Santa Claus Lane Ornament 2011
Thirteenth Santa Claus Lane Ornament Now Available
Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its newest Santa Claus Lane ornament, a depiction of St. Francis Hospital. Through the ornament sales, holiday lights are funded and can be lit in Olean from November to early January. The ornament, the thirteenth in a series created by artist Kathleen McDonald, is $20.00.
Ten of the twelve previously made ornaments are still available with a limited inventory. The first to be unveiled, the Olean Municipal Building in 1999 is sold out and not available. In 2000, the Fannie E. Bartlett House was depicted, followed in 2001 with St. Mary of the Angels Church. Olean High School came next in 2002 (and is sold out at GOACC but is sold by the OHS Alumni Association), St. Stephen’s Church in 2003, St. Bonaventure University in 2004, and in 2005, a depiction of Santa Claus Lane. In 2006, the Olean General Hospital was created, in 2007, the ornament was the Olean Post Office, 2008 was Community Bank, NA 2009 was Ivers J. Norton, and last year was the Castle Restaurant. These past ornaments are available at the Chamber office.
Included with each of the ornaments is a brief history on the hospital-- Reverend Mother Dominica Enright, Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Allegany; dreamed of a Catholic hospital to serve Olean area residents in 1927. St. Francis Hospital was incorporated on November 23, 1936, ground broken May 16, 1937.
August 1, 1938, the hospital was formally opened with a capacity 103 beds and 20 bassinets. A statute of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the order, was presented to the hospital by the Olean Council 338 of the Knights of Columbus. It was located at the hospital’s entrance.
The St. Francis Hospital guild began in 1948 as a small group of women of all faiths dedicated to the purpose of bringing comfort and joy to the sick. The guild raised funds which enabled the hospital to purchase equipment and update the facility.
In 1958, the St. Francis School of Practical Nursing was established. It was regarded as conducting one of the best programs in NYS for licensed practical nurses.
On December 12, 1965, a new addition created a laboratory, central supply room, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, dental clinic, gift and coffee shop. New facilities for the School of Nursing made it possible to double the enrollment.
In the spacious lobby of the addition was a very beautiful mosaic of St. Francis. The tile in the mural was made by the American Olean Tile Co., and designed by Dick Monroe of Bolivar, NY. The mural was about 8 feet high and 12 feet wide, depicting the Saint surrounded by clouds and doves. Julia Weitzel Anderson, formerly of Olean, worked many weeks on her hands and knees, cutting and placing tiles in exact position of the design.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Center was opened in 1976, the first in New York State. 1978 saw the completion of a $2.5 million renovation program including a ten bed psychiatric unit, renovated operating room and intensive care unit, plus a new pediatric unit.
There was an entirely new approach to the front of the hospital with special interest – the pillars of the entrance were products of the Olean Tile Co. The beautiful bronze statue of St. Francis is again in the front of the hospital to bless all who enter here. At this time, the hospital employed 278 full-time and 51 part-time employees.
October 1990, officers and directors of St. Francis and Olean General Hospital announced the sale of St. Francis to Olean General. Within two to three years, the city will be served by one hospital – the General, leaving St. Francis to be converted to non-emergency health uses.
Also, this year, GOACC has unveiled an additional ornament – the Nutty O’ St. Nick Squirrel – sitting in the lights brightening up Lincoln Park. Pam Caldwell, GOACC Bookkeeper and Santa Claus Lane Coordinator, stated, “The Castle Restaurant did so well last year, the committee suggested St. Francis as the next ornament. They also suggested we create a squirrel ornament (sales) to assist with lighting up the lane. Additionally, many customers wanted the St. Mary of the Angels Church brought back for sale – so this year, the church is also available.”
Every year, the Santa Claus Lane committee chooses the landmarks to be designed on the 3 1/2 inch circular resin ornament. The artist sketches the layout from photos provided by Chamber officials and a prototype is created. Once the prototype is approved, work begins with the process of pouring and hand-painting each piece. The ornaments arrive in Olean, individually boxed and numbered, with a brief description of the ornament.
The new ornaments are available at the Chamber office at 120 North Union Street and at Seasons at the Olean Center Mall. Ornaments can also be shipped outside Olean for an additional $6 for shipping/handling charges per ornament. For more information on the ornament or Santa Claus Lane activities, please call GOACC at 716/372-4433, stop in the office, or email santa@oleanny.com.
| Past Santa Claus Lane Ornaments |
