Announcements:
- November 30 (Saturday) Parade and lighting of the Village
- December 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday) Breakfast with Santa
- December 12 (Thursday) Ladies’ Night Out shopping night in the Village
- December 19 (Thursday) Gentlemen’s Night Out shopping night in the Village
- December 24 (Tuesday) Santa rides with ZFD through the Village 6:30pm-8pm
Letter from the President
On Nov 12th we had a special VRA meeting to discuss things going on in the town with Town Council President Jeff Papa. Councilor Papa always has a lot on his plate and it was great that he took the time to talk with us. The main topic of conversation was the 20 Acres of Eagle Creek Land and the potential development that might occur there, where the Citgo, Stacy’s etc was.
Until any plans are actually filed with the town, no one really knows what developers might want to do there. The VRA just continues to remind those who are thinking about developing and those who are making decisions at Town Hall that we want to know about any sort of development that might happen and that we would like to be part of the process. We will continue to reach out and do what we can to help remind them that the Village is where we live, that any development that happens impacts us greatly and that we want to make sure that it is the right development for our neighborhood.
One Village Resident mentioned the idea that there should be some VRA representation at the Technical Advisory Committee level of the development process. Council President Papa said that was definitely something that we could discuss. VRA Board members are working now on reaching out to town leaders to discuss how that could happen.
For those that were not at the October meeting, we had the annual VRA Board Elections and we have a whole new Board! I am very excited that we have a great mix of people who are very excited about being part of the VRA Board for 2014. I am sure you will hear more about them in the coming months but these people have a lot of great new ideas and energy for our neighborhood. I hear there is already a North Village vs South Village Softball game in the works for this coming summer!
The 2014 VRA Board looks like this… President Scott Lusk, Vice President Joe Singler, Secretary Sally Zelonis, and Treasurer Todd Rech. They will do a great job next year!
Thanks to Scott for being a great VP last year, and to Guinn Doyle and Carol Dienhart for doing so much for the last 3 years on the board. It has been so much fun to work with you on all our Village Projects.
Make sure you keep your sidewalks shoveled!
Chris
Village News and Events
After a year off, for 2013 the VRA brought back the outdoor Christmas Magic in the Village. There were over 60 trees ordered and 40 of those were delivered by a hearty band of VRA volunteers.
This project was spearheaded by our very own Jane Forbes who really did all the legwork and promotion and as usual she did a great job. It was a cold job, but the guys and gals made quick work of getting these trees delivered and installed. The best part is that this project netted over $650 for the VRA! Thanks to everyone–both those who purchased the trees as well as Jane and her tree delivering elves!
Village Holiday Happenings
Christmas in Our Village
by Beth Bugbee
Our tree is lit and Santa has arrived, but there is more to come! Once again, you can get into the holiday season by coming to Main Street in December.
On December 7 and 8, you can join Santa for breakfast at one of six Village restaurants. Reservations are required so visit www.zionsvilletrikappa.org to sign up. After breakfast, there will be special crafts and story times. After breakfast, Santa will be in his house at Serenity to listen to wish lists. If you can’t come on this weekend, Santa will be back every Saturday and Sunday in December, ending on the 21st.
Holiday festivities aren’t limited to kids. There is plenty for the grown ups too! On December 7, you can attend the Wintergreen Market. Local vendors will be selling a variety of wreaths, garlands and fresh blooming arrangements throughout the Village.
On December 12, stores will be open late for Ladies Night. The evening will begin with cocktails and informal modeling from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Sanctuary, then you can stroll down Main Street and shop until you drop.
Let’s not leave the men out! The following Thursday, December 19, is Men’s Night. Again, the stores will be open late with all kinds of promotions to complete your special shopping list.
Every weekend in December will be spirited in the Village. There will be free horse-drawn carriage rides and live music performances. Street vendors will be selling sweets and roasted nuts so you can maintain your energy level for shopping. Remind your friends to come to Zionsville and shop Main Street.
Merry Christmas!
Volunteer Opportunity
Boone County Senior Services is Growing Their Friendly Visitor Program!
