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Issue Number 1 February 2017
Ginter Gazette
GPRA Board MeetingTuesday, February 217:00 p.m.LGRA
BuildingHawthorne and Walton
General Meeting and DinnerTuesday, February 286:30 p.m.LGRA
BuildingHawthorne and Walton
Dates to Remember...
continued on page 11
February 28 Mardi GrasSpeaker Eric Rhoades, RPS
Our general meeting on Tuesday, February 28 will have a Mardi
Gras theme with a prize for the best mask. For a festive atmosphere
wear Mardi Gras beads or purple/gold/emerald green if you can.
While the GPRA provides the entrée, please bring something for
the potluck that reminds you of New Orleans or a favorite winter
food. Dinner will begin at 6:30 at the Lewis Ginter Recreation
Association building, Hawthorne & Walton, with the program at
7:00.
The program will be a talk by the Director of Curriculum and
Instruction from Richmond Public Schools, Eric Rhoades. He will
talk about the distinct secondary schools that require special
application. These include Franklin leadership middle school and
military high school; the International Baccalaureate middle school
program at Brown and high school program at Thomas Jefferson; the
college prep middle school program at Binford; Open High School;
Community High School for the gifted; Maggie Walker Governor’s
regional high school for the gifted; and the Appomattox regional
high school for the arts. He will also explain the application
procedure and deadlines.
wear your mask
Ginter Park 2017 Home and Garden TourRestoration Renovation
Renaissance
The GPRA Home and Garden Tour, scheduled for May 6, 2017, is
just a few months away. The upcoming Home and Garden Tour theme
will reflect some of the restoration, renovation, and preservation
efforts in Ginter Park. The current list of homes includes several
“first time” participants. After a one year hiatus, we are looking
forward to the opportunity of showcasing the preserved charm,
enchanting gardens, and architectural diversity of Ginter Park. It
will be a great day for neighbors and visitors to celebrate our
‘hometown near downtown.”
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This newsletter is produced by: Ginter Park Residents
Association
P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, Virginia 23260-5374Published monthly
except January and August
President Christina Shelor [email protected]
Vice President Norma Murdoch-Kitt
[email protected]
Secretary Louise Wenzell [email protected]
Treasurer Amy Whelan treasurer@historicginter park.org
Past President Rebecca Dodson
[email protected]
Public Safety Dick Stone Committee
[email protected] Chair Rick Fox
[email protected] Chair Norma Murdoch-Kitt
[email protected] | 303-6770
Membership Dave Pohlmann
[email protected] & Zoning Stephen
Weisensale [email protected] Susie Burtch
[email protected] Group Annette Foster
274-0175
District RepresentativesA Nicholas Smith
[email protected] Richard Minter
[email protected] Patrick Held
[email protected] B Peter Goldin
[email protected] Steve Skinner
[email protected] Jonathan Murdoch-Kitt
[email protected] vacant
[email protected] Sidney Bland
[email protected] Jay Johnson
[email protected] large Meg
LawrenceNewsletter Editor Anne Thorn 353-9363Advertising Robin
Levey | [email protected]
Advertising and copy deadline is the second weekend of each
month. Send comments, corrections and articles to:
Editorial Committee, P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, VA 23260©Copyright
GPRA 2008
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WESTWOOD
BROOKLAND PKWY
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Visit our website to view a detailed map of
the GPRA districts.
www.ginterpark.org
February 2017
HigHER AcHiEvEmEnt is an organization serving middle school
students in Richmond and Henrico through a rigorous, year-round
academic programming. They operate an Achievement Center out of
Henderson Middle School with some done-in-a-day volunteer
opportunities.
In their Guest Speaker series, speakers present a one hour
program (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) on a variety of topics. You could
choose a career path, travel, hobbies, or a political or historical
topic. You would present a talk, discussion or some activity to a
small or large group of middle school youth.
To represent your organization or share your experiences, call
804-385-6598 or email [email protected].
