AJ News

The “Restore the Slope” project group, part of the Leadership Lackawanna Class of 2012, was recently recognized with a $3,000 Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Grant.

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Members of the “Restore the Slope” team join with elected leaders to accept a Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Grant award in the amount of $3,000. Pictured, from left, are: Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley, Gerard Hetman (Restore the Slope team member), Nicole Barber (Leadership Lackawanna Program Administrator), Pennsylvania State Senator John Blake, and Michael Baumhardt (Restore the Slope team member).

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The grant, one of 27 such project grants awarded, was presented to members of the Restore the Slope team on Monday evening, January 9, during a reception in Shopland Hall at the Scranton Cultural Center. Pennsylvania State Senator John Blake (D- Archbald) and Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley (R-Scranton) were present at the event to present members of the group with their grant award.

The “Restore the Slope” project teams includes Hemal P. Desai of Proctor & Gamble, Susan A. Micka of Prudential Retirement, Lisa A. Deal of Geisinger Health Systems, Lisa A. Konzelman of Baptist Bible College & Seminary, Becky J. Snyder of Allied Services, Gerard M. Hetman, and Michael C. Baumhardt of The University of Scranton.

Funds obtained from the grant award will assist the team in completing restoration work at the Oil House site. Such work is set to include (but is not limited to) roof repair/replacement, ceiling construction, door and window replacement, brickwork/masonry repair, graffiti removal, painting, construction of new entryway stairs, exterior site cleanup, and landscaping.

From the opening of the Gravity Slope Colliery in 1913, through it’s closing in 1955, the 654 sq. ft. Oil House served as a storage stare for bulk oil shipments that were vital to many different aspects of mine operations. Oil stored in the building was vital in maintaining various items of mining equipment, including elevators, mine cars, lifts, gears, and mining lanterns and helmet lamps.

Parties interested in making a donation to the Restore the Slope project can contact the group via email at restoretheslopell@gmail.com, or via US. Mail by writing to Restore the Slope, c/o Leadership Lackawanna, 222 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18501.