2012 Limited Edition Collectible of Nemacolin Castle Debuts

For immediate release:
Nov. 14, 2012

Sue Mattey of Belle Vernon, gift shop manager and board member of Brownsville Historical Society, with the 2012 collectible.

Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce
Debuts 2012 Limited Edition Collectible

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Showing its support for a milestone celebration, the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce is honoring the Golden Anniversary of Nemacolin Castle's house and museum on its 2012 limited edition collectible.

The new issue, now available, marks the third time in the fund raiser's history that the National Trust landmark has been selected as the featured property. It also reflects the dedication of the Brownsville Historical Society's role as the caretaker of the 22-room mansion at 136 Front St.

"For decades, the Brownsville Historical Society has started its Christmas candlelight tours on the chamber's Light-Up Night. It's a cherished tradition," says Scott Bowman, the chamber's executive director and owner of Bowman Insurance & Real Estate Agency. "Because it's the 50th year of public tours, the chamber felt that the castle should be honored again." He and Ray Koffler, founder of Tru-Copy Printing Services in Brownsville, co-chair the annual fund raiser, which is now in its 30th year.

Nemacolin Castle was depicted on the chamber's first collectible in 1983 and again in 1989. This year's ornament is a deep wine color with gold lettering in keeping with the Golden Anniversary.

Also in celebration of the 50th year, the chamber will end this year's Light-Up Night parade, which is Nov. 23, at Nemacolin Castle for the first time in 15 years. The caravan of 40 emergency vehicles, decorated for the holidays, will leave Hiller at 5:30 p.m., wind eight miles through Brownsville and surrounding communities and deliver Santa and Mrs. Claus to the castle grounds around 7 p.m. to visit with children and distribute treats.

To show its appreciation for the chamber's dual recognition, the historical society will add a special touch of holiday cheer, offering caroling, storytelling, Colonial and Civil War encampments and seasonal music by Brownsville Area High School Marching Band and professional musician Fred Adams of Mt. Pleasant, Pa.

The 2012 limited edition collectible of Nemacolin Castle will be on sale in its gift shop. They also are available at the chamber office, 325 Market St., and Brownsville Bus Lines Co., 525 National Pike E.

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EDITOR'S NOTE:

Contact Scott Bowman, executive director of the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce, at 724-785-4160 for additional information or an interview.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Brownsville Light-Up Night Line-Up

GREATER BROWNSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For immediate release:
Oct. 30, 2012

Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society

Unveil 2012 Light-Up Night Activities

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – To celebrate Nemacolin Castle's 50th year of public tours, the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce and Brownsville Historical Society will usher in the 2012 holiday season with an expanded line-up of Light-Up Night activities on the grounds of the National Trust landmark.

The family-oriented, fun-filled evening begins with the chamber's traditional Christmas parade, which gets under way at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in Hiller. At least 30 festively decorated emergency vehicles, one of which will be transporting Santa and Mrs. Claus, will wind eight miles through the luminaria-lighted streets of Brownsville and surrounding communities and end at the castle, located at 136 Front St., for the first time in nearly 15 years. Children can visit with Jolly Old St. Nick, receive a bagful of treats, make reindeer food and enjoy holiday tales spun by a popular storyteller.

"We're very happy and pleased that the chamber is allowing us to host Santa and Mrs. Claus this year in conjunction with Nemacolin Castle's 50th anniversary," says Colleen Rawson, co-chair of the special events committee for the historical society. "There will be heated tents set up so Santa, Mrs. Claus, our guests and entertainers will be comfortable as they join us in celebrating this special occasion."

Free activities will include Christmas caroling, led by Brownsville Area High School students under the direction of choir director Bethany Hughes, a bonfire, holiday music by acoustic guitarist Fred Adams of Mt. Pleasant, Colonial and Civil War encampments and storyteller Natalie Zuchelkowski of Brownsville. Also, arts and crafts vendors will be set up and refreshments will be available.

As in years past, Light-Up Night kicks off six weekends of candlelight tours at the castle, with its historic rooms dressed for the holidays by volunteers from local organizations and families. (See fact sheet for additional details.) There is an admission fee for the candlelight tours, with discounts available for groups of 20 or more. The chamber's 2012 limited edition collectible, honoring Nemacolin Castle's 50th year, will be on sale in the gift shop of the house and museum.

For nearly four decades, the chamber-sponsored Light-Up Night has been held the night after Thanksgiving, a genuine catalyst for community involvement. Days before the parade, volunteer firemen hang the borough's Christmas lights and make sure all light bulbs are working for the highly anticipated event. Shortly before the parade begins, chamber volunteers distribute nearly 2,000 plastic jugs, filled with sand and candles, to organizations and residents to create a luminaria that, when coupled with private participation, stretches for miles and adds a magical glow to the wintry nightscape.

