Announcements
July 8th (Sunday) VRA Garden Club Meeting; 7pm; Zelonis home
Town Notices
Citizens Issues Lawn Watering Ban for Town of Zionsville
Citizens Water has issued a lawn watering ban for customers in the Zionsville area until further notice. Citizens also is working closely with officials in Whitestown, where the Town Council this afternoon issued a lawn watering ban. The Citizens Water system serves the Zionsville area and it provides water to the town of Whitestown, which operates its own water distribution system.
Citizens has experienced low water pressure in the Zionsville and Whitestown areas due to the record water usage levels, caused primarily by lawn watering. Citizens is currently working to maximize pressure to the Zionsville and Whitestown areas. Citizens also has requested that customers across its service territory limit lawn watering to once per week.
Zionsville Burn Ban
Effective immediately (6:15PM 6/27/2012), Zionsville and Boone County are under a burn ban due to the extraordinary dry conditions and extreme fire danger until further notice. -Boone County Emergency Management Agency
Disaster Emergency Declaration
On June 27, 2012, the Boone County Commissioners issued a disaster emergency declaration ordering a burn ban prohibiting certain open burning in Boone County.
The proclamation prohibits the following:
– any campfires and recreational fires
– open burning of any kind using conventional fuels such as wood or other combustible matter with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane
– burning of debris such as timber or vegetation, including debris that results from building construction activities.
– Removal of charcoal from the grills until the charcoal has been completely extinguished.
The public is strongly encouraged to attend public displays of fireworks and limit the personal use of fireworks to those that do not leave the ground and to refrain from using aerial firework devices.
The Zionsville Lions Club cancels the July 4th Celebration Fireworks Show in Lions Park for 2012
Representatives from the Zionsville Lions Club and public safety officials from The Town of Zionsville met this morning and have decided to cancel the annual Lions Club fireworks show and all activities in the park that had been scheduled for the evening of July 4th in Zionsville’s Lions Park.
Due to the extremely dry conditions and the National Weather Service forecast for continued extreme heat, Lions Club officials made this decision in the interest of the public’s health and safety based upon the recommendation of public safety officials. Officials recognize the significant financial burden placed upon the Zionsville Lions Club as this is the second largest fundraising event for Lions Park.
July 4th Chairman Steve Gayheart said “This was not an easy decision and I am deeply disappointed it came to this, but in the end, it’s the right thing to do and we will move forward.”
The over 20 acre park is owned operated and maintained by the over 120 volunteers of the Zionsville Lions Club. Lions Club President Leigh Ann Akard commented “We feel it is our responsibility to put public safety in front of fundraising efforts to maintain Lions Park. We hope that Zionsville will come out to support our first concert of the FREE Summer Concert Series on July 1st at 7pm for a patriotic celebration of “The Land that I Love” with the Zionsville Concert Band.”
The annual July 4th raffle is a significant fundraiser for the event. “We already have expenses to the July 4th Celebration event that can not be recovered at this point. But one thing that will be missed is the sales of raffle tickets in the park the night of the fireworks since that is an easy source of revenue to the park,” commented Akard. Tickets can still be purchased from Lions Club members or at Akard True Value Hardware until July 3rd. The Lions Club will contact the winner.
In Zionsville Dogs must be kept on leash when not on Owners property
For purposes of this provision, solely as it relates to sidewalks, pathways, roads and any other public way, “reasonable control” is defined to mean that the animal is restrained by a secure collar and a leash not in excess of 6’ (six feet) in length and the owner of the animal or such other person exercising control of the animal is connected to or holding the other end of the leash
Letter from the President
As the lack of rain means me spending time standing at the end of a hose far more than I ever wanted on these cool mornings, I have had time to process some of the things going on in our neighborhood, and almost everything just made me smile.
On a most recent early morning walk around the Village, we ran into a relatively new Village resident whom we had heard had been working hard on both the inside and outside of her home as she was heading out work in the garden. We got an impromptu home tour at 7:30 in the morning of this really delightful home and got to spend some great time with this really awesome addition to the list of great neighbors. You will probably hear more about this home in the coming months in our “My Favorite Room” column.
