2017 Summer Movies at the Ritz Begins!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

Date: 05/30/17

RE: 2017 Summer Movies at the Ritz Begins!

TOCCOA, GA, May 30, 2017 – Main Street Toccoa is happy to announce that the 2017 Summer Movies at the Ritz event series begins this Thursday, June 1, 2017 and will run every Thursday through July 27, 2017.

The Summer Movies at the Ritz will take place every Thursday at the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Toccoa. Showtimes are at 10:00am and 7:00pm. Tickets and concession are only $1. The event series will premiere with The Secret Life of Pets on June 1, and continue throughout the summer season with other hits, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Sing, Doctor Strange, The Jungle Book, and more.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding Summer Movies at the Ritz. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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2017 Ida Cox Music Series Begins!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

Date: 05/30/17

RE: 2017 Ida Cox Music Series Begins with Toccoa Jazz

TOCCOA, GA, May 30, 2017 – Main Street Toccoa is happy to announce that the 2017 Ida Cox Music Series begins this Saturday, June 3, 2017. The headlining act for the first week of the 2017 Ida Cox Music Series will be Toccoa Jazz, a local favorite.

Toccoa Jazz is known within Toccoa and throughout Northeast Georgia for their venerable selection of jazz classics and their excellent performance. Toccoa Jazz has opened the summer concert series for several years in a row. Main Street Toccoa is pleased to bring them back to headline the 2017 Ida Cox Music Series

The Ida Cox Music Series, named after famed Toccoan Blues musician, Ida Cox, features free music in Downtown Toccoa every Saturday in June, July, and beginning in 2017, August. The music starts at 7:00pm and the series lasts until approximately 10:00pm each Saturday night. Bring a lawn chair to Downtown Toccoa and enjoy live music, food, and drink in a relaxing atmosphere.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding the first week of the Ida Cox Music Series. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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County Line to Premiere at the Ritz!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2017

Contact: Tara Brown
tara.brown@inspfilms.com803-448-2698

The Historic Ritz Theatre at The Schaefer Center to Host the First Theatrical Release of “County Line”

INSP Films debuts its newest movie in Toccoa, GA June 16-18

Indian Land, SC–INSP Films has chosen Toccoa, GA, to host the premiere of its newest release, County Line.  The action-packed crime drama was shot in Toccoa in 2016.  The announcement comes from Gary Wheeler, Vice President of Original Movies at INSP Films.

“The city of Toccoa provided the perfect backdrop for County Line,” said Wheeler.  “We needed rural landscapes, a racetrack, a small-town diner, a courthouse and other unique shoot locations.  Toccoa provided these and more.  It’s fitting that the townspeople, many of whom played extras in the film, will be one of the first audiences to see it.”

County Line tells the story of Alden Rockwell, an aging ex-sheriff dealing with the recent death of his wife and forced into retirement after losing a re-election bid.  When his old war buddy, closest friend and neighboring sheriff, Clint Thorne, is shot, Rockwell finds himself in the middle of a non-sanctioned investigation.  Amidst a dangerous threat to his own life, Rockwell refuses to stand by while a ruthless element takes over the town.

Cast in the leading role as Alden Rockwell is Tom Wopat (The Dukes of Hazzard, Longmire, Django Unchained). Sheriff Clint Thorne is played by Jeff Fahey (Texas Rising, Justified, Lost, Under the Dome). Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement, The West Wing) plays the spunky diner owner, Maddie Hall.  Dendrie Taylor (Saving Mr. Banks, Out of the Furnace, True Blood) plays Clint’s straightforward but fiery wife, Jordan Thorne.

County Line is produced by INSP Films and distributed by Imagicomm Entertainment.  The film was written by Jon Nappa (When Calls the Heart, Super Snoopers), Shea Sizemore (Not Forgotten, A Sailor’s Song) and Jason White (Christmas on the Coast).  The producers are Jason White and Gary Wheeler.  David Cerullo, Dale Ardizzone and Doug Butts are the executive producers.

