Civic leaders see lower State Street corridor in Springfield turning corner

Link to January 10 Springfield Republican article.

Excerpt: Not that long ago, economic development along the lower State Street corridor was measured in mini-marts, video stores and fast food franchises.

Not anymore.

Not with a $70 million federal courthouse already open at 300 State St., and groundbreaking for a $110 million state data storage center on Elliot Street set to begin this spring.

The data center represents a potential boom for the Elliot Street neighborhood, where a well-known landmark is the abandoned hulk of the Technical High School building. As detailed on Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, the 115,000-square-foot facility will rise from the site of the old high school site.

To residents, the project will do more than just create 70 full-time jobs and restore the blighted school property that has been a fire hazard for more than 20 years.

“It’s a good sign for Springfield’s future, and it also shows that we are able to preserve the past,” said Carol A. Costa, past president of the Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association and resident of the nearby Classical Condominiums.

No one suggests that the data center will turn back the clock to the 1950s and 1960s, when lower State Street bustled with shops, restaurants and a movie theater.

Auld lang syne for beloved Statler?

Link to December 31 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: Closing the 20-story structure on Niagara Square would continue a decline that started four decades after its opening on May 19, 1923, as the 1,100-room Hotel Statler, flagship of the high-end chain developed by Buffalo’s Ellsworth M. Statler.

By the time ownership passed to the newer Hilton chain in the 1960s the landmark was showing its age, and the conversion of several floors to office space could not stop the slide into disrepair.

A ceiling leak that disrupted a 1976 Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Golden Ballroom, chasing businessmen from their tables, symbolized the decline.

At least for a night — Jan. 28, 1977 — it seemed like old times in the grande dame of Buffalo hotels as office workers, businessmen and women, lawyers and government officials stranded downtown packed the lobby, mezzanine and any other standing or sitting space to wait out the monster Blizzard of '77.

Traditional barber shops cling to a male tradition

Link to December 29 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt: Barber shops may be fewer in number now, but those who work there still have pride in their job.

Frailey's Barber Shop owner Jeff Frailey said in the 1960s there were 23 such shops within the city limits, but now only his and two others remain.

Trawick's Barber Shop owner Ronald Trawick said on average 18 of his customers pass away every year with few new ones replacing them.

"Most hair I cut is grey," he said.

Obittuary: James Connolly

James Michael Connolly, 55, of 471 Jackson Run Rd., Warren, PA., passed away on Saturday morning, December 26, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

James was born February 3, 1954, in Warren, the son of Helen Gronick Connolly of Warren and the late James B. Connolly. Jim was a lifelong area resident and a graduate of Warren Area High School. He attended Jamestown Business College and then owned and operated Connolly Beer Distributor with his father for many years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #223, the Eagles Club, the Clarendon VFW, and the Struthers Hose Co. Jim truly enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his boys, was a Cleveland Browns fan, and enjoyed his Genesee beer. He will be missed by all who knew him, especially his family for whom he cared deeply.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy" Connolly, Warren, whom he married on May 31, 1980; two daughters, Jennifer Marie Malone and her husband Roger, Pittsburgh, PA., and Kellie Anne Connolly, Ashland, OR., three sons, Michael James Connolly and fiance Ericka Dominick, Warren, Lonny J. Connolly, Sheffield, and James L. Connolly and wife Sarah, Clarendon; five sisters, Cynthia Rock and husband Steven, Erie, PA., Kathleen Teconchuk and husband Robert, also of Erie, Suzanne Sillato and husband Albert, Buffalo, N.Y. Michele Ressler and husband Timothy, Fla., and Amy Swanson and husband James, Warren; his best friend and fishing buddy Bill Acklin; and many nieces and nephews.

Obituary: Ella Cashman

Ella H. Cashman, formerly of Warren, died December 7, 2009 at Springhill Retirement Community in Erie, PA. She was two months short of her 100th birthday. Prior to moving to Erie 15 years ago she had spent most of her life in Warren.

She was the wife of the late Warren physician, Dr. William Cashman, who passed away in 1989. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Anna Munson Harrington, her brother William Harrington and sister Alice Harrington Johnson. Surviving siblings are Dr. John Harrington and Anne Harrington Gay, both of Warren. She is also survived by five children: Dr. John Cashman and wife, Diane of Wilmington, N.C., Anne Cashman of Erie, PA., Michael Cashman and wife, Kathy of Bedford, MA., Mary Cashman Dahl of Warren, Pa. and Jane Cashman McComas and husband Jeff of Salt Lake City, UT. Mrs. Cashman leaves a legacy of 12 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. Also surviving are many of her beloved nieces and nephews. She was a former registered nurse graduating from the Warren General Hospital School of Nursing in 1932 and practiced at the hospital until her marriage to Dr. Cashman in 1937. During her life when she was not raising and caring for her family she was involved in the Warren Women's Club, the Warren County Medical Society Auxiliary, The Red Cross, Girl Scouts, the Warren Art League and the Warren County Historical Society. She was also a member of the Conewango Valley Country Club and St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

Developers bringing new life to Springfield apartment buildings

Link to December 12 Springfield Republican article.

Excerpt: If 76 Mill St. seems like it has a way to go before it is habitable again, one needs to consider how it looked before Bernal and his partner, Salvatore F. Cangialosi, purchased it and four others at auction in September.

Bernal said a fourth-floor apartment had been gutted by fire, there was trash and garbage everywhere, and the rooftop skylight had a crack in it, allowing two years worth of rain and snow to drip through to the interior.

It was in tough shape, Bernal recalled.

The five buildings Bernal and Cangialosi purchased at the auction belonged to Anthony Ping Zuo, of Weston, the absentee landlord who ran afoul of the city failing to pay his taxes and to maintain his property.

Like 76 Mill St., work is ongoing at the other four sites, and Bernal said they should be made habitable with the next month or so.

Obituary: Thomas Schorman

Thomas R. Schorman, 85, of 15 Weatherbee St., N. Warren, Pa. died Wednesday morning, December 2, 2009 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pa. after a brief illness. He was born October 1, 1924 in Bradford, Pa. to the late Robert C. and Mildred Crooks Schorman. Tom has been a Warren resident for the past 75 years, and was a 1943 graduate of Warren High School. He was employed with the United Refinery Company as laboratory technician retiring in 1988 after 46 years service. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he was chairman of the Church Endowment Committee, a member of the Pilot Koinonia Group and was involved in numerous other church responsibilities throughout the years. He was a longtime member of the Warren Kiwanis Club, Warren Shakespeare club and was a generous, caring person, loving husband, father, and grandfather.

His family and his faith were the center of Tom Schorman's life.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Roos Schorman whom he married September 18, 1948 in Warren, Pa.; 3 Children Robert R. Schorman and wife, Judi of Oxford, Ohio, Deborah California of Meadville, Pa., Barbara Mintzer and husband, Thomas of Warren, Pa.; 2 Brothers Jack and Jim Schorman both of Warren, Pa.; 6 Grandchildren Ryan California of York, Pa., Elizabeth Saylor of Coraopolis, Pa., Kate California of McKees Rocks, Pa., Rachel California of Erie, Pa., Emily Steves of S. Dayton, N.Y., Adam Mintzer of Warren, Pa.; 4 Great Grandchildren Jordan Arthur, Alyssa Steves, Grant and Amelia California, several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his soninlaw, Ronald California; and 1 Grandson Ronald California, Jr.