Dimmitts Grove Neighborhood Association Newsletter
April, 2010 (V. 131)
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In This Issue:
Save the Dates
DGNA Meeting Minutes
House Histories
Local Flavor
Events @ The Bloomington Public Library
Next DGNA Meeting: May 6
Neighborhood Flea Market: June 5
Summer Bake Sale: July 31
The March meeting of the Dimmitts Grove Neighborhood Association was brought to order by President Brad Williams at 609 E. Grove at 7 PM on Mar. 4, 2010. Thirteen neighbors were in attendance. Minutes from the last two meetings were approved. Treasurer Melanie Hunter reported that the treasury contains $2081.79.
The website is up and running but the newsletter consisted only of the minutes. A few historical articles were contributed to the website by Gary Justis. If there are submissions, the next newsletter should look more like the old printed ones, but neighbors need to contribute articles to make a newsletter possible. The neighborhood now has a facebook page, where neighbors should sign up as fans to receive invitations to events. Please send your house histories to Terri at oldstuff33@hotmail.com, and other content for the newsletter to Stephanie at stephanie.davidson@gmail.com.
The spring traveling social hour will be on Friday March 19, beginning at 6 PM at 603 E. Grove. It will end at 606 E. Grove. The neighborhood flea market will be on June 5 from 9 to 3. If you want to participate, please contact Terri Clemens at oldstuff33@hotmail.com or 828-8848. Pam Eaton reported that Founders Grove neighbors will be invited to our next Chili Cook-off in October. Brad Williams attends a monthly focus group for the Bloomington Police. Chief McKinley is at each meeting, along with representatives of other neighborhood watch groups. Brad is quite impressed with the new efforts of the police department.
The next neighborhood meeting will be Thursday May 6 at 605 E. Grove at 7 PM, hosted by Drake and Heidi Flessner.
From Good Old Times in McLean County, by Edward Duis, 1874, p. 76
Bloomington Female Seminary
This school was established in September 1856 by Rev. R. Conover, for the education and moral training of young ladies and misses. The principal says that the aim of the seminary is to secure "through scholarship, exemplary morals and lady-like and accomplished manners." The school, which is located at 507 E. Grove St., has four teachers connected with it, including the principal. The number of pupils is limited, and each receives very careful attention. The institution has been conducted for seventeen years by its founder, and has fulfilled all expectation. It has prospered with the best free school system in the West, and with other liberally endowed state and denominational institutions. It is thought that with the growth of the West in numbers and wealth, the demand for this school will be increased by such as desire to educate their daughters thoroughly in a quiet and unpretending manner.
Rev. R. Conover, the founder and principal of this Seminary, has nearly all his life taken an interest in educational and religious matters. He organized the First Presbyterian Church in Towanda Township and of this church is still the pastor.
"A Tale That is Told." The Daily Pantagraph, Tues. Mar. 6, 1894 p. 5.
The Demolition of the Old Conover Seminary Begun - An Interesting History
Carpenters commenced yesterday taking down the house known as Conover's Female Seminary, 507 E. Grove street, to give place to two new modern style houses on the same ground, one for Mr. Conover's own use and the other for C.L. Hutchison, contractor and builder, who has purchased one-half of the Grove street frontage. Mr. Conover still retains the entire frontage on Olive street, including the house in which he now resides. The seminary building was erected by Mr. Conover in the summer of 1856, and at that time was the second best residence in Bloomington, the best being the Asa Moore residence on North Main street. (now Ridgecrest Ct. near Emerson on Main) It was the first good residence built on Grove street and has fulfilled its mission and must now yeild to the spirit of change for better or worse. A school for young ladies was established in this building in 1856 and conducted successfully for eighteen years by Mr. Conover and wife, assisted in part by Mrs. Amanda Kerr Lewis, of Denver, Col.; Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Willever, of this city; Mr. E. Hunt, deceased; Mr. C. R. Coe, deceased; Mason Sloson, removed; C.P. Merriman, former editor of the Pantagraph, deceased; Miss Belle Moore, of Perry, Ill., deceased; Mrs. Louisa Owen Cole, Mrs. Ellen Bauman, Mrs. N.P. Perry, Miss Emily Howard of this city; Mrs. Dr. T.R. Ewing, of Blairsville, Pa. and Mrs. Carrie Crosley Nicoll of Indianapolis, Ind. (Mr. Elisha Hunt was an artist, many of his portraits are at the Museum of History, and Miss Emily Howard was a music teacher, who later became an artist. Two of her still lifes are at the Museum of History.)
About five hundred young ladies received their education in whole, or in part, in this building, many of whom still reside here, surrounded by their families of children and some even with grandchildren. Others are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Some serious reflections are suggested by the demolition of a historic building like this. Thus "The fashion of this world passeth away" and "We spend our years as a tale that is told."
Notes in parentheses by Terri Clemens.
Local Flavor: Steph's Onion & Fennel Tart
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen, http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/onion-tart-with-mustard-and-fennel/
In a large mixing bowl, add 2 ½ t. yeast to ½ c. warm water. In a small bowl, lightly beat 1 large egg with 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil and 1 t. salt, and add to the yeast mixture. Mix in 1 ½ c. AP flour to make a soft dough. Transfer to floured surface and knead about 5 minutes, adding more flour if necessary. Lightly oil the bowl and return dough to the bowl, turning to coat evenly. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Heat 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add 1 ½ T. fennel seeds and saute until they begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Stir in the onions and sliced fennel, along with 1t. salt and ½ t. pepper, stirring to coat evenly. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and fennel are tender and golden (about an hour). All of this can be done the night before.
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
Knead dough gently on a floured surface. Pat out dough on a large heavy baking sheet into a rectangle. Mix 2 T. Dijon mustard with 1T. extra-virgin olive oil & brush evenly over dough. Spread onion mixture evenly over mustard, then sprinkle evenly with ½ c. coarsely grated Asiago, Piave Vecchio, or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Bake until crust is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cut into squares or diamonds and serve warm or at room temperature.
Contributed by Stephanie Davidson
Events @ The Bloomington Public Library
Complete, up-to-date list of programs with times & descriptions here:
http://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/see_&_do/programs/
Saturday, May 1
Musical Storytime
Older Homes Part II: Preserving, Sustaining and
Restoring an Older Home
Sunday, May 2
Barnes and Noble Book Fair & Story Hours
Thursday, May 6
Nonfiction Book Club
Saturday, May 8
Second Saturday Family Stories
Monday, May 10
Computer Class: Computer Basics (pre-
registration required for computer classes)
Tuesday, May 11
Anime Now
Mystery Book Club
Wednesday, May 12
Professional Women’s Book Club
Thursday, May 13
Movie Series - Earth Matters
Saturday, May 15
Stamp Collecting with Mr. Stamps
Musical Performance
Computer Class: Setting Up and Using Your
Web-Based Email Account
Author Appearance: Maureen Holtz & Martha
Burgin
Sunday, May 16
Annual Bicycle Maintenance and Safety Clinic
Tuesday, May 18
Computer Class: Internet Basics
Retire with Coupons II: 2-Hour Workshop
Fiction Book Club
Friday, May 21
Story Times at Eastland Mall
Saturday, May 22
The Lustron: Homes Ahead of their Time
Tuesday, May 25
Anime Now
Friday, May 28
BN Gamefest
Coming in June:
June 1: Summer Reading Program begins on Tuesday, June 1 and runs through Sunday, August 1!
June 3-6: Book Sale