Ducks and Blooms
Ducks and Blooms – Emily Tornquist
We have finally arrived. Buds have turned to full blown greenery and the flowers and lawns are in their prime throughout the neighborhood. We have also gained some new neighbors who appear to be ducks.
During a late April Sunday stroll with a friend and a solo cup of pink bubbly, I had the good fortune of stumbling upon a painter in the throws of capturing some magnolia magic at the end of April. I struck up a conversation with local artist Alicia Zanoni and learned that her love of Woodruff Place has inspired her to produce an art show featuring her paintings of our neighborhood in bloom.
I had been passively wondering what I would include in the next Urban Times issue given that June is seasonally quiet on the news front following the Flea Market. Just as any opportunist would do, I asked Alicia if I could include her work in our spread for the June issue of Urban times.
Not only did Alicia enthusiastically agree to contribute some of her work, she offered to do a portrait of the dueling ducks that have taken up residence on the East Drive fountain. While it is unclear who has won the title of Alpha Duck, neighbors have taken to observing their behavior and have accepted that the ducks have moved in.
Image: “Duck’s in the fountain” Illustration by Alicia Zanoni
Link Between Historic Districts and Economic Impact
New Study of the Link Between Historic Districts and Economic Impact Includes Woodruff Place
(Article Donovan Rypkema Study – April 2018)
June in Woodruff
No, not the poem! But that’s good too!
It’s finally warm outside and the trees are beginning to fill in. From my seat on the porch, I can see the trees awash in an array of colors and new buds. In a few weeks time, those trees will all be fully bloomed and I won’t be able to see much beyond the neighbors house. By the time you read this, the annual Flea Market will have wrapped up and the thousands of attendees will have gone home. It will finally be time to sit down in this very same spot again to relax.
Our family loves this tranquil neighborhood full of lush trees and the sound of water running in the fountains. When sitting here the sound of the city disappears – the ambient temperature is a good 20 degrees cooler. Squirrels, birds, bats and some neighborhood cats go about their business as if they’ve been here longer than the people. It’s no wonder that this time of year, in this place, inspiration has been found by many artists paying tribute to beauty of the neighborhood. Enjoy June, neighbors!
Flea Market Volunteers
The Woodruff Place Flea Market committee members have been hard at work preparing for this year’s major fundraiser. Committee Chair Matt Settimi stated “ this is one of the most fun fundraiser and event in our community each year. I can’t think of a better way to interact with the community at large while raising funds for our neighborhood initiatives.”
On Saturday, March 24th this merry band of volunteers got together to touch base on important committee business while also producing some photos that illustrate the hard work they will continue to put in. There are also many ways additional volunteers can help. These photos should give an idea of some of the tasks and festiveness involved in the Flea Market preparation and execution.
Remember, this is our major Fundraiser! If you can’t participate this year but would like to volunteer your yard to an outsider please contact Maggie Spencer at [email protected]
Flea Market Committee
Chair Matt Settimi
Publicity Rory/Diana Babb
Restroom Kevin Garing
Cross Drive Prep Tom Abeel
Registration/
Collection Tessie Lloyd-Jones
Entertainment
Food Vendors Matt Settimi
Trash Troopers Greg Staab/Missy Ellis
Outside Vendors Maggie Spencer, Darala Barnett, Jessica Stenz [email protected] this is the contact if someone wants to donate
their yard Maggie Spencer
Occupy 10th Street Greg Staab/ Missy Ellis
Security Katie Neill
Treasurer James Ryan