For additional information, please visit www.countylinemovie.com.

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About INSP Films

INSP Films is a theatrical motion picture production company owned by television network INSP.  Founded in 2015, it produces films that are inspiring, heartwarming and family-friendly.

Toccoa Train Day

Press Release
May 9, 2017
Contact: Sharon Crosby
706-282- 3309

Toccoa Train Day

Toccoa, GA, May 9, 2017 – The railroad has been an important part of the history of
Toccoa. To honor this history, the City of Toccoa will be welcoming the Amtrak Crescent
Line again this year at 6:15 a.m. on May 13.

The rail line was completed in the town of Dry Pond, later changed to Toccoa City, in
1873 to connect Atlanta, Georgia and Greenville, South Carolina. In 1878 it became
known as the Elberton Air Line Railway connecting Toccoa to Elberton.

The rail line through Toccoa City created a conducive environment for development,
allowing for buildings to be constructed downtown. In 1917, a double rail track was laid,
eventually giving permit for trains to travel every 15 minutes day and night during World
War II. Over the years, thousands have come to Toccoa by way of the rail road.
Today, the City of Toccoa is serviced by Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Railway and is
one of three stops in Georgia along the Crescent line.

AM630 WNEG Radio will broadcast live as the train arrives. A drawing for several prizes
including round trip tickets to Atlanta, will be held at the event. Attendees can register
that morning at the depot. Again this year, the Athens Bend Track, will have a display set up in the Mitchell Allen Memorial Hall from 10 am – 3 pm.

For more information, contact the Main Street office at 706-282- 3309.

Historic Plaque Ceremony: Greyhound Bus Station

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Historic Plaque Ceremony, Greyhound Bus Station- 05/04/17

TOCCOA, GA – The seventh historic plaque in the 2016-2017 series of plaques dedicated to downtown buildings will be unveiled on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 5 p.m., at the former Greyhound Bus Station, located at 99 Railroad Street.

One of the last Greyhound bus stations of its kind, the Toccoa station was unique in that its upstairs served as a hotel to provide overnight passengers with a place to stay without having to venture outside of the terminal. This was not usually incorporated into the typical design of the Greyhound stations. The bus station still has its original oak countertop preserved, which once served as a ticket counter. Additionally, the bathrooms retain their original black-and-white tile from their days in use for the Greyhound bus station. After serving as a bus terminal, the building has been used for multiple businesses, including most recently as a restaurant. It is now owned by Mr. Alden Parker, a local entrepreneur.  

 The historic plaque program highlights ten historic buildings in Toccoa, and the remaining plaques are set to follow each month. Once all plaques have been installed, they will be added to Main Street Toccoa’s Historic Walking Tour Guide.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding the Historic Plaque Program. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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Ritz Theatre Receives Honor

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

Date: 05/01/17

RE: Ritz Theatre Wins Award

TOCCOA, GA, May 1, 2017 – Main Street Toccoa is pleased to announce that it was awarded the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation at their 2017 Preservation Awards in Gainesville, Georgia for renovations done to the Historic Ritz Theatre at the Schaefer Center.

The Chairman’s Award is the highest award in the category of Rehabilitation offered by the Georgia Trust. It is awarded solely at the discretion of the chairman of the board of directors for the Trust.

Regarding the awarding of this honor, Community Development Director Connie Tabor said, “This award serves to showcase the dedication to preservation that the City of Toccoa has given to the Ritz Theatre. The city has the philosophy that historic preservation should not only honor the past, but also serve as an economic driver for the future. We are thankful for the recognition from the Georgia Trust that the Ritz Theatre leads as an example for successful renovation and rehabilitation work completed to an historic structure.”

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is the largest statewide non-profit organization in the United States. Most recently, they held their annual Spring Ramble in Northeast Georgia, which included a visit to many local historic sites, including the Ritz Theatre.

For more information about this award, please contact Christian Hamilton at the Main Street office at 706.898.5777

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