Artist:
- Grace Pirog, Gracefully Framed
East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-473-8826
(In Process)
Sponsors:
- Bause’s Super Drug Store
Larry and Jane Mellott
42 East Philadelphia Ave
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-8641
FAX 610-369-0945
jane@bauses.com
- Gracefully Framed
Grace Pirog
215 East Philadelphia Ave
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-473-8826
- Durango’s Saloon
Scott Smith
Peter Haberle
120 East Philadelphia Avenue
610-473-9444
cloudburst44comcast.net
- Luicana’s Unique Design Kitchen and Bath
Donald Luicana
230 East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA
610-367-7923
FAX 610-367-7922
dluicana@aol.com
- Reinhard’s Sportswear
Marcia Reinhard
39 East Philadelphia Avenue
610-367-4658
reinhardsport@aol.com
- Everywear Ink Screen Printing and Design
John Parish
3 East Philadelphia Avenue
610-473-0744
- Grill Shop
Mike Moyer
35 East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2648
- TK Productions
Todd Kuszyk
131 East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7111
FAX 610-369-7149
- Curves
Lori Henry and Michelle Deimeyer, owners
130 East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-7984
FAX 610-367-7985
Journal by Elaine Hardenstine
December 31, 2004
When I first met Grace Pirog, I could tell right away how excited she was to be a part of the project. She had so many ideas and pictures in her head. As we discussed the earth tones she was planning on using for her “Dutch bear,” she showed me her inspirations. From magazines, to books, to old pamphlets, Grace had done her research on Dutch culture. I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like. Grace presented the bear to me in her store window, and I laughed. It had a Christmas collar around its neck; it was ready for the holidays. And Mrs. Pirog was ready to start designing.
January 6, 2005
This was one of my favorite visits. I wish I had had my camera! I walked in on Grace sketching designs on her bear. Her palms were smeared with pencil and her eyes were deep in concentration; she looked like the dedicated artist. The first picture was spread out on its back. It was a bird surrounded by flowers, and it was beautiful. I was thrilled when she promised to have some color the following week. I was anxious to come back and see what design she picked next.
January 13, 2005
Blues, greens, reds, and golds! The colors were perfect. Each picture had two coats of color and a black outline. Down the bear’s back, a long vine flowed. It had these brilliant blue flowers- I’ll always remember that blue. She had written Boyertown in the center of the bear’s side, and she talked of her plans to call the mayor for the town’s founding date.
At the time, she was in a lull. She needed more ideas for pictures. To get them, she said, “I just sit and putz around. By looking at the bear, ideas just come to me.” I asked Grace how the public responded to her project. She said when they came in the store to look around (she paints all the wooden houses on sale inside!), they would “ooh and ahh!” Some people would pet it or even talk to it!
January 27, 2005
Grace had lots of designs by now, including a school and a church. All she wanted to do was add a couple birds and hexes. Her husband thought it would be nice to write the Dutch words for school and church under the corresponding picture; I agreed! And, sure enough, Grace had called the mayor. Boyertown’s founding date, 1866, was proudly displayed on the bear’s side.
February 23, 2005
The bear was almost done! All Grace needed was the finishing seal, and it was ready to present. Along with more color, the bear received a face since I had seen it last. She was fluttering her eyelids and smirking, and her ears were filled with flowers. I loved it! Her employee agreed; she kept smiling and chatting about it. Grace had found Dutch words for her bear, like scod, for school. And best of all, the lady bear had been named Bearsnickel. How appropriate! Boyertown’s little Dutch lady was really ready to show off!
About Grace Pirog
“Who’s going to paint it?” East Philadelphia Avenue businesses asked. Grace said she was the only artist, so “it was me.” But, she is honored, and certainly qualified to paint a Bear Fever bear. First an art teacher, then a kindergarten teacher, then a decoration store owner, Grace has always loved art. Her mission for her bear is to spread a little Dutch history, and she is going to do that with research and hard work. There are two kinds of Dutch people, she told me: simple and plain or fancy and
elaborate. Her bear is going to be fancy with intricate
designs and earth tones. She is going to have a
Boyertown Dutch bear.