KEITH GROLLER'S NEW YEARS

Keith Groller


I know it sounds like a cheap way to spend New Year's Eve, and it really was.

But my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed how we spent New Year's Eve. Because of the weather and other circumstances, no big parties for the Grollers this time. Remember, two years ago, I welcomed in 2008 with about three million of my closest friends in Las Vegas.

No, this time we spent --- at least a good portion of New Year's Eve -- on Main Street in Northampton at the old, but still very classy Roxy Theater.

Haven't been there in years, maybe 15 or 20 since my two kids in their mid-20s were small, but what a neat place the Roxy continues to be, starting with the sparkling, glittering marquee out front that catches your eye as you head north on Main Street.

Inside, I was very impressed at how clean and classy the place remains. Loved the Christmas decorations inside the theater, the organ playing Christmas music -- everything. Felt like I was going back in time.

The screen sits behind a curtain and after the previews are shown, the current closes and opens again for the feature presentation.

You can have your 20-screen complexes with all of its big parking lots and your fancy, reclining seats and your drink cup holders and all of the other amenities that come with the newest movie theaters.

But I'll still take the Roxy and all of its old-school charm. It won't be another decade or two until I go back.

As for the movie "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey --- well, the effects were terrific -- but maybe some of them went on too long and some of the story was lost. I know the idea is to scare Scrooge into becoming a good guy, but I don't know if "A Christmas Carol" was ever supposed to be a borderline horror film.

Overall, though, a great experience at one of the Lehigh Valley's true treasures. Here's hoping it's still around for many New Year's Eves to come.

Keith Groller