By Jean Shanle

Meadville Tribune
August 23, 2016


CONNEAUT LAKE — The borough has received another $10,000 grant to be used toward the building of a playground at Fireman’s Beach.

Chad Waldschmidt, a member of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), reported the PNC Foundation has awarded the grant to CLCDC for construction of a playground in conjunction with the revitalization plans for Fireman’s Beach.

Previously the CLCDC had received a $10,000 grant from BernzOmatic as a result of an essay competition in which the fifth and sixth graders at Conneaut Lake Middle School participated.

The funds from the PNC Foundation are specifically for pre-kindergarten ages. Hopefully more funding will be received for the playground, Waldschmidt said.

PNC Foundation grants are awarded to worthy nonprofit organizations that primarily focus on education programs, particularly early education initiatives that service low- and moderate-income children; economic development and arts and culture.

Vickie Lampe, marketing director for PNC Foundation, said PNC Foundation believes the five years of life are magical times when the world is full of wonder and responsibilities. She said it also is a time of opportunity when young minds begin absorbing knowledge that form the basis for all learning.

When the time comes for the playground to be constructed, the CLCDC will work with the beach committee in developing the design for the playground, Waldschmidt said. It is unknown at this time when the playground may be designed or constructed.

By: Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
August 20, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — Borough Council accepted a request from the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee to submit a revised plan for revitalization of Fireman’s Beach to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its approval.

The proposal also includes a request to allow the value of a proposed donation of lakefront property to be used as part of the matching funds required for the $775,000 grant.

Bob and Kathy Moss have offered the donation of the property valued at $250,000 if it can be used toward the matching funds requirement.

The land links Fireman’s Beach with Ice House Park, which is part of the planned revitalization project being spearheaded by the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC).

At last week’s meeting, council declined to approve sending the letter because several council members had not seen the request before the meeting and wanted time to study it.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the CLCDC and a member of council, had requested the approval last week.

Eldridge answered questions from other council members about the scaled back scope to the plans because not all the funds needed have been received.

The plans still call for docks, sidewalks, a green space, sidewalks and other improvements to the beach.

Eldridge reminded council he had previously told them several times about seeking approval to join the Fireman’s Beach and Water Street projects because not all the funding requested had been received. CLCDC has received about $3 million in grants for the two projects.

Bob Moss also spoke at the meeting. He told council he has a background in construction and knows how to plan for projects.

“I see a good plan,” he told council, adding he feels “very comfortable” recommending council sign the letter to the DCNR about the proposed changes.

Moss said after studying the plans he is “very, very confident” the work can be done with the allocated funds if the approval is given for the property donation to be used toward the matching funds.

He also said a lot of people love “their town” and he would be more than happy to help pull it all together.

Council President Dick Holabaugh termed the proposed donation as “unbelievably generous” and said council just needed to get answers about what the borough would be responsible for financially from borough taxpayers.

Mike Krepps, another council member, said he appreciated having the extra time to have the opportunity to study the revised plan and the request before approving it.

After the lengthy discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the request.

Eldridge also asked council to have a work session before the next council meeting to review all the CLCDC plans for the revitalization project.

Council members agreed and scheduled a work session for Aug. 31 at 7 p.m

Woolly mammoth sculpture first part of Conneaut Lake area arts trail

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
August 17, 2016


CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Workers at a welding shop here are creating a special project — a 10-foot high, nearly 10,000 pound woolly mammoth art piece, which, if all goes well, will be on Fireman’s Beach at Conneaut Lake by winter.

The sculpture will be the first component of an arts trail connecting Ice House Park and Fireman’s Beach as part of a major renovation planned for Water Street and Fireman’s Beach in Conneaut Lake Borough.

Amara Geffen, the Allegheny College professor leading the mammoth effort, is excited to see the sculpture being created in Craig Newell’s shop because it is the culmination of two years of planning and community engagement.

Newell, owner of the shop, said the workers first created a small model and then transformed that into the life-size sculpture, which will be created of steel locked together to form a shell. It will be overlaid with steel rods and material, which will give it a basket weave, nest-type appearance.

