The Allentown Neighbor
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Allentown Neighbor March, April, May 2012 Volume 47, Number 1 Published quarterly by the Allentown Association Inc., 14 Allen St., Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 881-1024. Email, [email protected]. Website, www.allentown.org Trees planted on Allen St., more to come this spring By Daniel Culross -breaking labor, as well as Art Traver, landscape architect, and Andy Rabb, deputy public works com- With a generous donation of trees from Schictel's missioner of Buffalo. Nursery in Springville, the Allentown Association made It will be critically important that in order for the- quick preparations and coordinated the planting of 13 se trees to survive, that owners of adjacent properties deciduous trees along Allen St. water the trees every three days (during the warm More trees are to be planted this spring, and three months) for the next two years. trees will be dedicated to the memory of three Allen- Volunteer help is needed for the spring 2012 Re- town benefactors. tree WNY planting on streets throughout Allen- A contingent of Allentown volunteers, aided by the town. Please contact the Allentown Association to Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy was able to plant help get a big crew together for the last city- spon- the trees, two inches in diameter, Dec. 4 in balmy sored planting coming up in April. Also, call to re- weather, nearly 60 degrees. The donation by Schictel’s quest a planting at a particular site. Call the Associa- Nursery is especially appreciated because the fall Retree tion at (716) 881-1024 or email WNY planting was canceled. The previous trees had [email protected]. been mostly removed and stumps ground out, and the Liz Kolken, proprietor of Quaker Bonnet Eatery volunteers assembled that day were able to plant the and strong supporter of many Allentown community balled and burlapped trees, each weighing several hun- improvement efforts, paid tribute to “the coopera- dred pounds, in their new tree pits successfully. tion of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and The Allentown Association had strong support from Schictel’s Nursery.” its Beautification Committee, including Daniel Culross, Please turn to Page 3 Elizabeth Licata, Andrew Eisenhardt, and Dick Haynes. continued from page 1 Thanks are also due Matthew Heim, Ty DiMatteo, Ste- ven Nagowski, Neil Pawlowski, Brad Hamm, Mike Inside this issue Matters, Timothy Sick, and several others for their back First Church Page 3 Spring dinner is April 10 Days Park school Page 4 The Allentown Association’s annual dinner will be hosted Tuesday, Latin culture blooms Page 5 April 10, at the Hamlin House, 432 Franklin St. A scrumptious buffet-style dinner will be served at 7 p.m., preceded by Business news Page 6 cocktails at 6. There will again be tons of great treasures as door prizes and Chinese auction items generously donated by Allentown merchants and Calendar Page 8 longtime supporters. The event is open to members and non-members alike at a cost of $20 per person. Please reserve on Facebook, email allen- Allentown’s history Page 9 [email protected], or call 881-1024 by April 1. Arrangements are being made by Gretchan Grobe, Sarah Gilewicz Byer Almanac Page 12 and Andrew Eisenhardt. The Allentown Neighbor Spring 2012 Page 2 Sponsors and volunteers needed for Allen West June 9 and 10 By Gretchan Grobe We have a few surprises up our sleeves for the 2012 Allen West Festival, Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10. As you read this, Andrew Eisenhardt (Allentown Association executive director), Melissa Dayton (assistant festival chairperson) and I have sent out the applications to new and renewing artists, food ven- dors, and local merchants. We are offering sponsorships at four different lev- els to businesses or groups who would like to support he 2012 Allen West Festival. If you are interested in supporting the festival this year or know of a company that would like to sponsor the festival, please contact Gretchan Grobe at The scene at Allen West Festival, 2011 [email protected]. We are always looking for volunteers to help us with the Allen West Festival. If you are interested in town Association’s biggest fund-raiser. It will be meeting new people, having a lot of fun while support- held in conjunction with the 55th annual Allentown ing a great cause, and being part of a giant art festival, Art Festival sponsored by the Allentown Village So- come join us. Please contact Melissa Dayton at the ciety. Allentown Association at 716- 881-1024. It is going to Gretchan Grobe is Allen West Festival chair- be another fantastic festival. Be a part of it. woman and a former Allentown Association presi- The 14th annual festival, on Allen St. west of dent . Elmwood Ave. and up Wadsworth St., is the Allen- Susan Lenahan CRS, CBR, Broker Associate