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>>> COMING UP ON NEWSNITE, WE
TAKE YOU ON THIS SUGAR PLUM
TOUR.
WE LEARN HOW THE FUNDS ARE PUT
TO GOOD USE IN THE COMMUNITY.
IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE PLANS FOR
NEW YEAR'S EVE, CHECK OUT WE
HAVE TO TELL YOU ON NEWSNITE.
>> WELCOME TO NEWSNITE FOR THE
HOLIDAY SEASON OF 2012.
I'M JODY MILLER.
THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO
SPOTLIGHT TWO EXTRAORDINARY
EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION OF
FIRST NIGHT AKRON AND THE SUGAR
PLUM TOUR.
WELL, EARLIER THIS MONTH THERE
WERE FIVE LAVISHLY DECORATED
HOMES PART OF THE SUGAR PLUM
TOUR.
IT HAS TAKEN PLACE ALREADY,
WE'RE HOPING TO WET YOUR
APPETITE FOR NEXT YEAR'S TOUR.
WE ARE JOINED BY STEVEN WHO IS
HERE REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY
ENDOWMENT FUND AND ROSEMARY WHO
IS ON THE COMMITTEE FOR THE
SUGAR PLUMB TOUR.
WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT
THE EVENT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU,.
>> I WANT TO START WITH, WITH,
TELL US BASICS ABOUT THE 11th
ANNUAL SUGAR PLUM TOUR, HOW DID
IT START AND WHEN DID IT START?
STEVE?
>> SO, THE FIRST SUGAR PLUM
TOUR WAS HELD IN DECEMBER OF
2002.
SO, THIS IS OUR 11th SUGAR PLUM
TOUR.
THE TOUR WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED
AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EQUATE
RESIDENTS OF AKRON WITH THE
WORK OF THE GAY COMMUNITY
ENDOWMENT FUND.
WITH THE MISSION OF THE FUND
AND TO REALLY PROVIDE, AH, SOME
HOLIDAY FESTIVITY SURROUNDING
ALL OF THAT.
SO, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT
COMBINATION.
THE TOUR HAS PROVEN VERY
SUCCESSFUL OVER THE YEARS.
>> ROSEMARY, YOU SAID IT, IT IS
KIND OF THE START OF THE
HOLIDAY TRADITION FOR A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
>> IT CERTAINLY IS.
PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD EVERY YEAR
TO GO ON THIS TOUR.
>> HOW ARE THE HOMES CHOSE
SOMEONE?
>> WE HAVE A SUGAR PLUM TOUR
COMMITTEE.
ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THAT
COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS
HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR
SELECTING THE HOMES THAT ARE ON
THE TOUR.
THAT'S A RESULT, IN MANY CASES
OF HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOMES,
EITHER THE INTERIOR DESIGNER
AND DECORATOR.
HE KNOWS MANY OF THE HOMES AND
HOMEOWNERS.
BUT WE ALSO HAD OVER THE YEARS
INDIVIDUALS WHO SELF-IDENTIFIED
AS BEING WILLING TO HAVE THEIR
HOME ON THE TOUR IN THE
SUBSEQUENT YEAR.
SO, IS A COMBINATION OF THOSE
KINDS OF REFERRALS AND
INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ABOUT
HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> DOES IT TAKE A LOT OF ARM
TWISTING TO GET PEOPLE ON THE
TOUR?
>> AT TIMES.
WE OFFER MANY THINGS.
WE WILL COME AND HELP.
WE WILL DUST.
TAKE YOU HERE AND DO THAT, BUT
IT IS ALWAYS A JOY FOR THEM.
THEY ALWAYS HAVE SMILES ON
THEIR FACE AT THE END OF THE
DAY.
>> WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS
SOMETHING DIFFERENT HERE FOR
NEWS NITE.
WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY EARLIER
IN THE MONTH TO LITERALLY DO A
VIDEO WALK THROUGH OF SOME OF
THE HOPES ON THE TOUR.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS GIVE
YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU CAN SEE
IN SOME OF THE HOMES AND
ROSEMARY AND STEVE YOU'RE GOING
TO HELP ME WALK THROUGH EACH OF
THE HOMES.
