NCCC Spruces Up Brownsville

Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation
P.O. Box 97, 69 Market Street
Brownsville, PA 15417

Press Release:  August 30, 2012

Brownsville will get a fresh new look this September when the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) comes to town for the second time. A team of eight corps members worked for two weeks in the spring, and the new team will be in town for at least four weeks to finish the job.

The first team painted buildings, cleared plant overgrowth, removed rubble from the Market St. parking lot and rebuilt a wall near the Flatiron Building.

“These kids can do anything.” said James Carroll, who supervised the first team and will coordinate the activities of the incoming team. Carroll wants to ensure that the work of the NCCC team impacts the whole community and makes citizens proud of the town.

The team will be performing a vast range of tasks, such as landscaping, litter control, work with the Garden Club, and general improvements to the town square.

NCCC teams serve in communities in need throughout the United States with a wide variety of direct service capabilities. NCCC is a division of Americorps, and their time in Brownsville will be sponsored by BARC.

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BARC Celebrates La Dolce Vita with 10th Anniversary Taste of Italy

La Dolce Vita: BARC Celebrates

Taste of Italy's 10th Anniversary

Nearly 20 winemakers will participate in the Oct. 15 event

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Nearly 20 regional winemakers will compete Oct. 15 at the 10th annual Taste of Italy, one of the longest-running fund raisers for the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC)

Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. As in years past, the Taste of Italy will be held in the Brownsville Sons of Italy, Frank Ricco Lodge 731, at 16 Race St., beginning at 7 p.m.

The evening features wine tastings, the gift of a customized wine glass and hors d'oeuvres plus the opportunity to participate in the balloting for the People's Choice Award or as the competitors call it, the "Last Box Charlie" award, which honors the late Charlie Britvich, one of five competitors who launched the event for BARC. Competing still today are Dick Quarzo, John Chan, Rich Dascenzo, Dr. Alan Sally and Britvich's children.

The longevity of the Taste of Italy has amazed winemakers and BARC members alike. "We have a core group of winemakers and they keep it going. We could never do this without them – they give away their wine," says Caroline Fecek, chairwoman of the event from 2001-10 and a key committee member for the Taste of Italy's 10th anniversary.

By the event's third year, Fecek says the Taste of Italy started to draw significantly larger crowds and more winemakers, including competitors from Pittsburgh. "Word of mouth" publicity brought 220 people last year to Brownsville for the annual affair. This year's goal is to draw a sell-out crowd to the 250-seat Sons of Italy hall, which was recently renovated as part of a major expansion project.

"There is good-natured competition among our winemakers. They want to keep it light so we do," Fecek says. "Every year, I'm humbled by the help we get from the winemakers, volunteers and sponsors."

Several sponsors are already on board, with more on the way, to show their support for the milestone year. To date, BARC has secured sponsorships from Brownsville Marine Products, Community Foundation of Fayette County, Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Resort & Spa and Woodlands Animal Care Center, Lunden's Flower Shop and Brownsville Ambulance Service. The wine glass sponsor is Carmichaels Golf Club.

Trophies will be awarded to winemakers for sweet and dry wines in the following categories: made from grapes crushed by the vintner; bought juice, including buckets; kits; and grapes mixed with other fruits. Six judges will award trophies during the event. Also highlighting the evening is the traditional auction of a basketful of wine – private labels from participating winemakers. Conducting the sale will be professional auctioneer, Fred Peters of Brownsville.

"My expectation is to continue what Caroline has built," says Norma Ryan, BARC director and the 2011 chairwoman of the Taste of Italy. "Having grown up with a family that made wine, it's very touching and special that these winemakers are keeping the tradition alive."

Taste of Italy tickets are $35 each prior to Oct. 1 and $40 afterward or at the door. Tickets are available by contacting BARC's office at 724-785-9331. The office, located in the Flatiron Building, 69 Market St., Brownsville, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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For additional information or schedule an interview:

Norma Ryan, 724-785-9387

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Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancements and the arts. Contact the BARC office, 724.785.9331, for additional information about programs and upcoming events.

Brownsville's Rose Mansion Landmark Selected for 2011 Collectible

GREATER BROWNSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


For immediate release:

July 18, 2011

Rose Mansion

Brownsville Chamber Featuring Rose Mansion

For 29th Year of Limited Edition Collectibles

The 2011 collectible will be available November 1

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the Rose Mansion, built in 1873, as the featured historic property for its 29th consecutive issue of limited edition collectibles of landmark structures in Brownsville Borough.