Your Expertise Appreciated
649-7501
PLUMBING ELECTRICALHEATING COOLING GENERATORS
HEATING OIL
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3February 2017
Uniquely HomeJoan Peaslee Real Estate
804.405.7726 www.joanpeaslee.comBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices
PenFed Realty
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February 2017 4
•
The GPRA was fortunate to have the talents of Sharon Pohlmann as
treasurer for several years. Sharon reorganized the financial
records and kept the GPRA on budget, which she created with
financial chair Rick Fox.
Stepping into her shoes is a new volunteer, Amy Whelan, from
Moss Side Avenue. A West Coast native, Amy grew up in Seattle and
the Portland area, and had a short stint in Texas before moving to
Richmond and Ginter Park three years ago.
Formerly an IT project manager, she now works in digital
marketing for Swedish Match .
Amy and her fiancé Brian Hurd are planning a spring wedding.
Brian is an account manager for EMC/Dell. Along with their
Australian Shephard, Jasper, they can regularly be seen walking
around the neighborhood. Brian is trying to sell Amy on car racing
(she can’t ignore revving NASCAR motors twice a year). Other
hobbies are traveling and the common Ginter Park activity of
remodeling.
New GPRA Treasurer
Long & Foster is the #1 Brokerage for Sales and Listings in
Ginter Park
Strawberry Street Sales 409 Strawberry Street Richmond, VA
23220
StrawberryStreetSales.com 804-340-0840
Bellevue Cleaners1201 Bellevue Avenue • 264-8010
ClassIC TOuCH CleanInG
classictouchcleaning.com1229 Bellevue Avenue • 262-6979
DOT’s BaCk Inn
dotsbackrichmond.com4030 MacArthur • 266-3167
la PeTITe BOuTIQue
4025 MacArthur Avenue • 787-4242
lewIs GInTer BOTanICal GarDen
lewisginter.org1800 Lakeside Avenue • 262-9887
lITTle HOuse Green GrOCery
littlehousegreengrocery.com1227 Bellevue Avenue • 262-7474
lIsa ZaMOra MassaGe THeraPy
4025 MacArthur Avenue • 833-0574
luCky GInGer sTuDIOluckygingerstudio.com • 683-6173
nICOla FlOra
nicolaflora.com1219 Bellevue Avenue • 261-1060
OnCe uPOn a vIne
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1311 Palmyra Avenue • 358-1200
ZOuZOu’s BaseMenTzouzousbasement.com • 928-6130
If you’d like to notify us of new neighbors to welcome, please
send an e-mail containing their name and address
to: [email protected].
sends a HUGE Thank You to the following local merchants who have
generously contributed to our new neighbor welcome bags.
The Ginter Park Welcome Committee
Amy Whelan
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5February 2017
In December, residents of five assisted living facilities—four
of them located in Ginter Park — received a variety of
one-of-a-kind, handmade crochet and knit items made especially for
them as a special holiday surprise.
At the beginning of 2016, thru the Nextdoor North Richmond
neighborhood blog, word of mouth, and friendships, a small group of
interested stitchers was formed. Our initial goal was to make and
donate 100 crochet and knit items to the Madison House Assisted
Living facility in Ginter Park by December 1. Throughout 2016, we
made and collected a variety of knit and crochet hats, scarves,
cowls, fingerless gloves, and mittens. Working together, our small
group of stitchers actually made and donated 208 items (not 100) to
5 facilities (not just 1) far exceeding our initial goal. A holiday
celebration indeed!
Assisted Living Gifts by Sheila Weisensale
Thru this outreach project, our small group of stitchers helped
ensure that many of the adult residents of the assisted living
facilities in our community — many of which are mentally-impaired,
without family, and disadvantaged—had smiles on their faces during
the holiday season while sporting their new, fun cold weather
apparel. The homes included Humphrey’s Retirement Home, O’Brien
Home for the Elderly, Chamberlayne Assisted Living, Madison House
and Winthrop Manor.
