Mission Point Hosts First Dinner and Movie of Summer
By Sean Ely

Steve and Deb Cronkite (left) sit down with their sons, Tyler (front) and Greg, at Mission Point Resort for "Dinner and a Movie Night" Monday, June 4, in the Round Island Bar and Grill, followed by the film, "Wild Hogs." This is their second visit to Mackinac, their first stay at the resort. Tyler is working his second summer on the Island.

When the idea to host a "Dinner and a Movie Night" at Mission Point Resort was first introduced at the hotel's opening party May 1, guests and staff thought the event would flourish throughout the summer season.

The weekly event got underway Monday, June 4, with dinner at the Round Island Bar and the movie in the historic Mission Point Theatre, which was part of the set for director Jeannot Szwarc's "Somewhere in Time," in 1980. The new concept compliments the traditional Monday Night Movie at the hotel by adding the option of having dinner, too.

"We've had the movie night for quite some time," said David Sturm, director of food and beverage at Mission Point Resort. "It seemed like a nobrainer to have a dinner before the event, too. It is an untapped market on the Island, and it will serve as something special for the community, both guests and non-guests of the resort."

Every Monday, starting at 5 p.m. in the Round Island Bar and Grill, anyone can show up at Mission Point Resort and receive a three-course meal selected from the resort's new menu. At 9 p.m., guests move to the 500-seat movie theater, where they enjoy a bag of popcorn and the movie as part of their $24 package.

"The night is perfect for families who want to enjoy a late night after a long day on the Island," Mr. Sturm said.

The theater at Mission Point was the first building constructed at the facility in 1954. It features 50 foot trusses made of Norway pine from nearby Bois Blanc Island and more than 45 tons of native stone.

The projector used for the first-run movies is more than 60 years old and uses carbon arc for is light, burned on special rods available at only several places around the world. The resort goes through about 50 carbon rods a year.

"This a very old technology, however it's a good technology, as long as it continues to work," said Craig Starkwather, who hosts the movies every Monday night. "It would cost anywhere in between $5,000 to $50,000 dollars to get new equipment, depending on how much we put into the theater. These are working, and they are just part of the history."

His venture, he contends, is a public service, since it makes little or no money.

Jack Loeks, a Leslie Court resident who owned a large movie theater chain downstate, used to operate the Mission Point theater, bringing the firstrun movies to the Island. Mr. Starkwather took over about six years ago, continuing to show movies for the entire families, nothing rated higher than PG- 13.

"This is important to everyone who comes to the Island," Mr. Starkwather said. "It's a tradition. We have people who come to the Island and see the movies from New Jersey to California. We have received thank-you notes every week since we've done this service. It's great to have."

The $24 package also includes a complimentary bag of popcorn for each person, with the receipt given at the beginning of the night. "Wild Hogs" was featured at the June 4 event.

For those who just want to watch the movie, adult tickets can be purchased for $5 and child tickets for $4 prior to 4 p.m. After that, all tickets are $6.

Shrek 3 is the June 18 film.