Southmoor Gardens Neighborhood Association

November 2006

Nov 19, 2006

Southmoor Gardens Newsletter
NOVEMBER MEETING
POTLUCK DINNER
7:00 PM
November 14, 2006
Overland Park Community Center
87th and Lamar
Room 206

It's that time again. November's crisp days are upon us, and it's time for our annual potluck dinner. Note that, because of conflicts, both the day of our get-together and the room number have been changed.

Thanks to one of our neighbors who is going to cook a brisket for us and two of the guys who are planning to deep fry a turkey, we won't need to ask for a donation for the main course this year. We welcome all kinds of side dishes, so, if you have a specialty recipe, feel free to show it off.

Paper plates and cups will be available, but, considering the fact that we are looking forward to a robust meal, you might be more comfortable with more serviceable dinnerware of your own, if you wish.

There is no special program planned, we are looking forward to an evening of stuffing our faces and camaraderie, and to your being present to share it all with us.

A PREMIER EVENT

In October, neighbors at 68th and Broadmoor held the first-ever street party. The experience was so positive that there is talk of making this an annual event. Here is a report from one of the organizers, Jason Schnurr.

By all accounts, the first annual Southmoor Gardens block party was an unprecedented success. We guesstimate that we had approximately 200 neighbors in attendance, and, by all those who chose to count, that doesn't even include the children. There was a wonderful variety of older families, young families, and newlyweds from all reaches of the neighborhood. We even had a city official and several political candidates visit in order to get acquainted with the residents of Southmoor Gardens and to find out what some of our interests and concerns are.

There was a wonderful assortment of desserts and side dishes, with hotdogs and brats hot off the grill. A big thank-you is owed to all the families along 68th St. for scrambling through their pantries in an attempt to make up for the shortage of hotdogs and buns. We never could have imagined running out of soda, hotdogs, buns, water, EVERYTHING - what a wonderful problem to have! It only reinforces what a huge success the event was. Also, a big thank-you to Steve Langton for allowing us to use his smoker and for tending the grill for the major part of the festivities.

We also had a moonwalk for the young and a few of the young-at-heart. This was very popular, judging by the line to get in - often 5 or 6 children long until long after the sun went down. A good time was had by all.
I believe it is safe to say that our expectations were exceeded by the wonderful participation of the Southmoor Gardens neighborhood, and we would like to turn this wildly successful first annual block party into a stepping stone for community activity. We hope to encourage our tenured and new neighbors alike to increase their participation.

Our annual potluck dinner in November will offer another opportunity to get together, as will our regularly-scheduled neighborhood meetings in the odd months of the year. A few of us are throwing around various ideas to help the neighborhood, such a dumpster day, or perhaps you know a neighbor who needs a hand with large waste removal or yard clean-up. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please feel free to contact Joan Wagstaff or Steve Langton.

Again, thank you to everyone who helped execute the block party and to everyone who participated. Start recruiting, and spreading the word for next year, and, hopefully, we will see you sooner than later.

LOOKING AHEAD

Overland Park will again be having an electronic recycling event. This is scheduled for Saturday. November 18th, at Shawnee Mission West High School, 8800 West 85th St. For the hours and other particulars, you may call Jim Twigg, the special projects coordinator, at 913/895-6273. As a result of the collection in May, more than 56,000 pounds of electronic material were collected!

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Our commendation and congratulations to Rebecca Roberts, on Russell St., who participated in the Kansas City 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk, back in September This was a 60-mile endeavor, so Rebecca began training back in May, beginning with 6 miles and adding more distance each week.

Despite being hospitalized just previously due to the negative effect of an antibiotic, as well as 95-degree weather on the final day, Rebecca completed 55 miles that weekend.

ITS A GIRL!
Russell is also pleased to welcome a new addition, Samantha Roselin Porter (photo on the right). Samantha's family moved into the neighborhood a few months back, and Samantha joined us on September 27th. Congratulations to Scott and Christy.

Anything of interest from your street?

Give us a call, at 722-4693, or e-mail the information to
hwagstaff@earthlink.net
Do you like meeting and knowing your neighbors? Would you like to be a block representative for your street or to help the current representative? Not much is required - mainly, passing along newsy information like the above or about who is moving in or moving out on your street. Once in a while, we ask help in distributing information. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, call or e-mail as above.

Regular Meetings
Third Thursday of every other month
7:00 PM
Room 208, Overland Park Community Center,
87th and Lamar

Homer's Coffeehouse Get-Together
Second Tuesday of the month, at about 9 AM (Just to chat)
80th St., between Metcalf and Floyd
Southmoor Gardens Officers Co-Chairs:
Joan Wagstaff, 722-4693 hwagstaff@earthlink.net
Steve Langton, 722-0883 sflangton1@yahoo.com

Celebrate America Recycles Day 2006

November 15 marks the Ninth Annual America Recycles Day (ARD) -a campaign to encourage Americans to recycle and buy recycled products.

Since its inception in 1997, ARD campaign has grown substantially. Last year,
residents in every state of the nation participated in America Recycles Day and pledged to recycle.

Even a small shift in one person's attitudes and actions, multiplied many times over by others, can make a big difference. Efforts of the past few decades are really paying off: 42 percent of all paper, 40 percent of plastic soft drink bottles, 55 percent of aluminum cans, and 52 percent of all major appliances are now recycled. For more about America recycles day visit americarecyclesday.org or recyclespot.org

Mid-America Regional Council Re News Newsletter Fall 2006