Freedom

Recognition

First Quarter 2013

The Freedom Business District Authority would like to take this opportunity to feature The Freedom Area School District as this quarter's Downtown Recognition Recipient. The school district supports our downtown and our community by graciously distributing printed copies of this newsletter each quarter and has done so for quite some time.

The Freedom Business District Authority recognizes and applauds our school district; Superintendent, Jeffrey Fuller, and our teachers and staff for the outstanding work they do on a daily basis for the young people of our community. Additionally, we thank them for advocating our downtown efforts by assisting us in educating our community through distribution of the Downtown Freedom Focus newsletter.

For more information about the school district, please visit their website at http://www.freedomareaschools.org.

Fourth Quarter 2012

This quarter we honor Alesia Langston as the featured downtown recognition recipient. Alesia is a lifetime resident of Freedom. Alesia has been a faithful member of the Freedom Business District Authority for 14 years. She dependably represented Freedom in the Rivertown Partnership of Beaver County for many of those years as well. Additionally, she served on Borough Council for 16 years as was a member of the Community Services Program Advisory Board of Beaver County.

She is a member of the First Baptist Church and has participated in many, varied community programs such as Vacation Bible School, Community Night Out, and the Angel Food Ministries.

The Freedom Business District Authority applauds Alesia and thanks her for her dedication and loyalty to the Borough of Freedom!

Third Quarter 2012

The Freedom Business District Authority is please to recognize Don Zahn as this quarter's featured downtown recognition recipient.

Don Zahn has been the Mayor of Freedom for approximately 8 years. He is married to his wife, Joann, and they have lived in Freedom their entire married like of 53 years.

His wife Joann tells us that when he became mayor, the borough had no equipment for the needed maintenance. Don wrote grants so the borough could get heavy equipment for the town's maintenance.

Don has been very involved over the years with planning Christmas parties and Halloween parties for the children of Freedom. He also started light up night in Freedom. Not only did he initiate these events, but he also financed the luncheon and treats bags provided to the children for some events.

The Freedom Business District Authority applauds Don and extends appreciation to him for his many acts of kindness and for his dedication to the Borough of Freedom!

Second Quarter 2012

The Freedom Business District Authority is pleased to recognize Karen Willison, Borough Secretary as its featured downtown recognition recipient this quarter. Karen has been serving the Borough of Freedom and its residents since 1991 when she began as the tax collector. In 1998 she became the full-time Borough Secretary and is responsible for keeping the day-to-day operations of the borough running smoothly. Although Karen was born and raised in Center Township, she has been a highly successful transplant to Freedom and even built a new home in the borough 16 years ago!

Karen is very pleased with the ongoing streetscape project that is redoing the sidewalks on 8^th Street up to the Post Office. Karen says of working for the Borough, “I’ve met a lot of wonderful people in Freedom and I really enjoy dealing with the public and working with the police department. Council is great at making the most out of the existing resources and everyone in Freedom is very nice.”

The Freedom Business District Authority is grateful to Karen Willison and her dedication to the Borough!

First Quarter 2012

The Freedom Business District Authority is pleased to recognize Lazaro's Pizza as its feature downtown recognition recipient for this quarter. Lazaro's opened in the summer of 2011 with its delicious, homemade pizzas. Recently, Lazaro's expanded its menu adding hoagies and pepperoni rolls. Milk, pop, tea and bread are also available for purchase at this convenient stop.

Lazaro's is located at 700 Third Avenue. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. To reach the ship, please call 724-709-8730 or visit their website at www.lazarospizza.biz.

Fourth Quarter 2011

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen Brenda S. Applegate, Executive Director of the Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation and the Captain William Vicary Mansion, as our 4th Quarter Downtown Recognition Recipient. Brenda is being recognized for her dedication to Beaver County Landmarks and especially the Vicary Mansion.

Brenda's hard work and dedication keeps the memory of these wonderful historic landmarks forever alive to the residents of Beaver County and the many visitors that pass through. Brenda's attention to detail is very much appreciated!