Light-Up Night's volunteers include firemen from North, South and West Brownsville and Hiller, Brownsville Borough, Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp., Boy Scout Troop 650, Interact Club, Rotary Club and Hiller Ladies Auxiliary.

Nemacolin Castle opens at 4 p.m. on Light-Up Night for tours. Through Dec. 30, the historic home and gift shop will be open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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CONTACT:

Frank Ricco, chamber president, 724-785-3600
Bob Mammarella, historical society president, 724-785-6882

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Brownsville Holiday Parade, Light-Up Night Usher in the Season

GREATER BROWNSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


For immediate release:

Nov. 14, 2011

Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce

Finalizes Plans for Holiday Parade, Light-Up

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce has plans in place for its annual Light-Up Night, a longstanding tradition of exemplary community involvement to usher in the holiday season.

The Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, a caravan of holiday-decorated emergency and personal vehicles following an eight-mile route through Brownsville, Hiller, West Brownsville and Brownsville Township. Line-up for the parade is 5 p.m. at Hiller Volunteer Fire Department, 937 First St.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive at 7 p.m. at North Side Fire Department, 520 Market St. The chamber is preparing 150 treats to hand out to children at the fire hall, where high school students from the Brownsville Area School District will lead a sing-a-long of Christmas carols.

In the coming days, volunteer firemen from North and South Side departments will be hanging the borough's Christmas lights and checking them twice to make sure all bulbs are working for the Nov. 25 light-up festivities. The chamber-sponsored holiday event also draws volunteers from Brownsville Borough, Interact Club, Rotary Club, Scout troops, Hiller Ladies Auxiliary and Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp.

Several days before the parade, the chamber will distribute nearly 3,000 plastic jugs, filled with sand and candles, for the traditional luminaria – a catalyst for community-wide participation by residents and local organizations that add to the magic of Brownsville's light-up night by making it stretch for miles.

"It's not just one person doing it. It's really wonderful community participation," says Frank Ricco, president of the local chamber.
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To schedule an interview or photo:
Frank Ricco, 724-785-3600

*Editor's Note: Photo credit – Brianne Mitchell

WQED Holiday Season Programming Offers Treats for All

HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 14, 2011

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org


HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING

FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS


PITTSBURGH—Each year WQED-TV and Classical WQED-FM 89.3 offer viewers and listeners a cornucopia of programming on television and radio to celebrate the season. The 2011 schedule offers everything from the L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011 with more than 1,000 performers to a new offering from Lidia Bastianich (Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions”) that looks at four different cultures’ observance of several holidays. Whether you’ll be leaving cookies for Santa Claus, lighting the Menorah or preparing for the New Year WQED has something for you and your family this holiday as you gather together.

WQED-TV HOLIDAY FAMILY PROGRAMMING

• Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Homecoming

Thursday, November 24

“Special” 4802 at 7:30 p.m.

My Tale of Two Cities: A Comeback Story at 8 p.m.

After playing in more than 25 cities across North America, including on Capitol Hill, My Tale of Two Cities will make its broadcast premiere on WQED-TV Thanksgiving Day just in time for those coming home for the holidays!

Preceding the film, a special guest panel including the stars of the movie, former U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Paul O’Neill, Steelers’ legend Franco and his son businessman Dok Harris, and filmmaker Carl Kurlander will discuss the city’s remarkable resurgence since the filming. This special edition of WQED’s 4802 program that will air at 7:30 p.m. will be co-hosted by the president of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Grant Oliphant, and WQED’s Michael Bartley.


• Live From Lincoln Center “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker”

Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.

A glowing one-ton Christmas tree, mischievous mice and crystalline waltzing snowflakes. Join the New York City Ballet for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker LIVE from Lincoln Center.


• Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions” (Four-part series)

Tuesday, December 20 at 8 p.m.

Join Lidia Bastianich as she visits with everyone from actors Mo Rocca and Stanley Tucci to a Chinese American family named Fong-Torres to discover four different holiday tables including an Italian-American Christmas Eve, a four-generation Mexican-American family Christmas get-together, a Chinese-American New Year celebration and a Jewish-American Passover.

• Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York

Tuesday, December 20 at 9 p.m.; Sunday, December 25 at Noon and 5 p.m.

Along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square and 107 dancers, Season Seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta sings holiday favorites while Michael York reads the story of Christmas from the Book of Luke from Salt Lake City.

• Nature “Christmas in Yellowstone”

Wednesday, December 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 8 p.m.

From snowflake crystals, to elk and bison to Jackson Hole, join NATURE as they retrace the footsteps of the original men who first explored Yellowstone and see extraordinary scenes often missed in Hayden Valley for “a Christmas like no other.”

• Christmas at Belmont

Thursday, December 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 2 p.m.

This annual holiday season tradition features familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites from the 400 student voices and Belmont University School of Music faculty.

• The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.

Joined by some of the biggest names in entertainment this program’s finale includes the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by President Barack Obama and his family.

