“ Drive-ins keep families going out as a unit .”
“ The drive-ins should be re-opened ... even on a smaller scale ,” says Michael Parent . “ Drive-ins help keep families going out as a unit . Good for everybody .”
In late July , a handful of people showed up to the first screening at Movies and Mini Golf , a joint venture between Party Putt and Mark Boscariol , the owner of the currently closed Tecumseh Roadhouse . Boscariol has painted the end wall of his restaurant in reflective paint , and hopes to attract outdoor moviegoers on weekends this summer .
“ I think it will catch on ,” says Boscariol . “ The wall thing , it ’ s something different . And people around here , usually they need to see something in action before they really jump on board .”
In the front row that night , Alicia Higginson watched her three daughters dance around the pavement while waiting for the movie to start . The faint smells of insect repellent and barbecued hot dogs muted the scent of manure wafting from nearby farmers ’ fields .
Higginson and Isabella , 7 , Annika , 5 , and Maelle , 3 , had a round or two of minigolf , then were treated to free potato chips and ice cream , courtesy of Boscariol . They ’ d seen that night ’ s feature , The Lorax , before , but they hadn ’ t come just for the movie .
“ I love anything local ,” says Higginson . “ And that it ’ s outdoors is even better .” Higginson herself has only very faint memories of going to the drive-in as a small child . “ I never thought I ’ d be able to give them this experience ,” she says . “ This is just a great night for everybody .”
While Windsor ’ s former drive-ins have long been paved over for shopping plazas , or hemmed in on every side by development , it ’ s not impossible to think an empty field , a municipal park or even a restaurant parking lot can bring back some of the magic .
“ Decisions that are totally economic aren ’ t always the best ones ,” says Wright . “ Sometimes we have to focus on what makes our communities stronger .”
August 2013 - The HUB 15