Around Ashland Summer 2008

ADI CONTINUES TO GROW “FACELIFTING THE VFW COMMUNITY CALENDAR ....... .1


GETTING TO KNOW ADI BETTER!! ASHLAND TIDBITS BOROUGH NEWS DID YOU KNOW ? FROM THE CHAMBER……….2
BE PROUD...ASHLAND IS A MAIN STREET COMMUNITY! PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES AND BUY LOCAL!

ASHLAND DOW NTOW N, INC.

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Around Ashland

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.

ADI Continues to Grow Hopefully, the first issue of Around Ashland, sparked your interest in wanting to come back for more on what Ashland Downtown, Inc. (ADI) is all about. It is our goal to inform you of the progress being made through the hard work of this volunteerdriven community effort. In the first issue of Around Ashland, we explained that there are four key components of the ADI program. They are: Design, Promotions, Organization, and Economic Restructuring. The first component to be explained in greater detail will be ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING (ER). This component focuses on finding new or better purposes for Main Street enterprises. In other words, ADI has an ER Committee which works on strengthening the downtown’s existing economic base and gradually expanding it. Activities of the ER Committee include:

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Developing Market Information

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Business Retention

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Business Recruitment

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Developing New Economic Uses

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Coordinating Financial Incentives

Over the past year, the ER Committee conducted a market assessment in which you may have been asked a few questions by an ADI volunteer on your opinion on a variety of issues. Did you know from our survey? New sidewalks was the most popular physical improvement wanted in town. Banking was the establishment most visited in downtown. A hardware store was the #1 suggested store in town that the community would like to see. The most popular radio station listened to was T102. In conclusion, it is a privilege to serve as Ashland’s Main Street Manager and to work with the ADI volunteers who have given great time and energy in making this “Great Town Even Better.” If you would like to see more of the outcomes from the market assessment or if you have any questions or observations, please contact me at 875-3571, or visit the ADI office at 733 Centre Street. Log onto www.upperschuylkill.com where you’ll find more interesting information about our town. Thanks goes out to Tom Joyce, Sharon and George Demko, Eileen Kuperavage, Harry Hause, and Jim Klock for submitting articles for the newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you, Gregory W. Fisher, Ashland Main Street Manager

FACELIFTING THE VFW BUILDING PAST

As members of the VFW noticed the ADI banners and planters in Ashland, we realized something new happening in Ashland. We then saw the transformation of the News-Item building and thought maybe we could improve the façade of the VFW building. We contacted ADI to see if we qualified for any façade grants. Greg Fisher, ADI Downtown Manager was very helpful in answering all our questions and confirmed that we did qualify. We filled out the application, which proved to be a very easy process. Mr. Fisher sent for a rendering of our building, which showed it in its current condition and also a view of what the building could look like. Once we obtained approval from our members to do the refurbishing, we then got a list of contractors for painting and installing a new awning. This a great opportunity to refurbish a building with the help of ADI. This was much easier than any of us thought. We encourage all property owners, business and residential, in the downtown area to look in to this. Taking care of our buildings can only make Ashland more attractive and have the historic look the town deserves. Respectfully,

Future?

Harry Hause Commander, VFW/Legion

S UPPORT ASHLAND Community Calendar July 3 American Fire Company Fireworks display-Rain date July 4 July 3 Zion’s Reformed U.C.C. Food Stand for Fireworks July 9 Ashland Rotary Seasoned Sounds Swing Big Band July 26 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Wing Nite July 28-31 Coach “O” Soccer Camps August 9 Bracey Pharmacy 75th Anniversary Celebration August 16 Ashland Community Enterprises Pioneer Day August 21 ADI, Ashland Chamber, Ashland Boro, and Pioneer Tunnel American Red Cross Blood Drive August 29 North Schuylkill Youth Soccer Association Kick off Pep Rally August 29-September 1 Upper Schuylkill Upper Schuylkill Homecoming Weekend August 30 108th ABA Parade September 1 Ashland Recreation “Annual Rec Regatta” September 13 First United Methodist Presbyterian Church Yard, Bake, and Soup Sale September 14 Zion’s Reformed U.C.C. Holiday Penny Auction 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 Month

Getting to Know ADI Better!! Being part of an organization like Ashland Downtown, Inc., provides many opportunities for community involvement and to build community pride within your town.

What was the process like to become a member of ADI?

In this article, ADI would like to highlight a fellow colleague of the organization and the great work they do for our community. Joe Cataldo has been the President of the organization as well as the Chairperson of the Economic Restructuring Committee for the past year, and has been involved with the group since 2006. Mr. Cataldo was asked a few questions: What sparked your interest in becoming part of ADI? When I was on Borough Council, I felt this town needed something to promote and better the community.

I talked to a fellow colleague of ADI and was invited to a meeting and this was something I was highly interested in.

What other organizations have you or are currently involved with?