• European Christmas Markets

Thursday, December 22 at 10:30 p.m.

Travel through Germany, France and Switzerland and visit cities and towns through the lively markets of Europe at Christmas time.

• L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011

Friday, December 23 at 9 p.m.

L.A. Holiday Celebration 2010 (50th Annual)

Sunday, December 25 at 4 p.m.

Attended annually by more than 7,000 people, this LIVE three-hour program features more than 1,000 performers and includes an array of ethnic and culturally diverse music and dance.

• Christmas at St. Olaf

Friday, December 23 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 1 p.m.

From St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this is a celebration that features five of the college’s choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra with newly commissioned works from American composers Andre J. Thomas and David N. Childs.

• Home and Hearth: The Crane Candlelight Concert 2009

Sunday, December 25 at 3 p.m.

This Christmas concert with The Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rebecca Reames, Jeffrey Francom, Heather Eyerly, and Kenneth Andrews features more than 300 carolers and musicians performing traditional and seasonal hymns.

• Purdue Christmas Show

Sunday, December 25 at 6 p.m.

Now in its 77th year, the Purdue Christmas Show features members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes, Purdue Bells, University Choir, Heart & Soul, All Campus & Community Chorale and the PMO Kids Choir from Elliott Hall of Music.

• Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh

Sunday, December 25 at 7 p.m.

Perry Como once sang that, “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Join beloved producer Rick Sebak as he takes you on a journey through western Pennsylvania holiday traditions past and present. It’s Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh.


WQED-TV HOLIDAY CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

• Curious George Holiday Spectacular

Wednesday, November 23

Curious George The Movie at 8 a.m.

Curious George Follow That Monkey at 9:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas II at 11 a.m.

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Monday, December 19 at 11 a.m.

• America’s Children’s Holiday Parade

Tuesday, December 20 at 11 a.m. and Noon

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Wednesday, December 21 at 9:30 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “Sleeping Beauty”

Thursday, December 22 at 11 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “The Nutcracker”

Thursday, December 22 at Noon

• Christmas Day Programming

Sunday, December 25

Barney & Friends “Gift of the Dinos/A Visit From Santa” at 6 a.m.

Caillou “Caillou’s Christmas” at 6:30 a.m.

WordWorld “The Christmas Star/A Present for Dog” at 7 a.m.

Clifford’s Puppy Days “Heroes and Friends/The Cookie Crumbles” at 7:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 8 a.m.

Super Why! “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 9 a.m.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That “Reindeer Games” at 9:30 a.m.

Dinosaur Train “Don’s Winter Wish/Festival of Lights” at 10 a.m.

Sid the Science Kid “Sid’s Holiday Adventure” at 10:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 11 a.m.


CLASSICAL WQED-FM 89.3/WQEJ-FM 89.7 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING

• Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 24

Giving Thanks at 6 p.m.

Today your family shares common blessings and a bountiful meal. John Birge brings to the table music, stories and thoughtful reflections on the meaning of Thanksgiving.


A Simple Thanksgiving at 8 p.m.

Quiet, uninterrupted music – the perfect accompaniment to relaxing after dinner.


The Thanksgiving Visitor at 11 p.m.

Truman Capote reads his classic aloud. (A WQED-FM 89.3 holiday tradition and favorite!)


• Thanksgiving With Cantus

Friday, November 25 at 6 p.m.

Join Cantus, one of America’s most accomplished vocal ensembles for a special Thanksgiving program.


• A Thanksgiving Celebration with Garrison Keillor

Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.

A broadcast of “Gratitude, Gravy and Garrison,” VocalEssence’s celebration of all things Thanksgiving. Keillor performs his signature monologue and contributes comic new lyrics to familiar songs and hymns.


• Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.


• River City Brass Holiday Concert

Thursday, December 8 at 8 p.m.


• Carnegie Mellon Holiday Concert

Friday, December 9 at 8 p.m.


• Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, December 18 at 8 p.m.


• A Taste of Chanukah

Monday, December 19 at 9 p.m.


• A Great Miracle Happened There

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.


• Welcome Christmas

Saturday, December 24 at 9 a.m.


• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

LIVE from Kings College in Cambridge, England

Saturday, December 24 at 10 a.m.


• Polish Christmas Cheer

Saturday, December 24th at 10 p.m.


• Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25


A Spanish Renaissance Christmas at 11 a.m.

An Elizabethan Christmas at Noon

St. Olaf Christmas Festival at 1 p.m.

Heinz Chapel Choir & CMU Holiday Concerts at 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Holiday Show at 5 p.m.

Handel’s Messiah at 6 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.

A Chanticleer Christmas at 10 p.m.

Echoes of Christmas at 11 p.m.


• Chanukah in Story and Song

Tuesday, December 27 at 9 p.m.


• Live from First Night

Saturday, December 31st at 8 p.m.


• New Year’s Day From Vienna

Sunday, January 1 at 11 a.m.


WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.