Announcements
- May 4th (Saturday), May 4 10am-5pm Village Flower and Herb Market
- May 4th (Saturday) 9-10am Opening Day at the Zionsville Community Garden Plots, Elm Street Green 165 North Elm Street
- May 17th (Friday) 7-11 pm MarketEve
- May 18th (Saturday) 8-11am first Farmers Market of the Season
- May 18th (Saturday) 10am-5pm Brick Street Market
- May 18th (Saturday) 9:30am Bicycle Family Fun Ride. Meet at Elm Street Green for this 7 mile ride
- May 23rd (Thursday) Historic Building Research Program and Social
- May 25th (Saturday) Bike to Market Day
Letter from the President
The VRA is getting involved in some new fun stuff for this summer. One thing that everyone seems excited about is a collaboration with the Zionsville Road Area Property Owners Association requesting that the speed limit on 106th Street be raised to 40 mph. This has been officially submitted to the Safety Board and we will see what they say about it probably in early June.
I am also proud to say that the VRA is an official sponsor for the Lincoln Park Concert Series at the “Ruby” level. The VRA offered $100 in sponsorship, and many VRA members stepped up to the plate with donations that got us to well over the $500 level! I am very thankful to all those who gave that money. This also means that we will need some volunteers for our booth at some of the concerts. You might as well email me early and let me know what Wednesday’s you might want to help out before I call you to cajole you into helping out.
At our April meeting we had Chamber Director Julie Cole, and Main St Committee Chair Barbara Jennings come and share about all the stuff they are working on for downtown merchants. As usual, if you have any opportunity to shop or dine on our Main St, please take it, but also there are a plenty of things that the Chamber needs your help with. One thing of particular interest to many Village Residents is at the Market Eve Beer Wine tasting event on May 17th, any volunteer gets into the event for free. This is a great deal—Take advantage of it! You can go to the Zionsville Chamber website MarketEve to sign up and Brick Street Market to sign up for Brick Street Market.
Lastly, our special guest for the June 4th VRA is going to be Councilor Susana Suarez, and Councilor Elizabeth Hopper said that she would try and make it as well. We have asked them to share their thoughts on their vision of Zionsville in the future. I am definitely looking forward to seeing you at this meeting.
And now that the weather seems to have started to actually gotten warmer and I actually see people out walking and in their yards… I hope to see you around the Village soon!!
Thanks
Chris
Village News and Events
Planting and Plotting: Opening Day at the Zionsville Community Garden Plots
Saturday, May 4th 9a.m. to 10a.m. Elm Street Green 165 North Elm Street
Free gardening seminars for beginners and advanced gardeners. It is not necessary to have community plot to attend this free event.
Come on out and get the Dirt!
For more information visit: http://www.zionsville-in.gov/parks
Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Opportunities
The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce has two fun events coming up, and we would love volunteers! The first is MarketEve on Friday, May 17, 7-11 pm. We need help setting up from 4:30 on, and we’ll need people to empty trash cans throughout the evening. If you volunteer at least two hours, we will give you a ticket (worth $35) that entitles you to free beer tasting and wine sampling, food samples and the music of Dave and Rae! This is a 21 and over event.
Brick Street Market is the following day runs from 10-5, with set up starting at 6:30 am. We need people to help direct and unload vendors, set up tables and chairs and collect trash. This is a family-friendly event.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities and to sign up please visit this site for MarketEve:
MarketEve
and this one for Brick Street Market:
Brick Street Market
Thanks so much!
Dusky Loebel
Associate Director
Zionsville Chamber of Commerce
Pick up potted plants, herbs and bouquets from flower vendors located throughout the Village. Enjoy the sounds of local musicians and the artwork of local professional artists. Learn how to plant a French garden, herb gardens, garden pots and more.
Our shops and restaurants feature free flowers, herb and flower seed packets, garden demonstrations, music and special discounts.Click on the image to enlarge.
