The GEM Theatre is now only months away from opening. The floors have been poured, the stage is being constructed and the seats are ordered. Soon, residents will experience the best of both the past and present, as the GEM’s grandeur will take you back to 1939, but its features will provide a state-of-the-art theatre experience.

The GEM will be the community’s theatre and the Friends of the GEM invite everyone to own a piece and leave an everlasting memento. Theatre seats are available for $500 and include a plaque with a message of the purchaser’s choice. Patrons also have the option of choosing the exact seat location. Seats make great Christmas, birthday and wedding gifts and are a special way to honor and remember loved ones.

Don’t have $500 to spare? For $2 you could win a seat! The Friends of the GEM are raffling off one seat and the winner will be announced December 1. Raffle tickets are $2 each and on sale now. Tickets are available for purchase every Thursday (excluding Thanksgiving) from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in front of Red Door Café on Wall Street and at the GEM during Harvest Fest on October 30 and open house on November 21. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $3 online at www.calhoungem.org. There is no ticket limit.

If you have not peeked inside the GEM lately, stop by during Harvest Fest to view the progress. For more information on the GEM and raffle visit www.calhoungem.org or call (706) 296-7103. Let the GEM Theatre re-opening countdown begin!