16146Small Business Saturday Holiday Extravaganza

A newsletter to the citizens of Sharon sponsored by Sharon Community and Economic Development Commission. 8th Edition - Fall/Winter 2014

16146

Visit www.CityofSharon.net. Find out what’s going on in the area, download necessary forms, use links to connect to area resources, and view pictures highlighting the beauty of our city.

DownTown ShopAroundStarts at 10:00 a.m. • DozensofLOCALstoreswith THOUSANDSOFDOLLARS worthofprizes!• Dozensofartisanswithgiftsfor saleattheJamesE.WinnerJr. Arts&CultureCenter• Freegiftwrapping• PictureswithSanta• Freerefreshments• Carolersanddancers throughoutthecity allday

Night of LightsFestivities begin at 5:00 p.m.• Horse-drawnsleighrides• AvisitfromSanta• PhotoopswithElsaandAnna• Freehotchocolate, ciderandcandy• Mainstage entertainment• Annuallighting oftheTree,the ChristmasAngel andFireworks

Kickoff the Holidays in Beautiful Downtown Sharon! • Saturday, November 29

Whatabetterwaytospendyour

SaturdayafterThanksgivingthan

shoppingindowntownSharon!

Bringyourout-of-townfamily

andfriendstoallthequaintnew

shops,havelunchatoneofourgreatrestaurants,andspendtheevening

celebratingourNightofLightsfestivities!Formoreinformationortoget

involved,pleasecontacttheChamberofCommerceofficeat724-981-5880.

Follow Uson Facebook!

Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Sharon! I LOCAL!

And here’s to the “old guard,” tried and true, who have withstood the test of time!

Elaine’s Curiosities – 39 Chestnut Street Elaine & Ron Marks

Redeemed – 146 East State Street Sara McCauley

Golden Memories – 86 West State Street Glen Siminick

C&E Extreme Audio – 138 West State Street Eric Thomas

Urban Barn – 169 East State Street Constance & Victor Shumacher

Haitian Sensations – 110 East State Street Joseph Altenor

AEtheric Alchemy – 138 West State Street Odin Smith & Alanna Butler

Joel P. Ways, Optometrist – 189 East State Street Joel & Rita Ways, since 1977

Valley Car Wash – 1364 East State Street Richard & Robin Sarisky, since 1979

Sharon Hot Dog Shop – 134 West State Street George Kotsatos, since 1976

These fabulous shopsare new, re-opened

or expanded!

Shop Small - Shop Local! Studiesshowthatforevery

dollaryouspendatalocally

ownedbusiness45cents

isreinvestedinyourown

neighborhoodversus15cents

investedlocallyforthatsame

$1spentatanationalchain.

Shoppinglocalisaninvestment

inYOURdowntown!

First Lady Susan Corbett and Community Food Warehouse Executive Director Lori Weston light the ceremonial orb for the September WaterFire

Whenyousee10,20,upto30thousandpeopleindowntownSharononaSaturday,youcanbetthere’saWaterFireevent!ThreelightingsinJuly,August,andSeptemberbroughtvisitorsdowntowntoshopatlocalstoresandartisantents,trytheirhandsatpublicart,visitachildren’sartcenter,watchperformers,andenjoythefoodcourtvendors.Andthatwasjustduringtheday!Atdusk,atraditionalNativeAmericanBlessingbySenecaspiritualleaderLeonSamBriggsopenedthe

lightingceremony.The“smudging”givesthanksforthegiftsthatcomefromthewatertonourishandstrengthenus.

Eachlightingbroughtoneofthesummer’sthemesofElements, Origins and Motiontolife.Elementsrefernotonlyinwhatcreateswaterandfire,butallfineandperformingarts,theartistswhocreatethemandthevisitorswhoappreciatethem.IntroducedintheElementslightingwasMichaelLong,whocreatedaone-of-a-kindartpieceduringtheday.LightingtheceremonialorbwereTinaandPaulO’Brien–greatsupportersandvolunteersofthecommunityandWaterFireSharon.Originstookusbacktoourbeginnings,theplaceswecamefrom,andthetraditionswehonor.Comingfromanarearichwithhistory,theorblightingwasdonebyBernieDresel,SeanJones(twofinemusiciansfromourarea)andBillStrickland,founderofManchesterCraftsmenGuildinPittsburgh.Motionwasseenindance,song,drumming,andart.Highlightingthemotionoftheriverandfireperformers,visitorsmovedthroughthestreetsandgatheredattheceremonialorb,litbytheFirstLadyofPennsylvaniaandsupporteroftheartsSusanCorbettandExecutiveDirectoroftheCommunityFoodWarehouseLoriWeston.Torchbearerslinedthebridgesandbecametheperfectbackdropforthehundreds,ifnotthousandsofphotographstaken.

