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The Mower County Historical Society held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 20, in the Pioneer Building on the grounds of the Mower County Historical Society.

Jeff Anderson, current president of the society called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with a total of 53 members, volunteers, and guests in  attendance.

Highlights of the annual meeting included:

• Election of Trustees to the MCHS Board of Directors: Pat Kitchings and Barbara K. Lewis were elected to  serve a three-year term on the board of directors.

• Volunteer Awards and Recognition: Judy Bruggeman was honored as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Gene Anderson, Jim Braaten, and Diana Witt were honored with Distinguished Service Awards as retiring  members of the MCHS Board of Directors.

After the business meeting, Tom Robbins from Austin Area Arts, gave a short presentation on the Historic  Paramount Theatre. He shared plans from the renovation project currently underway at the historic  structure and answered questions about the project.

The Paramount Theatre first opened in 1929 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

“This is such an important and exciting project,” Robbins said. “I look forward to seeing everyone at the Paramount for a soft opening during the Artworks Festival at  the end of August.”

Guests also had the opportunity to view several artifacts from the Paramount Theatre that were on display from the MCHS Collection.