A night under the stars...

MILLERTON — Coming soon to a park near you is movie night. And it’s no ordinary movie night. Organizer Troy Ramcharran has dubbed the entertainment “a night under the stars.�

Ramcharran, a resident of neighboring Lakeville, Conn., owns a production company. He got the idea while talking with his 11-year-old daughter, Grace.

“She asked if I could set up a screen and she could invite her friends over because she wanted to have a movie night,� he said. “So I brought over the equipment, but we couldn’t hold that many people. I said, OK, we’ll just do a community night and get the community involved and see how it goes. That’s it.�

So he approached the selectmen in Lakeville with the idea and never heard back from them. That was three months ago.

“I got no response,� Ramcharran said, who then decided to give Millerton a try. “I figured I would try the next town I was familiar with. I do own property here and so I’m familiar with the Town Hall. It took one call to Millerton and they were ready to get involved. It seemed like they had a better policy with being more welcoming.�

So he learned about what would be required, got the proper insurance (which costs $1,200 per event), got approval to use the movie and started making plans. Now he’s ready to show “Kung Fu Panda� on Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. at Eddie Collins Park on a 9-by-12-foot screen before families lounging on patio chairs and thick blankets.

“I think it’s a good idea,� said Millerton Mayor John Scutieri. “I’m certainly in favor of things that would promote family activities like going to the big ball field together. Anything that families go to like a picnic activity could be nice for people. And it’s going to be free.�

Before showing any films Ramcharran must have village approval: He must provide certification that he can show any given movie; the Village Board wants to give its OK on the specific movie to be shown; it must be rated P or PG; the movies must be “older,� so they don’t interfere with business at The Moviehouse; and there must be insurance for each event.

So far, Ramcharran has a second movie planned, the family film, “Madagascar.� That’s set to be shown on Aug. 12, same time, same place. After that he’s hoping he’ll be able to show movies throughout the summer, maybe every two weeks.

His next step, he said, is getting the word out.

“We are doing flyers and trying to get some promotion. We’re doing door-to-door, letting the community center know and just waiting for the date,� he said, adding that once the first event is over he will start to approach sponsors. “I want to see the response. If it’s a really big crowd I’ll do something bigger for the next event, a very big screen and I’ll bring a sound system.�

There’s no concession stand for now, perhaps in the future, Ramcharran said. Moviegoers are welcome to bring picnics and beverages, but no alcohol. They are asked to please clean up after themselves. They are also encouraged to bring their own seating, and blankets or sweaters, as the night air gets chilly. Most of all bring those whom you want to spend time with.

“I think it’s a great bonding tool, where you can spend some great time with your kids in a great environment,� Ramcharran said. “These are things you miss out on when you’re in a movie theater.�

“I’ll be there, absolutely,� Scutieri said. “I really think it’s a nice thing to offer and I think people are looking for a way to save money, so if they can throw a blanket on the ground and watch a movie together under the stars, that would be kind of nice.�

For his part, Ramcharran said he, his wife, Toneisha, and daughters Grace and Amber expect to enjoy the ambience and the company as much as the movie.

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