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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Impact","sans-serif"'><img width=447 height=89 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01D1C668.61DC48E0"></span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Impact","sans-serif"'>WEEK OF FRIDAY, <span style='color:red'>DEC. 2nd </span><span style='color:black'>thru</span> THURSDAY, <span style='color:red'>DEC. 8th </span><span style='color:black'>ONLY!!</span></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Papyrus'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:teal'><br>Check out our website at: </span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:navy'><a href="http://www.TheAvon.com">www.TheAvon.com</a></span></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><br></span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:red'>NOTE: PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE <br>ABOVE EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THIS NEWSLETTER!!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:#002060;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Trouble Seeing the Pictures in the Newsletter??<br>Make sure your email browser is set to “html”, not “text only”.</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:maroon'><br> </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheAvonTheatre"><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=149 height=45 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt="cid:image002.jpg@01D1C668.61DC48E0"></span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>CLICK ABOVE TO GO TO OUR FUN FACEBOOK PAGE!!</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=plotsummary style='background:#F6F6F5'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>++++++++++++++++++++<br><span style='color:red'>#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!</span><br><span style='color:red'>GET READY FOR SHEER FAMILY JOY!!<br></span></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><img border=0 width=232 height=344 id="Picture_x0020_11" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt="moana_ver4.jpg"></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span></b><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>MOANA</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(PG) 103 Family Fun Minutes<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:white'>Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped - and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes "Moana," a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli'i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "The Princess & the Frog"), produced by Osnat Shurer ("Lifted," "One Man Band"), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i, "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>MOANA</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(PG)<br>FRI: </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>(*4:00 3D)</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> – 7:00<br>SAT: (1:00) – </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>(*4:00 3D)</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> – 7:00<br>SUN: (1:00) – </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>(*4:00 3D)</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><br>MON thru THURS: 6:30<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>*NO EXTRA 3D CHARGES!!</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>BRAD PITT IN OLD-SCHOOL WWII ACTION/ROMANCE!!<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><img border=0 width=236 height=368 id="Picture_x0020_12" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt=ALLIED.jpg></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span></b><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>ALLIED</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(R) 121 Gripping Minutes</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:white'>The story of intelligence officer Max Vatan, who in 1942 North Africa encounters French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Reunited in London, their relationship is threatened by the extreme pressures of the war.<br></span></b><span class=subtle><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#787878;background:#FEF7CD'>Critics Consensus:</span></i></span><span class=apple-converted-space><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'> </span></i></span><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD;font-style:normal'>Allied</span></em><span class=apple-converted-space><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'> </span></i></span><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'>has its moments… made more profound by the dazzling talent assembled on either side of the camera.</span></i><b><i><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span></u></i></b><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>ALLIED</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(R)<br>FRI: (5:00) – 8:00<br>SAT: (2:00) – (5:00) – 8:00<br>SUN: (2:00) – (5:00)<br>MON thru THURS: 7:15<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=plotsummary style='background:#F6F6F5'><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:red'>#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!</span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><img border=0 width=244 height=362 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt=BEASTS1.jpg></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br></span></b><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>FANTASTIC BEASTS </span></u></b><b><u><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>and where to find them</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(PG13) 2 hr 12 min</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:white'>The magic of Harry Potter lives on in this Warner Bros. spin-off penned by {J.K. Rowling}, and intended as the first chapter in a whole new fantasy film franchise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=plotsummary style='background:#F6F6F5'><span class=subtle><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#787878;background:#FEF7CD'>Critics Consensus:</span></span><span class=apple-converted-space><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'> </span></span><em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'>Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them </span></em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'>draws on<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'>Harry Potter</span></em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#333333;background:#FEF7CD'>'s rich mythology to deliver a spinoff that dazzles with franchise-building magic all its own.</span><b><u><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=plotsummary style='background:#F6F6F5'><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>FANTASTIC BEASTS </span></u></b><b><u><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>and where to find them</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>(PG13)<br>FRI: (4:00) – 7:00<br>SAT: (1:00) – (4:00) – 7:00<br>SUN: (1:00) – (4:00)<br>MON thru THURS: 6:30<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=plotsummary style='background:#F6F6F5'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><h1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:60.0pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal'><img border=0 width=46 height=54 id="Picture_x0020_9" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt="Skip pic.JPG"></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal'><br></span><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";font-weight:normal'>RANTS, RAVES & RAMBLINGS FROM THE HEAD HONCHO<br></span></u><span style='font-size:30.