Do you need an outlet for your knit or crochet addiction? Do you
want to use up all those extra balls, hanks, and skeins of yarn
lying around your house? If so, please consider joining our small
group of stitchers in 2017 or consider donating yarn for our group
to transform.
Contact Sheila Weisensale at (804) 553-1596 or
[email protected] for more information.
Proven sales record since 2001I have expertise in Market
Valuations, Negotiations, Advertising, Home Staging, Inspections,
Appraisals, Investing & Mortgage Financing.
Chris Hollister REALTOR®Hollister Properties5407 Patterson Ave.,
Suite 101Richmond, VA 23226
[email protected]
www.HollisterSales.com
Thinking about selling your home in Ginter Park?
Contact me for a FREE market analysis.
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6 February 2017
MEET YouR CoMMuNiTY ANd GET iNvoLvEd!Join the GPRANOW is the
time to meet new neighbors, participate in shared activities, and
get involved with the community. GPRA membership dues are only $35
per year. You can pay via PayPal through the GPRA website
Ginterpark.org. Click on “Join GPRA”. Or send a check with the
coupon on page 10 to GPRA, P.O. Box 25374, Richmond, VA 25374. Act
now!
Activities for All members• The general meetings in 2016 were
very informative and addressed issues in the Ginter Park community.
The year’s general meetings included a casserole/chili cook-off,
and a visit by Richmond’s newly elected mayor, Levar Stoney.
• Two walking tours of historic blocks in Ginter Park with our
guide Charlie Brock provided details of the families who built the
homes in the 3600 block of Hawthorne and the 3400 block of
Noble.
• Board members of the GPRA judged houses in the Scene from the
Street contest and voted for the most beautiful landscapes and
gardens of the four GPRA districts. Association members whose
houses are voted as best receive a gift certificate to Azalea
Gardens, and the grand winner receives a stone plaque commemorating
his/her win.
• On National Night out in August, GPRA members invited
neighbors over for a “night out” with food, drink, and conversation
at various locations.
• Once again, Stephanie Berv outdid herself and organized
another progressive dinner, the sixth year she has done so. This
year’s theme was Parisian fare, and produced a fabulous evening.
What a great way to meet neighbors — over appetizers, salads,
entrees, and desserts, all in different homes of your Ginter Park
neighbors. By joining the GPRA, you can also choose to participate
and host your own course.
• Once again, the Holiday Gala, held at the Ginter Park
Recreation Association, was a rousing success, with great food,
music, and dancing.
Achievements of the Board• Kept the concerns of the neighbors in
play as the Seminary advanced its plans for the Westwood Tract. The
Ginter Park/Sherwood Park Task Group continued to engage the
Seminary as well as its neighbors with regard to this proposed
development. Currently, the committee is working with the City
of Richmond (Council and planning staff) and the US Department of
Housing and Urban Development on the developer’s request for loan
insurance, an effort which also includes the Historic Richmond
Foundation and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Over
the past several years, task group members have expended more than
four hundred volunteer hours in this effort.
• Heard proposals for, and recommended action regarding several
zoning changes and Special Use Permits. The City planning staff
encourages those planning to re-purpose Ginter Park properties to
discuss such proposals with the GPRA Board before advancing their
project through planning review.
We approved conversion of a former travel home on the 3200 block
of Chamberlayne into office space and the installation of a custom
residential solar panel array at 3407 Chamberlayne. We also worked
with the Battery Park Association and the Virginia Treatment Center
for Children to address the neighbors’ concerns over placement of
expanded parking on the Center’s site and other issues related to
this project.
• Met with the new owners of a large complex of apartment
buildings on Chamberlayne Ave north of the Fire Station, and
brought the developer to a GPRA general meeting to explain their
plans for the project.
• Brought candidates for Mayor, City Council and School Board to
Northside for speeches and Q&A.
• Heard from representatives of the neighborhood private
schools.
• Pursued reconstruction of the demolished Chamberlayne and
Walton stele.