When it is completed, the steel form will be removed and the body of the woolly mammoth will remain. He described it as having a “basket weave pattern,” so that it looks like a nest up close, but when the viewer stands back, the shape of the mammoth is seen.

Newell said it will take about a month to finish the sculpture, which he said would be “under 10,000 pounds,” depending on the amount of steel rods used.

He said the project has created quite a bit of interest since Geffen posted some photographs on her personal Facebook page, but for safety reasons he is not permitting people to watch the work.

The sculpture is part of an arts trail project funded through a National Endowment for the Arts grant of $75,000 received by the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee two years ago. The grant came through the NEA’s Our Towns initiative. Geffen said the grant required matching funds and the additional $75,000 was raised through other grants received by the CLCDC and through donations made to the CLCDC for the renovation project.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the CLCDC, who has been spearheading the revitalization project, said the funds were designated for the art trail design, project oversight, community engagement projects that included town meetings to gather input, 3-D modeling, fabrication, materials, transportation, installation and dedication of the project.

Eldridge said the first year application was made for such a grant, the local group just missed the cutoff. However, he and Geffen had a conference call with the NEA officials to determine what could be done to strengthen the local group’s application the next year. He said the second year the application was more concise and described how the project would create and enhance a sense of place and identity that also promotes economic growth.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu, when she announced the grant award two years ago, said that the Our Towns projects demonstrate that excellent art is as fundamental to a community’s success as land use, transportation, education, housing, infrastructure and public safety, and it helps build stronger communities that are diverse in geography and character.

Geffen, who also serves as director of the Art and Environment Initiative of the Greater Meadville Area, is lead artist for the grant and the project. She has been involved in local public art projects for many years, serving, for example, as the driving force behind the recycled roadsigns arts project near the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation headquarters along Route 322 just outside Meadville. Geffen’s involvement in these projects has often included Allegheny College students, and students from the college were involved with the planning of the Conneaut Lake arts trail.

Some of the history students and others collected through the community engagement events will be incorporated into the sculpture.

Geffen explained that snippets of phrases will be laser jet cut into steel welded onto the sculpture. She explained that the snippets will be “in poetic form, not didactic,” and will include material from a local history book by the late Bronson Luty and from a legend told by local historian Carl Burkett about a curse put on the borough by a native American.

Once the sculpture is completed and prep work done at Fireman’s Beach, the sculpture will be moved from the welding shop in Cambridge Springs to an elevated spot on Fireman’s Beach where a group of trees, benches and a fire pit are currently located. The benches and fire pit will be moved, Geffen said, to provide the place for the nearly 10-foot high woolly mammoth. It will be visible from Ice House Park, she said.

The woolly mammoth is the first art sculpture for the trail, which will include at least one other sculpture, Geffen said.

A woolly mammoth was chosen because of the history of the woolly mammoths in the area. Geffen said the bones of at least five woolly mammoths are still at the bottom of Conneaut Lake and the bones of one are currently on display at the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society Museum.

Geffen said she isn’t the only one excited about the creation of the sculpture. The men working at the welding shop are also enthusiastic, she said, and one asked, what “he” (the mammoth) would be named. She laughed as she recalled her reply, “Who says it has to be a he?”” and wondered about suggestions for naming the sculpture.

For now, she’s excited about the progress being made to transform the piece of steel into a piece of art and history which will be seen at Fireman’s Beach for generations to come.

The art project is part of a major renovation of Water Street and Fireman’s Beach, which is being spearheaded by the CLCDC and that has received more than $3 million in grants and donations.

Eldridge said the amount of other sculptures and art on the art trail will depend on funding for the project.

Regarding the sculpture, Eldridge said, “We are very happy that the first sign of improvements to appear at the beach reflects a prehistoric, pristine place, and also a place where we gather today to enjoy the beauty of our lake community.”

He said the CLCDC continues to work toward receiving more grants for the multi-year revitalization project.

