When the Powell community is passionate about something, we step up. 

That was on display with the outpouring of support to open the Vali Twin Cinema after a long fall closure. 

Of course, if you want to see local businesses stay open, they need to be supported year round, not just when they’re in dire straits. 

Hopefully this surge of enthusiasm is maintained, as I know my kids would be sad to see the old cinema go, as it's been a regular spot for school groups to go to for special events. 

It also sounds like the owners have responded to both the previous struggles and now the surge of support by brainstorming new ideas to ensure the theater can stay open going forward. 

That’ll be critical in a post-Covid age where attitudes about going out have changed, streaming services have often pushed out new movies at nearly the same time as theaters, and inflation has driven families to rethink all spending, whether it’s going out to eat or to see a movie. 

Adjusting to changing times is certainly something we, as a newspaper, have grappled with in recent years as well — for example, social media has gone from a time suck to a tool to reach readers and hear the latest happenings around the region. 

But we know people like traditional media as well, whether it’s a print newspaper or a big screen. 

The theater is an iconic institution in downtown Powell and it’s good to see people care about it remaining so. As we enter a world of ever more advanced technology, of AI, smart TVs and food delivery apps, it makes many yearn for simpler times, at least on occasion. After all, can microwave popcorn taste quite like that in a movie theater, or can even a great home theater match the experience of being at the theater, sharing the thrills of a movie amongst a sea of other moviegoers? 

For showing times, visit valitwincinema.com/holiday-schedule.