The window for holiday shopping might be closing but there is still a chance to snag perhaps the most unique gift opportunity in Franklin – a 9x9-foot, three-tiered, outdoor fountain.

Jen and Mike Krzmarzick are looking to rehome the one in the front yard of their Liberty Street house.

“Dear Santa, All we want for Christmas is for this fountain to disappear. XOXO. The Krzmarzicks,” the couple posted on a sign near their large, white lawn decoration.

The Krzmarzicks moved from Georgia to Franklin earlier this year after falling in love with the city during a quick stop at the Blues & Barbeque Festival in 2022.

​They had been looking for a new place to call home during the trip and were drawn to a large Victorian along the city’s most notable street.

But for all the things they loved about the home, the notable marble fountain was not one of them.
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“These fountains are meant for city squares or palatial mansions,” Jen Krzmarzick said. She estimates the original owner at least $50,000 to purchase, ship and install the Italian fountain.

The Krzmarzicks are looking to gift the fountain to any person, group or business able to pay the cost of relocating it. Unfortunately, moving it will be no easy feat.

Local blues legend Max Schang and Venango County Commissioner Chip Abramovic attended the annual Rocky Grove High School Holiday Concert with a big giant check.

They were delivering on a promise made over the summer from the Blues and BBQ committee that agreed to give  the music program money for the purchase of a French horn.

​Blues and BBQ was created, explained Abramovic to raise money for local music program needs.

Rocky Groves' band teacher Christine Luxbacher let the committee know her school could use a French horn and they were glad to help out. 

"To give back to the students and the kids who are passionate about their music... this is a really good thing," sad Schang, who is also on the committee.

Over a dozen business owners, PR professionals and community leaders recently gathered around a table in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce to learn how to better use the service of the annual Business Review and Forecast section.

This service provided by Venango Newspapers Inc. allows businesses and service providers a chance to boast about themselves, explain who they are, what they do and how they serve the community.

And it's a chunk of newspaper real estate that is free.

"This is a unique opportunity," said Susan Williams, the Venango Area Chamber president. "The Venango Chamber, along with many others, has been encouraging our members to submit their articles. And when needed, we can provide assistance or refer the writer to help."

The Derrick's executive editor Luka Krneta, who led the round table last week, said the newspaper welcomes businesses to submit a story. "For the newspaper it's a chance to let people know what (the area has to offer,) " he said. 

The eight to nine section newspaper insert is over 100 pages each year covering Clarion and Venango County with several spill over areas like Titusville and Forest County.

​"This is the one time of year a business owner can share all (about their business,) said Franklin Area Chamber director Jodi Baker Lewis. "As a chamber director it is my job to help get the word out and share what our members do. This is one way to share their stories, what they do, how they do it, who they serve, where are they located and how (does the public) purchase their product or use their services."

​Williams agrees. "As we work in business and writing daily, we see the stories worth telling and know that there is a community waiting to hear," she added.

Hosting Krneta and the new Special Sections editor Amanda Dresbach, Williams hoped her members would take advantage of hearing from the ones putting the section together what they think are important to include in the articles in order to best serve the business as well as the reader.

"Most importantly, it has to benefit the (business) submitting the articles and make the reader want to read further," Krneta said. "It (can be) a win win for both the business and the service providers to get the word out in their own words. It's more than just a single ad. You get to tell your story, tell about the people who work for you and your role in the community. It is a chance to form a bond between the community and business."

The publication date is not yet set but generally comes out at the end of February. They are currently accepting submissions with a deadline of January 5.

​Instructions and the online submission forms can be found on the Derrick website or by clicking here:
https://www.thederrick.com/site/forms/news_releases/business_review_and_forecast/

While the group liked the overall idea, it was somewhat out of their price range at the time. Then earlier this year, Taylor received another suggestion from Ronnie Beith. She noted the group could apply for Oil Region National Heritage mini-grant available for sign-related projects, according to Taylor.

To make their application, the retail association needed to partner with an eligible non-profit group willing to receive and spend the funds accordingly. That is where Franklin Moving Forward and the Franklin chamber stepped in to facilitate as needed. “We had the matching funds,” Taylor said of the retail association’s role in getting the application process through successfully.
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The City of Franklin was also instrumental in the project’s success, allowing for the use of an area along the sidewalk between Liberty Street and Fountain Park, which Lewis called one of downtown’s “most walkable spaces.” The city also provided a new cement pad where the kiosk was installed.
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“It took a lot of people working together,” Taylor said.

​The four sides of the kiosk have permanent plaques bearing the logos of all the groups that contributed to the construction and installation.