|
|
| |
|
|
J&R |
on 30 April 2008, at 12:57, writes: |
| Q |
We love you Rosemary. You Rock!!!
Love to Stumpy. |
| A |
Why thank you, fans! You have brought sunshine to my day. Stumpy is right here with me and sends his love back to you.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
Lookin to move |
on 20 April 2008, at 14:50, writes: |
| Q |
Hi, Rosemary. I am new to this website, so I hope I am addressing the right person with my question. I currently live in an apartment in HS and am looking for a new place by September. I want to stay in the HS area. I would have thought the "rentals" section of this website would offer more info on apartments in the area... but it seems a little bare in that respect. Any suggestions? |
| A |
Hi Lookin,
My first thought was to call Barb Snyder, from Snyder and Snyder Reality, 330-434-4343. I believe she still deals with rental properties. She certain could send you in the right direction. Also, have you tried just driving around looking at rental signs?
I am glad you want to stay in the Square. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
NC Buckeye |
on 18 April 2008, at 16:46, writes: |
| Q |
Have you read the NY Times article about David and Gina Giffel's house renovation (here is the link http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/garden/17akron.html?em&ex=1208664000&en=8e152bfe8017aae3&ei=5087%0A). ?
I see that he has submitted to this forum in the past and has a real love for Highland Square.
I live in North Carolina (originally from Hudson), but will be back next week to see family and to drive by the Giffels on Portage Path! |
| A |
Thanks for keeping your eye on Highland Square. Yes, that was a great article about David and Gina's house. They have worked so hard! The book about their experiences is coming out next month. I hope you are interested enough to buy it.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
gwurgler |
on 7 April 2008, at 12:22, writes: |
| Q |
Dear Rosemary,
What is your opinion of the general health of the [current] businesses in the Square? I assume you speak to many of the biz owners directly so you may have more than simple anecdotal evidence to draw upon. My take is that things appear to be humming along quite smoothly. As a regular patron of Aladdin's, Chipotle, and AF to name but a few, that is my observation but hoping you have some info. to back things up. I'm certianly not asking you to name names but please do separate fact from fiction! |
| A |
Hi G,
The Square Business District is a real mixed bag, just like everything else at Highland Square. The vast majority of the shops and restaurants are small mom and pop operations. According to a survey of the neighborhood several years ago, that is exactly what the HSq residents want. If the proprietor has a welcoming personality that is aware of and willing to do what one does to build community, they seem to be busy and doing well. If one is curmudgeonly and often chains off their parking lot, tows cars of people who are not inside, and makes people wait outside for their carry out order though there are tons of seats inside....their business seems slow a good deal of the time.The small operations have to be delivering a good service to compete. I have been going to Adolph's Optical since I was 17 years old, which is a very long time. Why? Their service is wonderful. I feel as if I am going into their home with comforable furniture, family pictures, and the offer of coffee or tea and a cookie. They live in the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, as we all know in the Square the second Two Amigos did themselves in with their horrible reputation.
All of the businesses do phenomenally well when we have special events in the Square like Founder's Day, Art in the Square, and the Marathon.
I am very concerned about all the empty new and old buildings. Small businesses have to put up a 30% downpayment in this recessionary market. That is very difficult to do for someone who is just starting up a new business. I've heard of many people who have great ideas but can't get off the ground because of this. I am fearful that only Big Box stores will be able to afford to come in, unless the small businessman is helped out in someway.
We need a Main Street Manager (see National Trust website) to help bring in the right businesses, facilitate grant and loan programs, help coordinate events, etc. It has worked in other communities and we have already done the study.
I will try to remain hopeful.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
Inquiring mind. |
on 3 April 2008, at 13:08, writes: |
| Q |
What is happening at the apartment building on the corner of Portage and Market? It is looking to be a bit of an eye sore, I thought it was going to be refurbished. |
| A |
Hi Inquiring,
The building was purchased a year or two ago by Tom Dillon whose company also owns, among many other properties, the Highland Square Building with the time and temperature sign. At the time of purchase there were about 20 units vacant. They began their renovation by refurbishing those units,and remodeling the lobby with fresh surfaces and furniture. The patios were cleaned off of the old overgrow planters.Cracks in the fascade have been repaired and a new roof has been put on. The work has been constant since the purchase.
