The Pangle-Kriegel family was honored at the Lima Rotary Club meeting Monday afternoon for naming the Greater Lima Region Park and Amphitheater.
LIMA — In 1924, one man’s grocery store became another man’s treasure. Howard Pangle Sr. was presented with an opportunity to purchase a grocery store for $1,000 after buying tobacco on his way home. Pangle said yes and the rest is history.
Today, the Pangle-Kriegel family has multiple businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Iowa and Minnesota.
Father David Ross, Pastor of Lima’s St. Rose and St. John the Evangelist parishes, honored the family’s history at the Lima Rotary Club meeting on Monday afternoon and announced the Greater Lima Region Park and Amphitheater will be named the “Pangle Pavilion.”
The Pangle-Kriegel family was given the naming rights to the stage after the family’s generous donation to the amphitheater project. In the middle of the signage for the amphitheater will be a crown, an homage to the grocery store. According to Ross, the crown represents the five family members who worked for the business in the 1930s and 1940s: Howard Sr., Jessie, Raymond, Howard Jr. and Ann Pangle Evans.
“Dave (Kriegel) and Shirley (Kriegel-Pangle), along with their three sons, Todd, Matt and Jay,” said Ross. “(They) have continued the Pangle family history of giving as examples set by Shirley’s grandfather, Howard Pangle, and her father, Raymond Pangle.”
The Rotary Club thanked the Pangle/Kriegel family for investing in the Greater Lima Region Amphitheater and Park.
“We are just trying to help Lima and make it a better place to live,” said Shirley Kriegel.
Along with the new name, other developments are underway at the amphitheater.
Lima Pallet Company President Tracie Sanchez said the amphitheater is finishing up the first phase of construction. The theater and restrooms are almost complete. The second phase of construction will include the grass, sprinkler system, landscape, perimeter fencing, sidewalks, and lighting.
Once completed, the amphitheater will feature a performance from a well-known country artist.
“We have a few exciting plans that we have in order,” said Veterans Memorial Civic Center CEO Abe Ambroza. “I don’t have permission to share the artist’s name yet. In July we are going to have about three different shows in July that are going to be like a soft opening.”
Following the soft opening at the end of July, the amphitheater will host a grand opening on the first weekend of August, with the mystery artist to perform that Saturday.
“We are trying to bring the Square Fair feeling back too,” added Sanchez. “We have Allen Lima Leadership involved. We have a group with the city that is involved. We are bringing all those people together to create a fun Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday grand opening. We want to end with all of the churches and congregations coming together on Sunday.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
