Have a seat

Plans to replace auditorium seats in the R. Duane Best Auditorium were discussed Nov. 19 at Morehead High School. Gloria Best, project coordinator, answered questions for attendees at this kickoff meeting.

Lynn Tuttle, president of the Duane Best Scholarship Fund, started the meeting by introducing the steering committee and giving an overview of the project.

“When you come here for graduations, band concerts or choral concerts, you know these old seats need replacing,” Tuttle said. “It’s not a question of if or when – we’re going to do it.”

The group has a goal to replace all the seats in the auditorium by 2011, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the auditorium. The names of donors and honorees will be displayed in the auditorium instead of on the seats. This was done to avoid possible removal or defacement of name plates. 

Gloria Best said it is important for the community to support this effort because of all the programs held in the facility.

“With all of the outstanding guests we have in this auditorium, the seats are embarrassing and we have to turn the lights down low so they can’t see them,” she said.

The seats are being purchased from GreyStone International, Inc. based in Michigan. The chairs are built “green-friendly” and are made from recyclable materials, according to the company’s Web site. The seats are also made with a suspension system which removes issues with former spring systems.

The price for one chair is $150. Gloria Best said they are able to get the price this low because they are working directly with the manufacturer. Gifts can be made to the Duane Best Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4424, Eden, N.C. 27289. For more information, call Gloria Best at (336) 623-2932.