Boone County Senior Services is excited to be looking for a new group of Friendly Visitor Volunteers for the New Year. Our current volunteers are generous, compassionate, devoted, caring and energetic. If any of these words describe you or someone you know, we would love to share more information with you/them about this growing program that is reaching out to older adults in Boone County.
Whether you can donate an hour a week or several hours each month, you will be giving more than just your time, you will be offering companionship and encouragement to someone in need of a friend. Training and support is provided.
Let’s make a connection! For more information, call Judy Brower, Director of Volunteers at (765)482-5220 or (317)873-8939, or e-mail bcssi@booneseniors.org.
Boone County Senior Services, with offices in Lebanon and Zionsville, has been providing life sustaining and enriching services for older adults in Boone County since 1978. Learn more at www.booneseniors.org
Chocolate Chip Harvest Cake with Cinnamon Nutmeg Whipped Cream
by Jen Kershner
For the cake:
15 oz can Pumpkin
1/2 c oil
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
4 eggs
1 c sugar
1 c dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 c chocolate chips
For the whipped cream:
1 c heavy cream
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together pumpkin, oil, eggs, applesauce, sugars and vanilla until well blended. In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients and then add to wet ingredients until just blended and then fold in chocolate chips. Pour into well greased bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour or until firm. Let completely cool before removing from pan. Serve with Cinnamon Nutmeg Whipped Cream.
Notes: I always use fresh ground nutmeg and just eyeball those measurements. Also, it is helpful to reserve about 1/4 c of your flour to toss with your chocolate chips so they don’t all sink to the bottom of your pan. You could use all oil for this recipe but the applesauce lightens it up and you don’t miss the extra oil at all.
Village Voice Arts
By Sarah Zack
Zionsville Village Resident and Certified K-12 Art Teacher
Handmade Holiday Ornament / Decorative Keepsake
Approximate Time:
1.5 Hour Session
Materials Needed:
· *Model Magic: Red, Yellow, Blue, white
· 8X10 Paper
· Scissors
· Ribbon
· Pencil
· Light Blue Pipe Cleaner
· Rolling Pin (Optional)
Instructions:
• Trace child’s hand on a piece of paper. Cut it out carefully creating a positive stencil.
• Take ¾ of your white and ¼ blue Model Magic. Knead the model magic colors together to make a light blue solid color. This will take time; be patient.
• Flatten out the light blue Model Magic with hand or rolling pin until the clay is approximately ½ Inch thick and larger than your hand stencil. Place your hand stencil on the blue model magic (it will stay in place because the model magic is slightly sticky). Use scissors to cut the model magic into the exact shape of the hand stencil. Smooth out any jagged edges finger prints. Set aside.
• Knead a small amount of yellow, blue, red, and white model magic to make a skin tone for your angle’s face. Roll the mixture into a small sphere and flatten it with the palm of your hand. Place it on the heel of the handprint to create the face. Model Magic will stick to itself.
• To create angel wings. Knead a small amount of the yellow and white model magic. Flatten and shape the yellow model magic to create two wings. Attach the wings to the back of your hand and face. Model Magic will stick to itself.
• To create your angel’s facial features:
• Hair: Roll a small amount of the remaining yellow model magic into a spiral to create angel hair.
• Eyes: Roll a small amount of the light blue into two small spheres for eyes.
• Mouth: Mix a small amount of red and white model magic together and roll into a coil for a mouth.
• Place each item on the face in the desired location.
• Lastly, take a pencil and poke the pencil through the top of the angle’s wing, making sure there is enough space on all sides so it does not easily break.
• Allow your art work to dry for 24-48 hours on a hard plastic surface. Flip it frequently to assist in the drying process. String a piece of ribbon through the hole.
• Hang on your tree, to a door knob, or give away as gift. This is a wonderful Christmas keepsake that will keep for years and remind you of how tiny your child’s hand once was.
Art Elements and Principles: Form, Color, Unity Functionality
Art Skill: Clay modeling
Art Theme: Holiday
* Model Magic is a Crayola Product available at most craft/general stores. It is an air dry based modeling clay.