Dimmitts Grove Neighborhood Association Newsletter
June, 2010 (V. 132)
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In This Issue:
Save the Dates
DGNA Meeting Minutes
Mandel House Restoration
House Histories
Handy Stuff
Events @ The Bloomington Public Library
Events @ The McLean County Museum of History
Next DGNA Meeting: July 1
Neighborhood Flea Market: June 5
Summer Bake Sale: July 31
The May meeting of the Dimmitt's Grove Neighborhood Association was brought to order at 7:05 on May 6, 2010 by President Brad Williams. The meeting was held at 605 E. Grove, the home of Drake and Heidi Flessner. Fourteen were in attendance.
The March minutes were approved. Treasurer Melanie Hunter reported that we have $2411.79. Two sidewalk grants to be approved this year will use up the sidewalk grant fund.
The neighborhood is looking for a volunteer to gather news for the newsletter. Stephanie will continue to post the news to the website, but would like some help with submissions. If you can help in this way, by sending out reminders to those who submit news, seeking new ideas for the newsletter, etc., please contact Stephanie at stephanie.davidson@gmail.com.
The Flea Market will be Sat. June 5. A reminder will be sent a couple weeks prior to the sale. At this point, only 4 neighbors have signed up to participate. If you would like to participate, please contact Terri at 828.8848 or oldstuff33@hotmail.com by June 3.
We have waited for two years on the Farmer's Market waiting list for the opportunity to have a yearly bake sale. We now have a date. The Bake sale will be on July 31. Please plan to contribute, or at least to shop. Guidelines will be available online as to health department rules and pricing ideas by mid-June. If you have ever received a benefit from the neighborhood association, now it is easy to do your part in helping us raise money to keep the neighborhood a good place to live. Watch for updates on the website and plan to bake or buy.
At our next meeting, a committee will be named to begin plans for Day in Dimmitt's Grove 2011. We may consider going back to an earlier date, combining with the Flea Market day or something else. Please bring ideas to the July meeting.
The next meeting will be at Marie Litta Park on July 1 at 7 PM.
Exterior painting, last Fall, didn’t go quite as planned. With an exceptionally wet autumn and an early winter, we didn’t make nearly the progress outside, that we’d hoped. We did manage to complete painting the entire east side of the house, as well as a small section on the west side before wrapping things up outside, last year. Weather this Spring has been unpredictable and we haven’t even thought about climbing back up on the scaffolding yet, but when we do, we’ll resume work on the west side of the house.
We spent the majority of the winter working on the Master Bathroom and the Dressing Room. In the bathroom a new toilet was set, a wall mount faucet and vessel sink were installed and a tub faucet and shower surround were installed. We’ve kept all of the “original” plumbing fixtures in the house. The fixtures were obviously top of the line in terms of quality, when originally purchased, and with the exception of the kitchen sink, which required restoration, all were still in remarkably good condition when we moved the house. The master bathroom retained its turn of the century double walled porcelain, rolled edge, pedestal bathtub. The tub is a behemoth….so large in scale and mass, that it was likely raised by crane and set in place, and the house was finished around it. On one end of the tub you can see unglazed sections where lift hooks were likely baked into the tub wall. Also remaining, in a small room outside of the bathroom, is a large porcelain console sink on pedestal legs. A reproduction Kohler top flush toilet was purchased to match the remaining original fixtures. The bathroom’s original pedestal sink was bartered away several years ago, but we happen to know where it is and we are ever hopeful that someday it may be returned to the house. In the interim, we have turned a washstand , that belonged to my great grandparents, into a vanity, and have set a vessel sink that looks like a porcelain wash bowl on top of it.
