Historical Society gets a facelift - inside and out

Chris Vera's passion for Columbia's history was clearly evident during the recent renovation project at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society building. Vera is president of the society.

In addition to orchestrating several major projects, Vera could be found painting and using elbow grease to help complete them.

The building fundraising campaign began early last year with  several contributors, among them Cimmaron Properties, Gamby's Disposal, The Foresters, The Elk's Club, The Catholic War Vets, Owls Club, The American Legion, Grace EC Church, and the estate of Pauline Aston.

A much-needed and long-awaited new roof was installed by Abel & Son Roofing. Downspouts and gutters were replaced by a subcontractor.  Vera did much of the interior painting. He said he is very pleased with the roofing project, calling it professional work with superb results.

The Society reopens April 22, 1-4 p.m. and will be open every Saturday and Sunday until January. This year's exhibits will feature the Civil War, Columbia Hospital, and Columbia Opera House.

Fresh paint on interior walls and trim

A new look all around

Updated lighting

And outside . . .

A new roof

Here's a closer look.

Spouting was replaced.

Storm leaves a trail of damage in its wake

Saturday afternoon's storm left a trail of damage in its wake. The National Weather Service said there was no evidence of a tornado touchdown and that damage was caused by high winds up to 95 miles per hour.

Tree down on Heritage Drive, between Union and Locust

Yes, that's a roof in a tree in the 300 block of Avenue F

Tree down near the Knights of Columbus building.

Chestnut Street

Cleanup on Ironville Pike

Doug's Tree Service to the rescue

Carrying a heavy load

Avenue G

Across from the Columbia Plaza

 Laurel Hill Cemetery

Laurel Hill Road

TRAFFIC UPDATE - Some roads now open

TRAFFIC ALERT - Columbia Borough Police

WE GOT HIT!

High winds and stormy weather ushered in a cold front this afternoon, downing trees, damaging vehicles, and creating general havoc in the borough. Here are some photos of the event:

 A wall cloud develops.

 The clouds descend.

 The storm hits.



The aftermath:

 Sign down

 Take Away Refuse along Front Street lost its roof.

 Another view of the blown-over roof

 Siding at North Second and Avenue H

 The siding blew off the side of this house on North Second.

 A Good Samaritan gathered nails from the road to prevent flat tires.

 This lamp at the Historical Society was hit by a piece of flying debris.

 A vehicle on the 500 block of Manor didn't fare too well.

 It was hit when the high winds snapped off this tree.

 A trampoline blew onto school grounds near North 9th & Purples Lane.

 Broken bench on Kinderhook

 A fallen tree on the 1000 block of Ironville Pike

 Underneath the tree was this truck.

 Our friends at News 21 showed up to cover the story.

 Another downed tree on Ironville Pike

 A fallen tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery

 Another one at Mount Bethel

 This one's listing a bit.

 Meanwhile, at Locust Street Park . . .

 Loose sign at Columbia River Park

  This lamp lost its head

 A missing tree at the Watch & Clock Museum

Finally, the clouds subsided.

Proposed group home denied by Zoning Board

443 Union Street

A group home proposal for 443 Union Street was denied by the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board.

During a two-hour public hearing held on Wednesday February 22, Daniel DeLeon presented plans for the home. DeLeon is director of The Way Recovery Houses, a faith-based Christian recovery house program. DeLeon, a former addict turned minister, was represented at the hearing by attorney Nathan Saxton.

DeLeon said that although the name is "The Way Recovery Houses," no clinical treatment would be provided at the planned Union Street house which therefore would not need to be licensed. The house would still be defined by borough code as a group home. DeLeon presented several photographs of two of three other group homes in Lancaster County but did not show any photographs of the Union Street home.

The Union Street property, a planned recovery house for women, would have housed six, unrelated women. Each resident would be required to complete designated chores and find work in order to contribute to the expenses. A Columbia resident, Lakeisha Finks, had volunteered to serve as an on-call 24/7 house supervisor with an office at the recovery house. Her role was described as "domestic missionary."

Steven Funk, the home's owner said the property consists of three second-floor bedrooms, with another on the third floor to be used as an office. The house also has two bathrooms, a new kitchen, living room, dining room, and a laundry area in the basement. Funk estimated the total square footage at 1,250. He stated there is no off-street parking. He added that he has owned the home for 30 years and had planned to sell it to Way Recovery below market value.

Planning Commission member Annette White told the board that no one representing Way Recovery attended the commission's meetings. White said the issue had been on the agenda for three months. DeLeon said he was not aware that was part of the process. His counsel offered no explanation.

After deliberating at Wednesday's meeting, the zoning board announced its decision to deny the request.