ADI preparing for Homecoming Weekend celebration
BY JOHN E. USALIS - Schuylkill Saturday/News Item
08/22/2007
ASHLAND — With the Upper Schuylkill Homecoming
Weekend less than two weeks away, the Ashland Downtown Inc. (ADI)
revitalization group is gearing up for its part in the festivities
that revolve around the 107th annual ABA Mummers Parade in the borough.
During the Homecoming Weekend, each of the Upper Schuylkill
Downtowns communities will hold special events. ADI will host a food
stand in the parking lot near the Ashland Downtown Center and Community
Banks building at Eighth and Centre streets on parade day, Saturday,
Sept. 1. ADI will host the Upper Schuylkill Wine and Food Pairing
from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at the Mine Shaft Café (formerly
Henry’s Family Restaurant).
“Homecoming Weekend is coming up quicker than we
know it,” said Ashland Main Street Manager Greg Fisher during
Monday’s ADI meeting. “Last year, we had a food stand and
sold hot dogs, hamburgers, haluskie and drinks.”
Last year, all six Upper Schuylkill communities participated
with food stands. This year, Main Street Ringtown Inc. is the only
town that has committed to maintain a stand, selling pierogies, kielbasa
and bottled water. The Frackville Downtown revitalization group has
not confirmed its plans to participate.
“In addition to the food stands, Van Wagner will
also perform,” said Fisher.
A songwriter, underground coal miner and high school
teacher, Wagner performs a program celebrating the past and present
of the Pennsylvania coal industry. Wagner is a native of the anthracite
region, where he worked underground for R&R Coal Co. in Schuylkill
County. His songs have been performed all over the world and have
been featured in several film productions.
Wagner will perform on the front steps of the Community
Banks building.
After some discussion of a suggestion by board member
Patti Wesner, the amount of haluskie will be at least doubled in order
to meet demand. Wesner said last year’s supply was sold in a
short time. She also suggested selling bean soup, which was also approved.
Mary Claire O’Donnell will donate homemade apple dumplings and
cake for sale. Ashland shirt and cap combos will also be on sale.
All proceeds benefit downtown revitalization.
The food stands will be open starting at 4 p.m. Volunteers
will begin setting up at 2:30 p.m.
Following up on last year’s great success, the
wine and food pairing will move to the new Mine Shaft Café
in order to accommodate more people. The turnout for the inaugural
event, which was held at the Ashland Elks Lodge, was much better than
expected.
In addition to a variety of fine wines and unique foods,
the pairing also includes live jazz music by Kim Russell Seibert,
Ron Stabinsky and Friends. Cost is $25 per ticket, and the number
of tickets is limited. Call 773-1688, extension 15, for tickets or
information. Tickets are also available at the Ashland Downtown Center.
Improved contact with the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce
was also discussed. Treasurer Barbara Mullins said expanded cooperation
would help both organizations.
“It would be nice to extend an invitation to them
to come to one of our meetings to see how we can come together to
try to bring some businesses into the community, which is basically
what we wanted to do in the beginning to fill up these storefronts,”
said Mullins.
“I agree with you, Barbara. Of all of the groups
in town, that group has been most willing to work with us,” said
board member Louis Rader.
“They say competition is great, but I think the
best thing we can have right now is businesses that would fit in with
the existing businesses — businesses that would complement those
that we already have,” said ADI President Joseph T. Cataldo.
“Like I said, competition is great, but we can worry about that
when all of the storefronts are full.”
Fisher said one possible cooperative project could be
a sidewalk sale similar to those held in the past. The ADI board members
agreed that it would be more of a chamber project, but ADI would assist
however it could.
In other business, ADI will send a “second
phase” mailing to businesses, professionals and residents inviting
additional partners in the ADI capital campaign. Fisher said ADI has
contracted with Goodwill Industries to process 2,500 letters, which
will be mailed this week. The capital campaign has been a major boost
in the goal of revitalization of the downtown business district.
© The News Item 2007
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