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22 banners on poles welcome visitors to Kane |
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Written by Publisher
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
This is one of the 22 banners installed on street light poles on Fraley Street in the Uptown Kane Business District. Local businesses have sponsored the "welcome banners" under a project initiated by the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE).
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
Just in time for the upcoming busy weekend, 22 banners have been installed on Uptown street light poles to welcome visitors to Kane.
The Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE) is sponsoring the community improvement project.
Businesses and the borough have paid $150 for each of the banners, which were designed by Kane native Kristin Marconi Martonik. She is a member of the KARE board and prepared the graphic designs without charge.
The banners were installed earlier this week by Mike Beane and Orv Hallberg, members of the Kane borough Streets Department. The installation comes just before Kane marks a busy weekend.
Graduates of Kane Area High School will be returning to their hometown for the annual Alumni Weekend. Many of the classes have activities planned Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Art in the Wilds will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Evergreen Park. This event is expected to attract a large number of visitors to see various forms of artwork. There is no admission fee.
The "Taste of Kane" featuring foods from area restaurants will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kane Area Community Center.
A breakfast for returning Kane alumni will begin at 11 p.m. on Saturday at the Kane Fire Hall on Poplar Street. The breakfast runs until 3 a.m. on Sunday.
The Kane Depot Museum also will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday with its Art Works and Artisan Market exhibits.
The new banners in Uptown Kane measure 22x48 inches and hang from the sidewalk side of the decorative poles for street lights.
"We hope the banners catch of the eyes of people," Amber Hancharick said in discussing the KARE project. Hancharick is the executive director of the Kane Area Development Center, which includes KARE, the Kane Chamber of Commerce and the Kane Area Industrial Development Corporation (KAIDC).
Hancharick said the banners will "instill a sense of hometown pride" for Kane residents as well as welcoming visitors.
Hancharick said the KARE banner project has received overwhelming support from local businesses.
"We already have a waiting list for banner sponsors," Hancharick said.
The names of the sponsors are posted on the bottom of the banners.
She said the banners "capture three themes of the Kane: community, four seasons of recreation and hometown pride."
"Take a moment when walking or driving along Fraley street to enjoy the beautiful graphics," Hancharick said.
The installation of "welcome banners" is one of several KARE projects now under way.
Texas Hot Lunch and Peterson Refrigeration on Field Street and the Kane Motel on Greeves Street are improving their facades under a KARE "matching grant" program. Improvements also are planned at the New Thomson House at Greeves and Fraley streets.
Hancharick said five new "welcome to Kane" signs will be erected at the main roads leading into the borough. This project is funded under a $5,000 grant from the McKean County Industrial Development Authority.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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