Diane Rehner in her Victorian home, Freeport

When a group of Freeport citizens wanted to revitalize the community they founded the Freeport Renaissance Association. They then invited Diana Lynn Rehner to be their President. That’s because Diana loves Freeport, has already made her home a showcase of the Victorian era, committed to community betterment projects and has a passion to see the community thriving. She believes it is an attractive place for families to raise their children, seniors to retire in and others to live and enjoy life without the pressure of modern day society.

When it comes to the family home and the community as an extended home, she knows what she is talking about. Having moved over ten times as a child, Diana was more than ready to settle in one place when her dad moved to the Freeport area in 1960. In fact, she never left, married a native in 1967, Donald L. Rehner, and moved to the Freeport area. They bought an 1883 Victorian house at 107 Washington Street, Freeport in 1976 and restored it to its former era. She said, “It was a big white elephant, dark and depressing” when they bought it. She and Don have done all the renovating over the years. The home has been featured in several national magazines and is a showcase of the Victorian era.

Those early years of moving many times molded Diana’s desire for the home and community to be a warm and caring place and a safe haven for the family. She not only has put her heart and soul into her home, but has reached out to serve in the community. When she suggested a gazebo was needed for the river front as a focal point for community events, the Freeport Council President appointed her as Chair of the Committee. She led a several year successful campaign of raising the funds and getting grants to build the gazebo.

Diane Rehner's 123 year old Freeport home

Although Diana doesn’t picture herself as a leader, others see her love and commitment to the community as the important character needed to accomplish revitalizing Freeport. The Freeport Renaissance Association is the right organization to get the job done. They have set their goals to better utilize the riverfront as a recreational area, restore historical buildings, make the business district more aesthetically appealing and develop a community center. In the short time span of the new organization there are multiple plans in the works.

One new project is the Downtown Beautification Partnership program that Mary Bowlin (President of the Allegheny Valley Chamber of Commerce and Freeport resident) chairs. The partnership is between the Freeport School District, Freeport Renaissance Association and the Borough. The Association is going to purchase 20 large clay pots that will be hand painted with scenes by ten middle school and ten high school art students and then placed on the downtown sidewalks. Citizens, businesses and organizations then may adopt a clay pot to put soil in, plant grow flowers and give care to decorate the downtown. Other projects in the works are Freeport by the River community festival, cleanup day, concert series and a special event auction.

The greater need, according to Diana, will be engaging a professional firm to do a community analysis to develop a feasibility study for a long-range plan. That will guide the community development program to restore downtown, attract new businesses, develop the riverfront, create a recreational area, create a new community center facility and retain the historic character of the community. Diana says they will need at least $10,000 to do this and many of the events are focused on raising money to add to any grants that may be able to secure.

Diane Rehner and her husband, Don, spent years restoring the home to its Victorian era

“I believe in giving back to the community,” Diana said. Her dedication to the community started in her home. Her dad was very involved in the community and her husband is a member of the Freeport Borough Council. His dad was also very involved in community life. They even open their home for tours, both public and private, at various times of the year. Christmas time is when Diana really shines with 30 Christmas trees throughout the house, wreaths and hundreds of yards of ribbon decorating every room.

Diana continues her involvement in the community with participation in many different ways over the years. Currently she is Judge of Elections for the Freeport District 2, Ward 2. She was on the Borough’s Zoning Appeal Board for a time, a member of the Freeport College Club, Chairperson of the Freeport Gazebo Project and the Senior Choir member at the Freeport United Methodist Church.

There is certainly no end to Diana’s energy, creativeness and commitment to bettering the Freeport community. And, there is no doubt that she and the many other dedicated Freeport citizens will accomplish what they have set out to do. Diana says, “We need everyone’s help”. “We have the passion and love for Freeport,” she continued, “ and to the people of Freeport [I ask you] to join the Freeport Renaissance Association”. You can do that by calling 724-295-4687. There are no dues, only your love and commitment is needed.

Watch the video interview with Diana Rehner at: http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1706

Visit Diana Rehner’s website at http://www.dianasvictorianrose.com