Source: Maria Sibson
My Grandfather, Wirt S. McLaren (Mac) opened the Capitol Theatre on March 22, 1922. He also opened the Michigan Theatre on April 30, 1930. He owned theatres in the Chelsea, Mi and Charlotte areas as well, (The Princess in 1905, and Rialto). I have a few old newspapers from that era. He died on November 21, 1952 from cancer. My Grandmother, (his wife) was Irene Joy Crossman who was a professional singer, and was the first woman news broadcaster in the country. It started in the basement of the Capitol Theatre, WIBJ (Winners In Broadcaster Joy). During this time she was known as Auntie Joy. During her professional singer career which started in Chicago she was known as Esther Joy. She gave up her singer career when she married my Grandfather on June 30, 1926 in Chicago.