IT STARTED WITH A HOME AND
ROSEMARY WHAT WAS SPECIAL
ABILITY THIS PARTICULAR HOME.
>> THESE PEOPLE WERE FRIENDS OF
MINE.
I WAS THE ARM TWISTER.
IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH.
THE HOME WAS BUILT ABOUT 1910.
THE WHITE'S PARENTS BOUGHT IT.
SO THE WIFE WAS RAISED IN THIS
HOME.
THERE ARE MANY COLLECTIONS FROM
MOM AND DAD AND, MY FRIEND
LOVES JENNIOLOGY AND HAS
STUDIED BOTH OF THE FAMILIES.
SO, PIECES OF FURNITURE,
ARTIFACTS, JUST JOYFUL THINGS
THEY HAVE COLLECTED THROUGH THE
YEARS ARE BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED
IN THIS HOME.
THE WIFE AND HUSBAND WENT
OVERBOARD IN PUTTING IT
ALTOGETHER TO DISPLAY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I
LOVED ABOUT THIS HOME, WAS THE
SUNROOM THAT WAS CONVERTED INTO
A CANDY STORE.
>> YES.
>> DO YOU KNOW THE STORY BEHIND
THAT?
>> YES, I DO.
JENNIFER'S FATHER DIED RATHER
YOUNG.
THE MOTHER WAS SO VIVACIOUS AND
LOVING AND OUTWARD ENGAGED.
SHE WAS EXTREMELY DEPRESSED IN
THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND.
SO, THE FAMILY GOT TOGETHER AND
THE, THEY COLLECTED THINGS IN
THE HOUSEHOLD AND PULLED THEM
ALTOGETHER TO CREATE A CANDY
STORE FROM THE FATHER'S OFFICE.
SO, IT WENT FROM A PLACE THAT
YOU, SHE WAS VERY SAD AND
COULDN'T GO IN, TO A PLACE OF
GREAT JOY AND SOMETHING TO
SHARE WITH THE FAMILY.
>> IT IS SO BEAUTIFULLY
DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS.
IT'S AMAZING.
>> IT IS.
>> THE SECOND HOME ON THIS
YEAR'S TOUR WAS A GORGEOUS
PLAY, ONE OF MY FAVORITES ON
*** HILL.
TELL US ABOUT ABOUT THE ONE,
STEVE.
>> I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE HISTORY OF THE HOME.
THE HOME ACTUALLY, OCCUPIES
THREE CITY LOTS ON *** HILL.
HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY RENOVATE
OVER THE YEARS.
I BELIEVE THERE WAS A FIRE IN
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURES.
>> YEP, THE HOUSE WAS THERE
PRIOR TO THE CURRENT OWNERS
BURNT TO THE GROUND.
>> YES.
>> THEN THE CURRENT OWNERS
BOUGHT IN '87.
SO, THEY BUILT A LITTLE CAPE
COD, AS THEIR FAMILY GREW, THE
HOUSE GREW, THREE TIMES BIGGER
THAN IT WAS INITIALLY.
SO, WENT FROM A VERY
TRADITIONAL CAPE COD, TO A MORE
CONTEMPORARY FEELING.
OPEN SPACES, DIFFERENT LEVELS,
SUITES, GRAND CAN, MASTER
SUITES.
>> A LOT OF LIGHT.
WONDERFUL LIGHT STREAMING INTO
ALMOST EVERY ROOM IN THE HOME.
IT IS A VERY, VERY INVITING
HOME AND HAD BEEN BEAUTIFULLY
DECORATED FOR THE TOUR.
>> I LOVED STANDING AT THE
BALCONY AND LOOKING INTO THE
LIVING ROOM.
THE DINING ROOM WAS TO DIE FOR
WITH THE BLACK AND WHITE COLORS
AND THE TREES.
HAS, HAS, HAVE YOU EVER USED
THE SAME HOME ON THE TOUR?
>> WELL -- [ LAUGHTER ] I DON'T
THINK THAT WE HAVE EVER USED
THE SAME HOME, BUT -- ONE
PARTICULAR COUPLE THROUGH THE
YEARS HAS LIVED IN DIFFERENT
HOUSES AND FOUR OF THEIR HOUSES
HAVE BEEN USED.
