Good Neighbors

There are many ways to define a good neighbor. Friendly. Helpful. Generous. 

The Neighborhood Resource Organization handed out its 2016 Good Neighbor Awards in November and three residents of the Academy Neighborhood were recipients. I nominated all three and you can read my nomination letters below.

 Susan Earl

That's Sue on the left, back in 2013

Susan is the very definition of a good neighbor. She is friendly when dealing with neighbors, looks out for the safety of others, and is active in every aspect of the Academy Neighborhood Association. She has been the very picture of consistency within our organization. She has regularly attended meetings for three years now, has volunteered at our neighborhood cleanups and fundraisers, and can be counted on to sign up for a shift at any event or activity.

Susan went above and beyond her normal responsibilities as a citizen and I found it to be particularly inspiring. Earlier this year, Susan told me that she had spent an hour or so picking up garbage and trash from a particular part of our neighborhood for which no one takes responsibility. It was a small action but one that got me thinking – Why can’t this happen more often? Why can’t everyone step outside of their comfort zone and work to improve the neighborhood, quietly and independently? What can our neighborhood organization do to make Sue’s actions seem like the norm?

I nominated Susan so that she would know, and that everyone would know, that stepping out of your comfort zone to help is the norm, or hopefully the new norm in Erie. The Academy Neighborhood Association has benefited greatly from having Sue as part of our team: I cannot imagine the association, or our neighborhood, or our block, without her. 

Debbie Knecht 

Debbie Knecht and Donald "Gizmo" Johnson

Debbie never misses a meeting. Debbie never misses a volunteer opportunity. From our very first meeting at a bar in 2013 to our latest Saturday coffee gathering Debbie has been there. She made cookies for our latest bake sale and was on hand at our National Night Out in August, our biggest event of the year. 

Additionally, Debbie has had to go through some tough times in our neighborhood. Her husband was injured in a shooting several years ago, and just this summer there was a “shots fired” call in front of her residence. There was also a serious house fire across from her home on German Street.  

Prior to being involved in the Academy Neighborhood Association, Debbie was a key player in the Brickyard Neighborhood Watch group. She has been a consistent voice for our part of town for the better part of a decade.

I’m nominating Debbie Knecht for the Good Neighbor award. She has been a good neighbor, an active association member, and friend. 

Johnson's Car Care

Johnson’s Car Care is a private business in the Academy Neighborhood and I am nominating them, and their owner Donald “Gizmo” Johnson in the Community Ally category.

Johnson’s Car Care opened in the heart of our neighborhood, 3213 German Street, in 2015. Since that time the business has gained a reputation for its quality auto body repair work. 

The Academy Neighborhood Association holds its annual National Night Out event in August every year.  Staging the event isn’t easy. There are many necessary expenses: The performers, stage, sound system, tents, chairs, food, drink, and port-a-potty, all have to be paid for. The event itself is well worth it. National Night Out brings together hundreds of people in our diverse neighborhood. 

When we approached Mr. Johnson about making a donation to make our National Night Out event, in August of 2016, he responded promptly by writing a check. The check was generous and it relieved any pressure we had felt about funding National Night Out.

The support we have received from Johnson’s Car Care in the short time the business has been in our neighborhood has been tremendous. It assured the financial health of our National Night Out event for not only 2016 but the years to come as well. We respect and appreciate the hard work that it takes to be an entrepreneur. In keeping with our pledge to promote appropriate economic growth in the Academy Neighborhood we nominate Gizzy Johnson and Johnson’s Car Care for a Good Neighbor Award. 

Our neighborhood has many good neighbors and these three are truly deserving of the extra recognition. 

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".