Local News
Olde Town receives accreditation for third year
Variety of events set this summer in downtown area
Olde Town Grove City has been recognized as an accredited National Main Street Program by the National Trust Main Street Center.
“We reached the highest standard we can as a Main Street Program,” said Olde Town manager Lisa Pritchard. “It’s such an honor and it shows that all the hard work we do together pays off.”
Olde Town Grove City has received accreditation from the National Trust since the program was implemented in town three years ago, according to Pritchard.
“It’s standard but not all (Main Street Programs) receive accreditation,” she noted. “We make sure we have absolutely everything that’s required.”
The National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners accredit Main Street programs that have formed strong revitalization organizations that have shown ability to follow the Main Street methodology.
“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center, in a press release. “Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success.”
The Main Street methodology includes 10 basic performance standards, which set the benchmarks for measuring a Main Street program’s application of the Four-Point Approach for revitalization.
Evaluation criteria includes determining that communities are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts, as well as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress and preserving historic buildings.
Olde Town Grove City’s performance was evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Pennsylvania.
The state center recommended Olde Town for accreditation, Pritchard said.
“This program has proven to be the complete and successful addition to the Streetscape project launched and completed by (Grove City Revitalization Inc.),” said Mindy Steigerwald, Olde Town Organization Chair. “Using the guidance of the Main Street Program, our downtown has come alive and become the vibrant place that so many of us remember from our childhoods.”
Steigerwald and Pritchard also praised the effort of local government officials and organizations.
“We are truly blessed to have the support of our borough government and (Grove City College),” Steigerwald said. “Under the leadership of Lisa Pritchard and her assistant, Traci Turner, our community is a bright star in the Commonwealth.”
“We receive a lot of support and leadership from members of Grove City Revitalization Inc. and Olde Town,” Pritchard added.
According to Pritchard, there will be no downtime to enjoy accreditation, as there is still much work to do for the many events lined up this summer.
“We’ve got plenty going on, including the Olde Town American Festival and Farmer’s Market,” she noted. “It’s going to be a full summer!”
Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has assisted hundreds of downtowns across the United States to reclaim and revitalize their own unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide.
The National Trust is headquartered in Washington, DC, with nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites and partner organizations in all 50 states.
- Local News
-
-
Blanketing others in love
People from all around the nation and the world are getting cozy, thanks to a local ministry.
Based out of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church, Heartstrings Ministry provides prayer blankets to people in need, including new mothers, cancer patients, orphans and many others.
Each handmade blanket is created by a member of the church, and is prayed over before being delivered. -
Former Cooper-Bessemer employees reunite
Former workers came from near and far to share their memories at the Cooper-Bessemer reunion Sunday.
The first attempt at getting former employees of the once major Grove City employer Cooper-Bessemer or Cooper-Cameron, was a great success. Nearly 250 people attended the event at Legacy Banquet and Conference Center, Grove City. -
Mercer looking golden after clean-up effort
Mercer is a cleaner place, following a special project by two Senior Ambassador Girl Scouts.
As their final project on the road to earn their Gold Award, Girl Scouting’s top honor, Makayla Neely and Jody Roberts organized and executed the “Healthy Earth--Healthy You” Clean Up Day on July 10 in Mercer. -
A dream of a duo
The “Matt and Anthony” duet has been going to stages across the U.S., including a stint last year on “America’s Got Talent” and in Grove City on Friday.
The song and dance act includes Matt Lucas, 24, a native of Grove City, and Anthony Morigerato, 25, a native of Albany, N.Y., who met at Marymount Manhattan (N.Y.) College in 2004 as roommates. -
WAF may make move to Springfield permanent
Wendell August Forge may be relocating to Springfield Township.
The forge’s Grove City location on Madison Avenue burned down in March. Although it was up and running again in a month, Wendell August wanted to rebuild again at its historic location.
But that vision changed.
“The deal-breaker with us was truly the fact that we don’t have the acreage we need to build what we need,” said Will Knecht, president and CEO. -
Stoneboro teen killed in crash
A 17-year-old Stoneboro girl died on Thursday.
Katie Lynn Gilmore, of 12 Beech St., died at 12:55 p.m. after her car crashed around noon Thursday on Route 845 in Stoneboro. -
Second Grimm brother to add to woodland park
Disabled veterans from around the area may soon be able to enjoy even more amenities at the Stanley Snyder Wildlife Park in Springfield Township.
Work on the park began in 2008 with the building of a fishing pond on post property adjacent to Brent Road.
A handicap accessible fishing pier and nature trail have since been added, and plans to build a pavilion on the property are in the works.
“I’m really amazed at the progress we’ve made in a short amount of time,” said project coordinator Ron Donlan. -
A little helping hand (and foot)
It’s summertime, and most people aren’t thinking about the cold months to come.
But at Little Feet Charities, the focus is always on the winter.
Based out of Mercer, Little Feet helps local children and families by providing them with food and clothing throughout the winter and gifts at Christmastime. -
Crowning glory
Jocelyn Gruber usually spends her summers like most high school students.
She has a job as a baby sitter, and, when she’s not working, she enjoys the warm weather and spending time with family and friends.
But this summer is different for Jocelyn.
She is busy doing paperwork, traveling around the state and preparing for one of the biggest days of her life.
On June 18, Jocelyn was crowned Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen America 2010, which has qualified her to represent the state for the national title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2011 at the end of summer. -
State police: Vice unit set up sting
A high-speed chase ended with the arrest of a Cochranton man in Worth Township on Friday.
Gary Consla, 63, was set up by vice units out of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop E in Erie on state Route 173 south of Interstate 80 in Wolf Creek Township, said trooper Troy Owen of the state police in Jackson Township. - More Local News Headlines
-
