the family business and purchased the Ponderosa Bar in 1955, owning it until 1972.  He also farmed in Canada from 1954 until 1989.
    In 1969 he and his late wife Geraldine (Gilbert), who passed in 1984, purchased the theatre business from Citzens State Bank who bought it from Stanten Danelson. The bank only wanted the real property for a new bank building and sold the fixtures and theatre business to Edgar. The theatres included the “Rex” on Main Street, where Independence Bank is now located, and the Riv-R-Vu Drive In theatre on the south edge of Scobey.
    In 1971 they opened a new theatre, the Cinema Centre, in a brand new building with some of the old equipment from the Rex. In 1975 a new Dolby sound system and automated projector system was installed, making it one of the nicest and most modern theaters of its time.
    Since then the Rex was donated, moved to and restored at Pioneer Town where each year the Dirty Shame Show  and other features take place.
    The Riv-R-Vu has long since been closed and the large screen destroyed by wind, but Edgar and his wife (of 23 years) Mary continue to run the theatre and a custom framing shop, Frames and Things. Over the years they have been involved in several other businesses and are instrumental in the operations of Daniels County Museum Association and Pioneer Town.
    It was Edgar’s idea to start Pioneer Town, selling the idea to the Daniels County Museum in 1967. Pioneer Town and the museum continue to be a nation-wide attraction to Scobey each summer. They, among many other volunteers, keep new and fresh attractions that bring a large number of  tourists coming to this area.
    Edgar has served as an officer in most area and several regional organizations and done considerable work behind the scenes; from serving on the City council to spearheading the Daniels County Airport Commission to pave the runway here.
    He has been honored by  Daniels County and the state of Montana as Senior Citizen of the Year; Montana Tourism Advisory and Council and Scobey School Hall of Fame. The list goes on and on with a life filled with achievements, most of which revolved around community activity.
    He and his wife Mary plan to have a full weekend with all of his children– Kathy Ware, Kim Malensek, Jeff Richardson, and Mary’s daughter Char Graff and their families, including many grand and great-grandchildren here for the festivities.
    Edgar once told the Leader, “I feel fortunate to have lived in Scobey and Daniels County, a community that has been behind me completely on the endeavors I’ve pursued.”
    “This is truly sacred ground,” he said.
    At 82 years young, he still gets a lot of things done and the theatre, Pioneer Town and museum have become a labor of love, working tireless hours in everything he’s involved.
    The people of the area are invited to help celebrate Edgar’s achievements and dedication to this area this weekend. Take in the movie, in what is still one of the nicest theatres in Montana, and the public open house on Saturday, from 2 to 4.