YOU KNOW, AS THEY MOVE AND
THEY'RE GREAT DECORATORS, AND
THEY OPEN THEIR HOMES FOUR
DIFFERENT TIMES.
>> AMAZING.
>> UH-HUH.
>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE
TOUR.
WE WENT NEXT TO THE BORTEN
AVENUE HOME.
SO, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THIS HOME.
>> THAT IS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S HIGHLAND SQUARE.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS A CAR
ALLOTMENT.
THE HOUSES ARE CLOSE TOGETHER.
MANY PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE CARS
WHEN THE HOMES WERE BUILT.
THERE WERE MANY ARTS AND CRAFT
STYLE HOMES.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEAUTIFUL
WOODWORK AND, OKAY.
SO THE OWNER THAT WAS THERE
FIRST, THE PARTNER CAME LATER
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OR ARE DOING
OF THIS HOUSE, THE OWNER THAT
WAS THERE FIRST STRIPPED ALL OF
THE WOODWORK AND REALLY BROUGHT
OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS
GORGEOUS OKAY.
THE SELLER WAS FROM NEBRASKA.
HE HAD THE LOVE OF NATURE AND
EAGLES.
SO THERE ARE MANY EAGLES AND
ARTWORK AROUND.
THERE'S A GREAT LOVE OF
CHRISTMAS AND FAMILY AND MANY
FAMILIES MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN
THEM ORNAMENTS AND DECORATIONS
THROUGH THE YEARS.
THEY PUT A TREE UP IN EVERY
SINGLE SOLITARY ROOM.
>> THERE WERE LIKE 18 TREES IN
THIS HOUSE.
>> YES.
AT LEAST.
>> ONE WAS THE MARATHON TREES.
>> ONE OF THE FELLOWS IS A
MARATHON RUNNER.
HE PIPED UP AND SAID I'M GOING
TO DO A MARATHON TREE THIS
YEAR.
HIS PARTNER SAID WE HAD SO MANY
OTHERS TREES I DON'T KNOW.
I ENCOURAGED HIM TO DO IT.
HE SUBMITTED PICTURES TO
RUNNERS MAGAZINE AND --
>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
>> THERE IS SO MUCH CHARACTER
AND SO PERSONAL.
>> ON THAT PARTICULAR TREE, THE
STAR ON THE TREE IS A RUNNING
SHOE.
IT IS AMAZING.
THE FOURTH HOME ON THE TOUR WAS
NOT FAR.
IT WAS ON WEST MARKET STREET.
>> I, I REALLY LOVE
ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORIC
ARCHITECTKER.
THIS WAS DESIGNED BY MEAD AND
HAMILTON.
EILL HOME, THE BED AND
BREAKFAST.
THE HARIMATE CLUB IN CLEVELAND
AND MANY PLACES IN CLEVELAND
AND MANY STRUCTURES ARE ON THE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC
PLACES.
THIS PLACE HAD GOOD BONES.
YOU KNOW, STONE EXTERIORS AND
MONUMENTAL DESIGN.
IT IS ACTUALLY OWNED BY SOMEONE
ELSE WHO IS RENTING IT.
SO, THESE KIND PEOPLE ONLY
LIVING THERE, A FEW MONTHS AND
THEIR FRIENDS OF YOURS, STEVE.
>> THEY ARE FRIENDS OF MINE.
I DID THE ARM TWISTING ON THAT
ONE.
>> THEY SAID, SURE.
WE'LL DO IT.
HER MOTHER HELPED AND, IT'S --
IT'S DONE IN A VERY STATELY
MANNER.
THERE'S ONE ROOM THAT IS THE
SUGAR PLUM ROOM.
YES.
WITH SUGAR PLUM FERRIES AND
NUTCRACKERS.
>> AND CANDY CANES OVER THE
CHANDLER.
>> YES.
THAT WAS A TRADITIONAL HOME
WITH MODERN FEATURES AND THE
ACTUAL OWNER HAD DONE SOME
ALTERATIONS AND PUT IN SOME
PARTY ROOMS SO THAT -- THEY
WERE RATHER UNEXPECTED.
>> YES WHEN YOU WANT ON THE
TOUR.
YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT THAT.
NORTON WAS THE SITE OF THE
FIFTH HOME THIS YEAR.
A FARMHOUSE.
TELL US ABOUT THIS ONE.
>> THERE BENER FAMILY STARTED
THAT FARM BACK IN 1876.
THEN EVENTUALLY FOUR
GENERATIONS OF THE SAME FAMILY
LIVED IN THE HOME.
THE CURRENT OWNERS WANTED TO
FIND THE PLACE THAT THEY COULD
RENOVATE.
THEY WANTED TO DO A REDO OF A
HISTORIC OR OLDER STRUCTURE.
SO, THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO
HOUSES SIDE BY SIDE IN 1876
HOUSE.
A 1910 WITH A SHARED WALL.
SO WHEN THE OWNERS BALD --
BOUGHT IT, THEY HAD TO TAKE
DOWN THE OLDER HOUSE AND
REBUILT IT.
THE 1910 HOUSE THEY RENOVATED,
YOU KNOW, FROM SOUP TO NUTS --
OR NUTS -- NUTS TO DESSERTS.
>> WHAT WAS SOME OF THE HOLIDAY
HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS PARTICULAR
HOME.
>> WELL, THEY ARE QUITE
COLLECTORS.
THERE WERE -- PIECES FROM THEIR
PAST AND -- AND, THE WIFE --
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE KID SHE
WOULD GO ANTIQUE SHOPPING WITH
HER FATHER.
SHE WOULD BUY ENGLISH ANTIQUES
AND SHE WOULD BUY THE MODEL OR
BOX.
SO THE DISPLAYS ARE --
INCORPORATING THEIR AN TAKES.
THERE ARE SANTA'S AND LIVE
TREES AND ORNAMENTS THEY HAVE
COLLECTED THROUGH THE YEARS.
BOTH OF THEM WERE EDUCATORS.
THERE ARE AREAS THAT THERE
MIGHT BE OLD, OLD CHILDREN'S
BOOKS OR -- UM, THINGS FROM
THEIR, UM, PROFESSION.
YOU KNOW?
AND SINCE IT WAS A FARM, THERE
HAVE A LOT OF -- FARM MACHINES
OR, OR BUCKETS OR, IMPLEMENTS
FROM, TO GIVE A NOD TO THE FARM
AND THE HISTORY OF THE
LOCATION.
>> SANTA CLAUS WAS ALSO
PRESENT.
>> YES.
HE WAS.
>> AT THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION.
THIS WAS ONE OF SANTA'S HELPERS
HERE LOCALLY.
RUSS, THE EXECUTIVE.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS THE REAL
SANTA.
>> WELL, THE REAL SANTA IS
REALLY BUSY THIS TIME OF THE
YEAR.
SO, RUSS, WHO IS ALMOST AS GOOD
AS THE REAL SANTA?
>> I LOVE RUSS.
>> MADE A GUEST APPEARANCE ON
BEHALF OF SANTA CLAUS IT WAS
VERY SPECIAL.
>> ALL OF THE HOMES ARE VERY
SPECIAL AND THEN THE 6th HOPE
ON THE TOUR, THE PATRON HOME,
WE DID NOT FILM THAT ONE, THAT
IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR
AND TICKETS SELL OUT QUICKLY,
CORRECT?
>> YES, I THINK 260 THIS YEAR.
>> I THINK THE PATRON TICKETS
SOLD OUT IN A MATTER OF 30 TO
40 MINUTES AFTER THEY WERE PUT
ON-LINE FOR SALE.
SO, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A HIGH
LEVEL OF INTEREST IN THE PATRON
HOME.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, ONLY SO
MANY FOLKS CAN FIT INTO EVEN
THE LARGEST HOMES IN AKRON.
I WISH THAT WE COULD
ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY WHO HAS
AN INTEREST IN ATTENDING THE
PATRON PARTY.
IT WAS A GREAT PARTY.
A WONDERFUL FAMILY THAT HOSTED
THE PARTY IN THEIR HOME.
I THINK WE HAD 250 OR 60
PATTERN -- PATRONS.
>> THE ENTIRE PROJECT.
>> OH, MY GOSH, YES.