Agent of the Year 2007 through 2010 (716) 864-6757 431 Delaware Ave, Buffalo E-mail:[email protected] Page 3 The Allentown Neighbor Spring 2012 First Church considers leaving its landmark home First Presbyterian Church is considering options to of the structure after erosion of mortar in the tower vacate its landmark sanctuary on Symphony Circle. and resulting water damage were discovered in 2006. Although no decision has been made, the church, Repairs to the tower were made, but additional reno- Buffalo oldest religious congregation and in the midst vation work including roof repairs are still needed. of celebrating its 200th anniversary, has been conduct- A non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, One Sym- ing discussions with Trinity Episcopal Church and phony Circle Inc., was formed last year to raise funds Westminster Presbyterian Church which might lead to for maintenance of the historic building. the closing of the church on Symphony Circle. “This church loves this neighborhood and wants The church’s Romanesque exterior and contrasting to be part of it. This building is important to the Byzantine interior were designed by the Buffalo firm community. We’re getting new members from the of E.B. Green and William Wicks between 1889 and community,” said the Rev. Dr. Philip S. Gittings, 1891. The 163-foot tower was completed in 1897. pastor since 2010. As part of a local historic preservation district, the The possible departure of the congregation has structure cannot undergo exterior alterations without alarmed preservationists. But in the long run, the permission of the city Preservation Board. In addition, continuing use of this structure for the purpose for as part of a historic district listed on the National Reg- which it was constructed depends on support in the ister, it is protected from form of increased church attendance public projects and enti- and membership. tled to certain grants and commercial tax benefits, according to Henry McCartney, Preservation Buffalo Niagara executive director. “It’s one of the most architecturally significant churches in Buffalo,” he added. The church commis- “One of the most architecturally sioned an overall survey significant churches in Buffalo” New trees to memorialize three Allentown benefactors She has taken temporary custody of three Oregon spruces, left over from the Dec. 4 plantings, and plans to have the trees planted in memory of three benefactors of the Allentown community, Elizabeth Deichman, Assemblyman William Hoyt and Carole Holcberg. The per- manent site for the memorial trees would be either the vacant lot at the northwest corner of Allen and Park Sts., with the lot owners’ permis- sion, or in the community space along the east side of Irving Place near North St. Karen Schictle, shows off one Daniel Culross, a St. John’s Place resident, is a member of the Al- of the trees donated by her lentown Association’s Beautification Committee. family’s nursery Page 4 The Allentown Neighbor Spring 2012 Elmwood Village School plans move to Days Park by fall Elmwood Village Charter School is planning im- ture, representatives of the Allentown Association provements to the former School 36 on Days Park and and the Days Park Block Club were told at a meeting Cottage St. and “it is our hope to have the entire school Jan. 11 at the offices of the school’s architects, Ham- in the building in the fall,” John Sheffield, the school’s ilton, Houston and Lownie. Rona Vogt of the block director, said. club expressed concern about bus traffic on Days The move from 124 Elmwood Ave. would bring Park because of past problems, and urged that any 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade to drop-offs and pick-ups be on Cottage St. Josh Wil- the Days Park building. The school now has 250 chil- son, the Allentown Association’s Housing and His- dren at 124 Elmwood and classrooms in First Presby- toric Preservation Committee chairman, suggested terian Church. that the playground be relocated from the rear to the “Other educational institutions have expressed in- front of the building using space previously for park- terest in subletting 124 Elmwood,” John Sheffield ing. said. The school has asked the Allentown Association Plans approved Feb. 9 by the city Preservation for a letter of support for the plans. The request was Board include a new main entrance on Days Park at to be considered by the Association’s Board of Direc- the southeast corner of the building. The new entrance tors. The board is also to consider the future of the and glass would replace brick façade at the corner. An building’s playground. elevator and exterior lighting and landscaping would John Sheffield said the school is desirous “to keep also be added. There are also plans for an addition, in the playground open for community use” during non- the next few years, to add three or four classrooms, school hours.