The June 26th meeting of the EDC Strategic Working Group had a public presentation and public input session for this plan. The plan has come a long way since more Zionsville residents really started putting their input into it. Hopefully after this meeting, there will be some additional positive changes to the plan to make sure that it is the best thing we can get for Zionsville and for the Village. I do recommend that you go to the town’s website and check out the plan by July 18th and make any comments, suggestions or ask the questions that you need answered. You can access the plan at this link…
http://www.zionsville-in.gov/2012/05/current-economic-development-strategic-plan-draft/
…and if you would like to chat about the plan further, don’t hesitate to be in touch with me—I’d love to talk with you about it, or steer you to people who can answer your questions.
You may be asking why this put a smile on my face. Well, the answer is simple—because we have the best neighbors you could ask for. We had great VRA representation at the EDC Strategic Plan meeting. We had great questions. We had great input. It was positive and it pushed the agenda to make sure that we get the best plan that we can get.
Am I still concerned about the type and quality of development that we may get in our back yard? Absolutely! Do I still worry that we are going to get more apartments that will dilute our tax base and stress our school resources? Absolutely!! But do I feel like we have done all we can do to make the best of this plan- YES. I just wish that most of the people that were making the ultimate decision on the plan were there to hear our input.
This process has proved that the people can make a difference when they are active and engaged. This process shows that positive changes made to your community can happen with your input and that those changes can affect your daily life. I hope that you will continue to be so engaged if you have been and if you haven’t been, it is never too late to start.
One last thing—one of our neighbors and her dog were struck by a distracted driver in their car a few weeks ago. Both the person and dog spent some time in the hospital, but they will live. About the same time, a new discussion on a cross walks at 5th and Oak has come about. We will be convening a meeting of general safety in the Village in the coming weeks. If you would like to be part of that discussion, please let me know and we will get you on this committee. I will be very pleased to hear from you on this important topic.
Thanks,
Chris Bucher
president@ZVRA.com
VRA Garden Club News
quiet in a crowded day- like writing a poem or saying a prayer.”
Greetings to you Princes of peonies and Queens of quince! Why quince? According to Garden Gate magazine it is an absolute flowering wonder. In spring, vibrant red-orange flowers appear on leafless stems. It is greatly loved by bees (those inexhaustible pollinators) and hummingbirds. In the fall, 1 ½ inch apple-shaped yellow fruit appear that can be made into a delicious jelly that’s great on pbj sandwiches. Perfect for zones 5-8, it grows in everything from sandy to clay soil, 2-3 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide.
If you missed our visit to Brad and Monique Schnable’s garden on June 15th, sorry for your luck. The delicious snacks were sampled and thoroughly enjoyed. Lovingly planned to complement the century-old architecture of their home, their garden is a delicate combination of color and texture. Magical groupings of a wide variety of plants in pastel shades of blue and white, variegated greens and pinks with pops of purple and lilac, are arranged so the blossoms are showcased by the surrounding foliage and mulch. And the goldfish in the pond swam to the surface cavorting under the cascading fountain as if to entertain us just in case the garden failed.
Our foray next month will be the garden of Mark and Sally Zelonis, 40 S. 3rd. St., on Sunday, July 8th, 7pm. Please plan to join us. RSVP! Mark your calendars now. Let Mark and Sally know of your intention to attend, or not as the case may be. zelonisfamily at att.net Mark and Sally’s garden, bordered by the house built in the 1880’s on the south, is mostly a dry shade garden and contains quite a wide variety of plants, obtained through Mark’s horticultural activities and mostly because of his gardening passion. Plan to bring your notebooks. And, bring lawn chairs for seating, and your own alcoholic beverages (maybe glasses).
Looking ahead, on Tuesday, August 14th, we will gather in the garden of Beth Bugbee, on Ash St.