• Spread news of public safety concerns through the Yahoo
group.
Here’s What the GPRA Did for You in 2016 . . . .
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7February 2017
. . . ANd YouR 2017 oPPoRTuNiTiEs
SAVE THESE DATES: ★ FEBRuARy 28, tuEsdAy — A Mardi Gras theme
for dress and dinner will be followed by a discussion
of the special middle and high school opportunities offered by
the Richmond Public Schools.
★ mARcH 28, tuEsdAy — Our representatives to the General
Assembly will outline the major implications of legislation from
the just completed session. We will also hear about an initiative
of the Richmond Health Department called Northside Strong.
★ ApRil 25, tuEsdAy — Mayor Levar Stoney will describe his hopes
for innovation, engagement and opportunity in Richmond. We also
hope to have Council Members Grey and Hilbert present
★ mAy 6, sAtuRdAy — The Ginter Park House and Garden Tour.
Please plan to attend and encourage your friends and relatives to
join you. This is the GPRA’s primary fund-raising event. Over the
years it has funded our historic markers, our expanded historic
districting, and the replacing of diseased and damaged street
trees, in addition to making charitable awards.
★ JunE 27, tuEsdAy — An expert will discuss the process of
getting historic tax credits to help fund major renovations to a
house in Ginter Park. We also hope to have a gardening expert
advise us on coping with the impact of very hot weather on our
lawns and gardens.
★ July 25, tuEsdAy — We hope to have a pool party.
★ August 1, tuEsdAy — National Night Out against crime. We
encourage each block to plan a gathering to become better
acquainted.
★ sEptEmBER 26, tuEsdAy — A Candidates Forum will give you the
chance to hear and question those in contested races for the House
of Delegates and city-wide offices.
★ OctOBER 21, sAtuRdAy — The annual Progressive Dinner for GPRA
members will start at one home for appetizers, split into small
groups for the salad course, enjoy entrees at another house, and
all come together at one home for dessert at the end of the
evening.
★ nOvEmBER 28, tuEsdAy — Our general meeting will include a
cook-off with prizes, an election of officers for 2018, the
awarding of the “Gracie” prize for contribution to the community
and prizes for the “Scene from the Street” garden contest.
★ dEcEmBER 9, sAtuRdAy — The Holiday Gala for GPRA members.
The GPRA Board is planning 11 informative and/or social events
for the upcoming year. These are also occasions for you to see your
old friends and make new ones. Please save these dates but look for
more details in later newsletters.
All general membership meetings start with a potluck supper at
6:30 p.m. and have a program from 7:00-8:30. The association
provides the main course and beverages and asks members to bring
appetizers, vegetables, salads or deserts. The meal is free to paid
members but $5 to residents who are not yet members.
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8 February 2017
The Richmond SPCA has scheduled its 15th Annual Dog Jog and 5K
Run for Saturday, March 25, bringing together thousands of animal
lovers with a goal of raising $154,000 for the organization and the
Robins-Starr Humane Center at 2519 Hermitage Road.
2017 sPCA doG RuNSaturday, March 25th
Lease negotiations between Union Seminary and Shalom farms have
almost been finalized for a 5 acre urban farm in the center of the
Westwood tract. Shalom Farms anticipates having the formal
agreement finalized by the end of January.
Shalom Farms intends to spend the much of the spring getting
additional community feedback and sharing ideas with neighbors and
the community at large.
Basic site prep will begin no sooner than summer of 2017, with
farm operations to begin in earnest in Spring of 2018.
We look forward to working with Ginter Park residents to develop
a community farm we can all be proud of!
2017 shalom Farms update
The day begins with a competitive, chip-timed 5K (3.1 mile)
run/walk for humans-only, followed by a dog and stroller-friendly,
leisurely, one-mile Dog Jog. Throughout the morning, supporters
will enjoy the pet-friendly vendor fair at the humane center,
featuring a Kids Fun Zone.
