DSI on course for turnaround
REPUBLICAN & Herald
04/21/2007
The Downtown Shenandoah Inc. revitalization group is
continuing to blaze a trail of accomplishment. And that bodes well
for the community.
At the April meeting, DSI members learned the group
has been approved by the state Department of Community and Economic
Development for second- and third-year funding in the Main Street
program.
Although the agency won't know the precise amount of
funding until its first-year program assessment is completed - Pennsylvania
Downtown Center director Bill Fontana is expected to be in town the
week of May 7 for that - DSI President Valerie E. Macdonald isn't
worried about it.
In fact, she's confident DSI will pass with flying colors.
Why shouldn't she be upbeat?
Since its formation, DSI has managed to begin the herculean
task of steering the community away from a can't-do attitude of negativity
toward a positive, can-do outlook.
Sure, Shenandoah hasn't fully turned that corner yet,
but the fact DSI has been able to initiate that process is remarkable,
given the malaise that had gripped the town for so long.
Through DSI's efforts, Shenandoah was the first of the
Upper Schuylkill Downtown boroughs to gain acceptance into the Main
Street program. That says a lot, but it isn't the only thing DSI has
managed to pull off.
As Macdonald and DSI members mulled the group's agenda
last week, one item in particular stood out.
Plans are under way for another town wide yard sale
to be held in conjunction with the popular Coal Cracker 10K and Fun
Run June 9.
People may wonder what is so great about this - the
wisdom of sponsoring a town wide event in conjunction with something
as popular as the Coal Cracker run is a no-brainer.
It wasn't a no-brainer before DSI came along.
Over the course of more than a quarter century, the
Shenandoah Flites running club, guided by Thomas G. Talerico and Daniel
T. Lewis, molded the Coal Cracker run into one of the most noted races
in the region.
It annually draws hundreds of runners, race enthusiasts
and the curious to Shenandoah and has gained a reputation as being
one of the most challenging runs due to the nature of the 6.2-mile
course. It's the county's oldest run and one of the only 10K runs
still in existence.
Yet, until DSI came on the scene, no one apparently
thought of coordinating a town wide event to tap into the race's popularity.
But one of DSI's initiatives was to launch the town
wide yard sale in conjunction with the run, which in turn lures even
more people to Shenandoah. This benefits everyone, from the runners
who have an even larger audience to the people who set up tables to
offer stuff in the yard sale and to the scores of folks who enjoy
going to yard sales.
The additional downtown pedestrian traffic doesn't hurt
local businesses on Coal Cracker Saturday either.
Thanks to DSI, Shenandoah now has an annual car cruise,
clean sweep cleanup evenings, a retooled holiday program for the annual
tree-lighting ceremony and a renewed focus on economic revitalization.
It's also continuing its "Return to Prominence"
fundraising campaign to raise the local match needed for the Main
Street program.
The agency has a new headquarters in the former storefront
pool area of the Anthony P. Damato American Legion "Medal of
Honor" Post 792, and will soon hire a downtown manager, whose
full-time focus will be on revitalization.
It's also sponsoring a Shenandoah Now and Then photo
contest with an eye toward using the entries to decorate the office
space. The deadline for entries is June 2 and cash prizes will be
awarded June 9 for first- and second-place winners. Photo entries
can be dropped off at DSI headquarters, the Shenandoah Area Free Public
Library or at Caledonia Antiques, 114 N. Main St.
There are related initiatives as well. The Damato Legionnaires
are spearheading an effort to erect a sophisticated, satellite-fed
town clock in front of the post home, and it is anticipated that the
borough's well-received streetscape enhancements will resume this
year on the 100 block of North Main Street and possibly the 100 block
of South Main, following a two-year hiatus.
Getting the can't-do attitude monkey off of Shenandoah's
back may be the most important target for DSI. Broad, communitywide
support from the government, business and private sectors is essential.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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