A seven-year "era" has come to an end at Oakhurst's Golden Chain Theatre. Mary Lou  Finley stepped down to a standing ovation as president of the all volunteer organization  when theater members met Jan. 9 to elect new members of the board of directors and  the board, in turn, selected new officers.  Finley, who has been with the non-profit theater since the  1980s and on the board for 15 years --- seven as president  --- had announced to the group that she was ready to step  down from her position.  "Please don't tell anybody, but on Jan. 17, I will be 77," she  said with a wink in an interview after the vote. She will  remain on the board as vice president.  "We are getting some new blood, knowledgeable younger people who have the energy  the Golden Chain needs," Finley said.  The board elected Jennifer Piccolotti as the new president. She first appeared on the  Golden Chain stage last year and was a major presence through the last season, directing, painting scenery, cleaning,  acting and filling in a board vacancy.  "I am very happy that I have such strong people to work with and to help me," Piccolotti said.  Finley has been well known in the Mountain Area since the 1980s and got her start at the Golden Chain by working  with the "minis," shortened melodramas that hit the road to be performed at meetings, events and private functions.  She ran for and was declared Oakhurst Honorary Mayor in 2005 and her campaign raised $20,000 for the theater.  She was the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year for 2007. She helped in the effort to get a  liquor license for the theater's Grub Gulch Saloon. During her time as president, she also helped secure a Chukchansi  Community Grant that helped the theater with new curtains, an updated electrical system and other long-needed  repairs Through it all, Finley has done many tasks from greeting patrons to directing to telemarketing.  "There is no way to thank the people on the board for all they've done to move the theater forward, to keep it open and  fulfill our mission statement: the presentation, promotion and preservation of 19th century historic and melodramatic  theater," Finley said. Of her less-harried schedule, she said she will keep giving as much of herself as she can. She has already started --  she directing the 2012 mini melodrama, "A Fastidious Finagling Fiasco Fixing Fresno Flats," about the Fresno Flats  name change to Oakhurst 100 years ago.  Piccolotti's first show at the Golden Chain was 2011's "Wild West Women," in which she played several historical  women. She came to Eastern Madera County from Bakersfield, where she was a performer and teacher at the  Bakersfield Music Theatre and Stars Dinner Theatre.  "I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to serve as president of the board of directors at the Golden Chain  Theatre," Piccolotti said. "We have a board that is a delightful mix of visionary youth and seasoned members, who are  excited and energetic as we enter our new season. My hope is that as we begin to accomplish the goals we have  established, we will continue to be a cherished, historical part of our mountain community, as well as a wonderful  place for family-friendly entertainment."  In addition to stepping into the president slot, Piccolotti is putting together a musical revue called "I Can't Believe That  Didn't Win a Tony" featuring great songs from Broadway shows. It will open in the fall.  New board members are Sean Wilkins and Darrell Collard. Officers are Piccolotti, president; Finley, vice president;  Wilkins, secretary; and Larry Mattox, treasurer. Bruce Deaver was re-elected. Also on the board are Jeri Barron, Patti  Law-Poggi and Terry Walter.