>> STEVE TELL US ABOUT THE
RESULT FROM THIS YEAR'S TOUR.
THE NUMBERS THAT CAME OUT.
>> WE ARE JUST SO EXCITED.
BECAUSE WE HAD THE HIGHEST
NUMBER OF TOUR GOERS IN THE 11
YEAR HISTORY OF THE TOUR.
780 TOUR GOERS NAVIGATED THEIR
WAY THROUGH THE HOMES.
THE, THE, THE TOUR -- NETTED
OVER $72,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE
WORK OF THE GAY COMMUNITY
ENDOWMENT FUND.
SO, FOR A ONE DAY EVENT THAT
EVERYBODY LEAVES FEELING GOOD
ABOUT, IT WAS, IT WAS A GREAT
OUTCOME.
THIS IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF
MONEY THAT WE'VE RAISED IN, IN,
IN THE 11th YEAR HISTORY.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE A QUICK
SHUTOUT TO THE EVENT CHAIR, IT
STEVE WILLIAMS WHO DID THE
LIONS SHARE OF THE WORK IN
PULLING ALL OF THIS TOGETHER.
SO, THIS IS -- STEVE AND HIS
COMMITTEE DID A GREAT JOB.
>> TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE IF
YOU WOULD ABOUT THE GAY
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND AND
WHAT IT DOES.
>> SURE.
THE GAY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT
FUND WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED IN
2001.
IT WAS FOUNDED BECAUSE THERE
REALLY WASN'T AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE GAY
AND LESBIAN COMMUNITIES OR
SUPPORTS OF SUPPORTERS OF THE
GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITIES TO
CONTRIBUTE PHILANTHROPICALLY IN
A DIRECTED AWAY.
SO, IN 2001.
WE FOUNDED THE GAY COMMUNITY
ENDOWMENT FUND AS -- [ NO AUDIO
] OF THE GENEROSITY OF
INDIVIDUALS HERE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES SPECIFICALLY TO
BENEFIT THE GAY AND LESBIAN
COMMUNITY AND ALSO THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY.
>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE
PROGRAMS?
>> SO WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED
THROUGH 2012 ABOUT $185,000 IN
TOTAL FUNDS RETURNED TO THE
COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT A VARIETY
OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.
I'VE GOT A LITTLE CHEAT SHEET
HERE.
I DIDN'T WANT TO NEGLECT
ANYONE, IN 2012, TO THE
BATTERED WOMAN SHELTER.
TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
PROJECT.
A STARK COUNTY PROJECT.
SO THE REACH OF THE GAY
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND IS
THROUGHOUT THE AKRON AREA.
FAIR HOUSING SERVICES.
FRIENDS OF 91.
THROUGH THE SUMMIT.
THE U.S., THE JEWISH FAMILY
SERVICE OF AKRON.
THE TRANSGENDER UNION AS THE
UNIVERSITY OF AKRON.
THE PLAYHOUSE.
SO, OFTENTIMES THESE GRANTS ARE
RELATIVELY SMALL IN AMOUNTS.
1500 TO $2,000, BUT FOR THE
ORGANIZATIONS WITH SPECIFIC
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTED, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
GIFT TO THEM TO, TO, HAVE THEM
MEET THEIR MISSIONS.
>> SURE.
THERE IS ALSO SOMETHING NEW IN
THE GAY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT
FUND THIS YEAR.
YOU JUST STARTED A SCHOLARSHIP,
HAVE YOU NOT?
>> WE HAVE.
THIS IS A SCHOLARSHIP WHICH IS
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT POST-
SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR LGBT
STUDENTS AND SUPPORTERS WHO
LIVE IN THE GEOGRAPHIC REGION
SUPPORTED BY THE GAY COMMUNITY
ENDOWMENT FUND.
THE FUND WAS ACTUALLY SEEDED BY
A PLAN FROM ONE OF OUR BOARD
MEMBERS, DR. PAT RUBEN, SHE
MADE A GIFT IN THE FORM OF A --
OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO MATCH
THAT GIFT SHOW THAT WE COULD
RAISE THE DOLLARS THAT WE NEED
TO MAKE THE SCHOLARSHIPS
AVAILABLE.
