GPRA Board MeetingTuesday, February 207:00 p.m.LGRA BuildingHawthorne and Walton

Block Captains MeetingTuesday, February 277:00 p.m.Location TBD

Issue Number 1 February 2018

Ginter Gazette

Dates to Remember...

Happy New Year! I would like to welcome all of our new neighbors who have recently chosen to live in historic Ginter Park and all of those who have made this community such a great place to live. I also wish to thank those who give their time to this community in so many ways but especially those who participate in driving the GPrA agenda. Last year, we had a very contentious issue around the development by the Seminary. So many residents of Ginter Park and Sherwood Park banded together to make sure our voices were heard. We went to City Hall, met with the mayor, filed lawsuits, made yard signs and, even then, we lost our battle. But what I saw was neighbors coming together to try to effect a change that we believed in.I have it on good word that the city is considering buying the back half of the remaining Westwood tract and establishing a pocket park to show us some love. this would be an extraordinary opportunity for us all. More to come soon.My goal this year is to bring our neighborhood closer together through fun and community driven events. the proposed agenda of traditional and new events is in another article. I hope to hear from you as to which committees you will help with. By getting you all involved, we can do more fun and fulfilling things in our neighborhood. I also need to find ways to make our finances work better for us. Our largest expense is printing and mailing our newsletter. I am working to create an online newsletter using today’s available technologies. this will make us more eco-friendly and cost effective. Please go to ginterpark.org and load your email address. this way we can obtain a critical mass of residents’ emails so that we can begin using online sources to get the newsletter to you. Many of you have asked to have more service-orientated opportunities in our neighborhood. I hope that you will see many new activities to get you interested and active this year.Involvement from many of you is key to a successful neighborhood association. Please reach out to me at president@ginterpark.org and let me know what you think of the schedule of 2018 events. I hope you will find at least one thing that you can choose to participate in this year.

President’s Letter from Robin Levey

This newsletter is produced by: Ginter Park Residents Association

P.O. Box 25374 Richmond, Virginia 23260-5374Published monthly except January and August

President Robin Levey president@ginterpark.orgVice President Norma Murdoch-Kitt vicepresident@ginterpark.orgSecretary Louise Wenzell secretary@ginterpark.orgTreasurer Amy Whelan treasurer@ginterpark.orgPast President Christina Shelor pastpresident@ginterpark.orgPublic Safety Dick Stone Committee safety@ginterpark.orgFinancial Chair Rick Fox finance@ginterpark.orgProgram Chair Norma Murdoch-Kitt programs@ginterpark.org Membership Philip Anastasi membership@ginterpark.orgPlanning & Zoning Stephen Weisensale planning@ginterpark.orgWelcome Susie Burtch welcome@ginterpark.orgYahoo Group vacant

District RepresentativesA Nicholas Smith districta1@ginterpark.org Richard Minter districta2@ginterpark.org vacant districta3@ginterpark.org B WendyKleinfield districtb1@ginterpark.org Stephen Batsche districtb2@ginterpark.orgC vacant districtc1@ginterpark.org Doug Hearn districtc2@ginterpark.orgD Sidney Bland districtd1@ginterpark.org Jay Johnson districtd2@ginterpark.orgMember-at large Meg LawrenceNewsletter Editor Anne Thorn 353-9363Advertising Robin Levey | advertising@ginterpark.org

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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Visit our website to view a detailed map of

the GPRA districts.www.ginterpark.org

February 2018

With GratitudeMany, many thanks to Veritas scHool for allowing the GPrA to have their Holiday Gala on Dec.2 in the elegant Laburnum House.

Showtime’s tV show Homeland has been filming throughout the richmond area since the fall. Many of you may have even seen them shooting on the 3800 block of Seminary over the last few months. the production company has made a VerY geNerous doNatioN of $1,500 to tHe giNter Park resideNce associatioN for filming in our neighborhood. Season 7 premiers Sunday February 11 at 9 pm on Showtime.

THE MILL ON MACARTHURthemillrva.com

4023 MacArthur Avenue • 716-1196NICOLA FLORAnicolaflora.com

1219 Bellevue Avenue • 261-1060 NORTHsIdE FAMILy yMCA

ymcarichmond.org4207 Old Brook Road • 729-4591

ONCE UpON A VINEonceuponavine.us

4009 MacArthur Avenue • 726-9463 pATIENT FIRsTpatientfirst.com

12 N. Thompson St. • 359-13372300 E. Parham Rd. • 264-7808

sTIR CRAzy CAFé RVAstircrazyrva.com

4015 MacArthur Avenue • 864-0264 zACHARIAs GANEy HEALTH INsTITUTE

zghealth.com1311 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: welcome@ginterpark.org.

