Questers pay nice tribute to former theater owners

    Memories of Ogden Theatre, a staple on Ogden’s main street from 1938 to 1974, and its owners/operators Bill and Mabelle McGraw, still linger in the minds of many here.
    A note written to Mabelle upon Bill’s passing reflected the feelings of many who experienced his kindness and generosity.
    “He was a great person who put the welfare and happiness of others ahead of his own interests. How many kids in Ogden can remember Bill letting them in the show free? Quite a few! How about those free shows Bill put on at Halloween and Christmas or the many young boys that got their first real job at the Ogden Theater? Yes, Bill did much more than run a theater in Ogden. He helped mold the personalities of many a youth in this small town. That is a debt no one can repay.”
    Not only was the local Questers organization paying tribute to Bill and Mabelle when  they chose to sponsor a wall display at what is now McGraw Senior Center, in accordance with their motto, they were “Preserving the past for the future through restoration, acquisition and education.”
    The Lincoln Highway Questers #1248 was organized in Ogden on January 17, 1994. This non-profit organization has 13 members from the Ogden/Boone/Dayton area.
    Each year this Ogden Questers group selects one or two projects they would like to sponsor using monies from fundraising activities and member contributions.
    “The Lincoln Highway Questers are always excited when they can sponsor a project that stays locally and this project that honors Bill and Mabelle McGraw as well as the transformation of the Ogden Theater into the McGraw Center, was just the ticket,” says member Lori Anderson.
    Nan Brenholdt and Anderson took the lead on the project. Brenholdt did extensive research in archived records from old newspaper articles, McGraw Center files and internet searches to create the narratives. Lori’s daughter Lindsay Gustafson worked with her to create the design. Photos were provided by the McGraw Center, Dave Ensley donated old theater show bills to include in the design.
    The result was a beautiful display of three framed pieces highlighting the history of our local theater.