ADI CONTINUES TO GROW IS S UE 2 V O L UM E 1 S UM M ER 20 0 8

“FACELIFTING THE VFW

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ....... .1

GETTING TO KNOW ADI BET-

TER!!
ASHLAND TIDBITS
BOROUGH NEWS
DID YOU KNOW ?

Around
FROM THE CHAMBER……….2

BE PROUD...ASHLAND IS A MAIN
STREET COMMUNITY!

Ashland
PLEASE REMEMBER TO
SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES AND
BUY LOCAL!

ASHLAND DOW NTOW N, INC.

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 volunteer-
driven community effort.
In the first issue of Around Ashland, we ex-
plained that there are four key components of the
ADI program. They are: Design, Promotions, Or-
ganization, 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 pur-
poses 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:
• Developing Market Information
• Business Retention
• Business Recruitment
• Developing New Economic Uses
• Coordinating Financial Incentives
S UPPORT
ASHLAND
Community Calendar
Over the past year, the ER Committee conducted a
July 3
American Fire Company
market assessment in which you may have been asked Fireworks display-Rain date July 4
a few questions by an ADI volunteer on your opinion July 3
on a variety of issues. Zion’s Reformed U.C.C.
Did you know from our survey?
Food Stand for Fireworks
July 9
New sidewalks was the most popular physical im- Ashland Rotary
provement wanted in town. Seasoned Sounds Swing Big Band
Banking was the establishment most visited in down-
town. July 26
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
A hardware store was the #1 suggested store in town Wing Nite
that the community would like to see.
The most popular radio station listened to was T102. July 28-31
Coach “O” Soccer Camps
In conclusion, it is a privilege to serve as Ashland’s
Main Street Manager and to work with the ADI volun- August 9
Bracey Pharmacy
teers who have given great time and energy in making 75th Anniversary Celebration
this “Great Town Even Better.” If you would like to
see more of the outcomes from the market assessment August 16
Ashland Community Enterprises
or if you have any questions or observations, please Pioneer Day
contact me at 875-3571, or visit the ADI office at 733
Centre Street. Log onto www.upperschuylkill.com August 21
ADI, Ashland Chamber, Ashland Boro, and
where you’ll find more interesting information about
our town. Thanks goes out to Tom Joyce, Sharon and
Pioneer Tunnel
American Red Cross Blood Drive
George Demko, Eileen Kuperavage, Harry Hause, and
Jim Klock for submitting articles for the newsletter. August 29
North Schuylkill Youth Soccer Association
Kick off Pep Rally
We look forward to hearing from you,
August 29-September 1
Gregory W. Fisher, Ashland Main Street Manager Upper Schuylkill
Upper Schuylkill Homecoming Weekend

FACELIFTING THE VFW BUILDING August 30

108th ABA Parade
PAST
September 1
As members of the VFW noticed the ADI banners and planters in Ashland, Ashland Recreation
we realized something new happening in Ashland. We then saw the transfor- “Annual Rec Regatta”
mation of the News-Item building and thought maybe we could improve the
September 13
façade of the VFW building. We contacted ADI to see if we qualified for
First United Methodist Presbyterian Church
any façade grants. Greg Fisher, ADI Downtown Manager was very helpful Yard, Bake, and Soup Sale
in answering all our questions and confirmed that we did qualify.
September 14
We filled out the application, which proved to be a very easy process. Zion’s Reformed U.C.C.
Mr. Fisher sent for a rendering of our building, which showed it in its current Holiday Penny Auction
condition and also a view of what the building could look like. Once we Join the Downtown Team!
obtained approval from our members to do the refurbishing, we then got a list ADI Monthly Meetings
of contractors for painting and installing a new awning. 1st Monday—Design
2nd Monday—-Economic Restructuring
This a great opportunity to refurbish a building with the help of ADI. This 3rd Monday—Board of Directors/Organization
was much easier than any of us thought. We encourage all property owners, 4th Monday—Promotions
business and residential, in the downtown area to look in to this. Taking care Borough Council Meeting
of our buildings can only make Ashland more attractive and have the historic 2nd Wednesday of Month
look the town deserves.
Respectfully,