Alsonewthisseasonwasapettingzoo,theEkkerSportsAutographCollection,andHistoricalWalkingToursandHubs.ThecrowdwassurprisedbyflashmobsdonebyhighschoolstudentsthatcalledattentiontoHungerAwarenessandtreatedtoasymphony.

Excitedtoseethefireperformersback,especiallySpogga,worldrenownedforhisbreathtakingskills,visitorsflockedtotherivertotakeitallin.TheeveningsweretoppedoffwithmusicanddancinginsidetheArtsandCultureCenterandoutsideonthemainstage.

WaterfireSharonisaneffortthatrequireshundredsofvolunteersandsignificantfinancialresources.WearetryingtobringawarenesstoboththoseneedssothattheentirecommunitycanparticipateandWaterFireSharoncancontinue.We’reseeingnewbusinessesopenindowntownandwe’rehearingstoriesofvisitorsfromCanada,Philadelphia,WestVirginia,Columbus,andmanyotherplaces.Waterfireboostsourtourismandourentireeconomy.

For more information onhow to get involved, go to

www.waterfiresharonpa.org

WaterFire Sharon: Another Year of Communityand Artistry Downtown

Dates for 2015 lightings are: July 18, August 22, and September 26. You don’t want to miss them!

WhatdoMarciaandAlecMoyer,MikeLisac,DonnaWinner,andLewKachulishaveincommon?TheyhaveeachwontheShenangoValleyChamberofCommercePhoenixAwardforBEAUTIFICATION.Each

hastakendown-troddenbuildingsandturnedthemintoshowpiecesandanchorsinourcity.Asmoreandmorelandownersaretakingprideinourdowntown,oursmallbusinessindustryisgrowing,

increasingtheinvestmentinourlocalbuildings.Manythankstothosewhoareputtingtheirmoneyand“sweatequity”intomakingSharonagreatplacetolive,workandgrow!

Agroupmadeupofpeoplefromthecity,ArtsCommission,CommunityandEconomicDevelopmentCommission,BeautificationCommissionandGreaterSharonAssociatesmerchantscametogethertocreatesomeuniqueand

decorativebanners,whichaddcolorandpizzazztodowntownSharon!

Thank you for caring and making our city “Beautiful Downtown Sharon” once again!

New Directional and Decorative Banners

Loose Caboose Shops – Mike Lisac FNB Building – Winner Family Gilberts Building – Lew Kachulis

Apollo Maennerchor Restoration – 391 DockVolunteer Board Members

Tickled – 110 East State – Alec MoyerAlso, a retail “Incubator” space which haslaunched 3 start-up retailers in downtown.

Soon to be Brewtus Brewery – 23 ChestnutJason Camerlengo, Shelby Dukes

and John & Patty Larocca

Calling all friends of Sharon history!

WhenJenniferBarborakandagroupofdedicatedcitizensheldmeetingstoformtheSharonBeautificationCommissionin2005,theyhadavisionthattheywouldbeinstrumentalintherevitalizationoftheCityofSharon.Theircommunitymessagecouldbesummedupinoneword:Inspire. Theyinspireourcommunitythroughtheirefforts.Hangingflowerbasketsmakepeopleappreciatethebeautifuldowntownarea.Littercleanupsdemonstratetoothersthatwewon’ttoleratelitterinourneighborhoodsandstreets.Theiradoptionofspecialprojectsdemonstratesasenseofownershipandprideinourcommunity

assets.ItisnoteasytocomeoutonaSaturdayorweekdaynightaftercommitmentsofworkandfamily,tocleanupsomeoneelse’strash,completelaboriousworkorsolicitdonations.ButthevolunteersoftheBeautificationCommissiondojustthat.

OurcommunityisproudofourCommissionmembersanditsloyalvolunteers.Theircurrentprojectsinclude:

• Hangingflowerbaskets• Floweringgroundpots• Holidaydecorations• BicentennialParkrevitalization• BStreetPlaygroundrevitalization• CityWideandspecialLitter Cleanupevents

• HistoricWalkingtours• “Bell”PlazaupkeepSharonhasmadegreatstridesover

thelastseveralyears,butwestillhaveworktodo.Asacommunity,weneedtocontinuetheextraordinaryeffortstomaintainandmakeSharonagreatplacetolive,workandgrow!Ittakeshundredsofvolunteerstokeepourcitylookingitsbest.