SO, WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT
THIS.
THIS IS ANOTHER WAY THAT WE CAN
SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE
GAY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND.
>> SURE.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT, THE SUGAR
PLUM TOUR?
THAT SEEMS TO APPEAL TO
EVERYBODY?
>> HMM.
MY, WELL, YOU KNOW, EACH ONE OF
THE HOMES ARE DIFFERENT.
SOME ARE CONTEMPORARY, SOME ARE
OLDER HOMES.
SOME ARE MORE, MORE -- HAVE A
MORE PROFESSIONAL LOOK TO THEM,
BUT MOST, MOST ARE -- JUST
OPENED WITH THE LOVE OF
COMMUNITY AND VERY FAMILY
ORIENTED AND, UM, PEOPLE LOOK
FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR.
IT'S BECOME A TRADITION.
PEOPLE ACTUALLY CANNOT WAIT
UNTIL THOSE TICKETS ARE ON
SALE.
YOU SAW HOW FAST THE PATRONS
TICKETS SELL OUT.
PEOPLE LINE-UP.
I THINK IT WILL BE SOMETHING
THAT WILL GO ON FOR
GENERATIONS.
>> YOU.
I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO
GATHER TOGETHER.
I MEAN, MOST OFTEN YOU SEE
GROUPS OF PEOPLE TOURING
TOGETHER.
WE HAVE, UM, TOUR GOERS WHO DO
TAILGATES.
[ LAUGHTER ] THEY ARRIVE IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND DO A TAILGATE
PARTY AND VISIT THE HOME AND
PLAN THE NEXT STOP.
DO THE SAME THING.
HAVE A LOT OF FUN OF BEING WITH
ONE ANOTHER.
WE LEFT THE HOME ON CLEVELAND
ROAD YESTERDAY.
THERE WAS A CONVERSATION OF A
COUPLE BEHIND US WHO JUST SAID
HASN'T THIS BEEN THE MOST
WONDERFUL DAY.
EVERY ONE IS WARM AND
WELCOMING.
IT PUTS EVERY ONE IN THE
HOLIDAY SPIRIT.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT.
>> I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU
FOR BEING WITH US.
>> YOU WELCOME.
>> WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE
12th ANIVAL SUGAR PLUM TO NEXT
YEAR.
AND GO TO NEWSNITE.NET.
>> YOU KNOW IF NEWS YEAR'S EVE
FIRST NIGHT AKRONS HAS BEEN
PART OF THE LIVES OF TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FOR THE
PAST 17 YEARS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT THE PLANS FOR
NEW YEARS IT IT TIME TO MAKE
THEM.
JOINING US IS SHARON,
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR
DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP TO
TELL US ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES
AND PLANS FOR THIS FIRST NIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> TELL US THE BASICS OF FIRST
NIGHT, IF ANYBODY HAS NOT BEEN
PART OF IT.
>> SURE.
FIRST NIGHT IS A FAMILY
FRIENDLY ALCOHOL FREE
CELEBRATION OF DOWNTOWN AKRON.
OF THE ARTS AND EVERYTHING THAT
DOWNTOWN HAS TO OFFER.
THIS YEAR WE'RE CELEBRATING THE
17th YEAR.
IT TAKES PLACE MONDAY, DECEMBER
31st FROM 6:00 P.M.
TO MIDNIGHT.
>> WHAT KIND OF VENUES DO YOU
HAVE.
IF PEOPLE COME DOWN TO DOWNTOWN
AKRON, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO
DO?
>> SURE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT IS
OUTSIDE.
IF IT IS COLD AND SNOWY THEY
DON'T WANT TO BE OUT.
IT IS THE OPPOSITE.
WE HAVE TEN VENUES.
NINE OF THEM ARE INDOOR.
SO, 90% OF THE ACTIVITIES TAKE
PLACE INSIDE.
THEY ARE IN DOWNTOWN AKRON,
RANGING FROM THE CIVIC THEATER
TO THE MUSEUM, THE LIBRARY, THE
KNIGHT CENTER.
SHOP AT AKRON CENTER.
THERE IS AN OUTDOOR STAGE, THE
MAIN STAGE ON MAIN STREET.
