CLARION It took research, planning, fundraising design, installation and meeting after meeting, but Nick Cherico pulled it off two historical interpretive displays celebrating the history of Clarion County now grace Main Street in Clarion Borough.
It was an Eagle Scout project for Cherico, a junior at Clarion Area High School and member of Clarion Boy Scout Troop 51.
One of the displays stands at the corner of Main Street and Fifth Avenue on the Clarion County Courthouse grounds. The other is along Main Street between the Clarion Free Library and the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry office.
Both locations display different stories of Clarion’s history by providing pictures and articles of past establishments and structures that found their way onto Main Street.
In August of 2015, Cherico reached out to the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry to serve as his beneficiary for the Eagle Scout project.
With support from the Clarion Chamber Board of Directors, Pam Goble, Clarion Borough, Clarion Free Library, the Clarion County Commissioners and Troop 51 committee members, Nick presented his idea to local businesses and organizations to generate the needed funds.
For six months, Cherico attended meeting after meeting to generate enough awareness and support to carry out his project.
“Without the people in the community who believed so much in the project you would not see the panels installed today,” he said.
“The Clarion community, chamber members, as well as past Clarion citizens who currently live out of state contacted me or the chamber for several months.”
Once Nick had enough funds, he began working with Mary Lea Lucas from the Clarion County Historical Society to gather the information and pictures that would go on the panels.
“Mary Lea Lucas is truly an amazing person, Cherico said. “She knows a lot about Clarion and she made time for me even when she was busy with family matters.
“The historical society is truly a unique place in Clarion. There is an infinite amount of information on everything in Clarion County.
“I also had the pleasure of working with local historians Hank Hufnagel and Kevin Beichner. Both of these men have hours and hours of stories and pictures and have an amazing amount of information.
“All three of these people, who worked on my team for several months, contributed to the success of my scout project. I am blessed that they were a very patient and helpful team as this project was a long haul.”
Once the panels were designed and proofread countless times by his team, he sent them to the manufacturer, Pannier Graphics in Gibsonia, who recently worked with other local county agencies on similar projects.
Cherico then contacted M&B Services about the concrete for the project.
“Mike Hindman met with me numerous times to go over the project. He was happy to help me out and scheduled it with his other jobs. If I ever needed anything, Mike was a phone call away.
“After all the wicked weather, we were able to find a beautiful week to start, which happened to be when my troop was away at our first week of summer camps.
“I was able to find a few scouts still in the area that were signed up for the troop’s second summer camp. Thankfully they brought their dads to help dig up the dirt so we could pour cement. I worked with very knowledgeable employees from M&B Services until completion.”
“I am still in awe at how supportive the community has been. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped me on my journey to becoming an Eagle Scout. It has been an adventure, struggle, and a huge learning experience. I hope everyone enjoys them.”