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THE ABINGTON s
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The Voice of The AbingTons
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Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 348-9185 Fax: (570) 207-3448
September 17, 2015
www.abingtonsuburban.com
New Venue in the Works
ON THE INSIDE The lastest happenings in our area Page 4
SUBURBAN
Vacant firehouse will become ‘Gathering Place’
by Cathleen Lathrop
SPECIAL TO THE ABINGTON SUBURBAN
“Imagine a dynamic gathering place, located in a thriving community that is filled with lively conversation, good food, creative energy, an entrepreneurial spirit and the embrace of the whole of its community.” That is the beginning of the proposal for The Gathering Place, a new community center encouraging the arts and education in Clarks Summit. The former Clarks Summit Firehouse, at 304 S. State St., has been vacant for nearly a decade. Located in the center of the town, a handful of Clarks Summit citizens have decided to transform the space into a community center. There, residents of the Abingtons and surrounding areas can come together for recreational and artistic programs. The building is by no means finished and there’s still a lot to be done, but Mary Ann Nichols and Dori Waters of Clarks Summit both saw the potential of the building. “We were looking for a location [for public community classes] and in 2012 we approached the Clarks Summit Borough Council to see if they would consider letting us use this space. We would do the work on it and we would raise the money,” said Waters, describing the beginning of the revival plans for the old firehouse. The Abington Area Community Classroom (AACC) is a committee of The Gathering Place. For years the group has hosted public classes in various locations. The renovation of the firehouse will mean a centralized location for their events. The Committee’s fall 2015 community class list has already been released on their website, and a handful of classes are scheduled to use the small portion of the building that is habitable for the first time this semester.
Members of The Community Classroom committee, during a planning meeting. From left: Emily Rancier, Paula Baillie, Trudy Montella, Anne Armerzzani and Grace Farrell. Other members of the committee include Sarah Dawgert, Judy Decarlo, Judy Griggs, Lindsey Hardy, Tracey Khalife, Mary Ann Nichols, Loren Selnzick, Dori Waters, Warren Watkins and Sue Wittmann.
Classes offered by the AAAC range from SAT information to dancing, and from learning a new language to finishing furniture. Dedicated to promoting social inclusion, organizers note that, of course, “the entire space will be accessible for those with diabilities. That’s important,” Waters said. More than just providing a place for classes from the AACC, The Gathering Place also plans to be the setting for a multitude of community and artistic events. Plans include having a coffee bar, an updated kitchen, a performance venue, hosting lecturers and providing an art co-op where artists can feature their work for a monthly fee. They’ll also have a satellite studio of the Verve Vertu Art Studio in Dallas. There, artists with special needs can create and sell their work. Many in the area are looking forward to a community-oriented building in a centralized location. “There’s so much support from the com-
munity,” Nichols said. “There’s a huge group behind us that love the project and support it. They don’t say no when you ask for help.” The Gathering Place will host their second annual fundraising event, The Twice-Admired Emporium, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m. The fundraiser will be located at Clarks Summit Fire Co., 321 Bedford St. Admission is $15. The Twice-Admired Emporium will feature shopping through an upscale tag sale and browsing the innovative wares of repurposing vendors. Those attending the fundraiser will also have the opportunity to learn about home decorating design from experts while enjoying treats and music. You can donate art and home accessories to be sold at the Emporium. For drop-off information visit gatheringplaceCS.com. The Gathering Place is also collecting donations through its Brick by Brick fundraiser. The interior commemorative bricks can be purchased for $100 each on the website.
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