An awards ceremony concludes with prizes for the top runners and
fund-raisers. In 2016 Ginter Park resident Sarah Robb was honored
for her service as the event
committee chair for four years and her passionate commitment to
the Richmond SPCA.
In its most recent fiscal year, the Richmond SPCA cared for
4,305 dogs and cats, transferring thousands of animals in need from
public shelters across Virginia to its humane center. For more
information about the Richmond SPCA and the Dog Jog and 5K Run,
visit richmondspca.org.
GPRA MEMBERSHIP
duEsYou can pay via PayPal
Visit the GPRA website Ginterpark.org.
Click on “Join GPRA”
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seminary Avenue Trees Final ReportBy Robin Levey
November was the final stretch of the management of the storm
damaged trees on Seminary Avenue. It has been an epic saga working
with the city to try to manage the trees as opposed to removing
them.
When we began back in June, the City’s arborist had condemned 42
trees between the 3800 and 3900 blocks. By year’s end we have
worked diligently to minimize the removals and now have only 11
trees being removed due to significant damage or disease.
This has been a learning experience for me, but I also have
found that many of my neighbors and city officials have grown and
learned through this process. My true hope from this is that the
city will find better ways to manage their budgets for pruning, so
that we do not have such a bad experience as we did in these two
blocks.
If these trees had been pruned properly over the years, the
storm damage would not have cost the city so much to clean up, we
may not have been without power for so long, and we would not have
had so much damage to our homes.
Never pruning trees leaves them susceptible to high winds. The
arborist described this phenomenon as a boat sail catching the
wind. This should also be a lesson for all of us that have trees on
our personal, not just city, property. We need to manage them over
time so that we don’t end up having them damage our homes.
Another lesson learned during this process was that if a
neighbor’s tree lands on my home, it is my insurance that takes
care of this, not the neighbor’s.
9February 2017
Bellevue looking south 2006
pho
to b
y C
harli
e B
rock
Finally, I hope to work with our new mayor to open discussions
about how to better manage the urban forest. I wish him all the
best and look forward to helping with this process in any way
possible.
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10 February 2017
GPRA 2017 Dues Coupon
Ginter Park Residents Association • P.O. Box 25374 • Richmond,
VA 23260
Name
_______________________________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
Zip Code _________________ Phone
____________________________________________
Email Address
________________________________________________________________
Check# __________________ date
_______________________________________________
❏ Household member ❏ Other (e.g. church, business, etc.)
Dues for the 2017 calendar year are $35. Checks should be
written to the Ginter Park Residents Association and mailed with
this form to the above address. Thank you very much.
✁FiNANCE ANd MEMBERsHiP CHAiRs NEEdEd
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR This position oversees the Membership
Chair, the Newsletter Advertising Manager and the Treasurer. The
duties include:• Reviewing monthly financial statements by the
Treasurer and monitoring alignment to budget and anticipated
needs
• Working closely with the Treasurer to draft the annual
operating budget
• At Board meetings, helping the President to address financial
questions or issues raised
• As needed, take on special projects to enhance the areas of
finance, advertising or membership
• The finance chair functions as a coordinator and needs both
solid communication skills and a strong knowledge of finances. Time
commitment may vary but averages less than a half day a week.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRThis position keeps an up-to-date record of all
paid members, coordinating with the Treasurer on all payments
received. The list of paid members is sent to the printer for each
newsletter mailing and used to check eligibility for awards and
participation in the Progressive Dinner and Holiday Gala, among
others.
Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to volunteer more? The
GPRA can use your help in two positions, formerly held by Rick Fox
and
Dave Pohlmann. Contact President Christina Shelor at
[email protected].
C u r r e n t l y S e r v i n g y o u r A r e A
InterIor & exterIor PaIntIngPower washIng and
More!804-218-6560 | 804-247-4410
www.isaacspainting.com
Competitive priCing!We now take Master Card and Visa
Isaac’s PaIntIng
PROOF
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$15.00 for maximum of 25 words. clip the coupon below and send
with your completed ad and check or money order. or contact Ad
manager: [email protected]. GPRA reserves the
right to edit for space constraints. no personal ads.
