The Jon H. Rieger Award
The lead crystal Rieger Award
ABOUT THE RIEGER AWARD
A non-profit like the Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts survives because of its volunteers and supporters. Without them, we couldn’t fulfill our mission to bring live performance art to Ontonagon. We appreciate every gesture of support, but occasionally someone does something that can only be called exceptional. To honor that level of commitment to the theater, we created the Jon H. Rieger Award. Dr. Rieger has been the theater’s most dedicated individual supporter from the beginning, quietly funding projects and asking nothing in return. This award in his name is given to persons and organizations we feel provide exceptional service and support to our theater. The award is based on merit and is not presented every year.
2012 - Tom Lee
Tom received this year's award for writing the first matching grant application for the theater's restoration when we were just getting started. The grant money received then allowed for plastering and painting of the gutted auditorium as well as upgrading the wiring. This was a significant step in the theater's restoration, not only because it created the basic auditorium you see today but also because it fueled the belief that the theater dream could become a reality.
2010 – Thomas M. Strong
Tom was a charter member of the theater board and was instrumental in planning and renovating the theater. Although he left the board to pursue other interests, during his tenure he served as treasurer, helped acquire the theater’s IRS 501(c)(3) status, assisted with grant applications, completed carpentry projects, scrubbed floors, and performed on stage for fundraisers. Tom’s leadership and willingness to do any job to benefit the theater, no matter how menial, were key in creating the facility we enjoy today.
2009 – Norman Pestka and Pestka Construction
The theater selected Norman and his company for the 2009 award because of their volunteer work when the theater was just starting out. In the beginning, we didn’t have a dime, just a dream, and the demolition and repair work Pestka Construction completed in the auditorium gave us hope and helped with the in-kind contribution we needed to apply for a Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs capital improvement grant for funding to move ahead. In addition, Norman’s brother George Pestka, a company employee, served as a trustee on the board for a number of years, providing ideas and expertise for the construction projects.
2008 – Betty Jo and Dale Parent
The first Rieger Award was presented to Betty Jo and Dale Parent for sponsoring and producing a series of musical shows in memory of their daughter Jennifer Lynn and turning the substantial proceeds over to the theater.
2008 – Sandi and Bruce Stratton
In 2008 we presented a second Rieger Award to show our appreciation to Sandi and Bruce Stratton for creative fundraising for the theater. We presented two awards that year because the Strattons were visiting from their home in Corpus Christi, Texas, and we wanted to make the presentation in person. They had purchased a guitar and, using Dr. Bruce’s connections with the music industry, had it autographed by country music celebrities and offered it to us for a raffle. In addition, through his media connections, Dr. Bruce brought a first-run movie, “Palo Pinto Gold” to the theater as a fundraiser.
A non-profit like the Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts survives because of its volunteers and supporters. Without them, we couldn’t fulfill our mission to bring live performance art to Ontonagon. We appreciate every gesture of support, but occasionally someone does something that can only be called exceptional. To honor that level of commitment to the theater, we created the Jon H. Rieger Award. Dr. Rieger has been the theater’s most dedicated individual supporter from the beginning, quietly funding projects and asking nothing in return. This award in his name is given to persons and organizations we feel provide exceptional service and support to our theater. The award is based on merit and is not presented every year.
2012 - Tom Lee
Tom received this year's award for writing the first matching grant application for the theater's restoration when we were just getting started. The grant money received then allowed for plastering and painting of the gutted auditorium as well as upgrading the wiring. This was a significant step in the theater's restoration, not only because it created the basic auditorium you see today but also because it fueled the belief that the theater dream could become a reality.
2010 – Thomas M. Strong
Tom was a charter member of the theater board and was instrumental in planning and renovating the theater. Although he left the board to pursue other interests, during his tenure he served as treasurer, helped acquire the theater’s IRS 501(c)(3) status, assisted with grant applications, completed carpentry projects, scrubbed floors, and performed on stage for fundraisers. Tom’s leadership and willingness to do any job to benefit the theater, no matter how menial, were key in creating the facility we enjoy today.
2009 – Norman Pestka and Pestka Construction
The theater selected Norman and his company for the 2009 award because of their volunteer work when the theater was just starting out. In the beginning, we didn’t have a dime, just a dream, and the demolition and repair work Pestka Construction completed in the auditorium gave us hope and helped with the in-kind contribution we needed to apply for a Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs capital improvement grant for funding to move ahead. In addition, Norman’s brother George Pestka, a company employee, served as a trustee on the board for a number of years, providing ideas and expertise for the construction projects.
2008 – Betty Jo and Dale Parent
The first Rieger Award was presented to Betty Jo and Dale Parent for sponsoring and producing a series of musical shows in memory of their daughter Jennifer Lynn and turning the substantial proceeds over to the theater.
2008 – Sandi and Bruce Stratton
In 2008 we presented a second Rieger Award to show our appreciation to Sandi and Bruce Stratton for creative fundraising for the theater. We presented two awards that year because the Strattons were visiting from their home in Corpus Christi, Texas, and we wanted to make the presentation in person. They had purchased a guitar and, using Dr. Bruce’s connections with the music industry, had it autographed by country music celebrities and offered it to us for a raffle. In addition, through his media connections, Dr. Bruce brought a first-run movie, “Palo Pinto Gold” to the theater as a fundraiser.