The Dressing Room adjoins to both the Master Bathroom and the Master Bedroom. The walls in the Dressing Room and closet required quite a bit of plaster repair, and the paint on the woodwork was crazed and chipping, necessitating that paint on all of the woodwork be stripped before being sanded, primed and repainted. There are 4 doors, 3 windows and a lot of baseboard in this room, all trimmed with very ornate woodwork. All of the doors, as well as, the picture rail and transom, required stripping and refinishing. All of the door and transom hardware also required cleaning. When we started working in this room it was apparent that there had originally been a dado rail about 5 feet off of the floor. We’ve returned the dado and have used 2 shades of lilac paint in the room, to great effect…. the room is beautiful! We’re still working on painting all of the trim, but aside from that and refinishing the floor, the room is complete. The unique angles of this room provide probably the best views of the west side yard gardens, which has made it a difficult room to work in this Spring, as I find myself spending a little too much time looking out the windows at the landscape.
We’ve been working on our landscape for almost 6 years, adding/enhancing a few select elements from the ever evolving landscaping “grand plan” each season. This year is no different. With exterior painting on the east side of the house complete, we have finally been able to create the planting bed that we had planned, on that side of the house. We widened the existing planting bed around the turret and extended it ¾ of the way to the back of the house…stopping where the missing side porch and stairs will eventually be re-constructed. In addition to the ferns, lily of the valley and petite hosta that were already planted around the turret, rhododendrons and Lenten roses were added to the bed. We plan to fill the remainder of the bed with a collection of hosta plants. The bed is edged with original foundation brick from the house, and a perennial border of dianthus and Artemisia has been planted. A new planting bed, around the foundation on the west side of the house, has also been created. Once painting in this area is completed, the bed will be filled with roses and a seating area in which to enjoy the parterre. The border planting of dianthus and Artemisia will be continued on this side of the house.
Plans for the next several months are to resume exterior painting, restore a few more windows , work on more plaster repair and wood trim refinishing, and if I have my way, periodic breaks to stop and smell the roses…..
Diana and Dawn
Built in 1885, the home at 409 East Grove Street is an exceptionally well-preserved example of Queen Anne style architecture. The house was designed by local architect George Miller, and commissioned by Edward Gridley, son of General Asahel Gridley, for his bride, Ora Walton. The Gridleys divorced in 1903 and the house was subsequently sold to John Mather Foster. Foster and his descendents – including grand-daughter Alice McTurnan – lived in this house until 1996, after which time it was purchased by John Elterich and Karen Schmidt, who reside here with their sons Jacob and Jonas.
The Queen Anne architecture features intersecting gables, towers, and bay windows. There are an assortment of wooden shingles, clapboards and carved decorations. Attention to details is highlighted in the porch skirting, which features three-dimensional quatre foils.
The maintenance of original features is remarkable, and due primarily to the loving care and attention paid by Alice McTurnan. There are six unique fireplaces, four of slate with a faux marble finish and two of wood. The stained glass windows through the home are original. The woodwork has not been altered, and features faux graining throughout the first floor. The pocket doors throughout the home are fully functional and in original condition. Wallpaper in the dining room is a reproduction pattern that Mrs. McTurnan commissioned from France to match the original. It is believed that the wallpaper in the parlor is original to the house. The kitchen has a newer floor; the present owners added an island and some additional cabinetry, retaining the original sink and cupboards.
A fire in 1916 destroyed the upstairs bath, with its panel-encased porcelain features, and the small back bedroom. The original painted sink in the first floor bath (beneath the stairs) reflects the type of sink and tub that would have been found in the second floor bath. The back bedroom was included in the fire and displays a mixture of old and new as a result. This room was Alice McTurnan’s when she was a child. The upstairs study features a built-in bookcase with glass doors. There are large closets adjoining the bathroom and hallway.
In 1999, the current owners restored the exterior colors of the house, matching colors to historic tints based on scrapings from the original paint, and aided by photographs from the early 1900s that provided guidance on details.
According to history provided by Alice McTurnan, the grounds never held a carriage house. Instead, horses were sheltered down the block, with an entry way into the grounds through the back gate. A brick entrance from Olive Street exists today. Near the back door, a water well was drilled by John Foster, who apparently did not care for the taste of Bloomington water. The well was never used, but a natural gas vein that was hit during the drilling was put into commission for a short while, until poor gas pressure in cold weather and small explosions that unnerved Mrs. Foster put an end to the use of the gas.