WHERE THE OUTDOOR STUFF TAKES
PLACE.
>> SO, IN THE DIFFERENT VENUES,
THERE ARE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES
SCHEDULED?
>> YES.
IN ALL OF THE VENUES THERE ARE
ABOUT -- 80 OR PLUS, 80 PLUS
ACTIVITIES PLANNED.
IT IS EVERYTHING FROM MUSICAL
PERFORMANCES.
WE HAVE KIDS CRAFTS.
MAKE AND TAKE.
THERE ARE -- UM, BANDS,
ACOUSTIC GUITARIST AND DANCE.
A LOT OF THINGS FOR ANYBODY TO
ENJOY.
>> DO YOU STILL DO THE
WEDDINGS?
>> WE DO.
THIS YEAR IT WILL NOT BED A
MIDNIGHT, BUT A MASS WEDDING
AND RENEWAL.
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE
AKRON CIVIC THEATER ON THE
GRAND STAIRCASE.
WHICH WILL BE A WONDERFUL BACK
DROP AT 9:00 THIS YEAR.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S SO
MUCH FUN IS, OF COURSE, AT
MIDNIGHT THE FIREWORKS
CELEBRATION.
WHERE IS THAT NOW?
>> THE FIREWORKS IS SHOT OFF
FROM THE BEHIND THE CIVIC
THEATER.
THE MANY ONE IS AT MIDNIGHT.
FIRST MERIT FOUNDATION IS OUR
FIREWORKS SPONSOR, BUT WE
ACTUALLY HAVE ONE AT 9:00, THE
KIDS FIREWORKS FOR THOSE THAT
HAVE YOUNG ONES THAT DON'T WANT
TO STAY OUT LATE.
THEY CAN STILL EXPERIENCE THE
FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
>> HOW ABOUT FOOD?
THINGS TO EAT?
>> THERE ARE MANY RESTAURANTS
JUST OPEN ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
MOST OF THE VENUES THAT ARE
HOSTING ACTIVITIES WILL HAVE
CONCESSIONS AND FOOD AVAILABLE.
>> HOW DO YOU GET INTO FIRST
NIGHT?
>> WELL, WE HAVE THE FIRST
NIGHT ADMISSION BUTTON, IT
CHANGES EACH YEAR.
THEY ARE $10 A PIECE.
CHILDREN UNDER 10 ARE FREE.
WITH THE BUTTON THAT YOU WEAR,
YOU GET INTO ALL OF THE VENUES.
IT ACTUALLY GETS YOU TO THE
METRO BUS, WHICH HAS A
CONTINUOUS LOOP FREE THROW THE
FIRST NIGHT FOOTPRINT.
SO, THERE IS VERY LITTLE
WALKING IF YOU DON'T LIKE TO
WALK?
>> ARE CAN PEOPLE GET THE
BUTTON.
>> THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE
ON OUR WEBSITE.
THEN A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS IN
THE CITY -- FRESH MARKETS ALL
OF THEIR LOCATIONS,
PARTICIPATING FIRST MERIT BANK
BRANCHES AND A FUEL PLACES
OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN AS WELL.
A LOT OF PLACES TO GET THEM.
>> YOU MENTIONED THE WEDDING
CEREMONY IS GOING TO BE
DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.
ANYTHING ELSE NOW THAT YOU WANT
TO HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR'S FIRST
NIGHT?
>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF NEW
THINGS.
IN THE KNIGHT CENTER.
TIME WARNER CABLE IS BRINGING
US THE AQUARIUM, WHICH WILL BE
ON THE UPPER LEVEL.
THERE WILL BE A LIVE SAVED BLUE
WHALE INFLATABLE THAT YOU CAN
WALK THROUGH AND EXPERIENCE AND
SEE -- HOW LARGE A BLUE WHALE
AND THAT ROOM WILL HAVE AN
AQUATIC THEME, THEY WILL HAVE
AIR SWIMMERS AROUND IN THERE.
THE ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC
WILL HAVE THE SAME THEME AND
PEOPLE WILL BE DRESSED AS
PIRATES AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN
WITH IT.
>> IT SOUNDS FUN.
