Our Day in the Sun - Unveiling the New Sign at Baker's Field

Looking back at 2015, I realize our neighborhood group took some big strides forward. We organized several large events designed to bring people out of their homes and into their neighborhood. Before I go any further, I need to thank our Vice President Janina Lee and organizer supreme Michelle Totleben. They, along with our "regular crew", worked endlessly to make "things" happen this past summer. ~ Bob Hand 

Baker Field Re-Dedication Ceremony: May 8, 2015

As part of the Academy Neighborhood Association's ongoing efforts to revitalize and improve Baker's Field, we held a Baker's Field Re-dedication Ceremony on the afternoon of Friday, May 8th, 2015.

We wanted to make this as big of a party as possible, so we invited the entire Jefferson Elementary kindergarten for an afternoon "field day". Thanks to the cooperation of Principal Diane Madara and Assistant Principal Jeff Boam, it was possible for the entire kindergarten class to walk the 4 blocks from Jefferson to the field. Over 100 kids, all four kindergarten teachers, and a number of support staff made the trek down Holland Street on an 80 degree afternoon.

Thank you to everyone at Jefferson Elementary for making the day so special with your presence!

These kids are holding their new Academy Neighborhood Frisbees, made by our volunteer Michelle Totleben. Our association donated a number of  other "field" toys: bubbles, jump-ropes, and kites.

We were also very fortunate to have the Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform The National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and The Blue and Gold for the unveiling ceremony. They also walked (6 blocks) from their school. 

Collegiate Academy Vocal Ensemble - outstanding performance!

We were also joined by officials from Erie County, the City of Erie, the City of Erie School District, the Neighborhood Resource Organization, and Mercyhurst University. Erie City Police stopped by and we thank them for closing Holland Street to traffic for the event.

The new sign - pre-unveiling. You can see the old stone in the background as well. The stone used to have a commemorative plaque, but the plaque was stolen a few years ago. The script on the sign is a recreation of the former plaque. You can see it further down in this post.

Baker's Field is named for Howard Baker, a longtime Erie School Board member, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Baker's family donated the land to the school district in 1951. Baker family member Wendy Baker-Sherman, was on hand for the ceremony. 

Wendy Baker-Sherman speaking to the crowd.

The Academy Neighborhood Association has a number of people and organizations to thank. First and foremost, our good friends at Howard Industries who donated, designed, and installed the new sign at the corner of 32nd and Holland. The sign is a great improvement to our neighborhood and truly honors the memory of Isaac Baker.

Thank you Howard Industries!

We also thank the Erie Community Foundation, which provided funding for the ceremony, Alfee's Pizza, The Secret Squirrel, The Charter School of Excellence, Isaac Baker Menswear, Mace's Masonry, Mighty Fine Donuts, and all our neighbors who showed up for the ceremony May 8th. Without everyone's help and cooperation this day wouldn't have happened!

Baker's Field Background: Baker's Field is a four acre green space in the heart of our neighborhood. The field is located on the block between Holland and French Streets, and East 32nd and 33rd Streets. It is owned by the Erie School District and our neighborhood is working hard improve and revitalize the field.

Here is a look at the original handout from the day the field was dedicated on September 26, 1951. The field was originally called "Baker Field" but over the years it grew to be known and loved as "Baker's Field".

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4th at Baker Field

Our neighborhood is hosting its first ever National Night Out event. The purpose of the event is to bring neighborhood residents together, out of their homes, for a fun night of family activities. Each neighborhood that gets involved is free to work on its own plan for the event. Here is every single thing you need to know about next Tuesday night! 

We have chosen to make our event into an outdoor festival. There will be free food (while supplies last) and live music. So bring chairs and blankets and get ready for a fun night within walking distance!

First of all, here are the posters we have been using to publicize the event. Please copy and share on social media. They have all of the basic details. There are larger versions at the bottom of the page.

Here are all the details! 

WHEN? Tuesday, August 4th starting at 5. The band Barlow is scheduled to play at 6, Guru is scheduled to play at 7. DJ Bass Bandage will be playing music before and between sets. We are going to try to wrap up at 8 by pulling the winning tickets for all of the Chinese auction items.

WHERE? Baker Field! I've been saying E. 32nd and Holland to keep it simple but we all know that the field is between E. 32nd and E. 33rd along Holland and darn near close to French.

MORE WHERE? The stage will be set up along the western end of the field near the old training building. There will also be a tent where a number of our partners will have tables. There will be a Zahm and Mattson BIG MACHINE on the eastern end of the field for the kids to check out. People will be, ideally, walking around under the tent and sitting in front of the stage checking out the bands.

WHAT WILL YOU EAT? The first 200 people will get a free hot dog courtesy of Smith's! There is also going to be food for sale from Three B's Saloon food cart. There will also be a limited amount of other snacks and drinks.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN? Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone in the community who donated items for the Chinese auction.

Wegman's $40 family basket (2 of them!)
Starbucks Chai tea infusion sets (2 of them!)
Longhorn Steakhouse $30 gift card
The Brewerie $20 gift card
Calamari's $20 gift card
Romolo's $15 gift card (3 of them!)
Smuggler's Wharf Sunday brunch for two
Firebirds $10 gift card (3 of them!)
Erie Golf Course, 1 18 hole foursome w/ cart
Erie Zoo 4 passes
Bayfront Sheraton 1 traditional night w/ pkg
Erie Children's Museum passes
Presque Isle Canoe and Boat
Erie Otters 4 regular season tickets
The Breakfast Place $25 gift card
Joe Roots Grill $25 gift card
Country Fair - 2 $25 gift cards
Prizes from: Outback Steakhouse


Everyone who shows up will get at least one entry. Additional sheets of tickets will be available for purchase.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. Showing up.
2. Volunteering. We have a free t-shirt with your name on it. Email academy . neighborhood . erie AT gmail . com
3. Bringing a donation for second harvest food bank.
4. Bringing a couple of extra bucks for the Chinese auction.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE TENT?
People will have a number of opportunities to learn about services that are available to them in Erie.
1. Erie Public Library book swap - bring a book take a book
2. Voter registration - register to vote and learn how to use an electronic voting machine
3. Face painting for kids.
4. Food and drink will be served.
5. Allstate Insurance and Coldwell Banker will be sharing information about their services.
6. The Erie County United Way will be sharing information about its services.
7. Learn more about the Neighborhood Resource Organization and Academy Neighborhood Association. You can also buy an Academy Neighborhood t-shirt.
8. GECAC, Erie County Health Department, The Red Cross and Erie Fire Department also all have tables.

WHO HAS HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE FINANCIALLY?
Hallman Chevrolet
Rupp Limousine
Allstate Insurance, Mary Carlotti
Pine Avenue Beer Distributing
The Jefferson Educational Society
Elite Automotive 
Uptown's Corner Bar
Realtor Rose Nouri of Coldwell Banker
State Farm Insurance, Mary Beth McMaster
Cooper Business Machines
The Sunflower Club of Erie
Neighborhood Resource Organization
United Way of Erie County

THANK YOU!