The Forest City Outdoor Town Action Team (FCOTAT) is pleased to announce that they have been awarded $2,362.00 in mini-grant funding through the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, in support of their project, “Connecting Forest City to its Outdoor Resources Through
Art”. The funding is made possible through the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF) and the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Grant match funds for the award have been provided by the
Rail Trail Council of NEPA and the Greater Forest City Business Alliance. Letters of support were also received from both of these organizations and also the Mountain View Garden Club.

The intent of this project is to place the first of several sculptures to creatively connect the D&H Rail Trail to the Forest City community and downtown. The end vision is to create a system of several sculptures that capture the heritage and character of the Forest City region, of
which our natural resources have always contributed. The first sculpture, for which this grant was requested, will be placed at the Forest City Trail Head marking the free WiFi – a service to trail users made possible with a grant awarded by the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau in
2019. The sculpture will be commissioned by local artist Scott Nichols and creatively integrates nature and outdoor recreation. The natural resources surrounding us have always played a role in our commerce and community – from coal mining in years past to current tourism in the form of activities such as walking, hiking, skiing and biking. As this project grows, a sculpture/art walk will lead trail users from the Forest City Trail Head via Erie Street to Main Street. The addition of the artwork within the community is intended to engage residents and visitors, reminding and representing our culture and heritage to all who pass through. This project supports a main focus of the Outdoor Town/Trail Town initiative, connecting our community and visitors to our outdoor spaces.

Completion of this first artwork is anticipated to occur in mid to late summer. The Rail Trail Council of NEPA has approved the placement of the sculpture at the Forest City Trail Head and as a WiFiservice marker. And, the Samuel Company has committed to construct a concrete
slab on which to place and secure the unique art. The FCOTAT and Forest City Borough are excited to partner with the Endless Mountains Heritage Region for this initial sculpture and appreciative of their support for progress within our community.

April 3, 2023

Dear Local Companies and Businesses:

I am writing to announce our Annual Pre-Kindergarten Transportation Day! It was a huge success in the past thanks to you! We could not have taught such hands-on and meaningful lessons without your help and volunteering of your time to share your vehicle and skills with our students. We would love for you to come back again this year!

Our annual Transportation Day will be held on Friday, May 5th from 9:30 until 11:30 AM. The Rain Date is Monday, May 8th from 9:30 until 11:30 AM. It will be held in the parking lot behind the high school, the same location as past years. Please check in with our classroom para-professionals who will be on the sidewalk awaiting your arrival. They will sign you in, give you a visitor badge and inform you of where to
park your vehicle (s). The students will again go around and tour each vehicle and listen to you discuss what your vehicle is used for and how it helps you perform a job. You may perform any operations that are safe, such as horn beeping, etc. Please arrive at 9:00 AM for set up. Lunch will be provided to show our appreciation. Kindergarten, first, and second grades will be invited to participate in Transportation Day as well.

If you are interested in returning this year, please call the school at 785-2410 or fill out the form below and return it to the school. Please send your response by Friday, April 28th.

Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you!
Let’s make this the best day ever!!

-Pre-K Teachers

Name: ___________________________________________
Company: _________________________________________
Type of Vehicle: ____________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________________
Count of Workers attending for lunches __________________

Please mail this form to the address below or RSVP by phone 570-785-2410
Forest City Regional Elem. School
100 Susquehanna St.
Forest City, PA 18421
Attention:
Tara Palickar

The Forest City Outdoor Town Action Team (FCOTAT) held their monthly meeting on Thursday evening, February 2, 2023 at Elegante’ Restaurant. Katie Zefran, Chairperson of the team, presided over the meeting. Also in attendance were committee members Erin Debish,
Suzanne Atcavage, Julianne Doyle (remotely) and Deb McNamara (remotely).

The first presentation of the evening was from Justin Byrd and Christine Byrd of Machi Systems, a media creation and management company. Justin and Christine are Forest City residents and have graciously donated their services to the FCOTAT to establish our social media presence and enhance our accessibility and communication with the Forest City Community. The FCOTAT plans to develop a steering committee to develop presentation and content.

At the forefront of the meeting was discussion and planning for the Center Street Pocket Park Project. A “pocket park” is a “mini-park” that provides an inviting environment for a community.  These smaller scale spaces are known for providing inviting environments for small events, play areas for children, or a space to relax – just to name a few ideas. Paul Bechtel from McLane Associates, the firm hired to establish design plans for the park, spoke to the group regarding several considerations. These included ADA compliance, assessing condemned housing which could be eliminated to expand the park footprint, determining if the project would encompass connecting the walkway to Delaware Street, the structural integrity of the wooden retaining wall and the replacement of the metal stairs and design. To fully address these items and gain a true picture of public vision, Mr. Bechtel presented a public survey which is currently in
circulation until March 1, 2023. The survey is available in both paper and pencil form and online. The survey can be found on the Forest City Borough website at forestcityborough.com or the GFCBA website at visitforestcitypa.com.

