Located on #9 Hwy. North of Carlyle, Saskatchewan
E-mail: pbh@sasktel.net   Phone: (306) 453-6095

STILL ROLLING WITH THE MEMORIES

A TRIBUTE TO MABEL

Heh folks, meet Mabel Parobec. She gets the old Prairie Dog nod for a tribute page, hands down or should we say with all paws down. You may notice that the 3 hour reel she's sporting in the picture, is empty, but that wasn't the case for over 30 years..... When Mabel let's it roll down memory lane she'll admit that she had quite a run in the movie business from the mid 50's to late 90's.

It all started back in Angusville, Manitoba in 1950 with her husband Evans who ran a barber shop and pool hall with a bowling alley.

In 1956 they relocated to Preeceville, Saskatchewan to take over and operate the Grande Theatre. Then came the Capri Theatre in Birtle, Manitoba in 1961. At this point there was no stopping them. They built their first Drive-In theatre in Russell, Manitoba in the year 1964. The Windy Acres Drive-In was up and running.

Now they were flying "literally" as Evans had attained his pilot's licence and Mabel was the co-pilot. With enough room for their children Valerie, Cynthia and George they could handle a bit more.

A new outdoor screen was lit in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, in 1974, "welcome to the Cinema IV".  It can be seen standing just East of Moosomin on the north side of the No. 1 Highway.

Heh, Evans must of said to Mabel, this is getting too easy, let's build two more, but this time let's build them simultaneously and we can kick them off in the same season. In 1981, the 4000 watt xenon bulb's beam struck the big screens of Kenpar Cinema, Carlyle, Saskatchewan (now the Prairie Dog) and Parview Cinema in Shoal Lake, Manitoba....................Fuel up that plane and load up that film and popcorn seed it's sho'time...............!

In 1987 Mr. Evans Parobec passed away, a difficult time for Mabel and her family. Mabel did what she had too and probably what Evans would have wanted to see; she saw to it that the show must go on, and it did, for over another 10 years after his passing.

So Mabel dear, please allow us to give you the old Prairie Dog Salute and we hereby award you with a lifetime pass of complimentary showings at your Kenpar Cinema; come visit any time you like!

Keep them memories rolling!

the prairie dog