Patti and Lou Tumminello, of Verona, are being recognized as the 2nd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipients by the Verona Business District Advisory Committee for their unselfish dedication to many organizations and events in Verona.

Lou was the original Organization Chair and Patti, the original Business Development Chair of the Verona Business District Advisory Committee. Patti is also a member of Verona Flower and Garden Club and Verona Historical Society. Both Lou and Patti are members of Verona Chamber of Commerce and the VIP (Verona In Progress) groups. Through these organizations, they have brought new awareness to our community and many of its needs and most importantly have worked to fill those needs and inspire others to look toward the future.

Patti and Lou, Owners of the One Block Shoppe and Boutique, have been involved in improving the life of Verona and its residents for many years. Thanks to both Patti and Lou for their untiring commitment to Verona!

The Verona Business District Advisory Committee has chosen the Concerts in the Park Committee as its 1^st Quarter Downtown Recognition recipients for 2011.  Maryann Yingling, LeaAnn Grill, Joanne Roberts and Patti Tumminello make up this hard-working committee.  Thanks to their efforts, Verona residents are able to enjoy free concerts, performed by local talent, during the summer months.  A nice variety of music permeates the summer air as attendees enjoy refreshments and snacks.  If you have not attended any of these concerts in the past, be sure to add them to your 2011 calendar.  Concert dates for May, June and July will be listed on the Community Billboard and in the Borough newsletter.

The Verona Business District Authority has chosen Rhoda and Donald Worf for their outstanding contributions to Verona.  Their tireless energy and community-oriented goals have made them a big asset to our downtown. They helped spearhead our greatly appreciated History Center, along with bringing thousands of dollars in grants for Verona.   Rhoda and Donald have recently opened the Boulevard Gallery that gives local artists a place to display their talents.  Rhoda is also a Verona Councilperson.

 In addition to Rhoda and Don's accomplishments for our town, they were instrumental in our after-Christmas tree burning, VIP committee, Garden club and our Verona newsletter. They also started the Verona Flea Market and Farmers’ Market. Thanks to Don we will be having a new web site. It’s dedicated people like these that help make our town special!

The Verona Business District Advisory committee has chosen Verona Historical Society as its 3^rd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010. In early 2009, Don and Rhoda Gemelles Worf, along other interested residents, formed the Verona Historical Society. Rhoda Gemelles-Worf became its first president, Anita Berardi is the first vice-president, Donald Worf, secretary, and Patti Tumminello and Denise Gemelles are the treasurers.  Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month and include different speakers.

The organizing team got together and began gathering information and documents.  They decided, with the permission of Verona Borough Council, to dedicate a room in the Municipal building to Verona Historical Society.  In their new room, they began the constant cataloguing and displaying of the ever increasing documents, videos, news articles and memorabilia items that are contributed by present and former residents, and local business owners.

Among many “finds” the committee discovered information about a Verona inventor, John Kowalski, and dug into his history a bit more.  In their effort to promote “all things Verona,” they started raising money for a roadside marker honoring Kowalski and his many accomplishments.  Watch for upcoming dates of fun-fundraisers.

The Verona Historical Society has encouraged and inspired a new interest in Verona’s unique heritage and its contributions to the surrounding area and given a new sense of pride to the community and its residents. For more information about Verona Historical Society go to www.veronahistory.org

The Verona Business District Advisory Committee would like to recognize the Verona Street Crew/Public Works Department as their second quarter Downtown Recognition Recipient. The group is being recognized for their continued efforts each winter to keep the roads plowed and safe to travel.  This winter was particularly difficult for them because there seemed to be another deluge of snow as soon as one was cleaned-up.  But shoppers and residents were able to keep shopping and going due to their diligence and perseverance.

Russell Frazier, foreman, Tom Gravel, A.J. Guggi, and Mike Intorre are often are seen at the community park preparing equipment for the next event, making sure the streets are cleaned, fixing potholes quickly, and repairing and maintaining many aspects that make Verona a nice place to live.

Quarterly Downtown Recipients: Concert and Music in the Park committees 

When VIP (Verona in Progress) broke into committees they created several very active groups of residents that have added to the well-being of Verona.  This month we would like to recognize the “Concerts in the Park” committee.  From that a group of Council members and their friends developed the “Movies in the Park” series. 

Members of the “Concerts in the Park are: LeaAnn Grill (609 South Avenue, 15147), Mary Ann Yingling, (703 Herron Avenue, 15147) Patti Tumminello (601 Allegheny River Blvd.), and Chris Kozera (222 E Arch Street).  They planned and produced three concerts in May, June, and July and even offered free treats thanks to local merchants.

The popularity of the casual setting grew, until the parklet was full of lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and folks enjoying the music.

Members of the “Movies in the Park” are Earl Hendricks (704 Athletic Street, 15147), David Ricupero (558 Parker Street, 15147), Peggy Suchevich (557 North Avenue, 15147), Nancy O’Neill (557 North Avenue, 15147), and Liz Malay (Bessemer Street, 15147).  Three movies were shown this year:  “Finding Nemo,” “The Bee Movie,” and “Monsters Inc.”  A special thanks goes to Jim Dixon who figured out how to show the movies in the park.

Otto’s Shoes
739 Allegheny River Blvd.  

Blossoms Flowers & Gifts
716 Allegheny River Blvd.  

Cross Fit
524 Jones Street  

Broadway’s Barber Shop
723 Allegheny River Blvd.  

Jacks Barber Shop
751 Allegheny River Blvd.  

A&T Jewelry
751 Allegheny River Blvd.  

Dollar Tree
140 Allegheny River Boulevard 

Snap Fit
140 Allegheny River Boulevard

2007

The Borough of Verona is honoring the following businesses for demonstrating their commitment to Verona by locating their businesses in the central business district for ten or more years.  These 15 establishments have a combined business history of over 597 years. Congratulations and thank you!                     
           Allegheny River Arsenal
           614 Allegheny River Blvd.
           15 years

          Jerry’s Barber Shop
           707 East Railroad Avenue
           20 + years 

           Billy Kay’s Bar
           701 East Railroad Avenue
           20 + years 

           The Blind Side
           751 East Railroad Avenue
           22 years 

           Furniture Restoration by Lou Race
           718 Diamond Way
           23 years 

           Bosco’s Hair Design
           733 Allegheny River Blvd.
           23 years 

          Jack Schempp Motor Cars
          600 Allegheny River Blvd.
          24 years 

          Blondie’s Tavern and Restaurant
          813 Allegheny River Blvd.
          25 years 

          Dirty Harry’s Bike Shop
          730 Allegheny River Blvd.
          25 years

           Verona Dental Care
           625 Allegheny River Blvd.
           30 years

           The Church Bazaar
           700 Allegheny River Blvd.
           35 years

           Eiler’s Hardware
           318 Center Avenue
           52 years

           Verona News
           754 Allegheny River Blvd.
           60 years 

           Napa Center Auto Parts
           763 Allegheny River Blvd.
           64 years 

           Kier Ewing Insurance
           727 Allegheny River Blvd.
           74 years 

           E.N. Miller Antique Mall
           615 East Railroad Avenue
           100 years

While efforts were made to ensure that all eligible recipients are included in this list, we apologize if your business was inadvertently excluded. Please send your contact information to Town Center Associates at tca@towncenter.info or call us 412-577-7447 and we'll be sure to include you in the next newsletter. To be eligible for the recognition awards, your business must be located in the Preliminary Core Study Area and have been in operation in the downtown for ten or more years, OR have opened within the last two years.