Gus Fahey of Valley in Motion reported on the facade program in Forest City. From the original applications, 8 applications remained to be funded. Forest City Borough Council was scheduled to vote on a resolution to fund the projects at their next meeting on February 6, including
determination of funding amounts. Katie Zefran commented that she will request Borough Council to consider creating a second round of facade grants in their 2024 fiscal year. This program is considered an important piece to enhancing the appearance of Forest City and has
been well received by business owners.

Hannah Debish, an 8th grader at Forest City Regional, has stepped into the FCOTAT and is leading a “junior board” feature of the group. Katie Zefran stated her intention to attend a school board meeting and propose to make the FCOTAT Junior Board an official “club” at the school. The inclusion of young community members is vital for vision, planning and perspective. Many of the projects the FCOTAT is pursuing incorporate identification and pursuit of grant funding. Suzanne Atcavage, grant team leader, reported that the FCOTAT did not receive funding from the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau Room Tax Grant to support the base project of a “sculpture trail”. However, the GFCBA and Rail Trail Council have stated their intent to support the maiden project with funding. Suzanne and Deb McNamara reported that the team is looking toward a Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) grant through the Pennsylvania Arts Council, for further support toward sculpture trail development.

In additional grant related projects, the “Erie Street to Main Street sidewalk project” should move forward with assistance from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Once the grant cycle opens, the team will organize details needed for its submission.

The meeting opened to public comment. Mayor Christopher Glinton recommended that the FCOTAT have representation at the Borough Council meeting on February 6th. Mayor Glinton reported that Alan Hall, Susquehanna County commissioner would be in attendance to discuss a transition from the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau and creation of the Susquehanna County Visitors Bureau. Katie Zefran agreed to attend.

Cain Chamberlain of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region invited the FCOTAT to their grant workshop at the Dietrich Theatre in Tunkhannock on March 10th. Mr. Chamberlain also recommended the team investigate the EMHR’s mini-grant series, which are schedule to open in April.

Gus Fahey of Valley in Motion invited the FCOTAT to a webinar on February 14th, 2023 regarding strategies for trails and the recreational economy in rural Pennsylvania. Committee member, Julianne Doyle, will attend.

The next meeting of the Forest City Outdoor Town Action Team will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Elegante’ Restaurant, beginning at 6 PM. The meeting is open to the public and the team welcomes attendance and input.

In Memory and Honor of Donny Teague 

Organized by the Greater Forest City Business Alliance

The Greater Forest City Business Alliance is excited to announce our SECOND annual 5K and Community Walk to be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023, on the D & H Trail!  The 5K race start is scheduled for 10 am with a 1 mile “Community Fun Walk” to follow immediately thereafter.  

In January 2022, Forest City lost a longtime resident and “running icon”, Donny Teague at the age of 91. For all who knew Don, he was “always running”.    He was known and will be remembered for his true love of the sport, boundless energy and his colorful and attention-grabbing outfits when hitting the pavement.  He was also a faithful supporter, advocate, and statistician for the Forest City Regional Cross-Country Team, for more than 20 years.  He was committed to the success of those student athletes and made sure each team member had the support they needed to cross the finish line.  He was out on the course until they were in.  We are honored to recognize Don with this event and beginning in 2023, the race will perpetually be named the “Forest City Teague Trail Trot”.   

In line with Donny’s joy of running in, around and through Forest City and beyond, funds raised from this race will be earmarked to support projects connecting local commerce to our region’s outdoor experience.  Specifically, in 2023, the GFCBA is working to support multiple community projects including the Center Street Park renovation, a seasonal video creation of our area to draw attention to us for travel and commerce and other projects to improve town aesthetics, such as a sculpture trail and an expanding mural program. 

Additionally, we would like to make all our members and supporters aware that the Forest City Teague Trail Trot will be the ONLY exclusive GFCBA sponsored event offering sponsorship opportunities.  We did not host the 80’s Jam in February, nor will we host a Poker Run in July, as in 2022.  So, please consider supporting THIS event! 

You can download a sponsorship form here and the marketing benefits that come with each level.  There are a variety of ways to support the event, beyond monetary donations.  We hope that you will consider supporting Forest City and this race! 

Sincerely, 

Suzanne Atcavage

GFCBA President & Race Director