Around Ashland Fall 2008

ADI’S OBJECTIVES DONUIT SHOP MAKING CHANGES COMMUNITY CALENDAR ....... .1

IS S UE 3

V O L UM E 1

F ALL 2 0 0 8


FROM THE CHAMBER ASHLAND TIDBITS BOROUGH NEWS DID YOU KNOW ?…………...2


BE PROUD...ASHLAND IS A MAIN STREET COMMUNITY! W ATCH FOR BILLBOARDS THROUGHOUT THE UPPER SCHUYLKILL AREA ADVERTISING ASHLAND DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES & ADI EVENTS

Around Ashland

ASHLAND DOW NTOW N, INC.

OUR MISSION Ashland Downtown, Inc. seeks a vibrant, attractive downtown by preserving its architectural charm, promoting economic vitality and marketing its historic and cultural resources.

Community Calendar

ADI’s Objectives Wow!! We are already in our third issue of Around Ashland!! It is our goal that this piece of literature is very informative not only on what Ashland Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is doing, but to help spread the word about local organizations /businesses as well. By the way, we are always seeking fresh ideas for our newsletter and are open to suggestions for making this newsletter better each time.

In the first and second issues of Around Ashland, we explained two ( DESIGN and ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING ) out of the four key components of the ADI program. The remaining two components to be explained are PROMOTIONS and ORGANIZATION. During this issue, Promotions will be explained in greater detail.

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Defining Main Street’s market niche—its unique position in the surrounding markets

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Creating new image campaigns, retail promotions, and special events to bring people back to downtown

Not only is the promotions committee involved with all of the above, but it is the main committee that puts together this informative newsletter. I thank them for their dedication in putting out a professional product.

As always, it is a privilege to serve as Ashland’s Main Street Manager. I cannot say enough for the hard work the ADI volunteers have given to this organization on the many projects and meetings they attend in making positive changes in this great town of Ashland. Also worthy of note, is the valuable partnerships ADI has with local businesses and organizations in working as a team for the betterment of our commuPROMOTIONS This component focuses on promot- nity. A special thank you extended to Tom Joyce, ing downtown as the center of commerce, culture, Sharon and George Demko, Eileen Kuperavage, and and community life for residents and visitors. Jim Klock for their continued support in writing articles for the newsletter. As always, please contact me Activities of the promotions committee include: at 875-3571, or visit the ADI office at 733 Centre • Understanding the changing market in regards Street regarding any questions you have. to potential shoppers and the competition We look forward to hearing from you, • Identify downtown assets including people, Gregory W. Fisher, Ashland Main Street Manager buildings , heritage, and institutions

The Donut Shop Making Changes Past

I have had the Donut Shop at 900 Centre St. for approximately 9 years, 7 of those years as being a rental. After purchasing the property 2 years ago, I had always visualized changes I wanted to make, but was not ready financially to so. Then I heard from a friend of mine, on council, that in a few months I could make changes on my building and get financial help from the town. I didn’t pay too much attention to him at the time since it seemed to good to be true. Then came ADI. Greg Fisher dropped an application off with a list of contractors and information. I immediately filled it out. Some renderings were drawn up and after I saw the possibilities, I was anxious to get started. Through the whole process the committee was very helpful, we even changed a few things along the way. Whenever I contacted Greg about needing to make a payment for work being done, he always made sure a check was there for me. I know if it weren’t for ADI, I would never have gotten this all done. Everywhere I go, I get compliments on my building. It turned out better than I ever imagined. My advice to anyone considering doing this is to “Go For It.” I have all good things to say about my experience with ADI and am looking forward to doing it again.