My Favorite Room
Some evenings, when it’s not quite dark out but the lights in homes have been turned on, I take a walk. This is a nice peaceful time at the end of the day when I can meditate on how my day has gone and quietly plan for the next…but, let’s faces it; it’s also the best time to get a peek into my neighbors’ homes. I know I’m not the only one who slows my pace in front of a house with the lights on, but curtains or blinds open, just to get a quick look at wall coverings or furniture choices. One of the reasons I live in the village is because I love old homes and I desperately want to see what my neighbors-who presumably love old homes as well- have done to personalize their spaces.
Since recently cleaning up and restoring an old Queen Anne style 2 story, I am always inviting my friends and neighbors in for a look. I’m excited to tell people about the banister that I built with my father, the sash cord windows I re-hung myself, or the extra tall screen door that my husband built out of reclaimed wood.
I figured that most of my neighbors had similar stories about their homes that they’d want to share and the rest of us would be just as eager to hear about them. Who doesn’t have a favorite room?–There are many surprises to be found in Marcia and Gary Angstadt’s backyard room. Not the least of which is the charming chicken coop fashioned out of a rustic work shed. Marcia, Gary and their daughter Mary are proud parents to six “girls” who provide endless hours of entertainment for the family and curious neighbors.
Marcia and Gary’s backyard dining room hosts meals throughout the summer. A large table that Marcia’s brother-in-law made out of reclaimed wood from artisan John Stater’s studio lies below a candlelight chandelier hung from a stately tree. Although their outdoor dining room has no walls, the floor is defined by a wood deck, which they didn’t discover when they first purchased the home.
“There was snow on the ground when we moved in,” Marcia says. It wasn’t until after the snow melted that they noticed the large deck. In addition to the table the “room” is furnished with a narrow sideboard that was purchased from neighbor Lana Funkhouser, and a rustic stool picked up on big trash day.
On warm evenings it is the perfect place to light the candles, pour a glass of wine and be entertained by the chickens.
Zionsville Farmers’ Market Vendor Spotlight: “The Pasta Lady”
By: Patricia Scott
Only occasionally do I have the pleasure of meeting someone who is just so completely in their element that their enthusiasm is at once alluring, contagious and inspiring. They are doing what they love and loving what they do. Long term Market vendors Mike and Judy Woodburn are two such people.
I met the Woodburns at their Civil War-era farm in Noblesville to discuss their shared passion for all things food. We chatted on the patio while sipping iced-tea laced with fresh strawberry and mint from their garden and noshing on freshly baked sourdough bread topped with strawberry rhubarb preserves; all while the family dogs napped on the lawn edged by herbaceous flowers and perennial borders.
When asked how they got involved in the Farmers Market, Judy replied “It all started because our son Jesse wanted a new (second) bicycle. We were already growing to provide the freshest and best available food for our own family and we had extra, so we suggested that he try to sell the surplus to raise the funds for his purchase. After only one market we were hooked on the whole experience.”
The tradition continues of Mike and Judy growing and preparing food that they love and, out of their abundance, making it available to others through the Market. The current highlights of the 20 acre farm include both vegetable and pleasure gardens, fruit orchards, vineyards, bee hives and twelve acres of black walnuts they planted as seedlings. The seemingly tireless couple admits that this effort is scaled back from the days when they also raised turkeys, ducks, and chickens- and also did all their own butchering!
On any given Saturday morning, residents line up for fresh handmade pasta made from 100% semolina flour in an enticing array of flavors: plain and basil linguini, tomato fettuccini and angel hair are weekly staples. Freshly made pasta sauces include Provençale and basil pesto. Mike points out that their popular Gazpacho is not limited to use as a cold soup—which is delicious- but is also wonderful as a pasta sauce, on salad greens or even as a dip with tortilla chips. Although Judy has become known as “The Pasta Lady” here at the Zionsville Farmers’ Market, pasta is only a small part of their offerings and was not part of their original fare.
Fresh produce forms the foundation of the farm. Offerings throughout the Market season will include lettuces, celery, bok choy, peaches, haricot verts and wax beans, sugar snaps, raspberries, spaghetti squash, artichokes and 25 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Mike is always experimenting and trying new things such as the currants he just planted that will be available in a few years.
