Elegant afternoon at Gridley Park
Sep 22 2007
Historic Gridley Park was the site of the first annual Villa Chapel September Croquet and Tea on Saturday, September 22. The park, with its eight sections surrounding a center flower bed was filled with ladies and gentlemen of all ages, races and classes. Teams of six, or pairs of players used wooden mallets and to roll brightly colored balls across the grass. A man in a linen suit, and a woman in a beaded white gown were each awarded "best-dressed" prizes. A member of Erie's red-hat society earned the coveted "best-hat" award. At each of the eight courts, a croquet coach guided novices. Homemade refreshments and goodies from local vendors (Dennis DiSanto's, Make it Fabulous, Magic Cookie Company and Pappa Joe's Pepperoni Cafe) were enjoyed by players and volunteers. Recorded music was broadcast via a creative generator set-up. Baskets and vases of hydrangeas from Angelo's Beauty Supply graced the tables near the center of the park. A decorative chalk design edged the sidewalks. Under the leadership of Sheila Murray and Barbara Crone, 587 dollars was raised for the Villa Chapel Fund at this gentle, enjoyable event.
Croquet & Tea at Gridley Park
Sep 20 2007
Enjoy music, tea, cookies and a game of croquet in Gridley Park at West Sixth and Liberty Streets from 1 - 4 on Saturday, September 22. Tickets are just ten dollars. There is no dress code, but prizes will be awarded for the best hat and best dressed. Checks may be written to the "Villa Chapel Fund c/o ECHS."
August 1 planning meeting for Croquet fundraiser
Jul 18 2007
All supporters of the Villa Chapel are welcome to attend a planning meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 1029 West Ninth Street. The Croquet and Tea is scheduled to be held in Gridley Park on Saturday, September 22. For details call 453 - 6401.
Erie County Historical Society awards Villa Chapel supporters
Jul 17 2007
Sixteen members of the Save the Villa Chapel committee attended the Annual Meeting of the Erie County Historical Society (ECHS) at the Erie Yacht Club to accept the society's Preservation Initiative award "for promotion of public awareness, fundraising, and development of a plan for renovation and reuse of the Villa Chapel." Attorney Terrance Cavanaugh, an ECHS board-member, prefaced his remarks noting that the varied architecture of Erie, including its homes, schools, places of worship, work spaces and industrial buildings "deserved to be saved and reused." Tom Furhman, Executive Director the Lake Erie Region Conservancy (LERC), accepted the award on behalf of the entire committee. Quoting Lady Bird Johnson, Furhman reminded the audience "It takes vision to build, AND, vision to preserve." Furhman noted that as a Villa altar boy serving Mass for the Sisters, he never envisioned a future where he "would be working to save the building."
September Croquet and Tea announced
Jul 15 2007
Chairwoman Sheila Murray and Honorary Chair Betty Murry announced plans to hold a Croquet and Tea fundraiser for the Villa Chapel on Saturday, September 22, from 1 to 4 in the afternoon at Gridley Park. Eight, six-person courts will be available for play in historic Gridley Park on Liberty and West Sixth. Tickets are ten dollars each or seventy five dollars for a party of six. Live music, tea sandwhiches and a best-dressed contest for males, females and all hat-wearers offer the promise of a gentle, festive afternoon. Please attend the chair's meeting at 1029 West Ninth on Wednesday, August 1 at seven in the evening if you'd like to help with this event.
DiVecchio supports plan for Villa Chapel
Jun 25 2007
County Executive mark A. DiVecchio wrote on June 25th to the owners of the Villa Chapel in support of the proposal to transfer the property to LERC (Lake Erie Regional Conservancy.) Divecchio noted the Chapel's "magnificent stained glass windows and architectural presence...that can never be duplicated..."
Video tour of the Villa Chapel
May 19 2007
On May 8th an architect, a construction company representative, HANDS employees, members of the media and of the Save the Villa citizens group all toured the Villa Chapel. To view the two-minute video by Dale Evanoff, return to the ABOUT section of this website, and start the video at the top of your screen by activating the forward "play" arrow (>) under the image.
Mother's Day story (35 WSEE television)
May 13 2007
John Treanor of 35 WSEE "If we destroy the past, it doesn't make much of a future." Comments by Sally Kohler and John Claridge. WSEE video.
Gathering to give update on status of Villa Chapel (Erie Times News)
May 12 2007
The top teaser headline on the front page of today's Erie Times News read "SAVE VILLA CHAPEL..." Next to the headline, a detail of a stained glass window helped readers learn what beauty was threatened. Dana Massing's story began on C-1 and included photos of the interior of the chapel in its neglected, but easily salvagable condition. Massing wrote "Kidder and Jesse Fiske Jr. of Fiske and Sons Inc. said the chapel doesn't appear to have suffered structural failures... The chapel group would like Pennrose to give stewardship of the building to the Lake Erie Region Conservancy, a local non-profit dedicated to the identification, conservation and protection of the Lake Erie region's unique natural, cultural and historical resources."
Mother's Day gathering this Sunday!
May 12 2007
Singles, couples and families are welcome to attend the 3rd annual Mother's Day gathering at the corner of Liberty and West 9th streets on Sunday, May 13th from 1 to 2 PM. A coloring fundraiser will allow attendees to create a last-minute gift.