Harry Hause
Future? Commander, VFW/Legion

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 organi-
zation as well as the Chairperson of
the Economic Restructuring Com-
mittee for the past year, and has been
involved with the group since 2006.
Mr. Cataldo was asked a few ques-
tions:
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.
Don’t miss visiting Pioneer
Tunnel and the Anthracite
Museum of Mining this summer
Log onto
www.pioneertunnel.com
for this year’s schedule.
Did you know?
In the fall of 1846, an experienced
miner named Patrick Devine was
hired to explore the coal veins cross- Streets on the south side of Centre,
ing the tract of land known as Ash-
land Estates. In 1847, the tremendous 1850, it was used for the land deals
task of clearing the land was begun.
Samuel Lewis surveyed the site and
Peter W. Sheafer, of Pottsville, laid John H. Kemmerer and a boots and
out the town.
The first structure built was a frame
hotel located at Third and Centre
Streets. It was constructed on two
lots donated to Joseph Larish to house
workers hired to develop the town. It
was called the Ashland House and
was used until 1932 when a fire
deemed it no longer useful. A service on the NW corner of Centre and 3rd
station for Geurney Zeigenfuse re-
placed. Ashland Downtown Motors Connors, it was known as the Patter-
currently occupies the site.
The first frame housing resembled
company housed, built to attract im-
migrants. Native stone was used
Ashland Downtown, Inc.
733 Centre Street, Ashland, PA 17921
570-875-3571
www.upperschuylkill.com
Getting to Know ADI
Better!!
Being part of an organization like Ashland Downtown, ASHLAND
Inc., provides many opportunities for community involve- TIDBITS
ment and to build community pride within your town.
What was the process like to be- What other organizations have
come a member of ADI? you or are currently involved Schuylkill Area Community
I talked to a fellow with?
Foundation (formerly Ashland
colleague of ADI and “Anything can do to bring back I was a member of Bor-
was invited to a meet- ough Council for about Trusts) has awarded Ashland
memories from when I was
ing and this was 16 years. I was a former Downtown, Inc. a grant for
younger would bring great joy to
something I was Charter member of the $500.00 toward the purchase of
me”
highly interested in. Ashland Area JC’s. For
office equipment. The Commu-
14 years, I was on the Board and
How long have you lived in Ash- nity Foundation office has relo-
coached Midget Football. I also
land?
coached Ashland Little League for 5 cated to 216 South Centre Street
I lived in Ashland since 1950 when I years. in Pottsville.
was 1 and 1/2 years old.
As you can see, it is quite easy to
Since 1967 they have been serv-
What kind of gratification do you become a part of ADI. ADI is al-
get from becoming a part of ADI? ways looking for volunteers on all ing donors throughout the county
by managing, investing and dis-
Anything this organization can do to levels. Whether you would like to
bring back memories from when I be on the Board of Directors, be part tributing their contributions ac-
was younger would bring great joy to of one of the committees, or be a cording to the fund agreements.
me. You knew everyone in the town person ADI can call upon just for The organization now manages
and personally knew all of the owners special events, ADI would love to
hear from you and answer any ques- 107 funds with an asset value
of the businesses.
tions you may have regarding our exceeding $11 million and dis-
organization.
tributed 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 list-
success. The tonnage of debris picked up is estimated to be about twice as much as 2007. ing, please contact Eileen Ku-
The 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
Dudash for their great effort with the cleanup. www.sacfoundation.com.
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. On behalf of Ashland Down-
town, Inc., Ashland Area Cham-
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 ber of Commerce, Ashland Bor-
June 25, 2008. Another thank you to the Members of the Masonic Lodge for use of their ough, and the Pioneer Tunnel
building for the Blood Drive. Submitted by, Tom Joyce Coal Mine, we would like to
thank all of the people who vol-
Ashland Area Historic
and Preservation Society From the Chamber unteered to give blood on
Wednesday June 25, 2008 and
to construct many of the early build- The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce held
reached 106% of the goal for
ings. Between Fifth and Sixth their 2nd annual town-wide yard sale on May
donors that was set for the day.
3rd. The weather was quite chilly, but partici-
stood a stone structure. Built around pation was hot! The Chamber had a food stand Due to the rising temperature,
the site had to be moved from
made by John Brock. It also housed at the Higher-Ups Park and sold hot dogs and
the harness and saddle business of bean soup. Needless to say, the bean soup sold the Ashland Borough Hall to the
out! We had great traffic through the park as Ashland Masonic Building. A
shoes business of Clement S. Foster. well as the whole town for the sale. Thanks to special thank you goes out to the
After 1870, when Ashland Estates members of the Masonic Lodge
all the yard salers for their participation.
was sold, it was known as the Phila-
for their kind hospitality. As an
delphia and Reading, Coal and Iron The Christmas Lighting Committee brought a
Building. It was razed in 1999 to incentive to give, the Pioneer
representative from a commercial company to a
make room for a new office and Tunnel Coal Mine donated 5 sets
recent meeting with samples of some pole fix-
parking lot for Dr. John Stefovic. of tickets for a tour of the Pio-
The first brick building was located tures. As a result the board has decided on a
neer Tunnel & Steam Train to be
new Christmas decoration for the town. The
raffled off at the end of the day.
Streets. Built in 1852 by Col. J.J. new fixture is a Christmas tree. The committee
Lunch for the staff was donated
plans to display the tree in the local banks in
son building. Thomas Patterson was by M&M Sandwich Shop.
Connors’ partner in the Wadleigh the near future as it launches its capital cam-
Many made appointments for the
Slope, the first coal operation in paign to defray the cost of the lights. Look for
next bloodmobile on Aug. 21.at
Ashland. The building will best be the display in the bank. Can you believe the old
the Borough Hall. See you there.
remembered as Knapp’s Pharmacy. lights are about 30 years old! Time for change!
OUR VISION By the way, did you
Ashland shall promote its architecture to both residential and commer-
cial opportunities. Ashland will also enhance and market its historical notice the newly
and cultural resources for tourism. Located at the intersection of routes
54 and 61, Ashland will serve as a western gateway into the region.
painted street light
Ashland shall build upon its potential for tourism by connecting local
poles painted on
historical and cultural sites through a coordinated transportation and
consistent “way finding” system within the region. Ashland shall become Centre Street
the arts and heritage hub of the Upper Schuylkill region.
Help us achieve our Vision for Ashland...become an ADI volunteer! sponsored by ADI ?