Greentrees Civic Association

April 2004 Newsletter

Sep 05, 2007

APRIL 2004
FROM THE PRESIDENT?…
The Center for Neighborhoods is a department of the City?’s Division of Public Service and Neighborhoods, providing services to citizens ranging from working with other civic groups to addressing social concerns. Its address is: 619 North Seventh St. ?– tel. 526-6627.

GCA participated last year in its ?“Neighborhood Fest, which will be held again this year, Saturday, April 24th, in Overton Park. Call me at 757-8860 if you are interested in going this year. In any event, mark your calendar.

The East Police Precinct has assigned a volunteer, Dot Rongey, to hold regular meetings to deal with neighborhood concerns, such as crime prevention and serious code violations. Usually Mark White or other GCA members attend these meetings. I attended the last one at the Precinct. An excellent brochure prepared by the Mayor?’s Citizen Service Center and the Shelby County District Attorney?’s Office is included in this Newsletter.

On a Saturday morning in April or May, several members of the Executive Committee will make an informal walking tour of Greentrees to casually assess possible code violations. We will also be looking at other areas of concern, which may affect our property values. This might include safety and trash conditions in Holmes Park and concerns citizens have expressed about traffic on Kirby Parkway and Hickory Crest.

All of these matters took up the major discussion time at our recent Executive Committee meeting. We earnestly hope this will be a positive effort for us to work together?…for the enhancement of quality living in Greentrees. We invite your input?…. but please keep it friendly. We are all neighbors who need to be up beat at the same time vigilant!

Spring Clean-up: I commend all those who, again, helped clean, prune and generally work to make the Kirby Parkway median strip so well-cared for. It seemed especially ?“spiffy?” this year with our two ?“Wecome to Greentrees?” signs set off by the blooming yellow forsythia bushes!

Some helped on weekdays and weekends during February and March?…others went on ?“litter patrols?” which not only helped Les Slocum with the mowing, but showed how much we care for the positive impression our neighborhood makes.

Helpers:Chas.and Ann Schmidt, Earle and Dorothy Billings, Gordon and Brenda Bingham, Ann Brown, Ann Florendo, Wilma Goode, Art Herr, Russell Hill, Fred and Cecile

Nowak, Bill Phillips Spero Touliatos, Mary Sue Turner, Joan Vegezzi and a few others I may have missed. Thanks to all hands ?– a job well done!

Neighborhood Watch: A burglar targets households he believes he can easily access. Police assume homeowners have the initial responsibility to keep their doors locked, garages and sheds secure.and be aware that burglars look for ?“easy?” targets. Some folks may resent the attitude of the police that ?“prevention?” is a key factor in preventing crime and thus the citizen bears some responsibility if he/she becomes a victim; however, we would do well to remember this fact.

GCA Block Captains handed out a form listing precautions to take when you expect to be gone for more than a few days. Comments to your Block Captains will be welcome.

Art Herr, President

NEWCOMERS! Welcome to one of the finest residential neighborhoods in Memphis
Lee and Katelin Walker IV, 6740 Hickory Crest Cove; John and Sherry Ahern, 2074 Hickory Crest Drive; Mary Smolko, 2115 Hickory Crest Drive; Shiva and Monika Natarajan, 2307 Hickory Crest Drive; Jim and Mindi Broughton, 2379 Hickory Crest Drive; Landon and Amy Lanier, 2407 Hickory Crest Drive; William E. Akin, 2230 Kirby Parkway; Michael Pugh, 2242 Kirby Parkway; Gregory and Jennifer Parker, 2395 Kirby Parkway; Paula Thweatt, 6669Larch Lane; Jerry and Leslie Gattuso, 2347 Paper Birch Lane..

2004 GARDEN TOUR:
Our Garden Tour Committee is in the process of contacting neighbors to schedule one-hour sessions for all gardens on the day of the 2004 Tour, Saturday, June 5, from 10 to 3 o?’clock. This is a wonderful time to meet new neighbors and enjoy fellowship with others. We have the opportunity to make Greentrees shine by everyone?’s having a part by ?“sprucing up?” the gardens. We believe this is truly one of the most desirable areas of the city. If you can help, call any one of the committee members:

Wilma Goode 756-4663
Cecile Nowak 758-1488
Norma Smith 755-1427
Joan Vegezzi 754-5485
Ann Florendo 755-3745
Ann Elliott 754-0434
Ramona Seabold 755-9363
Cindy Waters 756-7548

GARDENS SCHEDULED

James and Martha Banks, 6818 River Birch; Philip and Rickey Bowden, 2053 Hickory Crest Drive; Bob and Georgette Renshaw, 6854 Honey Locust Cove; Joseph and Donna Platt 2085 Firefly Cove; Wilma Goode, 2093 Hickory Crest Drive.

YARD of the MONTH

Residents selected for this outstanding honor are as follows:
FEBRUARY ?– Caroline Bartusch, 2087 Fox Run Cove.
MARCH ?– James and Joan Vogel, 2345 White Ash Cove
APRIL ?– Edward and Ann Brown, 6700 Wild Berry Lane.

NEW DIRECTORY:

The new 2004 Directory can be purchased through your Block Captain. Please call JoanVegezzi, 754-5485 if you need the name and phone number of your Block Captain.Our Area Representatives and Block Captains are working very hard to serve our neighborhood. Thank you for a job well done.

MARK WHITE TO RUN FOR DISTRICT #83 OFFICE:

Mark White, resident of Green-
trees Neighborhood, has announced that he will be running for the State Represen-
tative Seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Joe Kent.

Mark has served as Vice-President of the Greentrees Civic Association for the past six years. During that time, he has worked with the GCA and surrounding Neighborhood groups in their successful efforts to prevent substandard housing being developed on Messick, east and west of Kirby Parkway.

Mark is a Republican, a graduate of Memphis State University. He is the founder and principal owner of Grand Events and Party Rentals, the area?’s leading provider for conventions and parties. He has been a teacher and a principal and has been a Director of the Panama Mission Scholarship Program.

Mark and wife, Kathy, have been residents of Greentrees since 1995 and have been hard workers in the GCA. They attend Highland Street Church of Christ and have been married for 23 years. They have a daughter and a granddaughter.

Full text of Mark?’s press release can be obtained by contacting Mark White Headquarters at 3347 Pearson St.-Tel. 366-0670.

While the GCA By-laws prevents it from endorsing any political candidate, we felt residents would like to be informed of his candidacy.

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

While gathering students?’ votes on their Seven Wonders of the World, the teacher noticed a little girl?’s hesitancy. Asked if she was having trouble, she replied, ?“Yes, because there are so many.?” The teacher said, ?“Well, tell us what you have and maybe we can help.?” The little girl said, ?“I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. to love.?”

The things we overlook as simple and ordinary?…?…that we take for granted?…?…are truly wondrous.

The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

4th of JULY PLANS will be in the next Newsletter or on GCA?’s Website. Watch!