LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jack Deuel upon the occasion of his
designation as a recipient of the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award by the
Sidney Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to the
success and progress of society in the course of their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jack
Deuel upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of the 2009
Citizen of the Year Award by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce on Friday,
June 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Jack Deuel grew up and attended the local schools in Sidney;
at the urging of one of his high school teachers, he applied to and was
accepted at Ithaca College, a school known for its strength in theatre
and music; at Ithaca College, he trained under Johann Reich, the man who
trained under Max Reinhardt in Vienna; and
WHEREAS, Jack Deuel later studied drama at New York City's 46th Street
Neighborhood Playhouse; he played with greats such as Richard Boone and
Sandy Meizner; after lessons in improvisation, speech clinics, and
dance, he played in numerous roles before being drafted into the Army; a
stint in an army show wound him up in "Special Services" with a company
of performers; and
WHEREAS, In the mid to late 1950s, Jack Deuel was associated with the
Hollywood Stage Society and such professional actors as Dennis Weaver;
he directed two productions, was house director for the Ivar Theatre
near Sunset Boulevard where he learned stage fighting and dying from
Nora O'Mahoney in "The Plough and the Stars," and was also stage manager
for three productions at UCLA; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, the Chambers of Commerce of Sidney, Unadilla and
Bainbridge, united in an effort to encourage cultural activity in the
Tri-Town area; they wrote to Jack Deuel and asked if he would be inter-
ested in starting a community theatre and working as its director; Jack
took up the challenge, returned to Sidney, and the Tri-Town Theatre was
born; and
WHEREAS, Over his years as Director of the Tri-Town Theatre, Jack
Deuel was the one who formed the house manager, costume director, props
people and the state manager; he galvanized people from three towns and
many from further afield, to act, build sets, make costumes; and so
forth; and
WHEREAS, A recipient of the Vision 21 "Community Pride Award", Jack
Deuel has almost exclusively directed the Tri-Town Theatre in over 45
years since its founding; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Jack Deuel's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jack Deuel upon the occasion of his designation as a recipient of
the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jack Deuel.