The Oleson Foundation announced this week it is donating $150,000 to the restoration and reopening of the historic Vogue Theatre in Manistee, bringing the foundation's total contribution to date to $200,000. The community board of directors at the Vogue - which first opened in 1938 and has sat unoccupied since 2005 - have now secured $1.9 million of their $2.4 million capital fundraising campaign goal to bring the venue back to life.

Beth Wallace, coordinator of fund development for the Vogue, said in a statement that the board hopes to host the grand opening of the theater during Manistee's annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade December 6-8, 2013.

"We are well along with the restoration work," says Wallace. "It's inspirational to see the rebirth of the theater that will benefit generations of Manistee residents and visitors."

Kathy Huschke, executive director of the Oleson Family Foundation, said of the foundation's gift to the theater: "In making this grant, the Oleson family recognizes the significance of the Vogue to families and children throughout Manistee County that currently have no movie theater. We agree that the theater will change the market dynamics of the city's downtown and be a catalyst for expanding and attracting businesses and jobs."

Added Huschke: "The Vogue is a game changer for Manistee, and we are proud to contribute to the final push to complete the capital campaign."