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

BELLEVUE CLEANERs1201 Bellevue Avenue • 264-8010

CLAssIC TOUCH CLEANINGclassictouchcleaning.com

1229 Bellevue Avenue • 262-6979 dOT’s BACk INN

dotsbackrichmond.com4030 MacArthur • 266-3167 EARLy BIRd BIsCUIT CO.

earlybirdbiscuit.com1221 Bellevue Avenue • 553-3866

THE FLOAT zONEmyfloatzone.com

2034 Dabney Road, Ste. A • 551-1413 LEWIs GINTER BOTANICAL GARdEN

lewisginter.org1800 Lakeside Avenue • 262-9887 LITTLE HOUsE GREEN GROCERy

littlehousegreengrocery.com1227 Bellevue Avenue • 262-7474

LIsA zAMORA MAssAGE THERApy4025 MacArthur Avenue • 833-0574

LUCky GINGER sTUdIOluckygingerstudio.com • 683-6173

www.ginterpark.org 3February 2018

March 3 Neighborhood Clean-Up

Letter to the EditorOur goal of this year’s CArItAS blanket drive was to collect 100 blankets, pillows, and sheet sets.

Primarily due to the overwhelming generosity of our Ginter Park neighbors we have collected 272

items, almost tripling our goal!

I was amazed at the number of emails and phone calls I received when the November newsletter

came in the mail. We just moved to Ginter Park last fall and haven’t met many people, so it was

truly heart-warming to have so many in the neighborhood donate so much. It was lovely to meet

so many folks and to hear their appreciation of the work CArItAS does in the city.

Sarah Samick & Matthew Harrison 4817 W Seminary Avenue

The Future of the Newsletter

Go to the ginterpark.org website and load in your email to

begin receiving the newsletter via email. this will go into effect

once we reach a critical mass of emails from the neighborhood.

Our goal is to be eco- friendly and financially responsible by

moving away from a printed and mailed newsletter.

Watch for City’s notice of Northside Neighborhood Clean-up, March 3.

Accepted items include mattresses, upholstered furniture,

appliances, brush. they will not take building materials or paint.

Have items at the curb the night before.

February 20184

the “Gracie” Award for 2017 was presented to CHArlie BroCk, unofficial historian and archivist of Ginter Park. the honor, named for Grace Arents, was created during the centennial of the GPrA in 2009 to recognize an individual, business or institution which has contributed significant service or support to advance the Ginter Park residents Association or the Ginter Park neighborhood.

For many years Charlie Brock has been collecting photographs, records and artifacts relating to Lewis Ginter and Ginter Park. He has greatly expanded upon the work of the late John Worsham and of Wayland rennie.

Charlie’s interest first came to our attention years ago when he brought to a meeting a lengthy display showing photos of all the grand original houses on Chamberlayne Avenue and notes on their owners.

For nine years he has been researching and writing with Anne thorn a history of early Ginter Park. Much of his free time is spent in the Henrico County courthouse looking at deeds and maps, the Virginia Historical Society, the state library, and walking the streets of Ginter Park taking pictures. He has shared his findings in slide shows, walking tours and newsletter articles.

His work in preserving our neighborhood’s history earns the gratitude of both current and future Ginter Parkers.

Brock Awarded 2017 “Gracie”

www.ginterpark.org

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ETERNITY CHURCH, OUR NEW NEIGHBORBy Rusty Gregg

In late September 2017, Eternity Church took possession of what had always been known locally as Ginter Park Baptist Church. Interestingly, the sanctuary was originally constructed between 1868-1872 by a Presbyterian congregation at 4th and Grace Streets. Moved to its present location by the Baptists in the 1920s, it is now in the possession of a congregation affiliated with ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

Acquisition of the property included the empty 144’ x 235’ lot at 1201 Wilmington Avenue, across the street from the church. the lot is being converted into an urban farm where organic practices will be employed to produce nutritious vegetables. Produce will likely show up at area farmers’ markets, and the congregation may use the vegetables for their own ministries, such as a weekly meal served to VCU students who meet for Bible study and fellowship.

Site preparation began before winter set in, but likely no crops will be planted before mid-March, weather permitting. While church members may provide volunteer labor, the primary work — from concept to execution — will lie with Josh Dziegiel and Joe Jenkins, both of whom have food backgrounds in the local restaurant industry. Josh has learned about best gardening practices at organic farms as near as Hanover County and as far away as Quebec and New Zealand. Joe’s enthusiasm for organic gardening

began several years ago when he started growing vegetables for his own table.