Mr. Dillon had his architects draw up a dream project that could be a real crown overlooking Highland Square and far beyond. I have seen the drawings for a two story addition to the top of the building. They would be luxury two story condominiums with lots of glass, topped by a pitched roof. It would totally change the appearance of that building to the better. The view would be spectacular! Unfortunately this is not the housing market to move that plan forward, but hopefully someday the market will be right.
I am sure the property will continue to improve.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
MarkD |
on 27 March 2008, at 17:44, writes: |
| Q |
Dear Rosemary,
I was reading a story here about 2 amigos restaurant in highland square. I am trying to get in touch with chuck kyle (a long lost friend of mine) could u please forward my email address to him. PLEASE! |
| A |
Hi MarkD,
Perhaps the webmaster can do that, but I don't have access to writers' E-mail addresses. Check on the home page and see if you can do that. Good Luck!
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
UAstudent |
on 3 March 2008, at 10:27, writes: |
| Q |
Dear Rosemary,
I am a student at the University of Akron. I am working on a paper right now about the crime in Highland Square. I was just wondering if you could tell me some of the things people and businesses are doing to solve this problem. Any information would be great! |
| A |
Hi UAstudent,
Thank you for your interest in the Square, albeit the negative aspect of crime. I have not heard of anything the businesses are doing about crime, but there are some resident initiatives. The West Hill Neighborhood Organization has a Crime and Safety Committee which meets the first Tuesday of the month, at the American Legion Hall, at W. Market and Casterton Ave., at 7pm.Look at their website for further information. They promote Block Clubs and Watches, periodic Pooch Patrol dog walks, and meetings with the councilmen and police. Members of the Highland Square Neighborhood Association have volunteered to drive or escort seniors in the community to shopping or appointments.
We are aware that the more people there are on the street, the bigger the deterent is for crime. It is essential for the stability and safety of the neighborhood to promote the positive developement of the business district. With more stores up and running, you will have more people in the neighborhood shopping, and going to the theater, bars and restaurants.This gives less opportunity for the criminal element.
I would love to see your paper. I am sure it could help us.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
Harry from Bosto |
on 7 February 2008, at 12:12, writes: |
| Q |
This is not so much a question as a rememberance. I am from Boston and attended U. Akron during the 66/67 year. I worked part-time at Yanko's. My job was "food checker" I put the orders up for "Radar" the chef and "Blackie" the queen of the shish kabob window. The sandwich in question was called the "beachcomber" and was prepared in Yankos own butcher shop. I worked with Victor who was my age and also attend the university
Harry |
| A |
Hi Harry,
Nice to hear from you in Boston! Yanko's was a great place... run by a wonderful family. Vic Yanko and his family were neighbors of mine. You are thinking of Rob Yanko who was at the University of Akron in 66/67. He was the oldest of four kids, Rob, Mark, Dave, and Carolyn. Vic's father Nick started the restaurant. Their wives and Vic's sister Mary Sweeney all worked there. Mary's daughter has expressed an interest in starting a restaurant at the Square.Maybe she needs a little encouragement.
I would love to taste a Beachcomer again!
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
Louise |
on 29 January 2008, at 09:15, writes: |
| Q |
I know the process for obtaining 501c3 for an organization. And the effort it takes to get an employee I.D. amounts to putting a stamp on an envelope. My question is, when can we expect the HSNA and the Theatre Association to obtain this tax exempt status? Can we simply get an answer to this question without all the side bars? |
| A |
Dear Louise,
Lisa Bostwick is the person to whom you should address this question.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
June |
on 25 January 2008, at 22:01, writes: |
| Q |
According to its website, Stan Hywet offers historic preservation consulting services. Do you know why the City of Akron decided to bring in the Cleveland Restoration Society to offer the same services? Other than CRS's loan program, I cannot discern any major advantage. No big deal; just wondering since it seems redunant. |
| A |
Hi June,
There is a cost to Stan Hywet's consultations. Their Architectural Restoration and Renovation Services (I believe I have recalled the name correctly) is a for profit division of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, which is nonprofit. The City of Akron did not bring in the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS). Progress Through Preservation and West Hill Neighborhood Association had been working with CRS to bring the very successful Heritage Home Loan Program, which they established in Cuyahoga County, to Summit County. I saw a Queen Anne in Little Italy(CLE) that was exquisitely renovated using HHLP's counsel, a 1 1/2% loan over 11 years.They were able to do this in Cleveland because the county put 7 million dollars into a revolving fund at Key Bank, thus all those renovators in Cleveland are replenishing the kitty enabling more and more houses to be renovated.Someone had to put seed money into a revolving fund down here in Summit County, and I believe the county did so here, too. CRS decided to first concentrate in the Hall Park Allotment Historic District because the residents are committed to restoration, and they have such great housing stock.If I recall correctly, HHLP will charge a modest fee for consultation if you don't use the loan, but the service is free and must be used if you do take their loan. Their local offices are on the second floor of No. 3 Firehouse on Maple St. Check out www.clevelandrestoration.org for more information.