Third Quarter 2011

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen Casper DePaolis as its 3rd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2011. Casper is being recognized for the wonderful spirit of volunteerism and as a leader in our community.

Casper has taken the time to plant flowers and maintain our veterans war memorial for many years. This effort has served as a point of interest and pride in our community. Individual attention to these kinds of details in our downtown is what is needed toward our goal of making Freedom a more attractive place to live and shop.

Casper has also been an integral part of many important community life activities in town. Through Casper’s efforts, Freedom can move forward in its efforts to revitalize our downtown and improve business development and community life.

Second Quarter 2011

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen Tom Lazarus and Gary Fleming as its 2^nd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipients for 2011. Tom and Gary are being honored for opening a new business, Lazaro’s Pizza at 799 Third Avenue. It will feature Sicilian-style pizza, developed from an old family recipe. Family members, like Tom’s parents and children, will staff the shop. Additionally, take-out items like coffee, soda, milk, desserts and snacks will also be available.

The shop has been completely renovated inside and out and will feature a “Wall of Fame” where residents can add old-time photos to incorporate Freedom’s history into his shop.

The Board thanks Tom and Gary for their outstanding contribution to Freedom’s downtown revitalization goals.

First Quarter 2011

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen Brenda Applegate from the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation for her outstanding work at Vicary Mansion. Brenda developed an award-winning program entitled Windows Through History. There are two sessions each year: one is directed at girls 7 to 14 years of age and the second is for girls, as well as adults, who want a more in-depth learning session. Each session is “hands-on”, incorporating a cooking, sewing, and craft project of the era, as well as experiencing dancing and a social event. Girls dress in period costumes to enhance the feeling of history. Historical periods include the 1750’s through the 1890’s.

In addition to the Windows Through History program, Brenda is also involved with Beaver County History Day, Military Weekends, Vicary Day, Apple Butter Fest and Christmas at the Mansion.

The Freedom BDA extends sincere appreciation to Brenda for her efforts to keep Beaver County history alive through her extremely interesting programs and offers congratulations to a very deserving and hard-working member of the BCHRLF. For more information, please call 724-775-1848.

Fourth Quarter 2010

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen Darl Allman as its 4^th Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010. Mrs. Allman is being recognized for her dedication to planting and caring for the municipal building gardens. All during the summer months, our borough landscaping is attractive, colorful and welcoming to visitors. The Board thanks Darl for her many hours of volunteerism for the benefit of our community.

Third Quarter 2010

The Freedom Business District Authority has chosen the Freedom Post Office as its 3^rd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010. Postmaster Mark Wahl was instrumental in having his agency renamed and dedicated to honor one of its most famous residents.

Everyone knows the inspiring story of John Scott Challis Jr., the 18 year-old who fought a long battle with cancer. He had a maturity beyond his years and an uncommon ability to “touch others”. Through his diagnosis, John came to understand life a little better. “Courage + Believe = Life” was his motto.

On June 7, 2010, the post office was officially renamed the Freedom John Scott Challis, Jr. Station. Additionally, Mark had a 44-cent stamp created with John’s picture. However, this was to be a gift for the family only. When it was printed in the Times article, people started to call the post office to see if the commemorative stamps were for sale. As a result, several thousand will be printed and sold for the benefit of the John Challis Courage for Life Foundation.

Second Quarter 2010

Casper Depaolis and the Memorial Day Committee are being recognized by the Freedom Business District Authority for the wonderful job they do at the Freedom Memorial Honor Roll garden. It is a fitting tribute to those whose names are inscribed on the stone. We thank them for the many volunteer hours they donate for its maintenance.

First Quarter 2010

The Freedom Business District Authority is recognizing the Freedom United Methodist Church for its merger with Unionville United Methodist Church. Because of dropping membership, our church opted to join the congregation in Unionville to preserve its presence in our town. Regular services are held in Freedom on Saturday nights, as well as special events and services. Both congregations are served by Reverend W. Stephen Morse.

The Freedom BDA offers sincere congratulations to the following businesses that have enjoyed 10 or more years of success in our core downtown area: