Dear Greater Gladstone Neighbor,
Happy Holidays in advance and greetings from the Greater Gladstone Civic Association (GGCA). While the economy has shown some minor improvement over the last year, many folks continue to feel the strain. The GGCA hopes you’ll agree that it is important for us, as a community, to continue to cultivate new relationships and build, maintain, and deepen our relationships and those connections that enhance our lives and define this strong Gladstone neighborhood. As in the past, we strongly feel we can work together to make these things happen through the GGCA, an association that supports and represents us all; but we need your support to continue this work.
Please consider making a contribution to the GGCA again this year. It is with your contribution that you help to continue the work that includes our neighborhood-improvement projects, community-building events, and other member-driven activities.
The GGCA, as you probably know, is made up of residents who volunteer their time and efforts towards making this community a terrific place to live… and it is a terrific place to live. Our neighbors have continued to work to expand the organization and its representation in Lansdowne and again have accomplished much in the past year, including the following:
- The Association continues to work with the Borough on issues of interest to the community. Last year, you’ll recall, we were deeply involved in the matter of the lamppost installation throughout the Manor. There continue to be issues with the random nature of when and where the lamps are lit; and we have been dealing with the Borough, who is in touch with PECO, to have the matter resolved. However, input from you is extremely helpful regarding any streetlight outage(s); so please make those reports to Melissa Englund (contact information below) or via our website (gladstonemanor.org).
- We continued our beautification projects, including several new plantings in and around the Manor, along with maintenance of existing beds.
- Growing numbers of friends and neighbors attended the various events that we have sponsored over the last year. Our annual holiday tree lighting has been growing each year as a way to connect with each other and extend our good wishes for the season. We had another very successful Easter-egg hunt at Marlyn Park, participated in the Lansdowne July Fourth parade – winning a gold medal! – and sponsored our popular neighborhood picnic after the parade. We are very happy to provide these opportunities for all to visit with one another, and we hope to see you this year.
- The Association continues its publication of a newsletter, including items of interest about our neighborhood, the Borough, life “back in the day,” and the environment. Look for our next edition after the New Year.
- The website that was begun several years ago continues to improve and provides another means of communicating Gladstone news. It contains meeting minutes, event updates, photos, and newsletter pieces.
- Residents from the Greater Gladstone neighborhood meet routinely, both formally and informally, to press on with our work of making this community a terrific place to live. Formal meetings take place at Borough Hall on the dates listed below; informal meetings occur as needed.
All of this would not be possible without your generous support. Our plans for the upcoming year are to continue our community-building activities and the traditions that make us a strong neighborhood. Please let us hear from you about other activities you’d like to see. We are always open to fresh ideas and new efforts. But because we are an entirely volunteer-based group, and our efforts reflect the interests and passions of those involved, please consider supporting us again with a financial contribution. We would love for you to join us in this work… please think about getting involved by indicating an interest in helping with a new or current activity. And by all means, please feel free to attend any or all Association meeting(s).
Thank you so much for your continued generous support!
Sincerely,
Melissa Englund, President
Steve Phillips, Vice-President
John Hallinan, Secretary
Kathy Kauffman, Treasurer