The Woodburns are true foodies and their love for all things food is evident in the way they approach their farm and talk about the food they grow and products they produce. Mike has been an avid cook since a very young age and is the primary chef in the family. He is recently retired from a career in the restaurant industry where he served as the Area Director for Bravo/Brio Restaurant Group. He is responsible for all of the planting on the farm and oversees the growing. Judy tends all the flowers and enjoys working with the food and attending the market. She admits that though she does not enjoy cooking, she does relish eating what Mike prepares! I asked Mike if he has a philosophy about food; he responded: “The fresher the better; not only taste is enhanced, but color, texture and vibrancy.”
Sharing their love for and abundance of food from their garden is a way of life for the Woodburns and is not limited to the Market. They explained that they often have friends consistently wander in around the dinner hour in order to savor the fresh and healthy food that he prepares. Judy added that they “tend to attract orphans and are always happy to set an extra plate”.
As I drove away that evening, I could not help but be encouraged to meet a couple who are so clearly pursuing their passion. I have to admit that I also wondered what time dinner was served!
Thanks to Mike and Judy for 15 years of bringing what is fresh and best to the Market!
Chicken and Artichoke Linguini
6 oz chicken tenders or julienne breast
8 canned artichoke quarters
5 oz fresh linguini
6 oz Provençale Sauce
½ oz olive oil
flour for dusting
salt for seasoning
2 TBL sliced black olives
Bring a large of pot of water to a boil. In a sauté pan heat the olive oil until hot. Dust the chicken tenders with salt and flour and sauté in the olive oil. Drop pasta in boiling water and cook for 3 ½ minutes. When the chicken tenders begin to bleed through turn and add the artichokes. Drain the pasta. Add the Provençale to the
sauté pan and heat until edges just begin to boil. Add the hot linguini and toss well. Place pasta on a warm plate and garnish with sliced black olives. Serve with a high quality parmesan cheese.
Enjoy! – Chef Judy
Village News
Oak Street Crosswalk “Block Captains” Needed
We are looking for volunteers to be “block captains” to discuss and help generate some interest in examining the possibility of putting a cross walk at 5th and Oak to better facilitate people getting to and from the SMCC, Library and Eagle Elementary. This will take a fair amount of work and probably a good bit of input from many Village residents. But many hands make light work so please email president@zvra.com for more details and to coordinate with the others already working on this project. We definitely need your help to make this happen.
Zionsville American Legion Summer Yard Sales Event
Help us fix our roof by renting a table and yard space to sell your “stuff”. With 100% of table rental fees from sellers going directly to the Roof Fund! No Auxiliary expenses! The Auxiliary will also have tables with items donated to us.
The Got Too Much Stuff yard sale will be every 2nd Saturday from May through August from 8am to 1pm… and if you don’t have anything to sell, stop by to see what bargain you might find! Be sure to visit the Auxiliary’s tables to see our selection of homemade desserts, beverages, and who knows what else!
Rental cost is $20 for a space with one table. Table rental agreements are available at the Legion, 9950 E 600 S (corner of Ford Rd and 600 S)
In the event of rain, the sale will be moved inside.
Questions? Call Linda Koenig 769-4270 or Chrissy Koenig 733-2035
http://alrpost79.com/Home_Page.php
Along with helping raise money for our American Legion, our Auxilliary supports The American Legion Programs for Veterans in various ways: we donate money items for the Veteran’s in nursing homes, Veterans Homes, homeless Vets. We also send items to our current military who are overseas serving our country and support our local community by helping needy families as well as other needs in our community
Z’Sparkle Party Drag Race to End Alzheimer’s
Friday, August 10th; Main Street
Z’Drag Race Begins at 9:00 p.m. (VIP Tent opens at 7:00 pm Over 21 ONLY)
Food, fun, cash bar, music, DJ, meet and mingle with the “Dragstars!”
Advance Tickets $10.00 , available at Akard’s True Value Hardware
Be on hand to cheer and cheer as some of our community’s finest gentlemen don dresses and high heels and strut, race and wobble down Main Street in exchange for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Free, open to the public, donations encouraged.
For more information or if you’d like to sign up to participate as a dragstar, please contact Amy Lacy at:zsparkle.dragrace@gmail.com