"We ain't done yet," pledged a turnout of 120, proclaiming in unison Wednesday that even more achievements are coming for the Greater Tamaqua Area. And those achievements might be just beyond the horizon.

Riding the momentum of 20 years of success and after millions in investment, members of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership took inventory and then looked ahead."This has been a wonderful 20 years. But wait until the next 20," promised state Sen. David G. Argall, who rallied membership of the volunteer-driven group."Repeat with me, 'We ain't done yet,'" said Argall, leading the session in commitment to the future, and with apologies to grammar teachers everywhere.AnticipationDuring the course of the evening, Argall hinted that something good might develop over the next six weeks.If it works out, it will be something perhaps more significant than all of the previous 20 years of achievements combined, he suggested.The nature of the project, initiative or development will be known on De. 31.The anniversary celebration, held inside the theater of the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, laid groundwork for the future, but only after taking stock in accomplishments and hearing praise from key players from as far away as Washington, D.C., and Florida.Following a welcome by Lee Shafer, TACP chairman, Micah Gursky, director, guided attendees through a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation, augmented by remarks from program participants.Comments were read from former Tamaqua businessman Ted Block, now of Florida, and TACP associates, among them Nick Holliday of England, John Monroe, Boston and Bob Roche, Florida."I speak about the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership at the national level," said Barry Denk of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Denk reflected on international recognition earned by the Tamaqua area initiative begun in 1994, and congratulated the community.DevotionState Rep. Jerry Knowles told the crowd that devotion drives success, and Argall is driven."The passion he and Micah have for this community is unbelievable," Knowles said.Others commenting were Dave Mace and Jim Akins, both of whom presented a plaque of recognition to Jason Boris, former director of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission. Boris was caught off-guard by the gesture, but offered comments."We're here representing partnerships; the ESRC is a good example of what partnerships can do," Boris said during impromptu remarks.In moving forward, Post-It notepads were handed out and Gursky challenged attendees to submit their dreams for the next 20 years via personal notes written to the Dear Tamaqua initiative."We want your input," he said.ProgressGursky told the Times News that the TACP, from day one, has been all about steady progress."The partnership started with the notion that even if one small thing was accomplished to make our community better, it would be better than doing nothing. And for two decades, very dedicated people have worked cooperatively to do more than that by acting strategically to make our community better, little by little."No one improvement is a magic wand that makes someone's life suddenly wonderful. But to live in a community where there are steady and focused improvements despite some of the nation's most challenging economic and social dynamics, really does make Tamaqua a better place."The evening included a surprise appearance by the Lehigh Carbon Community College cougar mascot, who helped rally attendees.The celebration included members of other visioning programs, such as Panther Valley Renaissance.The TACP is a 501c3 nonprofit represented by other names, such as the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, Tamaqua Art Gallery, South Ward Neighborhood Committee, Tamaqua Area Community Theater, Tamaqua Safety Initiative and Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival.