Wayne Stebbins

Remembering Wayne

The village of Saranac and outlying communities pay tribute to a lifelong member, Wayne Stebbins, who passed away September, 20, 2009. He will be greatly missed by relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and all who knew him, for his generosity and thoughtful ways.

Wayne was very proud of the fact that he was born, raised, and always lived in the home previously owned by his great grandfather, William M. June. He attended Saranac schools and graduated with the class of 1943. As a young teenager he had a yearning for a movie projector which his parents purchased for him. His first movie theatre was in the back yard where he hung sheets over bushes. At that time admission was two safety pins each, from his brothers and a cousin, possibly to pin the sheets together. Later it was moved to the garage where other kids around town were welcome to come over to enjoy movies.

In 1939, at 14 years of age, Wayne started working as a ticket taker and usher at the Midget Theatre in Saranac, at that time owned by Clarence Monroe of Grand Rapids. In 1940 he became the youngest theatre manager in the state. Wayne later purchased the theatre which operated until October of 1944. Feeling the need for a larger place, a building up the street was purchased and remodeled, both inside and out, with first class equipment. On November 1, 1944, the new Saranac Theatre with seating for 325 people was opened with a midnight show and then operated with a show every night and a matinee on Sundays. Prices were 25¢ up to 5 pm, and 30¢ thereafter. He was now complete owner and manager of this enterprise. Many people of all ages around town were hired to help Wayne in his newest venture. It became a very popular entertainment center to the people of Saranac and surrounding communities. In the mid to late sixties the inroads of television had taken a toll on the theatre business and it was closed; although Wayne did at times run projectors at the Strand Theater in Lowell and the lonia drive-in theatre. On October 31, 1964 Wayne started working for Emerson McCarty at McCarty Publications, and later for Jim McCarty at McCarty Communications in Saranac.

During his employment there, nearly 41 years, he made a theater in his home showing the older movies along with a cartoon to groups of eight to ten people in the evenings. Often people would request a certain movie and he would oblige with a ‘special showing’ for them. Over the years thousands of movie goers were entertained. Wayne always had popcorn, candy bars, and soda pop for all to enjoy. After an entertaining evening, as people left, you often heard, “Goodnight and thanks Wayne, we’ll see you next week.”