Riverfront Gets Facelift
Mayor Stephen Reed carries on the Parks Improvement Program by dedicating the newly rehabilitated Riverfront Park Overlook at Front and Washington Streets. Consisting of new flagpoles, benches, waste receptacle, hand railing, and substantial landscaping, the rehab work represents the nearly $7,000 price that will be paid to Frederick, MD, company Miscellaneous Metals, Inc.

“Our special appreciation is extended to Ken McCombs and Miscellaneous Metals, Inc.,” said Reed. “Their investment will benefit thousands of residents and guests who utilize these sites, and their support helps to inspire local companies and entities to participate.”

Reed spoke of the long history of the Overlooks, known as RiverViews. At the turn of the twentieth century, 13 Overlooks were constructed to symbolize the 13 colonies. Two additional overlooks were later added.

Reed noted that all 15 Overlook and RiverView areas will be completely rehabbed over the next three years. Work is currently being performed on the Front and Tuscarora Overlook in Shipoke; all of the Overlooks will be painted within the next few weeks. The City is currently soliciting private businesses and organizations for sponsorship of the work, which totals nearly $7,500 each.

Students Doing Their Part
to Preserve Gettysburg
Rep. Harry Readshaw has announced that, during the 2000-2001 school year, Commonwealth students have raised nearly $19,000. Benefiting the perpetual endowment trusts for the 146 regimental monuments and markers honoring Pennsylvania soldiers of the Civil War, the funds were collected in response to Readshaw’s Monument Challenge. Created as part of the Representative’s effort to restore and preserve the Commonwealth’s monuments at the Battlefield, the program has drawn the involvement of a number of state teachers and students and the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

“The most thrilling aspect of seeing the school kids involved in the preservation effort is the knowledge that in the years to come, many of them will visit Gettysburg with their children and grandchildren,” said Readshaw. “They’ll be able to tell them proudly and without exaggeration: ‘See that monument? I personally helped keep it standing.’”

Readshaw and two staff members launched the restoration campaign in 1997 after learning of the need for the monuments’ restoration, due to the effects of time, weather, and vandalism. “Readshaw’s Raiders,” as the project’s supporters are known, are now attempting to raise $425,000 to ensure that funds are available for future upkeep of the monuments.

For more information on the project, visit fourscore.com.

Vartan National Bank to Open
West Shore Location
Vartan National Bank has opened the doors at its first West Shore location. Situated at 6480 Carlisle Pike, the branch will hold its official grand opening July 20-21. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on July 20 and will be the first of a number of the bank’s grand opening festivities.

On July 21, the bank will host a “Backyard Picnic” as a means of introducing itself to its neighbors. The picnic will include free food — hot dogs, ice cream, and sodas — and entertainment, including a dunk tank, a clown, a money machine, and appearances by members of the Harrisburg Senators baseball team.

President Keith Dalrymple notes that more than just a community event, the Picnic reaffirms the bank’s commitment to the people of the community. “We cater to the individual who wants basic services like checking and savings accounts and competitives CD rates, as well as small business owners who need lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, letters of credit or other services critical to their business,” he said. “And perhaps most importantly, all lending decisions are made locally.”

Vartan National Bank offers a number of consumer friendly services, from free Internet banking and bill payment to competitive loan and deposit rates to extended hours of operation.

“We subscribe to the philosophy that the customer is king,” said Dalrymple. “With all the options available to consumers and business today, banks that forget this maxim are paying the consequences in the marketplace.”

For more information on Vartan National Bank, visit vartanbank.com.

Two New Seitz Books Released
Seitz and Seitz, Inc. have released two new books, Pennsylvania Heritage: Diversity in Art, Dance, Music, Food, and Customs and Westylvania Heritage Trail: A Guide to Southwest Pennsylvania’s Historic Places. Written by Georg Sheets with photography by Blair Seitz, Pennsylvania Heritage “tells the stories in words and photography of the people who shape the diversity of the Commonwealth.” The 160-page book contains nearly 200 photographs and explores the ethnic diversity that makes up the state.

Like Heritage, Westylvania Heritage Trail: A Guide to Southwest Pennsylvania’s Historic Places also explores the finer points of Pennsylvania. The book follows 500 miles of highway in Western Pennsylvania and visits some 30 significant sites throughout the Commonwealth. Written by John G. Hope with photography by Blair Seitz, Westylvania Heritage Trail: A Guide to Southwest Pennsylvania’s Historic Places includes 50 photographs over 144 pages.

Book signings for both works have been set. Check Agenda for specific schedule. An official reception for both books will be held July 16 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Seitz Gallery, 1010 North Third Street, Harrisburg. For more information, call the Gallery at 232-7944.

New CEO/Superintendent for
Harrisburg Schools
Mayor Stephen Reed announced the city’s choice of Dr. Gerald Kohn for the Harrisburg School District’s new chief executive officer/superintendent. Kohn, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, was one of 32 candidates who responded to the nationwide search to fill the post.

Kohn has been the superintendent of schools in four districts: Vineland, New Jersey, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Millburn, New Jersey, and triton Regional Schools in Newbury, Massachusetts. He received his doctoral degree in education from Harvard University, his master’s degree in education from Montclair University, and his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.

In his most recent post in Vineland, his district was the only one in New Jersey to show improvement in all area tested at all grade levels in 15 years.

Kohn will begin work on July 16.