Contributed by Karen Schmidt, adapted from a history by Alice McTurnan
Handy Stuff: A Few Links to Check Out!
Still Tasty – should you throw that butter out? http://www.stilltasty.com/
Chicago Video Travelogue, 1948: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ZaMGqzkNwLY
Events @ The Bloomington Public Library
Complete, up-to-date list of programs with times & descriptions here:
http://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/see_&_do/programs/
Tuesday, June 1
Register for Summer Reading Program thru 7/18.
June 3-6
Book Sale at Crossroads Center
Monday, June 7
Petting & Feeding Baby Pygmy Diva Goats – 6:30 pm; Library Patio
Tuesday, June 8
Mystery Book Club – 7 p.m.; Community Room
Wednesday, June 9
Teen Craft Program (Chia Pets) – 6:30 pm; Community Room. Register online or call 828-6093 by Monday, June 7.
Summer Concert Series (Irish music performance by Bloomsday) - 6:30 p.m.; Library Patio
Thursday, June 10
Tween Scene: Get Cookin’ - 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Community Room. Register online or call 557-8961.
Nonfiction Book Club – noon; Lincoln Leisure Center
Summer Movie Series – 2 p.m.; Community Room
Princess and the Frog
Stamp Collecting Program for Adults – 7:30 to 8:45 p.m.; Community Room
Saturday, June 12
Picnic Basket Buddies (family story time) – 11 am; Story Room.
Sunday, June 13
Teen-Programmed Movies – 1:30 p.m.; Community Room - Little Shop of Horrors
Tuesday, June 15
Teddy Bear Picnic (story time for parents with babies up to age 18 months) 6:30 pm; Story Room
Wednesday, June 16
Ants Go Marching – (stories and songs for young children) 10 am; Community Room
Teen Challenge Buffet – (Vegan Buffet) 6:30 pm; Community Room. Register online or call 828-6093.
Sugar Creek Cloggers - 6:30 pm; Library Patio
Thursday, June 17
Summer Movie Series – 2 pm; Community Room
Where the Wild Things Are.
Tuesday, June 22
Teddy Bear Picnic (story time for parents with babies up to age 18 months) – 6:30 pm; Story Room
Going Buggy with the ISU Entomology Department – 10 am; Community Room
Fiction Book Club – 7 pm; Lincoln Leisure Center
Wednesday, June 23
Ants Go Marching (stories and songs for young children) – 10 am; Community Room
Teen Craft Program (theme is The Rock Lobster) – 6:30 pm Community Room. Register by 6/21.
Summer Concert Series (Leftover Biscutz) – 6:30 pm; Library Patio
Thursday, June 24
Summer Movie Series – 2 pm; Community Room
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Saturday, June 26
Finance 101: Before You Leave for College (for teens & their parents) – 1 p.m.; Community Room
Sunday, June 27
Teen-Programmed Movies – 1:30 p.m.; Community Room - A Bug’s Life.
Tuesday, June 29
DePriest Puppets Present Aladdin – 10 am & 1 pm; Community Room
Teddy Bear Picnic (story time for parents with babies up to age 18 months) 6:30 pm; Story Room
Wednesday, June 30
AntsGoMarching – (stories and songs for young children) 10 am; Community Room
Teen Challenge Buffet (theme is Insect Buffet) – 6:30 pm; Community Room. Register by June 28 online or call 828-6093.
Events: @ the McLean County Museum of History
A Turbulent Time: Perspectives of the Vietnam War explores the complex ways McLean County residents perceived and responded to this crucial 20th century event. Questions such as, “How did the US Government get involved in Vietnam? How did local citizens and those serving in Vietnam initially feel about the war? How did feelings change as the war intensified? And, “Why did US involvement continue, even after anti-war protests escalated and the general public demanded an end?” are addressed in this ground-breaking exhibit.