Eldridge said the CLCDC hopes to see some work go out for bids by the end of the year with contracts to be awarded and construction to begin next spring for the renovation of Water Street and Fireman’s Beach.

The revitalization project is to include improvements at Fireman’s Beach, infrastructure, underground utilities and more.

Those wishing to keep posted on the progress of the creation of the sculpture may visit Geffen’s Facebook page, where she plans to post progress reports.

Conneaut Lake council takes time to study property donated to aid Fireman’s Beach revitalization project

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
Aug 12, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — Conneaut Lake Borough Council will resume its August meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. to reconsider a vote regarding the Fireman’s Beach revitalization project.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee and a member of borough council, asked other council members to approve a letter this week to be sent to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding a change in the proposed scope of the project and the acceptance of a donated property valued at $250,000 as part of the match for the grant the state has given the borough.

However, other council members wanted more time to study the issue before signing the letter.

After a somewhat heated exchange and a long period of discussion, council voted 3-2 not to send the letter until council members had an opportunity to review it further.

Noting the need for quick action, an obviously frustrated Eldridge asked council to “trust me” on this to allow the letter to be sent because the person who must approve it was going on vacation for two weeks.

However, council members still wanted time to review the changes. They pointed out that they had heard nothing about the proposed donation or proposed changes in the project until the meeting Wednesday, reminding Eldridge that he could have sent them information before the meeting.

Eldridge responded that all of the work with the proposed projects is very fast paced and those proposed changes all took place within the last week after Bob Moss became aware of the need for more funding and made the property donation.

Eldridge said nothing more could be done until state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources approves the request for changing the scope of the project and DCNR cannot do that until council seeks that approval. The scope of the project is being scaled back because not all the funding was received that is needed for the project as previously planned.

Council members praised Eldridge for all his work on the project, but reminded him that while he knows all the answers, they do not and they believe they must study the issue.

Dick Holabaugh, council president, said the proposed donation from Bob and Kathy Moss was “unbelievably generous” and is very much appreciated. He said, “We need to find a way to accept it as soon as possible.”

The land is a strip of property on which people walk to get from Fireman’s Beach to Ice House Park. They previously had agreed on an easement for the property to be used for the project.

With Holabaugh, Chuey and Krepps voting not to send the letter, the decision was made to discuss it again when the meeting resumes Monday.

Council member Penny Monihan voted to send the letter. Council members Billy Paris and Dwight Stallard were not at the meeting.

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
July 19, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — The borough didn’t receive three grants in its push to fund its revitalization, but two more grants applications are currently being considered.

Bill Eldridge, a member of borough council and chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), reported that information to council during its most recent meeting. The borough’s revitalization is being spearheaded by the CLCDC.

It was not totally surprising that the applications were denied because the process is very competitive and things are still unsettled in Harrisburg regarding the total state budget, Eldridge reported at the meeting.

With the applications not being funded this year, the CLCDC is now working with agencies that have given nine previous grants to the CLCDC to seek approval to use those funds to combine a proposed Water Street revitalization project with a Fireman’s Beach upgrade, Eldridge said.

The CLCDC has been working very closely with the agencies to get the necessary approvals, he said. If those approvals are received, the project could possibly go out for bid later this year with construction to begin in the spring on Water Street.

Work on Fireman’s Beach also could begin with work to be done as much as possible around the tourist season, he said. What changes might have to be made to do the previous plans are still being determined.

Eldridge is optimistic about the possibility of receiving a couple million dollars in grants from the governor’s office and a $475,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the project.

More than $3 million already has been received for the revitalization project, which began in 2011 when a grant was requested.

The revitalization plan calls for various upgrades on Water Street, including everything from sanitary sewers to benches and improvements to sidewalks as well as landscaping and putting some utility lines underground.

The more than $3 million raised has been through a combination of federal, state and local grants as well as private donations.

The CLCDC is a committee of borough council. The committee has been seeking grants for which council can apply for the project.