To get involved, contact Brian Kepple at (724) 346-9869.

Sharon Beautification Commission

EffortsbeganinAugustof2013toofficiallyformtheSharonHistoricalSociety.TheprocesscametofruitioninJuly,2014,whentheorganizationwasgranteda501(c)(3),taxexemptstatus.Thegroupisnowbeginningtogrowitsmembership.TheSociety’sgoalsincludecollection,preservationanddisplayofartifacts,documentsandmemorabiliapertainingtoSharon.TheSocietyalsoseekstoencouragelocalhistorical

research,developmentofprograms,lecturestours,andmore.Ifyouhaveaninterestinlocalhistory,nowisthetimetogetinvolved.

Tolearnmoreaboutmeetingsandevents,ortorequestamembershipapplication,visitoneofitstwoFacebookpages,bothtitled“SharonHistoricalSociety–Pennsylvania.”ThepubliccanalsoreachtheSharonHistoricalSocietybymailatPOBox82,Sharon,PA16146.

TheSharonCitySchoolDistrictcontinuestoupdatecampusbuildingsandgrounds,utilizingfundingthatremainsavailableforcapitalprojectsasaresultofcostsavingsachievedduringtheCaseAvenueElementarybuildingproject.TheBoardofEducationhasoverseenimprovementsandupgradestoseveraldistrictsites,includingtherazingoftheformerGrimmBuildingonthecornerofEastStateStreetandForkerBoulevard,whichhadbeendeemedstructurallyunsound.RepairstotheformerGarganobuildingonEastStateStreetwillallowthedistricttocentralizeitsmaintenance/custodialprogramsandprovideneededstorageforthedistrict.OntheeastsideofForkerBoulevard,the

districthasupgradedatwo-lotparcelthatcontainedanabandonedhouseandunusedparkingareawiththepurchase,razingandreclamationoftheformerFlynnandSarvaspropertiesacrossfromtheMiddle/HighSchoolcomplex.Thisareanowcontains53additionalparkingspacesforstaffandgreenspaceforthecommunity.

Additionally,workattheWestHillElementarySchoolincludedinteriorwallandceilingupgradesdesignedtoallowforbettercontrolofbuildinghumiditylevels.Waterinfiltrationcontrolswerealsoimplemented,includingtheinstallationofFrenchdrainsonthebuilding’swestwallsandvaporbarrierprotectiontoallsub-basementlevels.Exteriorstairand

walkwayrepairswerealsoincludedintheproject.InkeepingwiththeWestHillElementaryenvironmentallyfriendlytraditions,thereareanumberofopengreenspaceareasthathavebeenreclaimedaspartofthesitework.

ThedesignsforeachsitearealignedwiththeeducationalgoalsfortheprojectsadoptedbytheSchoolBoard.Theseincludecreatingasafeandsecureenvironmentforstudents,anenvironmentthathonorscommunityvaluesandpromotescommunityaccess,andspacesthatsupportacomprehensiveeducationalexperience.

Inthenearfuture,thedistrictislookingtofinalizetheuseoftheremainingcapitalfundingbyacquiringthepropertyonthecornerofHighlandRoadandBoydDriveatthecity’snortheastcornerforuseaspracticefieldsforourmanyathleticteams.

Sharon City School District Facelift

Sharon High School Alumni Hall of FameTheSharonHighSchoolAlumniHall

ofFameinductedtheirClassof2014onSaturday,August30atSharonHighSchool.Theinducteeswereintroducedandspoketothestudentsatanall-schoolassemblyonFriday,August29.

TheHallofFameCommitteewasformedtorecognizeoutstandingSharonHighSchoolAlumnifortheir

achievementsandcontributionstotheircareersandcommunity.

AnomineehadtohavegraduatedfromSharonHighSchoolatleast20yearsago.ThisthirdHallofFameclassisasourceofpridetoourcommunityandaninspirationtoourcurrentstudents.

Pictured Front Row Left to Right ~ Jennifer Barborak, Class of 1990; Michael B. Wood, MD, 1961; Daniel Sebastian, 1960; Joanne Daverio (representing Caroline Daverio), posthumous, 1929; Wanda Holloway Johnson, 1980. Back Row Left to Right ~ Bill Cardille, 1947; Gregory Fabian, JD 1967; Daniel Lavin, DDM 1975; David Daverio and Joe Daverio (representing their aunt, Caroline Daverio).