Saturdays until August 6, 2011
Support our Veterans. Every Saturday during the Vietnam exhibit, visitors may donate items listed below in exchange for the admission fee. These items will be given to patients and residents of the Department of Veterans Affairs Danville Medical Center. New and unused items: (no hotel items please) spray deodorant, mouthwash, hairbrushes, combs, hand liquid soap, body powder, tooth paste, tooth brush, shaving cream, pre-shave lotion, after-shave, disposable razors, stationary kits, paperback puzzle books (large print is preferred), playing cards, t-shirts, and socks. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
Through January 29, 2012
Come and Get It! The Way We Ate 1830-2008. Come and Get it! explores the eating habits, cooking equipment and methods and diverse food traditions of McLean County residents since the early 1800s. Discover how dramatically our habits have changed over time. Investigate fours kitchens, each representing a different era and illustrating how the kitchen has changed in the last 180 years. Use the hands-on interactives to better understand where food has come from and how dramatically food sources have changed. Delve into the interpretive panels between the kitchens to see the social and economic changes that have shaped the way we ate from 1830 to 2008.
Through August 21, 2010
TREASURES: of the Stevenson House TREASURES is a fascinating exhibit featuring antique furniture, decorative arts, travel mementos, heirloom pieces, and political artifacts collected by members of the Stevenson Family while living at the home at 1316 E. Washington Street.
Through November 12, 2010
Lincoln in Illinois. Photographic exhibit featuring pictures by Ron Schramm, Chicago photographer, of Lincoln sculptures in Illinois. Exhibit is located at the Museum in the First Floor Hallway.
Saturdays through October 9, 2010
Museum Opens at 8:30 a.m. to All Visitors! Tour the Museum’s latest exhibits AND shop at Farmer’s Market – how convenient is that! Also Visit our booth for information on upcoming Museum events and exhibits and children’s activities. Please visit www.mchistory.org for a complete calendar of activities the Museum will be offering during the Farmer’s Market.
Saturday, June 26, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Fresh From the Farm Join the McLean County Museum of History in welcoming back the Poetry at Babbitt's workshop, this time with poems about farming, fresh foods, folk music, and our own honest Abe. These McLean County poets will present poems inspired by: the Museum's permanent exhibit on agriculture, the new Lincoln in Illinois photograph exhibit, celebrating the Farmers Market, and in anticipation of an upcoming program on food and music. This program will be FREE and open to the public and will be held in the Museum's Governor Fifer Courtroom, located at 200 N. Main, Bloomington. For more information, contact the Museum's Education Department at (309) 827-0428 or visit the museum website at http://www.mchistory.org.
Saturday, July 10, 2010 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Photographic tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Indochina
Join the Museum in welcoming local artist and photographer, Dennis French for a photographic presentation on his recent trip Vietnam, Cambodia and Indochina. Mr. French is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as an Army engineer from 1970-71. This was his first trip back to Vietnam since serving in the War. This program is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please see page __ of the newsletter.
Saturday, July 31, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lincoln in Bloomington Festival Join the McLean County Museum of History, David Davis Mansion Historic Site, Burr House, Vrooman Mansion, and other local sites for the Lincoln in Bloomington Festival. Throughout the day, these various sites will host Civil War re-enactors, traditional craft demonstrations, children’s activities, musical performances, talks and tours. The Museum will feature a lecture on Lincoln and the 8th Circuit Judicial Circuit by local Lincoln historian, Guy Fraker and a Lincoln in Downtown Bloomington walking tour by the Museum’s Executive Director, Greg Koos. Lincoln re-enactor, George Buss, will also be featured at the David Davis Mansion.
Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
"Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love": When (and Why) Love Songs Sing About Food. Join the McLean County Museum of History in welcoming back music historian and broadcaster Michael Lasser for a lecture (illustrated by period music recordings) on the relationship between food and music entitled "Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love": When (and Why) Love Songs Sing About Food. It will be held in the Museum’s Governor Fifer Courtroom and is FREE and open to the public.