Present

S UPPORT ASHLAND

Thanks Again!!!!! Cheryl Ladick, owner The Donut Shop

October 3 Ashland Area Rotary Omega Health Screen October 4 First United Methodist Presbyterian Church Bake & Soup Sale October 4 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Turkey Dinner October 5 American Fire Company Kick Off of Fire Prevention Week October 6 & 7 St. Catherine’s Medical Center AARP 55 Alive Driver’s Course October 11 American Fire Company Annual Dinner Dance October 15 VFW Auxiliary #7654 M&M Chicken Dinner (Oct.10 order deadline) October 18 Ashland Downtown, Inc. 5th Annual Ashland AppleFest October 18 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Breakfast October 26 Ashland Area Rotary Halloween Parade November 4 Zion’s Reformed U.C.C, Election Day Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner November 4 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Soup, Sandwiches, and Sundaes November 8 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Spaghetti Dinner November 10 (order deadline) VFW Auxiliary #7654 Weaver Pie Sale (Nov. 25 Delivery) November 12 St. Catherine’s Medical Center Books Are Fun/Book &Gift Fair/Bake Sale November 29 Ashland Area Rotary Santa Parade & Tree Lighting December 20 Ashland Downtown, Inc. Old Fashioned Christmas Join the Downtown Team! ADI Monthly Meetings 1st Monday—Design 2nd Monday—-Economic Restructuring 3rd Monday—Board of Directors/Organization 4th Monday—Promotions Borough Council Meeting 2nd Wednesday of the Month

From the Ashland Chamber of Commerce The new decorations will be on display at both M&T and Susquehanna Banks.

The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce has been busy conducting their annual membership drive during the summer months. Businesses that join the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce are automatically members of their local chapter by checking off the dues sharing block on their membership application to the county organization. Many businesses have joined us in this way. Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce activities are still available to all local members. Membership is welcomed at any time of the year to new or existing businesses and can be obtained by calling George Demko, President at 875-0329 or simply by attending our monthly meeting on the 3rd Thurs.

of the month at 7:30am at Saint Cath- as they can to help give our town a new look for the holiday season. We erine Medical Center. realize that this is a diffiWe are very excited “We realize that many people may cult economic time, with about the upcoming be “attached” to the candles and gas and heating oil and Capital Campaign to we also are sorry to see them go, coal prices on the rise, but raise money for the but we hope the new fixtures will we could no longer connew Christmas lights. tinue to repair the old be accepted as another step in the They will be placed candles and keep them continuing efforts of many organion the poles on the safe. main street, replacing zations to improve our town” The new decorations will the candles that have be on display at both been used for the last M&T a Susquehanna Banks so you 40 years. The new lights have alcan get a preview of what they will ready been obtained and we will be look like. They will be lighted by asking the business community as well as the general population to help LED bulbs which will be a cost saver over the old style bulbs and flood defray the cost. The Chamber’s finances come primarily from contribu- lights. We realize that many people may be “attached” to the candles and tions, dues, and fundraisers. This generates enough to “break even” to we also are sorry to see them go, but provide for the maintenance, electric- we hope the new fixtures will be accepted as another step in the continuity, and installation of the lights. Therefore, we will be contacting eve- ing efforts of many organizations to improve our town. ryone to ask them to be as generous

BOROUGH NEWS As cold weather approaches, Ashland Borough Council is asking for the cooperation of all Borough residents with respect to the parking of their vehicles. Between Nov. 1st and March 31st, when a storm is forecast and an accumulation of snow is expected, please remember that Centre St. and Hoffman Blvd. are both considered snow emergency routes and all vehicles must be removed from these streets from 2AM to 6AM in order for Penn Dot to plow the full width of the streets. This is a great assistance to the local businesses so they can have parking for their customers immediately. It also saves money for the taxpayers, as the Borough workers do not have to remove the snow. Also, refrain from parking too close to Don’t miss visiting Pioneer the corners so that fire apparatus can make their way through the streets in case of an emerTunnel and the Anthracite Museum of Mining this summer gency. Log onto Residents who have their ashes picked up by the Borough on Fridays shall see the pickup www.pioneertunnel.com going from every other to every week stating Oct.10th. The Street Sweeper will continue to for this year’s schedule. run as long as weather permits, but tickets will stop as of Oct. 10th.