Place your classified ad here! ClASSifiEdS
Send To: Ad Manager c/o Ginter Park Residents Association P.O.
Box 25374 Richmond, VA 23260
Name __________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
Phone ___________________ Email ________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
✁
✁
11February 2017
continued from page 1
*5% **10% Discount applied to multiple month commitments
Ad RAtEs And sizEsAd copy and ad payment should be submitted to
the Advertising Chair ([email protected])
by the 15th of each month to ensure placement in the following
month’s newsletter.
typE OF Ad 1 mo 3 mos* 10 mos** sizEs
Classified $ 15.00 $ 45.00 $ 135.00
Business Card $ 40.00 $ 115.00 $ 360.00
Quarter Page $ 90.00 $ 255.00 $ 815.00
Half Page $ 180.00 $ 515.00 $ 1,625.00
Full Page $ 350.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 3,150.00
3.5 W x 2 H — Horizontal2 W x 3.5 H — Vertical
3.62 W x 4.75 H — Rectangle7.5 W x 2.25 H — Horizontal 2.25 W x
7.5 H — Vertical
7.5 W x 5 H
7.5 W x 10 H
Additional information at www.historicginterpark.com › download
the media kit from the newsletter tab
Dering's Cleaning Service, LLC has openings for new cleaning
clients. Contact Leslie Dering, who grew up in Ginter Park at
[email protected] or call 804-239-5865
A large part of the success of this event relies on interest and
volunteerism. We are currently seeking House Captains and Docents,
as well as volunteers for the day of the event. Please contact
Patrick Held at [email protected] for more information if you
are interested. This is an exciting event that brings our community
closer
together, raises monies for a worthy cause, and allows us to
share our gardens and homes with neighbors and visitors from
surrounding neighborhoods.
Home and Garden Tour
CONTACT Patrick Held at [email protected]
Cottage for rent on Chincoteague island in quiet neighborhood. 3
bedrooms, 1&1/2 baths, all amenties. $800/ week, $110/day plus
cleaning fee. Call 804-543-9460 or email [email protected].
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Ginter Park Residents AssociationP.O. Box 25374Richmond,
Virginia 23260
NoN-Profit org.U.S.Postage
PAidRichmond, VA
PeRmit numbeR 3022
In This IssueFebruary 2017
see inside for details
February General MeetingMardi Gras Theme page 1
Home and Garden Tour page 1
Higher Achievement page 2
New GPRA Treasurer page 4
Assisted Living Gifts page 5
Get Involved page 6
Save the Dates page 7
2017 SPCA Dog Run page 8
Shalom Farms Update page 8
Seminary Ave Trees page 9
Committee Chairs Needed page 10
“The Hermitage is a treasure hidden in beautiful historic
Richmond” — D.H.
A Distinguished Past - A Vibrant Future
For more information, contact us at:(804) 474-1816
www.hermitage-vumh.comCome visit the monthly Country Store at
The Hermitage — you’ll find vintage and antique treasures donated
by our residents and neighbors, including men’s and women’s
clothing, furniture, jewelry and more. Everyone is welcome!
4th Friday of Every Month 10:30 -2:30 • 1600 Westwood Avenue
1600 Westwood AvenueRichmond, VA 23227
At The Hermitage, our residents enjoy the rich Ginter Park
lifestyle,
with classic surroundings, restaurant-quality meals,
interesting
activities and plentiful outings. See for yourself the treasures
waiting at the only Richmond continuing care community
without an entrance fee.
We Offer:• Independent Living
• Assisted Living • Nursing Care
• Two Secure Memory Care Neighborhoods
• Speech, Physical, and Occupational Rehab Services
Who Knows What Treasures You’ll Find at The Hermitage’s COUNTRY
STORE!