>> NOT A NEW ONE, BUT POPULAR
LAST YEAR AND WE'RE BRINGING IT
BACK BIGGER.
THE HALL OF RESOLUTION.
A SMALL TABLETOP AREA, IT IS
NOT TOO SMALL.
IT HAS TEN VENDORS, IF YOU HAVE
NOT MADE A NEWS YEAR'S
RESOLUTION AND LOOKING FOR HELP
ON LOSING WEIGHT, TO STOP
SMOKING OR GET ORGANIZED THERE
WILL BE TOOLS FOR YOU AS WELL.
>> WHO FUNDS FIRST NIGHT, SHARE
SOMEONE.
>> WELL, WE DO HAVE GRANTS THAT
WE RECEIVE FROM MANY LOCAL
COMMUNITIES THAT, THAT HELP PAY
FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AND THE
VENUES.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE SPONSORS THAT
COME ON BOARD TO HELP -- PUT
EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
>> A LOT OF WHAT YOU DO HAS TO
BE DONE AND GENERATED BY
VOLUNTEERS, CORRECT?
>> YES.
VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO
FIRST NIGHT.
THEY HAVE THE FACE OF FIRST
NIGHT.
THEY GREET PEOPLE.
THEY HELP ON THE BUS AS SERVE
AS TOUR GUIDES.
THEY CHECK FOR BUTTONS THAT
ADMISSIONS, AT, FOR THE
ADMISSION AREA.
WE NEED HUNDREDS OF THEM.
SO, WE DO HAVE PLENTY OF
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON WHAT
YOUR SKILL IS, WHAT YOU WOULD
LIKE TO DO.
WE CAN FIND A PLACE FOR YOU.
>> IF SOMEONE HAS NEVER BEEN TO
FIRST NIGHT.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU
COULD SAY THAT MIGHT GET THEM
TO COME DOWN TO DOWNTOWN AKRON
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
>> I THINK JUST THE WIDE RANGE
OF ACTIVITIES THERE ARE.
TO EXPERIENCE MANY DIFFERENT
TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
IF YOU WANTED TO GO DANCING
THERE IS A VENUE THAT GRAY
STONE HALL THAT WILL JUST BE
DANCING.
IF YOU HAVE YOUNG ONES.
THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF KIDS
CRAFTS THERE.
ARE CARICATURE ARTISTS.
THERE ARE JUST SO MANY THINGS
THAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THAT I
THINK HELP TO CELEBRATE THE
HEARTS AND THE EXCITEMENT THAT
IS DOWNTOWN?
>> AND THE AKRON, IS THE BAND
GOING TO BE BACK THIS YEAR.
>> YES.
THE STEEL DRUM BAND IS BACK.
THEY ARE PERFORMING IN ONE OF
THE VENUES AND ACTUALLY PART OF
OUR COUNTDOWN TO THE MIDNIGHT
FIREWORKS.
WHICH WILL BE A -- A WHOLE
GROUP OF SINGERS AND, DRUMMERS
AND BANDS PERFORMING SOME
NIGHT, ONE OF THE BIG HITS.
WE WILL BE PUTTING OUR TWIST ON
THAT AS WE COUNT DOWN TO
MIDNIGHT.
>> IF PEOPLE WANT TO FIND OUT
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FIRST
NIGHT AKRON, HOW DO THEY GET IN
TOUCH WITH YOU AND LOOK?
>> THE BEST PLACE IF YOU WANT
TO SEE THE VENUES, THE TIMES,
THE PLACES TO BUY BUTTONS WHO
IS PERFORMING.
THE DESCRIPTIONS IS ON OUR
WEBSITE.
IT IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE.
WE ALSO HAVE AN EVENT GUIDE
THAT AKRON LIVE MAGAZINE PUT
TOGETHER FOR US THAT HAS MUCH
OF THE SAME INFORMATION ON
NEWSSTANDS NOW IF YOU DON'T
HAVE A SUBTRANSCRIPTION.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US
AND LETTING US KNOW ABOUT WHAT
FIRST NIGHT WILL BE LIKE.
>> YES.
THANK YOU,.
>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
ON THIS ADDITION OF NEWSNITE.
FOR ALL OF US.
WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY
THAT IS FILLED WITH FAMILY,