Neighbors renovate Collingwood Estates entrance

Porter residents living in the Collingwood Estates subdivision recently celebrated the official unveiling of a new entranceway with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and picnic. Over the course of one year, neighbors raised more than $7,000, which was used to upgrade the wall sign that welcomes visitors. Funds were used to landscape the hill, replace wall materials with new masonry, and to create the new gold-leaf mesh sign.

"Today, we celebrate the official opening of our new Collingwood Estates entrance," improvement committee member Jeff Sanderson said. "One year ago, we came together as neighbors, and we talked about creating an entrance that was a fitting representation of this great neighborhood. After many months of organizing, meeting, planning, contributing and doing, we stand here today to celebrate the fruits of our labor. This entrance will be a great source of enjoyment and pride for us all, and it will stand for many years as a testament to the community spirit that exists here.

"From this day forward, we will all be able to say with the utmost pride, ‘Welcome to Collingwood Estates.' "

The Town of Porter contributed soil and $145 in cash to the project, while the Town of Lewiston donated mulch. Additional Collingwood Estates entrance improvement committee members included Trudy Sanderson, David and Patti Burke, Sam Pappalardo, Tom Minarcin, Barb Johnson, Ron and Donna Parent, Nancy Manuse, Joe Cecconi and Tom Baia.  (photos by Joshua Maloni)