Providence Montessori Christian Preschool for ages 2 ½ to 6 has resettled at Eternity Church on Wilmington Avenue from its previous location on Chamberlayne. the Montessori method is a hands-on, child-centered approach to learning. Providence will have an open house on Saturday, February 24, at 10 a.m., and parents who want to learn more about this learning environment are invited to attend.

the Eternity congregation is presently worshipping in the small chapel on site while the historic sanctuary is being renovated over the winter months. While its intrinsic beauty will be maintained, some changes will be made to enhance the worship experience for both leaders and participants. the hope is to have the sanctuary improvements completed in time for Easter.

Block Captains AlertMeeting at Stir Crazy February 27, 7-8 pm

If you are a block captain, please collect your neighbors’ contact information for the block you represent. then send that information to your district rep (see list p.2) If unsure of your district, go to Ginter Park residents Association website; “about GPrA” page will show colored map of districts. there will be a block captain/district rep meeting at Stir Crazy February 27, 7-8 pm. Please join us.

5February 2018

6 February 2018

Schedule of Events 2018 By Robin LeveyMany of you have spoken to me and offered suggestions about meetings, activities and get-togethers you would like to see in Ginter Park. the board has worked together to try to create a schedule of varied and fun events for this year.

to be able to make many of these events successful, we will need to create committees to handle the logistics

and drive the events. I hope you will consider the calendar and find at least one event this year that you want to support.

Please email me at president@ginterpark.org to volunteer or make any suggestions and comments regarding the calendar of events.

• District rep and block captain meeting- February 27, 7 pm, Stir Crazy

• Mayor Stoney General Meeting-LGrA building, March date tBD

• School Board Superintendent, 3rd District Member on Education Compact General Meeting-LGrA building, April date tBD~ An update on the new superintendent’s plan

to drive education and improve facilities• Spring Picnic General Meeting at Shalom Farms,

May date tBD~ Old Fashioned games; three legged races, sack

races, etc. Food trucks• National Night Out block gathering-August• Back to School Picnic General Meeting-location and

late-September date tBD~ Food trucks, music, games

• Candidate Forum General Meeting- location and October date tBD~ Debate between candidates, opportunity to

question them• Fun run 5k,dog events-location and October date tBD

~ Similar to “the Great race”. Could be coupled with Architectural Scavenger hunt or could stand alone

• Progressive Dinner-October date tBD~ All meet at one house for appetizer course, then

break into groups of 6-8 for salad and entrée, meet together for dessert

• Chili Cook-off General Meeting- LGrA building, November 15

• Architectural Scavenger Hunt- Date tBD~ Scavenger hunt in Ginter Park for architectural

details or key sites• History Block Walk with Charlie Brock- Date tBD

• Luminary Holiday Walk-December date tBD~ Luminaries are candles placed in a sand-filled bag to

light up the dark nights of winter. On a specific night we all put our luminaries along our blocks. Some blocks may choose to do a “Holiday Stroll” within your own blocks, with opportunities for food, drinks, caroling at a particular home.

• Holiday Gala-location and date tBD

Spring & FAll neigHBorHood BeAutiFiCAtion• Neighborhood Clean Up day w/ YMCA

togetherhood Committee We could do this in conjunction with the city clean up on March 3 & July 7

• Neighborhood yard sale• Median beautification

Adopt ginter pArk eleMentAry SCHool• Collect school supplies/backpacks• Mentoring

CHAir And CoMMittee opportunitieS to pArtiCipAte in 2018• Garden tour 2019• Holiday Gala 2018• Luminary committee Holiday Stroll 2018• Block captains• 5k Fun run• Picnics • Architectural scavenger hunt • Beautification

CAlendAr oF eventS 2018

www.ginterpark.org 7February 2018

Our Green Canopy By Richard Minter

One of the many assets of Ginter Park/Laburnum Park is the magnificent trees throughout our neighborhood. Some of these trees could be over 100 years old. Age, weather, insects, and humans have had an adverse effect on their survival. there comes a time when we need to have a close look at their health to determine if they are safe or need to be removed so a new tree can be planted for the next generations to enjoy.

Several years ago, the City made an inventory of the trees within the public right of ways. these city trees are in median strips and tree boxes (area between sidewalk and curb). Within the limits of Ginter Park/Laburnum Park, there are approximately 5000 spaces where existing trees and vacant planting areas have been inventoried. Of these 5000 spaces, there are nearly 500 dead/dying trees or vacant spaces where new trees can be planted.

We (me with your help) are checking this inventory to help the City determine its accuracy. Because of the age of this inventory, some trees have died, been removed or been replaced with new trees. If we help the City, we can improve the tree canopy within our neighborhood.

