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Citizens’ effort has sights on mural for Bradshaw wall

Becky Cunningham, Tom Elkins Sr. and Tom Elkins Jr. pose with some of the items that will be at next week’s community yard sale benefiting the Bradshaw mural project. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 14 and May 15 in the city’s Community and Learning Center (the former Trinity Church on Maine Boulevard.)

EAST LIVERPOOL –One of the city’s busiest intersections is about to see a little upgrade in its curb appeal.

Resident Sue Watkins is a woman on a mission. She grew up in the neighborhood surrounding Bradshaw Giant Eagle and is committed to seeing it charm memorialized with a mural.

Next week, Watkins is coordinating a benefit yard sale that will help with installation of a mural across the supermarket on a wall near Rite Aid at the corner of Bradshaw Avenue and Walnut Street in downtown East Liverpool.

She recalled living in the 500 block of Fourth Street across from The M & A, and used to enjoy grapes from the Thompson House. “Dorothy Thompson would give us scissors to cut grapes from her harbor out back. My best friend lived in the second house from those steps (near Bradshaw and Walnut). We sat out there many nights, just looking out over the city that was so beautiful then,” Watkins recalled.

Those steps lead to a wall facing Bradshaw Avenue that now has become overgrown. The sidewalk in front of it remains filled with trash, everything from beer cans to discarded masks and toothbrushes. They also look to apply more than just cosmetic improvements to the area, which has become somewhat unsafe.

Watkins, with the assistance of Timothy Brookes and Kelsey Hedrick, envisions detailing East Liverpool’s remarkable history on this wall and has reached out to a local mural artist who Is interested in bidding on the project. However, she needs Brookes and Hedrick to give her guidance on the images that they wish to include in the mural. No doubt East Liverpool’s beautiful landscape will be reflected in the finished product as well as some favorite faces.

Individuals wishing to either donate money to the cause or items can reach Watkins through her Facebook page. She said that she wants this to be truly a community effort to recognize the East Liverpool of the past.

East Liverpool Mayor Greg Bricker is supportive of any effort to beautify the city. “I know this has been an idea for a while, and I’m happy we are doing it,” he said, adding that he plans to use a recently received $1,000 Heritage Thermal Services’ environmental grant towards the project. “I will do whatever I can to help and also have other funds that I can use to pay.”

Watkins’ advice for the youth? “Take pictures now and be sure to label them, and get involved with any organization that helps to maintain our city now to keep it in its best possible condition,” she concluded.

The benefit yard sale, which is slated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and May 15 at the East Liverpool Community and Learning Center on Maine Boulevard, along with donations from the community will fund the project. In addition to typical yard sale items, food will be available including baked goods, kraut dogs and sloppy joes.

Paypal contributions can be sent to

seancwatkins44@gmail.com.

Be sure to designate Bradshaw Mural.

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