Civil War Reenactment 2010

Written by: Genette Traugh, Borough Intern The second annual Civil War Reenactment was held on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th at Test Track Park. The event was organized by local residents Bob Yohey and Vern Slusser who partnered with the Borough. This year’s Civil War Reenactment was a great success. Several hundred people showed up to join in on all the excitement. The weekend consisted of exciting attractions like live cannon shots, food vendors, craft vendors, a doctor’s tent with demonstrations, a blacksmith, a soap maker, camp set-ups, a small skirmish, and other attractions including a historian telling Civil War stories. The event began at approximately 10am Saturday and continued throughout the entire weekend. Many thanks to all the demonstrators, organizers, and donations received for this event. We look forward to planning it again for next year and we hope to see you there!

WNEP Commercial Shoot

Written by: Genette Traugh, Borough Intern WNEP’s Home and Backyard host, Jacqueline (Jackie) Lewandoski, interviewed Assistant Borough Manager, Lauren Martz. The interview began at the Jackson Mansion with Lauren explaining some historical information about the mansion and highlighting that it was built in the late 1800’s by Colonel Clarence G. Jackson. She then showed Jackie the inside of the mansion and explained that the Borough of Berwick and the Berwick Historical Society have partnered to help restore the mansion back to its former glory. The Jackson Mansion is being turned into a museum so citizens and visitors can experience its beauty for themselves. After the tour of the Jackson Mansion, the interview continued with Lauren taking Jackie around the community to see some of the other great sites around Berwick and in the downtown. The tour included places like the McBride Library, Berwick Movie Theatre, St. Charles Park, The Perfect Blend, Berwick Brewing Co. and Test Track Park to name a few. For anyone who would like to review the article about the video it is on the WNEP website. Just go to: http://www.wnep.com/wnep-hb-may-27-2010,0,1987143.story

Berwick Flag

Written by: Genette Traugh, Borough Intern Earlier this year our sister city, Berwick-upon-Tweed, in England asked the Borough of Berwick, Pennsylvania if we had an official flag for our community. Since our Borough did not have a flag at that time a group of residents, headed by Councilman Jim Meighan, designed and produced a Borough flag. The design on the flag is from Neil Kepner’s 1986 sketch for Berwick’s bicentennial. This design also appears on official stationery of the Borough of Berwick and Borough Police patches. Councilman Meighan developed the flag quickly and then sent the flag to Berwick-upon-Tweed. He wanted the flag to make it there before Berwick-upon-Tweed’s annual springtime parade. In May the flag was voted on and approved to be the official flag of Berwick. This flag may be flown at schools, offices, and homes.

Bass Tournament

Written by: Genette Traugh, Borough Intern  Berwick held a bass tournament on June 12th and 13th at the Berwick Test Track. The tournament was sponsored by Columbia County Bassmaster. The cost of the tournament was $125 per boat with only two people to a boat. Approximately $20,000 was spent on this event, $12,500 went towards prizes and $7,500 went to promote the event. First place was a cash prize of $5,000, second place was $2,500 and the rest of the prize money was split up between the top eight winners. Nate Golla, Mifflinville, and Matt McBryan, Bloomsburg, won first place with a two day haul of 23.02 pounds. The other winners were: Todd Lengel and Dave Hager, 19.78 pounds Brain Dauberman and Jason Crawford, 19.67 pounds Steve Lowe and Troy Beck Jr., 18.37 pounds Adam Weiser and Nathan Clark, 17.75 pounds D.J. Houser and Woody Houser, 16.83 pounds Gene Lutz and Ron Weaver, 16.77 pounds Charles Gerasimoff and Arow Zanolini, 16.23 pounds Randy Follmer and Vince Riotto, 16.07 pounds Mark Klinger and Tom Kaufman, 15.48 pounds