We can help to update this inventory. Everyone can look around your property or street for vacant planting sites, stumps and/or the health of existing trees. then, send an email to districta2@ginterpark.org with your findings. I will update the inventory and meet with the City to make them aware of each situation.

Also, we can participate in the City’s “Adopt-a-tree” program. For a $50 adoption fee, the City will plant a new tree with a gator bag in a vacant space of your choice within the city right of way (not on your own property). You will be required to sign an agreement with the City to maintain the tree for two years.

As an individual, you cannot buy a tree and gator bag from a nursery and have it planted for this amount. If you are a paid member of the GPRA, the first 50 participants’ fee will be reduced to $25.

For GPrA members that are interested in adopting a tree, send a $25 check to: Adopt-a-Tree, 3819 Hawthorne Avenue, richmond, VA 23222. Make your check payable to GPrA and put “Adopt-a-tree” in the memo section. Along with your check, send your telephone number/email address, and I will come by your home to help with the City application and check on the site to make sure there is space for a new tree.

For years the GPrA board has maintained a designated tree fund for contributions beyond the individual “Adopt-a-tree” program. All donations to the tree fund and the “Adopt-a-tree” program are tax deductible. If you are interested in making a donation to the tree fund, send a check to the above address with “tree fund” in the memo section. thank you in advance to everyone who contributes to the welfare of our tree canopy.

the 2017 “Adopt-a-tree” program ended September 1, 2017. Prior to the end of the program, the GPrA tree fund allowed the board to adopt 20 new trees which will be planted within the right of way of Laburnum and Chamberlayne Avenues. We also may be getting some departmental trees from the City which will be planted at selected locations throughout our area. Your “Adopt-a-tree” program and tree fund donations will be for the 2018 fall planting season.

Mail a Check:Adopt – A – tree3819 Hawthorne Avenuerichmond, VA 23222

Make check payable:Ginter Park Residents Association write “Adopt – A – Tree” in the memo section

For More info:email richard Minterdistricta2@historicginterpark.org.

8 February 2018

GPRA 2018 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 2018 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.

✁

Pay Dues Easily with Paypal go to w w w.g in te rpa rk .o r g / jo in .php

time to send in your 2018 GPrA dues, either by check and newsletter coupon or via PayPal.

What do you get for your $35?

• Communication — newsletter, on line, block parties

• Activities — house and walking tours, social events, charitable outreach

• Meetings with government officials

• Action on proposed zoning changes

• Attention to traffic, safety and tree concerns

the strength of an organization depends on how many paid members it has, not just the households within its geographic boundaries. the more GPrA members, the more City Hall staff, Council and School Board members listen.

DUES ARE DUE

www.ginterpark.org 9February 2018

Advertiser Information

*5% **10% Discount applied to multiple month commitments

Ad rAteS And SizeS

Ad copy and ad payment should be submitted to the Advertising Chair (advertising@ginterpark.org) 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

3.5 W x 2 H — Horizontal2 W x 3.5 H — Vertical3.62 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.ginterpark.com › download the media kit from the newsletter tab

$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: advertising@ginterpark.org. 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 ________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

✁

✁

Dering's Cleaning Service, LLC has openings for new cleaning clients. Contact Leslie Dering, who grew up in Ginter Park at LDering07@yahoo.com or call 804-239-5865

Classified $ 15.00 $ 45.00 $ 135.00

BusinessCard $ 40.00 $ 115.00 $ 360.00

QuarterPage $ 90.00 $ 255.00 $ 815.00

HalfPage $ 180.00 $ 515.00 $ 1,625.00

FullPage $ 350.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 3,150.00

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Ginter Park Residents AssociationP.O. Box 25374Richmond, Virginia 23260

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PAidRichmond, VA

PeRmit numbeR 3022

In This IssueFebruary 2018

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Your Home is One of a Kind- Your Realtor Should Be Too

804-516-5590 Robin.Levey@LNF.com RobinLeveySellsRVA.com 409 Strawberry St. Richmond, VA 23220Licensed in Virginia

649-7501

PLUMBING ELECTRICALHEATING COOLING GENERATORS

HEATING OIL

Pay Dues Easily with Paypal go to

www.ginterpark.org/join.php

President’s Letter page 1

With Gratitude page 2

Letter to the Editor page 3

Future of the Newsletter page 3

Neighborhood Clean-Up page 3

Brock Awarded “Gracie” page 4

Eternity Church page 5

Block Captains ALErt page 5

Schedule of Events 2018 page 6

Our Green Canopy page 7

Dues Are Due & Dues Coupon page 8