Meadville Tribune

By Jean Shanley
July 16, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — Construction of Evans Square, a senior housing complex at Conneaut Lake, is scheduled to begin in spring 2017 now that a tax credit was received.

Announcement of the start of construction was made Friday by the Hudson Companies of Hermitage after it received word Thursday it has been awarded more than $1 million in tax credits by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The Hudson Companies was among 39 of 111 applicants across the commonwealth to receive funding awards.

Bill Eldridge, a member of Conneaut Lake Borough Council and chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, was thrilled over the news. Eldridge, who has been working very closely with Hudson on this project, said, “It is so exciting to see it happen.” He said borough council and Crawford County commissioners have been very supportive of the project and said it was good to see the group effort succeed.

Affordable senior housing “is absolutely needed in both Conneaut Lake and other parts of Crawford County and the news that Conneaut Lake will get the housing is wonderful,” Eldridge said.
Eldridge believes the fact that other revitalization projects at Conneaut Lake are being planned was a contributing factor in the approval of the funding.

Evans Square is a more than $10 million project. The three-story housing complex will be located at the southeast corner of North Fifth and Line streets in the borough. It will be 38,950 square feet with 40 units — 36 with one bedroom and four with two bedrooms — for senior citizens on property owned by Alan Moss.

Kelley Coey, project manager with Hudson Companies, said the sale has not been completed but is under contract. She said completion of the project is expected by the end of 2017. No applications for occupancy are being accepted yet, she said.

Hudson officials did not make the cut for funding last year. They realized the competitiveness of the process and re-evaluated their application to submit one again this year. Officials said they recognized the project had to be more than just mortar and siding to Evans Square. That spurred the inaugural Evans Square Innovation Center that offers a health and wellness curricula joint venture with Thiel College, Allegheny College and Primary Health Network.

The proposal will offer educational enrichment programs by Thiel College where residents can virtually audit course work. Allegheny College students will have the opportunity to provide volunteer services through the Allegheny Gateway Civic Engagement Program. Primary Health Network has committed health coaches to serve as health ambassadors for the active senior lifestyle.

Evans Square has been positioned to nurture the ever-changing senior lifestyle and address the demand for affordable senior housing in the Conneaut Lake area, officials said.

The complex will feature a community room, a wrap-around porch with an exterior fireplace and independent apartments. It will include a design focus of environmentally friendly features, which is a cornerstone feature of Hudson developments — including everything from a rainwater harvesting system to energy efficient controls that influence the ever-enhancing green technology, according to the Hudson officials.

Evans Square’s name derived from the founder of Conneaut Lake, Abner Evans.

Evans Square will be located within the borough’s revitalization project area and will offer resident pedestrian-friendly access to all of the borough’s amenities, Coey said. The post office, grocery store and other businesses are all within a few blocks of the site.

Community leaders have recognized the need for affordable senior housing in the Conneaut Lake region, including Republican Sen. Michele Brooks.

“It was such a privilege to assist with this project as I have such admiration for our seniors,” said Brooks, whose district includes all of Crawford County. “From raising us, to serving our country and building our neighborhoods, they have diligently laid the foundation for future generations’ success. I strongly believe it is so important that our seniors are able to remain close to their families and continue to live in their communities.”

Republican state Rep. Parke Wentling, whose 17th District includes a western part of Crawford County, was also excited about the news of the funding.

“This is good news for Conneaut Lake,” Wentling said. “These tax credits will go a long way in helping to create new affordable housing options for senior citizens. I especially want to thank Conneaut Lake Borough officials for their hard work in securing funding for this project. It’s truly been a team effort to move the process forward.”

Meadville Tribune
May 24, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — The Dietrich Foundation Conneaut Lake, PA Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation has awarded $5,284, more than doubling the $2,397 in grants made by the fund last year. Grants this year will go to the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania and Ice House Park.

William S. Dietrich II, a former steel industry executive who died in 2012, established the fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation to support charitable programs in the community of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. This is the third year the fund has awarded grants.

The Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee was awarded $3,199 to purchase audio/visual equipment for the Conneaut Lake Town Hall. The Town Hall was gifted to the residents of Conneaut Lake in December 2014. With the planned upgrades, the Town Hall expects to attract more community-based educational, cultural and charitable programs and gatherings.

The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania was awarded $500 to cover the cost of scouting supplies and registration fees for scouts in need of financial assistance. The program, which currently serves 18 girls in the Conneaut Lake area, provides training invaluable life skills such as STEM, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, environmental stewardship, leadership and professional development. The award will also fund recruitment materials.

Ice House Park, dedicated in 2009, was awarded $1,585. The park commemorates the ice house industry that lined the southern shore of Conneaut Lake in the early 20th century. The fund designates a portion of its grant making funds each year to South Lake Preserve, which operates the park.

By Jean Shanley
Special to The Tribune
May 21, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — Although the state budget has passed, no final approval has been given on five grants pending for the Conneaut Lake Community Revitalization Committee for the multi-year revitalization program being planned for downtown Conneaut Lake and Fireman’s Beach at Conneaut Lake.

Although some plans have been altered while awaiting final approval of any of the grants, the project is moving forward with construction planned to begin next spring on Water Street and on Fireman’s Beach.

Bill Eldridge, president of the CLCDC and a member of Conneaut Lake Borough Council, presented a proposal to borough council at its most recent meeting regarding survey work to be done from Water Street, Church Alley and the Moss property, which will allow a pedestrian path from Ice House Park to Fireman’s Beach.

Present plans are to combine Fireman’s Beach and Water Street into one program at this time, Eldridge said. Therefore, the survey of the properties will be done under a new contract with the consultants on the project.

The work on Fireman’s Beach hopefully would begin in the spring of 2017, Eldridge said, working around the summer schedule and making improvements, which would not affect the operation of the beach next summer; and then working again at the end of summer when the beach is closed.

He said the amount of construction done next year would depend on the grant funds approved by the state.

The deadline for awarding the grants they applied for has passed, but no decision has been made on the awarding of the grants. Eldridge said he was told by a state official some decision should be made in June.

Eldridge has been the main person working on the grants and more than $3 million already has been awarded for the multi-year revitalization of Water Street and Fireman’s Beach in downtown Conneaut Lake.

The Meadville Tribune

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

CONNEAUT LAKE — Mariner Steak and Seafood restaurant won the 2016 People’s Choice Award at the Chili Cook-Off Contest last Saturday at the inaugural Ice House Festival.

Seven area restaurants made their best chili recipes for the sellout event. Nearly 350 ticket holders tasted the varieties and voted for their personal favorites.

The competition heated up with Antonio’s Trattoria, Conneaut Lake Fire Department/Station 5, Downtown Mall Bistro, Silver Shores Restaurant, Toni’s Diner and Walt’s Tavern also serving up some tasty and spicy chili samples.

Participating restaurants received certificates and thanks from the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee for donating chili, time and talent to the cook-off. Proceeds from the event benefit Conneaut Lake town improvement projects. The sunny weather helped fuel the turnout at the Ice House Festival to make the day a huge success, according to organizers.

The Meadville Tribune

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2016

We were completely overwhelmed by the tremendous response from the Lakeland community of knitters to the K.N.I.T. project (Keeping Neighbors in Touch) held recently in conjunction with the inaugural Conneaut Lake Ice House Festival.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following teams of knitters: Conneaut Lake Elementary School, Conneaut Lake Girl Scout Troup 36539, Conneaut Lake Middle School, First Presbyterian Church, Linesville Knitters sponsored by Toni’s Diner, Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, Rolling Fields, Shontz Memorial Library, Trinity Unity Methodist Church and Vacavi Cafe. Their involvement was responsible for the completion of more than 1,450 knitted sections that were combined to create the 16 afghans donated to the Samaritans of Conneaut Lake.

Thank you for making the K.N.I.T. project such an outstanding success!

JOYCE BRUGNOLI and DIANE MARIANI
Conneaut Lake