Bell tower starts prepping for 50th anniversary with Community Foundation grant

The Bell Tower Community Foundation was the recipient of a Greene County Community Foundation grant in the spring of 2015.

In preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in 2016, the grant requested funding for updates of furnishings needed in the lobby area.

Tom Walker
Tom Walker

Tom Walker of Scranton Machine Shop designed and built a new podium with cut-outs of the bell tower on the sides and back. He added wheels so the podium can also be used out on the plaza area for events.

A new display case and stool were purchased to replace the old one. An iPad is now available so credit/debit cards can be used by visitors, including bus tour groups, and pictures have been taken of visitors to post on Facebook. Polo shirts embroidered by Muir Embroidery were purchased for the staff members. An acrylic display attached to the wall for brochures replaced a large case. A new mini-frig holds water available for sale for visitors.

BT staffPictured with some of the new items are bell tower staff members (from left) John Rowland, Jerry Pettit, Jane Rowland, Pat Richards and Barbara Pettit.

Another major part of this grant was the replacement of the broken tile in the entrance of the lobby area. This part of the project provided the needed match. New tile was purchased locally and installed by a local tiler. This maintenance improvement was coordinated by the county board of supervisors. Employees in the county engineer’s office were instrumental in making this happen and it is very much appreciated.

This project was a cooperative effort between the Bell Tower Community Foundation and the board of supervisors to get ready for the 50th Anniversary. This grant of $4,627 from the Greene County Community Foundation was very much appreciated.

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