Dear Neighbors and Friends,
Thank you so much for your interest in visiting the “2015 Historic Meridian Park Home our – Historic is the New Green: Restoring the Urban Community.” At our neighborhood events, you’ll often overhear the phrase “many hands make light work.” It is in that spirit in which we want to recognize and thank the home tour committee members who used their talents and favorable personalities to make this another successful tour of homes.
Beginning with longtime neighbor and tour home co-coordinator Lorraine Vavul. Her home tour savvy and gentle persuasion has convinced seven homeowners to open up and let us take a look inside! She and home co-coordinator Margie Luchtman are most helpful and this event would not exist without their efforts.
Jeff Crane, serving as our marketing chair, helped to ensure some of the largest logistics of the tour were completed! His easy going nature was a joy to be around, and the rest of the marketing effort includes Katie Wertz, our amazing graphic artist; Gretchen Turner, social media communications guru; and David Bartley, our resident historian and author of this wonderful program book.
Our events committee was spearheaded by Wade Johnson, who is responsible for sharing these recommended vendors you see in the ads and for executing the home tour event logistics! Wade is the friend who never met a stranger and in doing so he wrangled in the Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association Board President and Board Member, Stacey Patrick and Kristen Smith, respectively, both of whom bring the fun to our events and meetings.
New to the neighborhood, we thank Erica Stout – our Volunteer Coordinator. Erica’s interest in getting involved represents the type of people you’ll find here in our dynamic downtown neighborhood. She and longtime boyfriend Nick Wright just purchased a home in the neighborhood, and her infectious energy has garnered Nick a seat in the Board Treasurer role, with assistance from former Board Treasurer – Jon Carmer. Also working on the volunteer committee is longtime resident and home tour expert Jean Richcreek. It was a pleasure to work with this home tour committee, and you all have my deepest gratitude.
Special thanks to the Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation (MFCDC) for leveraging their talented staff to assist Historic Meridian Park in so many endeavors.
We send thanks to Trinity Episcopal Church for their generosity in sharing their facilities.
Loud cheers to the Congdon Family owners of the Esplanade Annex for their stellar save of this beautiful structure and willingness to open these renovated condos for our Patrons’ Party.
Special thanks to neighbor and the solution for all your printing needs, Michael O’Brien of Printing Partners.
We thank Fresh Market for their support of all of our neighborhood events.
Thank you to neighbors Mark Herner and Dick Luchtman for supporting our musical endeavors.
Also, we give thanks to Luke Trinosky of High 5 food truck for sharing such scrumptious eats during the tour!
Cheers also go out to our pocket park representatives Cassie Mehlman-Rhys, Sharon Gamble, and Karla Johnson for sharing information about the park and for continuing to make it a space we can all enjoy.
To our home and garden owners: It must seem like a daunting task to share your homes and gardens with us, but you made it look easy. Your individual style, taste, and personal stamps helped to show others what is possible in purchasing these homes. And just by the nature of being yourselves, you promote how lucky we are to live in Historic Meridian Park. We may come for the homes, but indeed, we stay for the neighbors. Thank you.
Lastly, I’d like to thank all neighbors who have served on the previous home tour committees. We have your tour examples for reference and they’ve served us well. Thanks to all who played a part in making Historic is the New Green a reality!
Kara Haughey
2015 Home Tour Chair