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| Our first newspaper article-The Valley Independent |
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After many years of research, we decided in May of 2005 to hire an attorney to help us file a petition to our City Hall to permit us to host tea parties inside our home. Prior to our first official public meeting, I drafted a letter to our closest neighbors. We wanted our neighbors to learn about our small tea parties and thought this information should come from us first. At the Planning Commission meeting, I put together a presentation that showed a history of our home once built and owned by I. Shelby Crall in the mid 1800's, pictures of our renovation, interesting facts about my tea parties, the benefits to the City of Monongahela, & letters of support. The vote took place at another public meeting on August 20, 2005. We were thrilled the vote was yes. Now, we had to go before City Council. During the time of our hearings, we found ourselves- or I should better say- our story newsworthy.
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| KDKA's Mary Robb Jackson & me |
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The first news article appeared in the Valley Independent on July 25, 2005. Next came the Union-Finley Messenger on August 18th, but did not get printed until the following January. We also had the Observer Reporter here on August 25, 2005. On the day of the Planning Commission vote, we actually had KDKA's Mary Robb Jackson here! What an honor to receive such publicity. Our next big media coverage came from the esteemed Pittsburgh Magazine. The Magazine had a special issue in their Home & Garden section on historic homes that opened their doors to guests for tea times. Please see our news page for more pictures and information.
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| Fall 2005 Pittsburgh Magazine Cover |
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The interview took place in June of 2005, but the article came out in the Fall of 2005. This feature actually hit the news stands a few days before our meeting with City Council. I had high hopes this might help my City Council see the importance of our business and the relevance of amending the zoning. What incredible positive publicity this gave our City and surely they would see the value of my tea parties. Time would soon tell as our meeting with City Council took place on Wednesday, October 12, 2005.
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