Birthday:August25Family: Wife:AmyChildren:Daniel,Brian,Lauren,Evan,ChristineandJosephLength of Employment with City of Sharon:26yearsFavorite Place to Vacation:Anybigcitytoseethe“old”ethnicneighborhoodsandtastethedifferentfoodsHobbies:Hunting,tinkeringwithelectronics,andhangingoutwithmywifeFavorite Food:SteakandpotatoesBest Advice You Have Ever Been Given:“Successisnotfinal,failureisnotfatal:itisthecouragetocontinuethatcounts.”(WinstonChurchill)Favorite Thing About Sharon, PA:Nostalgiclookofdowntown,havingafirstclasshospitallikeSharonRegionalHealthSystemwithinatwominutedrivefromanywhereintown,ourfamouscandystores,andWaterFireSharon

Gerald T. Smith, Chief of Police

Seeking Student Artists TheCityofSharonandtheSharonArtsCommissionarepartneringwithGeorgeJuniorRepublicandtheSharonCitySchoolDistrictonanexcitingnewpublicartsprojectdowntown.ThePointingTheWayprogramallowsstudentsofSharonschoolandGeorgeJuniorRepublictodevelop,design,andfabricatelargeoutdoorartisticsculptures.

TheprogrambeganinGroveCityin2010,andnoweightmetalsculpturessitinOldeTownGroveCity.ThissuccessfulprogramisnowexpandingtoSharon.ThecornerofStateStreetandNorthWaterAvenueatthe“bell”hasbeenselectedasthesiteforthefirstPointingTheWaysculpture.Ourcurrentbellmayevenbecomepartofthenewsculpturemarkingthiscentraldowntownintersection.

If you or someone you know would like to be involved, please call the Sharon City Manager at 724-983-3225.

Sharon Police Chief retires and passes the baton

Captain Travis Martwinski, retiring Chief Michael Menster, new Chief Gerry Smith, and Lieutenant Mark Johnson at Chief Menster’s retirement party.

Soon-to-be Chief Gerry Smith drives retiring Police Chief Michael Menster out for one of their last official joint duties at the Buhl Day Parade.

Want to get involved in Sharon? ThecityhasanumberofboardsandcommissionsinSharonthatareinneedofnewfaces.Dependingonyourinterest,thereisprobablyaboardorcommissiontomatchit–Beautification,EconomicDevelopment,Arts,Recreationandmore.Call724-983-3225formoreinformation,orstopbytheCityBuildingandfindouthowyoucangetinvolvedwithcivicsinSharon.

Are you aware of the public pension crisis in Pennsylvania? Check out fixthenumbers.com

Do you want more information about localgovernment in Pennsylvania?

Check out civicsandyoupa.com

16146A newsletter to the citizens of Sharon sponsored by Sharon Community and Economic Development Commission.

We would like to thank the following business that

has generously donated money to fund this publication.

PostageSponsor:

SpecialThankYouto:PENNSTATESHENANGO

SCPGROUPWINNERCOMPANIES

Anyoneinterestedinsponsoringthenewsletter, pleasecontactsandrejchak@CityofSharon.net

Calendar of EventsNovemberNovember 14-16 – The Last Five Years –James E. Winner Jr Arts & Culture Center

November 20 – Snow & Ski Show – Quaker Steak & Lube

November 23 – Shenango Valley Chorale performance of Handel’s Messiah – First Presbyterian Church

November 29 – Small Business Saturday Holiday Extravaganza: Downtown ShopAround and Night of Lights throughout downtown – Artist Marketplace – James E. Winner Jr Arts & Culture Center

DecemberDecember 5 – Repeal Day –The Corinthian

December 5-7 – Art on the Avenue – Walnut Lodge, South Irvine Avenue

December 5-7 – Penn State Shenango Drama Club presents Ken Ludwig’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

December 6 – Christmas Open House – Designs by G

December 11 – Sharon High School Band/Orchestra Concert

December 12-14 – Art on the Avenue – WalnutLodge, South Irvine Avenue

December 12 – THON Spaghetti Dinner Benefit – Penn State Shenango

December 13 – Shenango Valley Chorale Christmas Concert – First Presbyterian Church

December 14 – A Frozen Afternoon with Elsa& Anna – Buhl Park

December 18 – Sharon High School Choir Concert

December 19-21 – Frank Sinatra Christmas Show – James E. Winner Jr Arts & Culture Center

November 29Small BusinessSaturday

DownTown ShopAroundStarts at 10:00 a.m.

Night of LightsFestivities begin at 5:00 p.m.