Lincoln Park Concert Series now presented by the Zionsville Cultural District
by Lynne Manning
For a quarter of a century, local music lovers have gathered every Wednesday night in the summer in Zionsville’s Lincoln Park for free concerts. This beloved annual tradition is now being presented by the Zionsville Cultural District in partnership with Zionsville Parks and Recreation with underwriting by Control Tech, Current in Zionsville, and the National Bank of Indianapolis as well as a number of other local businesses and individuals. Recently, the Lincoln Park Concert Series Planning Committee announced the concerts and performers for this year’s series. These performers include:
June 5 School’s Out For Summer: Family Concert featuring Island Breeze
June 12 Blues at the Park featuring the Jon Strahl Band
June 19 Motown to Downtown featuring Lonnie Lester
June 26 Gazebo Jazz featuring Chris Murray The Common Time Quintet
July 3 The Great American Song Book featuring Andra Faye Scott Ballantine
July 10 Radio Night featuring Tom Wright
July 17 Bluegrass on the Grass featuring Cornfields and Crossroads
July 24 Hip Harp Jazz featuring the Hip Harp Trio
July 31 Broadway Showstoppers featuring area performers accompanied by Douglas Krantz
The committee has been working with area restaurants to provide a taste of Zionsville at each concert. Currently four have committed to provide a unique food item to the Park for guests to purchase, and the hope is that every concert will have a featured restaurant; guests can always bring their own picnic to enjoy as well. There is limited seating, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM each evening and end at 8:40 PM. Zionsville’s Lincoln Park is located at the corner of First and Oak Streets. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will relocate to the Zionsville Lions Club Clubhouse located at 115 South Elm Street. “Like” the Zionsville Lincoln Park Concert Series on Facebook for weather information and weekly updates on restaurants and performers.
The Zionsville Cultural District is both the heart of the village district and the name of the organization that coordinates marketing initiatives for the community as a whole. The purpose of identifying a cultural district is: to promote Zionsville’s diverse art, culture, history, and community assets to residents, visitors, and potential employers in order to enhance interest in Zionsville, increase tourism, and stimulate economic development.
The ZCD organization works to coordinate artistic, history-based and cultural experiences within the community in order to improve the quality of life for its residents, strengthen local businesses and enrich experiences for visitors
The Lincoln Park Concert Series Planning Committee would like to thank the Zionsville Village Residents’ Association for their generous sponsorship. We look forward to seeing you at the park this summer!
Zionsville Farmers Market
by Patricia Scott
The Zionsville Farmers Market represents the best of Summer in the Village: tasting regional produce and products, supporting small farms, and eating like a local. Throw in a continuous parade of prized poochies and you have a recipe for the perfect Saturday morning. The Market opens its 17th season on Saturday May 18th and will continue through September 28. Plan to visit the Market each Saturday from 8 am to 11 am and savor the fresh produce and innovative products offered by both returning and new vendors. This season will offer something for everyone in the family with a variety of special events and seasonal offerings. The Zionsville Farmer’s Market is grateful to be once again sponsored by IU Health, North Hospital
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS :
Weekly live music, featuring local artists, will create the perfect shopping and socializing atmosphere. In addition, highlighted upcoming special events include the following;
Bike to Market Day (May 25) (in conjunction with the Zionsville Pathways committee)
Annual Strawberry Shortcake Day (June 1st) . Join us for freshly baked shortcakes topped with strawberries prepared fresh by Market volunteers. Complimentary shortcake will be served, while supplies last, in appreciation of our loyal patrons.
VENDOR HIGHLIGHTS
The Market is pleased to introduce the following new vendors: B. Happy Peanut Butter; Inga’s Popcorn; Chocolate for the Spirit; Indiana Beef Jerky; Mark Brouwer Artisan Bread; Sage Simple Syrups and Craneberry Farm.
Returning this year, to the delight of loyal customers are Mike and Judy Woodburn (A.K.A. “the pasta lady”) and Artisano’s Oils, to name a few.
Keep an eye out for articles throughout the season that will feature Market vendors and share the story of their passion and dedication to food and farming.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Consider making this a special Market season by volunteering a few Saturday mornings at the Zionsville Farmer’s Market table. Volunteers provide a warm welcome to patrons, answer general questions and help to sell T-shirts. Volunteering at the Market is a great way to meet new people and to see old friends. Shifts are generally 2 hours and various times and dates are available.
Have you ever wanted to help implement the Market special events, such as the Strawberry Shortcake Day? The Market is also seeking an Event Coordinator to be the onsite contact for monthly events throughout the season.
For information about volunteer opportunities contact farmersmarketzionsville@gmail.com , or Marcia Angstadt, Volunteer Coordinator, at mbangstadt@gmail.com .
Houses With A History
by Marianne Doyle
206 N Maple St
The Higgins/Apple house
Built by carpenter John Higgins in 1865, the tan cottage on the northeast corner of Walnut and Maple Sts. gives us a picture of early Zionsville as told by Emma Higgins Craft, daughter of the builder, John Higgins, born the year the house was built. In 1952, as a woman in her 80s Emma wrote about growing up in Zionsville. Emma records a visual of her childhood home, “Our house was encircled on three sides by Big Eagle Creek and was on the last street (Maple St) to the east, only an alley separated us from the the cornfields which stretched to the creek (Elm St Green and Lion’s Park) one fourth of a mile or more. From our kitchen door looking south east, we could see the outline of the creek and the woods and on the other side a bridge at the bend and a water powered flour mill just beyond. All of this view up and down made a lovely picture.” This is where I was prepared to share the 1865 vernacular style and how well that style has been maintained over the years, not to mention the loving attention to preservation that Jean Apple has given this village landmark. But, ironically, as I write this very early on Friday April 19th our village is experiencing a flood with several roads in and out of Zionsville blocked by high water. So, it seems appropriate to let Emma tell us about a flood in Zionsville, 1875.