The Rose Mansion at 320 Market St. is a contributing structure to the North Side Historic District, an eye-catching reminder of Brownsville's rich history visible to roughly 10,000 vehicles per day traveling Route 40, the Old National Pike. The Italianate design was the original Monongahela National Bank, which was relocated about 1900 to the downtown. The structure was transitioned to residential use after Brownsville's prominent Rose family acquired it, sometime between 1903 and 1917.

The 2011 collectible will be available Nov. 1. The ornaments, $8 each, have been issued by the chamber since 1983, with the inaugural piece featuring Nemacolin Castle. In 2010, the featured property was the former Brownsville Hospital's School of Nursing.

"The real value is if you have the entire collection," says Frank Ricco, president of the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce. A limited number of collectibles are still available for 1997, 1998 and 2000 through 2010 at the chamber's 325 Market St. office.

Ray Koffler, project chairman, acknowledges the challenge has been to come up with a new property each year. But, it was the Rose Mansion's commanding presence in the oldest intact commercial and residential district west of the Alleghenies – and the current owner's redevelopment plan – that planted the seed to feature the building on the 2011 limited edition ornament.

Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. is considering a bed-and-breakfast adaptive reuse project for the structure, which was donated in 2010 by the Rose heirs to the non-profit organization. Peter Frederick Rose, the home's sole occupant for decades, died in July 2006.

The in-stock inventory of collectibles from previous years features the Flatiron Building, Brownsville Hospital, Inter-County Bridge, Bridgeport Mine, Riverside Wharf and Park, North and South Side fire halls, the Veterans Memorial, Brashear House, Patsy Hillman Park, the Monongahela Railroad Museum and the nurses' school. In addition to being available at the chamber office, the limited edition ornaments will be sold at the Brownsville Community Festival, slated for Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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FOR INTERVIEWS:

Frank Ricco, 724-785-3600

Ray Koffler, 724-785-4978; ray@tru-copy.com

BARC on TAP Beer Tasting Event

For Immediate Release

Contact: Blake Fisher Phone: 724.785.9331


AmeriCorps VISTA Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org

BARC on TAP Tickets for Sale

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. - The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) will host a beer-tasting event June 11 at Hiller Fire Hall.

BARC on TAP will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 937 1st St. The event will feature beer from Church Brew Works, Duquesne Beer, Full Pint Brewing, Vecenie’s Distributing Co., Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale and select home brewers in addition to foods from Brownsville-area restaurants. Also featured will be a selection of prints of historic Brownsville from the Norman Patterson Collection.

Tickets are $30 per person. Tickets are available at the BARC office in the Flatiron Building, 69 Market St., Brownsville, 724.785.9331.

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For additional information:

Dennis Cremonese, 724.785.9331



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Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancements and the arts. Contact the BARC office, 724.785.9331, for additional information about programs and upcoming events.

Private Collection of Brownsville Historic Photographs Donated

CONTACT: Maren Meszaros Phone: 724.785.9331


Marketing/Public Relations Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org

BARC Heritage Center Receives

1,140-Image Private Collection

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – A collection of 1,140 historic photographs of Brownsville has been donated by a former resident, Norman "Bill" Patterson of Erie, to Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC).

Patterson's donation will become part of BARC's permanent collection in the Heritage Center at 69 Market St., a museum focused on Brownsville’s role in the westward expansion of the U.S., coal and coke-era heritage and steamboat and railroad industries.

Patterson has digitally restored and enlarged photographs assembled by his lifelong friend, the late Harold Richardson, an inveterate collector of Brownsville memorabilia. Their mutually intense local pride has resulted in an irreplaceable portfolio of imagery of the riverfront town, before and after 1900.

"There comes a time when a private collection needs to become available to the wider audience that would appreciate it," Patterson says. "It is time to ensure that fate for my 'Old Brownsville' photographs. I can think of no better or more appropriate home than in the Flatiron Building."

Noted author and local columnist Glenn Tunney and BARC board member Norma Ryan are cataloguing the collection. Select images will be on display at upcoming community events.
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:

Dennis Cremonese, BARC executive director, 724.785.9331

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Cutline information – Sept. 30, 1927 photo features downtown near Market Street and Brownsville Avenue; 1915 photo features the "Neck."



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Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancements and the arts. Contact the BARC office, 724.785.9331, for additional information about programs and upcoming events.