I hope this make it more clear for you. To clarify further call Stan Hywet and ask for Mark Gilles, their architect. The contact person for CRS is Sarah Hobbs. Both are great people. Tell them Rosemary sent you calling.
There are also private businesses who do excellent restoration work that I could recommend.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
Tom Adamich |
on 23 January 2008, at 14:38, writes: |
| Q |
Hi, Rosemary:
...Conducting research on both the Harbel Manor and Harvey Firestone Jr's home at 50 Twin Oaks for an article I am writing on the relationship between Henry Ford/Ford Motor Company and Harvey Firestone/Firestone Tire & Rubber, Detroit's Boston-Edison neighborhood (where Henry and Clara Ford lived prior to building FairLane in Dearborn) and Akron's Highland Square neighborhood. ...Would like any additional information you can provide (UAkron Archives, Akron Summit County Public Library, and Summit County Historical Society have been most helpful to date). Would you have any additional information on the two homes? Also, if possible, would you define the streets in the area as they were when the two homes were built and direct me to which online city directories I should search for nearby residents listings (I looked in the 1913 directory - accessed online from ASCPL) but had no luck.
Finally, I'd like to use and cite the following quote from your blog. Please provide the citation information you would prefer I used (i.e. name, if desired, official blog title, etc.; I can access the date used and URL for your page):
As to the Harvey Firestone Jr. home at 50 Twin Oaks, it is no longer in the family. It was built in a French Chateau style, designed by architects Charles Greco and Edward Reed,in 1926. At the time Firestone built his home he was the vice-president of Firestone Steel Products Co., and later Chairman of Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. His father, Harvey Sr. founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., lived across the street at Harbel Manor, where only the wall still stands.
Ironically,a subsequent owner of the chateau was an attorney named Harvey who worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. The Summit Co. website shows he bought the 9,110 sq. ft. house, 8 bedrooms, 5 full and 3 half baths, with second 2,043 sq. ft. building with one bedroom and 2 baths on 1.66 acre parcel for $600,000 in 1989. According to the 2000 Burch Directory, the owner is Samuel J.(III) and Judith Dipaola. Back to the Summit Co. site, Harvey sold to Dipaola in 1992 for $885,000. No building permits are listed for this time. Nice profit,eh?
Thanks for your help. P.S. If you respond off-blog, I can send you the article in its current form; comments are appreciated. It has been accepted at the 100th Anniversary Model T Symposium in July. I hope to submit to the 2008 Stan Hywet Symposium as well.
Tom
Tom Adamich
Head, Cataloging Department/Government Documents Librarian
Assistant Professor of Learning Resources
Robert Morris University
6001 University Blvd.
Moon Twp., PA 15108
(412) 262-8258
adamich@rmu.edu |
| A |
Thanks, Tom, for your inquiries. I have cut and pasted answers from this column for you.I don't use an on line directory, just the Burch Directories. W. Market was also know as Medina Rd. W. Market and Portage Path, which intersect at Highland Square, where lined with mansions built by rubber company executives.I will e-mail you with my contact information for further communications.