Did you know? Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society In January of 1860, it was enacted in the State General Assembly that the borough of Ashland would be divided into two wards. The dividing line to be the middle of the Ninth Street. The polling place for the West ward was in the public house of Peter Keller and for the East ward it was established in the public house of Michael Horan.

that was introduced to Ashland in 1961.

By 1864, Ashland’s population grew to the point that a third ward was created. The dividing line separating the East and Middle wards was the middle of Seventh Street and the middle of Twelfth Street divided the Middle and West wards. The polls for the East and Middle wards remained as before and the private house of Patrick Gallagher, Peter Keller operated the hotel known Esq., 1339 Centre Street, served the as the American House—later the voters of the West ward. saloon and restaurant of Charles Ashland was divided into five wards in Brecker at the corner of Twelfth and 1885. The divisions were as they reCentre Streets. The building was main today with the following locations razed during the 1980’s to provide serving as polling places: First ward was parking for Shearan Too restaurant. the Valentine Schmidt, 101 Centre Michael Horan’s establishment was called Union Hall and was located at 639 Centre Street. That building was taken down in 1959 by the Bell Telephone Company to construct a building to house the dial telephone system

Centre Street, served the Fourth ward and the Fifth ward residents voted at the Union House, 1901 Centre Street— owned by Bridget Horan. This election on November 4, 2008, will most likely be the last to be held in five wards. A proposal has been to reduce the number to possible two, as it was prior to 1864.

Street, Second ward elections were held at the house of Adam Leach—address unknown, Third ward voters went to the establishment of Ferdinand Loeper on the corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets, the home of Velentine Doeppner, 1416

OUR VISION

Ashland Downtown, Inc.

733 Centre Street, Ashland, PA 17921 570-875-3571

Ashland shall promote its architecture to both residential and commercial opportunities. Ashland will also enhance and market its historical and cultural resources for tourism. Located at the intersection of routes 54 and 61, Ashland will serve as a western gateway into the region. Ashland shall build upon its potential for tourism by connecting local historical and cultural sites through a coordinated transportation and consistent “way finding” system within the region. Ashland shall become the arts and heritage hub of the Upper Schuylkill region.

ASHLAND TIDBITS Schuylkill Area Community Foundation (SACF) is a charitable nonprofit organization that works to strengthen and promote philanthropy in Schuylkill County. The organization was incorporated on January 16, 1967 under the name of Ashland Trusts, and the name changed in 1997 to reflect the expansion of the service area. In January 1967, Attorney Harry Strouse received a contribution of $1,000 from Emil Emert to establish the first fund known as the Ethel M. Jones, R.N. Memorial Award in Obstetrics. There are 54 funds that directly benefit the Ashland Area. You may call the SACF office to obtain the complete list of funds. The Community Foundation has invested donors’ contributions wisely over our 40 years of service within the community. From our modest beginnings of one fund and $1,000 to 108 funds and assets have surpassed $11 Million. In addition, we have distributed over $1 Million in scholarships since 1977 when The Dr. Rudolph A. Constein Fund was created. Thank you for your support. You may make a contribution to any fund, in any amount, at any time. Please feel free to contact Eileen Kuperavage or Sharon Kosyk at the Pottsville office at 570-624-7223 or visit www.sacfoundation.com for more information. __________________________ On behalf of Ashland Downtown, Inc., Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Borough, and the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine, we would like to thank all of the people who volunteered to give blood on Thursday, August 21 , 2008 at the Ashland Borough Hall / Anthracite Museum.

Mark Your Calendars Ashland AppleFest October 18 Old Fashioned X-Mas December 20

Help us achieve our Vision for Ashland...become an ADI volunteer!

www.upperschuylkill.com

See you t here! !!