“In 1875 there was such a rain, and there was a great flood. It covered all the bottom land (Elm St Green and Lion’s Park). When my mother got up in the morning she looked out the door and heard a noise like a railroad train. She looked toward the railroad, one and a half squares (blocks) west (1st St) and there was a passenger train standing on the track Then she looked the other way toward the east and there was the flooded creek all over the bottom and almost to the top of the hill (Lion’s Park up to Elm St). There was excitement then. We were all starting to get reports that the railroad bridge had washed out ( located just west of the Zionsville Rd bridge) and that the flour mill was gone. I dressed hurriedly and we went down to the railroad bridge about a half mile from the town(remember, the village was much smaller then). It (the bridge) was sagging and held up only by the rails and ties. There was no superstructure on this bridge, but when it was replaced one was built (superstructure). The wagon bridge road was a short distance east of the railroad bridge, but although the road was inundated the wagon bridge was not injured, but could not be used”
A little article about a much admired house with a history is now a glimpse into a child’s view of our flooded village 138 years ago.
Village Voice Arts
by Sarah Zack
Zionsville Village Resident and Certified K-12 Art Teacher
Bubble Paintings
The only thing better than blowing bubble in the spring, is creating a bubble painting!
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
Materials:
· Water
· Dish Soap
· Tempera Paint (2-3 colors)
· Cups / Small containers
· Straw(s)
· White Paper
Instructions:
· Mix 1/2 cup of water, 3 Tablespoons of paint, and a few squirts of dish soap in each cup/container. Add more dish soap if needed.
· Add a straw to each container and blow, just as if you were blowing bubbles in your milk. Be extra cautious to blow, not suck, into the straw.
· Once you have a huge bubble form on the top of the container you are ready to lay a paper on top to print the bubbles. The bubbles will “POP” and create a print. Lift paper and repeat.
· Enjoy your abstract bubble painting. You can make bubble prints cards and wrapping paper.
Art Elements and Principles: form, texture, color, space, unity
Art Integration: Abstract Art
Picture courtesy of: TheChocolateMuffinTree.com
Garden Club News
by Delma Mindel
“May our heart’s garden of awakening bloom with hundreds of flowers”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Greetings!
We are moving ever closer to May and the first ZVRA garden club gathering of the summer! You can look forward to being in the garden of Lisa Bick, 545 W. Poplar St, on Sunday, May 19th, at 7pm. Lisa’s home is a Century Structure, surrounded by weathered picket fence festooned with English ivy. Entering through the front gate and amble around to the back on a path with perinnials on either side guiding the way. There you will discover space for sitting, standing and socializing. The splashing of the fountain in the pond will gently harmonize with your exclamations of delight at the interesting design of hardscape and plants. Please emial Lisa if you plan to attend: bick.lisa@gmail.com
Maplelawn Farms will be the site for our June event. Ralph and Jan Stacy, Marianne and Guinn Doyle will host the ZVRA garden club, the date to be determined. Tentitively mark your calendars for June 4th or June 5th. Details to follow.
My favorite gardener is Crankshaft, of the comic strip by that name. You may recall that he destroys his neighbor’s mailbox on a regular basis when he backs into it with his school bus. Today Crankshaft goes out on the porch to pick up the morning paper, notices the tree in the yard in full bloom, returns to the kitchen and announces “You should take a peek out front. The cherry blossoms are out on the Bradford Pear.” May whatever is blossoming in your yard gladen the garden of your heart!
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
by Beth Bugbee
I realize it is May and we are all getting our grills fired up, but a good casserole recipe is always good to have. This a Mexican dish that has plenty of spicy taste and the heat can be increased with hot sauce added at the table.
2 cups rice
2 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken breasts
Mild green enchilada sauce (15 oz.)
Sliced black olives (4oz.)
Diced tomatoes (15oz.)
Diced green chilies (3 oz.)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 t. kosher salt
1 t. pepper
1 t. ground cumin
Black beans (15 oz.) drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Cook rice according to package directions. Place chicken, enchilada sauce, olives, tomatoes, chilies, sour cream, salt, pepper and cumin into a large bowl and mix. Layer rice in the bottom of the baking dish and cover with black beans. Pour chicken mixture over rice and beans and top evenly with cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Enjoy.