More Than a Polish: World's Largest Shoe House Gets Its Shine Back.Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark Program Renovates Gigantic Shoe; Calls for Gently-Used Shoe Donations HELLAM, Pa. -- Volunteers from Hampton Hotels' "Save-A-Landmark" program dig in their heels today as they overhaul the World's Largest Shoe House in Hellam, Pennsylvania. In an estimated 84-hour restoration effort, nearly 20 employee volunteers will clean, prime and paint the five-story work boot; restore its historic stain glass windows; and paint the Shoe House's fence. As part of the restoration, Hampton has partnered with Soles4Souls[TM] - a non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. that collects and distributes shoes for those in need - in asking community members to put their best foot forward by donating their gently used shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at the Shoe House on September 26, any time between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. "Hellam's quirky Shoe House has brought smiles to passing motorists for decades, and we're taking an extra step in this restoration to help those who need new shoes as well," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of brand marketing for Hampton Hotels. "Hampton is helping to ensure that future generations of visitors will have a chance to stand in the shadow of this gigantic piece of Americana, by contributing nearly $20,000 toward the landmark's ongoing care." The 25-foot tall, 48-foot long Shoe House was originally built in 1948 by Mahlon N. Haines, a famously eccentric local shoe salesman, as an extravagant advertising gimmick. Haines, the "Shoe Wizard of York," once invited young honeymooners to stay the night in his Shoe House, free of charge. The popular tourist attraction Noun 1. tourist attraction - a characteristic that attracts tourists attractive feature, magnet, attractor, attracter, attraction - a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts; "flowers are an attractor for bees" now operates as an ice cream parlor Ice cream parlors are places that sell ice cream and frozen yogurt to consumers. Ice cream is normally sold in two varieties in these stores: soft-serve ice cream (normally with just chocolate, vanilla, and "twist", a mix of the two), and hard-packed, which has an assortment of and gift shop, and as a museum dedicated to Haines' colorful life. Those looking to stand beside a larger-than-life landmark can also access the Save-A-Landmark Web site at www.hamptonlandmarks.com for a host of ideas. Following are just a sampling of other oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. sites refurbished by the Save-A-Landmark program: * World's Largest Teapot, Chester, W.Va.: In 1938, William "Babe" Devon transported a colossal root beer barrel from Pennsylvania to Chester, West Virginia Chester is a city in Hancock County, West Virginia along the Ohio River. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,592 at the 2000 census. Chester was established in 1896, but not incorporated until 1907. The city is named for J. . When he added a lid, spout and handle, the World's Largest Teapot was born. Nearly 20 years since the Teapot had received any sugar, it was restored by the Save-A-Landmark program in May 2007. * World's Largest Buffalo The "World's Largest Buffalo" is a sculpture of an American Bison located in Jamestown, North Dakota at the Frontier Village. It was built in 1959 by local businessman Harold Newman. It can be seen from Interstate 94, overlooking the city from above the James River valley. , Jamestown, N.D.: The 60-ton concrete beast was originally created to attract passersby to the town's various prairie- and bison-related attractions. After braving nearly 50 years of harsh winters, the Buffalo was restored by the Save-A-Landmark program in June 2007. * World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, Wilmot, Ohio Wilmot is a village in Stark County, Ohio, United States. The population was 335 at the 2000 census. Geography Wilmot is located at (40.656353, -81.633872)GR1. : Standing more than 23 feet tall, the Cuckoo Clock was built in the late 1960s to attract customers to the neighboring restaurant, now Grandma's Alpine Homestead Swiss Village. Although it was diligently cared for, years of harsh climate conditions have weathered the landmark, so it was restored by the Save-A-Landmark program in August 2007. * World's Largest Duck, Flanders, N.Y.: This 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide gift shop was built in 1931 to lure travelers to purchase Peking ducks. The Big Duck The Big Duck is a ferrocement building in the shape of a duck located in Flanders, New York, on Long Island. It was originally built in 1931 by duck farmer Martin Maurer in nearby Riverhead, and used as a shop to sell ducks and duck eggs. is not only a treasured Long Island landmark, but is listed on the National Register of Historic Places This article is about the U.S. Register. For the National Register of Historic Places in Canada see Canadian Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places and was restored by the Save-A-Landmark program in August 2000. * World's Largest Santa Claus Santa Claus: see Nicholas, Saint. Santa Claus jolly, gift-giving figure who visits children on Christmas Eve. [Christian Tradition: NCE, 1937] See : Christmas Santa Claus , North Pole, Alaska North Pole is a city in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the 'Fairbanks, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area'. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 1,778. : More than 48 feet tall and 33 feet wide, this gigantic statue stands next to the world famous Santa Claus House and was restored by Hampton's Save-A-Landmark program in December 2000. Hampton's Save-A-Landmark program is continuing its eighth year preserving historical, fun and cultural landmarks, from the Carousel Gardens in New Orleans, La. to the historical National Monument to the Forefathers The National Monument to the Forefathers, formerly known as the Pilgrim Monument,[1] commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims and honors their ideals as later generally embraced by the United States. in Plymouth, Mass. During this time, the program has helped research landmarks in need, promoted landmark sites and their importance, facilitated thousands of volunteer hours, donated several tons of supplies and worked with matching grants -- all at an investment of more than $2.5 million. Banding its hotels together in the communities they serve, Hampton employee-volunteers work hand-in-hand on the landmarks while Hampton provides the dollars to refurbish selected sites. The Save-A-Landmark program is always searching for landmarks in need. Anyone with suggestions can visit the Save-A-Landmark Web site at www.hamptonlandmarks.com and click on "submit a landmark" to enter their nominations - or even just to bring some much-deserved attention to a favorite attraction. About Soles4Souls Nashville-based Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which will be used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS An abbreviation for the Internal Revenue Service, a federal agency charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing internal revenue laws. ; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.GiveShoes.org or call (866) 521-SHOE. About Hampton Hotels Hampton, which includes Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites hotels, is a mid-priced leader in the lodging segment. Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) is one of the leading global hospitality companies. As of April 2007 there are 2,645 hotels and 485,000 rooms employing 105,000 people in more than 80 countries. , the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,800 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 78 countries and territories, including 105,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton([R]), Conrad([R]), Doubletree([R]), Embassy Suites Hotels Embassy Suites Hotels is a chain of hotels, which specializes in suite-style rooms that is owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation. Embassy Suites is an upscale chain of all-suite hotels. All guest rooms of this chain feature a separate living area as well as a sleeping area. ([R]), Hampton Inn([R]), Hampton Inn & Suites([R]), Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn is the name of a chain of hotels operated by Hilton Hotels Corporation. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale, mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand. ([R]), Hilton Grand Vacations[TM], Homewood Suites by Hilton([R]) and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection([R]). The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable[R]. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity. Hilton Hotels Corporation's sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team will extend through the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, and includes the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team(s) and the 2007 U.S. Pan-Am Team. For more information about our company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com, and to learn more about our be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com. |
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