Blight On Lasalle Removed

Written By:  Tyler Bailey, Borough Intern The Blueprint Community Council has been working hand in hand with Columbia County Redevelopment and the Borough of Berwick to clean up and revitalize the Blueprint Community neighborhood, otherwise known as the LaSalle Street, Monroe Street, and Washington Street neighborhood. The team has been working for about five years on a plan and strategy to address the problems in the neighborhood.  Although the strategy has taken quite some time to implement, the process is finally underway.  In 2007, the Borough worked with PennDOT and the Berwick Area Joint Sewer Authority to separate storm water, place some new curbing, and repave LaSalle Street.  The project was funded in part by CDBG grant dollars and cost approximately $340,000 for BAJSA and the Borough.  The paving was paid for by PennDOT. The Borough has also committed $40,000 of start-up money to the revitalization of Sponsler's Park.  The project will begin late this summer. Additionally, the Columbia County Redevelopment Authority has received nearly $900,000 in grants to revitalize the neighborhood.  One program that has been recently put in place includes a homeowner rehabilitation program in the neighborhood.  The group has also formed a neighborhood crime watch. In addition, the group has been working very hard to eliminate the blight in the neighborhood.  Recently, the Columbia County Redevelopment Authority and Housing Corporation purchased four properties on LaSalle Street during a tax sale. The Columbia County Housing Corporation, along with the public works department, knocked down three buildings that stood on LaSalle Street in Berwick.  The properties, a double house located at 316, 318, a single at 320, and a single at 331 rear LaSalle St. were in failing condition and had been vacant since the purchase of the residences in September. As of present, there are no set plans for the now empty lots, but there has been hopeful talk about putting new housing structures where the previous homes once stood. With these efforts and continued work, the Blueprint Community neighborhood will once again be a neighborhood to be proud of!  The work of the Blueprint Community and the citizen group involved is to be commended, as the Berwick Borough Council truly appreciates their efforts.

Dumpster Day 2010

Written By:  Tyler Bailey, Borough Intern On Saturday, May 22 from 8 am-1 pm, down at the Berwick Test Track Park, the Borough of Berwick had its own version of spring clean-up for Borough residents called: Dumpster Day. The park, located off of South Eaton St., was visited by nearly three hundred trucks and automobiles, as Borough residents brought items that are otherwise difficult to get rid of.  These items include, but are not limited to: sofas, refrigerators, scrap metal, and car batteries. Borough employees volunteered, and with help from the Public Works Department, they made this five hour event a huge success.  The Borough hopes for an even bigger turnout at next year’s Dumpster Day.  More than 100,000 pounds of junk was disposed of during this event. The collection report from the day includes:  ITEM (Type of Waste) AMOUNT Vehicles Emptied  300 Municipal Solid Waste 53.69 Tons or 107,380 lbs Tires 219 Tires or 7,780 lbs Dehumidifiers 8 Units Refrigerators/Freezers 5 Units Air Conditioners 8 Units Other Freon Units 2 Units Vehicle Batteries 19 Units or 380 lbs Computer Electronics 2195 lbs

Kid's Night 2010

Written By: Tyler Bailey, Borough Intern Every year after the Elks Pet and Toy Parade, the Borough hosts a Kid’s Night at the Jackson Mansion.  Each year there are games, inflatable bounce houses, and sno*cones for children to enjoy!  This past year had a terrific turn-out with over 700 people attending, nearly 200 were children.  The event featured DJ Chris Romig and a bounce house maze.  Borough Manager, Shane Pepe said “(Kid’s Night is a) free evening of fun for kids!” This annual event has being going on for years and he cannot wait until the next kid’s night.  The Borough Staff hopes to see an even bigger turn-out!   Thanks to everyone that volunteered and hope to see you at Kid’s Night 2011!

Family Fishing Day May 15, 2010

Written by: Genette Traugh, Borough Intern The third Annual Family Fishing Day was held on May 15, 2010 at the PPL Riverlands. This program was co-sponsored by the Columbia County Bassmasters, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, PPL Riverlands, and Berwick Community Policing Program. This program was held for children ages 8-15 years old to teach them how to properly fish. Besides showing the kids how to fish, this program included a welcome, an introduction, presentations regarding SMART fishing, regulations, licenses, where to fish, equipment, knots, rigging, baiting, casting skills, a family fishing session, and lunch. The day went as followed; registration was from 8 AM to 9 AM. The family fishing program was from 9 AM to noon, and after that everyone enjoyed refreshments and lunch for about an hour. Even though the program was held for kids ages 8-15 years old, the whole family was encouraged to come and have fun. PPL provided Riverlands educational information, and the Columbia County Bassmasters Association displayed fishing equipment and boats for everyone else who could not participate in the program. The day was filled with fun and excitement so come out next year to family fishing day and have some fun!