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#111111'>The Avon to celebrate 100 years<br><img border=0 width=441 height=288 id="Picture_x0020_10" src="cid:image008.jpg@01D24A64.26E98970" alt=100ANNIVSTAFF.bmp><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#111111'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span class=asset-byline><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#111111'><a href="https://herald-review.com/users/profile/dbeckett"><span style='color:#AA1212'>DONNETTE BECKETT H&R Staff Writer</span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#111111'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>DECATUR – Nikki Nelson has been an employee with Avon Theatres for more than a year, but she quickly found an attraction for the building. “It's like being in a history book,” she said.<br>Manager Bridget Spitzer shares the feeling. “It's like you've gone back in time,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>The Avon Theatre opened with its first movie, "The Fall of the Nation," on Nov. 28, 1916. After 100 years, the theater is still a popular venue for local moviegoers. “More and more people are discovering the Avon,” said owner Skip Huston.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white;box-sizing: border-box'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>According to Huston, the Avon was built as a movie theater, not as a vaudeville house, which was more popular at the time. The Avon was built shortly before the movie palace era with ornate fixtures and multiple seating. “People at the time thought they were crazy,” he said. “Why would anyone build something as grand as the Avon just for movies.”<br>Many of the same features remain in the building. Nelson has learned much about the history of the old theater during her short time as an employee. She is most impressed by the balcony area. “It's a beautiful work of art,” she said.<br>In 1916, downtown Decatur had seven theaters. Businesses began renovating the area about 50 years later. Most of the theaters were demolished to make room for modern buildings and parking garages. “Now they are very sorry,” Huston said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Two theaters, the Avon and the Lincoln Square Theatre, survived the wrecking ball. “In Decatur, we still have two of the greatest theaters still standing and still operating,” Huston said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white;box-sizing: border-box'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>However, theaters of all eras would experience growing pains.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white;box-sizing: border-box'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>As larger, multiplex theaters were built in the open areas outside of the cities, they took movie fans with them. Downtown businesses felt the pain as customers traveled to other areas for entertainment and shopping. By the 1990s, downtown Decatur was almost empty. Huston often found himself discussing the problem with city officials. “I kept saying downtown is the soul of the city, it is a blank canvas,” he said. “The downtown really shows you what kind of city it is.”<br>Previous owners of the Avon attempted other entertainment businesses, such as Branson-type live shows and a dollar-movie theater. Nothing seemed successful. Eventually the Avon closed its doors.<br>Approximately 20 years ago, Huston approached the empty theater with the idea of bringing it back to life. “I would drive past and see the closed-up old Avon,” he said. “I thought I could do something with that.”<br>When his family first entered the theater, they weren't sure which direction to go. They spent a month cleaning the old building and studying their options. Movies were not at the top of his list. “The sound was terrible, the projection was terrible, the screen had holes in it,” Huston said. “We didn't even know how to open the curtains.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#444444'>During one of their cleaning days, an employee was in the projection booth tinkering with the projector. The light from the projector spilled on to the closed curtains. It was a preview from an old movie still in the projector. “Someone yelled out 'We've got a movie theater',” Huston remembers. “Yes, we do.”<br>As the old projector roared back into life, Huston had made his decision. But he believes the old theater decided its fate. “The Avon wants to show movies,” he said.<br>In April, the Huston family will observe their 19th year with the Avon. He feels it is an honor to be part of the 100 years. “There were a lot of other people that came in that 80 years before,” Huston said.<br>The family was able to add two theaters, commonly referred to as the Twins, after leasing the City Plaza Ballroom next to the main theater 12 years ago. The new building had 20-foot ceilings, ideal for a theater. “It gave us the opportunity to go first-run (movies) instead of just repertoire and art films, like most mom-and-pop old theaters,” Huston said.<br>Although the twins are more modern with a kitchen, stadium seating and newer equipment, many employees prefer the original theater building. “We've updated it so it works better for our customers,” Spitzer said. “But at the same time, we've kept the integrity of the original theater.”<br>To celebrate the anniversary, the Avon will offer special prices and an exclusive movie to be shown in December. Huston suggests customers check the Avon Facebook or the newsletter for updates on anniversary deals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=plotsummary style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:#F6F6F5'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>++++++++++++++++++++++<br></span></b><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0070C0'>T<em><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";font-style:normal'>he Avon Theater has been YOUR locally owned & family-operated 'hometown theater' for 100 Years THIS YEAR!!</span></em><br></span></b><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>This weekend, I'm looking for ALL of you and, especially...</span></em><em><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'>YOU!!</span></b></em><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'><br></span></i><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Lucida Handwriting";color:black'><img border=0 width=48 height=56 id="Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:image007.jpg@01D248DB.36D8A0D0" alt="cid:image008.jpg@01D1C668.61DC48E0"></span></i></b><em><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Lucida Handwriting";color:black'>-</span></em><em><span style='font-size:18.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC";color:black'> <b>Skip Huston</b></span></em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:140%;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>