APPRECIATION

"I've always had an interest in New Castle history. You can look down Broad Street and see how many old buildings are sitting there empty. I just love to hear the 'I remember when ...' stories." – David Nantz

The third floor of the old Colonial Building in the 200 block of South 14th Street in New Castle houses not only an ambitious couple, but a great deal of hope for the future of New Castle.

David Nantz, 24, is a local portrait photographer. Before he fell for his wife, Lisa, he was smitten over a rotting commercial building. One week after he turned 21, he bought it for $80,000. He and some friends did the demolition and clean-up work, then brought in a contractor to do the framing and continued to sub-contract other work for the next 18 months.

Dave's photography studio is on the first floor of the building, the site of what was one of the first grocery stores in New Castle. The second-floor landing, which has been refinished to look like the original business offices, remains. The original light fixtures and local historic photos grace the hallway. Vintage-looking door decals mark the previous site of WCTW, where my Dad says he used to run up to volunteer to answer the phone on ball game nights as a kid.

Then to the third floor. . .

I recently had a chance to tour the Nantz home. IT IS STUNNING! It is also an inspiration to this sometimes-reluctant local nester. “If you don’t know the history of where you are, you can’t enjoy and appreciate it,” David tells me. He’s as proud of his town as he is his new home and is a member of local committees and organizations to be a part of improving it. "We spend a lot of time here," Dave said. "Most visitors' first reaction is they can't believe they're in New Castle." As for Lisa, she has made the transition from Indy to NC. "Now I wouldn't trade this for a house," she said, resting against her long kitchen counter. "I love it."

As I look out one of 27 huge windows and down into a window in an adjacent downtown building, I do a doubletake and then my heart smiles as I realize there is new life there. A too- bright, shadeless light bulb wings slightly, revealing a bright, fresh coat of paint. I learn that an old school chum has returned to town and purchased the building. "It's going to be apartments!" David chimes, then smiles as he lifts his wine glass.

Here's to New Castle. Here's to making it better by taking steps to appreciate it's past, then making a future where we are.