I was a member of Borough Council for about memories from when I was 16 years. I was a former younger would bring great joy to Charter member of the me” Ashland Area JC’s. For 14 years, I was on the Board and How long have you lived in Ashcoached Midget Football. I also land? coached Ashland Little League for 5 I lived in Ashland since 1950 when I years. was 1 and 1/2 years old. As you can see, it is quite easy to What kind of gratification do you become a part of ADI. ADI is alget from becoming a part of ADI? ways looking for volunteers on all Anything this organization can do to levels. Whether you would like to be on the Board of Directors, be part bring back memories from when I was younger would bring great joy to of one of the committees, or be a me. You knew everyone in the town person ADI can call upon just for and personally knew all of the owners special events, ADI would love to hear from you and answer any quesof the businesses. tions you may have regarding our organization. “Anything can do to bring back

ASHLAND TIDBITS Schuylkill Area Community Foundation (formerly Ashland Trusts) has awarded Ashland Downtown, Inc. a grant for $500.00 toward the purchase of office equipment. The Community Foundation office has relocated to 216 South Centre Street in Pottsville. Since 1967 they have been serving donors throughout the county by managing, investing and distributing their contributions according to the fund agreements. The organization now manages 107 funds with an asset value exceeding $11 million and distributed over $320,000 in grants and scholarships this year.

BOROUGH NEWS

For a list of funds serving the The Ashland Borough town wide cleanup that was held between June 6-June 10, 2008 was a Ashland area or a complete listsuccess. The tonnage of debris picked up is estimated to be about twice as much as 2007. ing, please contact Eileen KuThe Borough Workers should be commended for their hard work that was accomplished un- peravage at 570-624-7223. You der very trying heat conditions that week. As Borough Manager, I want to thank Ed Gough, may also visit their web site at Charles Brown, Dave Fickinger, William Snyder, Kyle Klock, Bernie Staudenmeier, and Jim www.sacfoundation.com. Dudash for their great effort with the cleanup.

Don’t miss visiting Pioneer Tunnel and the Anthracite Museum of Mining this summer Log onto www.pioneertunnel.com for this year’s schedule.

The Borough will be installing new Strain Poles to hold the traffic signals at 3rd and Centre Street. This is being done out of necessity because the existing poles are old and worn out. The new poles will fit into the streetscape program that is in progress. I would like to thank Ashland Downtown, Inc., Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Pioneer Tunnel Association for their participation with the Blood Drive that was held on June 25, 2008. Another thank you to the Members of the Masonic Lodge for use of their building for the Blood Drive. Submitted by, Tom Joyce

Did you know?

Ashland Area Historic and Preservation Society

In the fall of 1846, an experienced miner named Patrick Devine was hired to explore the coal veins crossing the tract of land known as Ashland Estates. In 1847, the tremendous task of clearing the land was begun. Samuel Lewis surveyed the site and Peter W. Sheafer, of Pottsville, laid out the town.

to construct many of the early buildings. Between Fifth and Sixth Streets on the south side of Centre, stood a stone structure. Built around 1850, it was used for the land deals made by John Brock. It also housed the harness and saddle business of John H. Kemmerer and a boots and shoes business of Clement S. Foster. After 1870, when Ashland Estates The first structure built was a frame was sold, it was known as the Philahotel located at Third and Centre delphia and Reading, Coal and Iron Streets. It was constructed on two Building. It was razed in 1999 to lots donated to Joseph Larish to house make room for a new office and workers hired to develop the town. It parking lot for Dr. John Stefovic. was called the Ashland House and was used until 1932 when a fire The first brick building was located deemed it no longer useful. A service on the NW corner of Centre and 3rd station for Geurney Zeigenfuse reStreets. Built in 1852 by Col. J.J. placed. Ashland Downtown Motors Connors, it was known as the Patterson building. Thomas Patterson was currently occupies the site. Connors’ partner in the Wadleigh The first frame housing resembled Slope, the first coal operation in company housed, built to attract imAshland. The building will best be migrants. Native stone was used remembered as Knapp’s Pharmacy.

From the Chamber The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce held their 2nd annual town-wide yard sale on May 3rd. The weather was quite chilly, but participation was hot! The Chamber had a food stand at the Higher-Ups Park and sold hot dogs and bean soup. Needless to say, the bean soup sold out! We had great traffic through the park as well as the whole town for the sale. Thanks to all the yard salers for their participation. The Christmas Lighting Committee brought a representative from a commercial company to a recent meeting with samples of some pole fixtures. As a result the board has decided on a new Christmas decoration for the town. The new fixture is a Christmas tree. The committee plans to display the tree in the local banks in the near future as it launches its capital campaign to defray the cost of the lights. Look for the display in the bank. Can you believe the old lights are about 30 years old! Time for change!

OUR VISION

Ashland Downtown, Inc.

733 Centre Street, Ashland, PA 17921 570-875-3571 www.upperschuylkill.com

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

_______________________ 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 Wednesday June 25, 2008 and reached 106% of the goal for donors that was set for the day. Due to the rising temperature, the site had to be moved from the Ashland Borough Hall to the Ashland Masonic Building. A special thank you goes out to the members of the Masonic Lodge for their kind hospitality. As an incentive to give, the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine donated 5 sets of tickets for a tour of the Pioneer Tunnel & Steam Train to be raffled off at the end of the day. Lunch for the staff was donated by M&M Sandwich Shop. Many made appointments for the next bloodmobile on Aug. 21.at the Borough Hall. See you there.

By the way, did you notice the newly painted street light poles painted on Centre Street sponsored by ADI ?