"Unfortunately, Harbel Manor, the home of Harvey Firestone Sr.and his wife Idabelle, was torn down in 1959, leaving only the wall which now encloses Georgetown Condiminiums and English Oaks to its north. I don't have information on when they were built, but I believe soon after 1959. "
This is the house right behind H.Firestone Jr's."The house you are talking about is the Stacy Carkhuff house , a 1917 Georgian Revival mansion, at 1225 West Market Street, across from the Elms Convent at the corner of Twin Oaks. Carkhuff was the secretary of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. from 1905 until 1943. September 4, 1908, Stacy Carkhuff applied for patent (US 1,093,310) on non-skid auto tire. His house is now called Twin Oaks Estate, but the "real" Twin Oaks was the mansion on North Portage Path near Twin Oaks, across from the Portage Country Club where its wall still stands in front of the Carlton House and Blair House condominiums. That Twin Oaks was built by Andrew H. Noah, manager of Diamond Rubber.
A couple years ago, the Carkhuff house was for sale for a mere $1,200,000. The Carkhuff Mansion was purchased for office space by Sam DiPaolo, who lives in the Harvey Firestone Jr. Mansion, which is immediately behind on Twin Oaks.
The Harvey Firestone Sr. Mansion, Harbel Manor, was at the site of Georgetown Condominiums, with the polo field at the site of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. You can still see the wall for Harbel Manor at the northwest corner of W. Market and Twin Oaks.
"Yes, unfortunately, Harbel Manor, the home of Harvey Firestone Sr.and his wife Idabelle, was torn down in 1959, leaving only the wall which now encloses Georgetown Condiminiums. It was of the Free English Manorial style, designed by architects Harpster & Bliss, built in 1912, with a sensitive addition in 1916 on the north side by architects Trowbridge & Ackerman. The landscape architect was Alling S. DeForest. There is a model of the mansion in the Archives of the University of Akron, housed in the basement of the Polsky's Building. The Archivist John V. Miller, at 330-972-6252, could show you photos and information regarding the Firestones and their home. He also has the bronze plaque from the gate post.
My friends, Carl and Joyce Mueller, bought the Tiffany library and many windows and doors from the mansion right before it was torn down. The library was totally rebuilt in their Tallmadge home addition, from ceiling to floor. It is incredible! The Muellers used the windows and doors in a second home on Sandy Lake. Both adaptive reuses of this architectual "salvage" have been exquisitely crafted.The last I heard, the Muellers were going to sell their 1830s Tallmadge home with the library addition. Would you be interested in buying a beautifully renovated Federal Style home with the Firestone wing? It could be yours for a pretty penny!
"This estate, Elmcourt, now Our Lady of the Elms, was across the street from Harbel Manor. "Arthur Marks' biography in Karl Grismer's Akron and Summit County is the only one in that text where I remember any racy comments.
Marks, born in 1874, was a chemist in a couple rubber companies in Boston. He came to Akron in 1898 to become superintendent of Diamond Rubber CO. Diamond officials gave him a seventh interest in the company stock, with this, a patent on the alkali process and more stock he accumulated, Mark's ultimately became a multi-millionaire.
Diamond was bought out by Goodrich, and he became a vice-president there in 1912.He resigned this position, but stayed on as a director until 1921. " |
|
|
Former Two Amigo |
on 18 January 2008, at 19:54, writes: |
| Q |
Dear Rosemary:
I was pretty devastated to hear the news about Two Amigos closing it's doors. I certainly felt that Alex and Hector had a trememndous opportunity, to make Two Amigos a stronger prescence in the square, especially after obtaining the former "Lilly's" space. I've taken many directions in my career, now living in New
Jersey, I often think how rewarding and special our Mexican Grill "WAS". The community of Highland Square must certainly be upset with the loss of yet another business. I especially am hurt that an establishment I started, is no longer around. I only hope, that someone will step in and uphold the location into a new and vital business.
Best Regards, to you and Highland Square
Chuck Kyle
Original Owner Two Amigos |
| A |
Dear Chuck,
Boy, do we miss you. When you had the Two Amigos it was so bright, cheery and welcoming! Alex and Hector certainly bought a successful restaurant. However, they had no respect for their employees, each other and the community. They made the place dark and verboten. Most in the neighborhood boycotted them. Sadly they took down Lilly's and Dodie's with them. We are hoping a phoenix will rise up from the ashes.
Sincerely,
Rosemary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
