Warner Orchard Neighborhood

November 2005 E-Newsletter

Nov 18, 2005

"WARNER ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOOD" CHOSEN FOR OFFICIAL NEIGHBORHOOD NAME
By Jeanie Brooke

Longmont, CO--Finding no "skeletons in the closet" of James Parker Warner, "Warner Orchard Neighborhood" was confirmed as the "name of record" for the latest Longmont neighborhood to organize as part of the City's "Discover Neighbors, Discover Home" program. When the group met in October to discuss possible names, they reviewed old City plat names, provided by Ryan Kragerud and his committee. A lengthy discussion of the pro's and con's of various names ensued. Apparently, at one time John Warner had an apple orchard, and as the "Warner Apple Orchard Neighborhood" was determined to be too cumbersome to say, Scott Seymour, Vivian Street neighbor, suggested shortening the proposed name to "Warner Orchard." Those present toyed with the idea of "Warner Farm," but since there was already a "Bohn Farm," it was decided that we didn't want to be perceived as "copying," and besides there was a little "romance" in the idea of possibly holding an W.O.N. Annual Apple Festival. Mary Colomac, Judson Street neighbor, had shared at an earlier meeting that she had the original abstract of her property, which was identified as "The Warner House Block." Further research indicated several pieces of property owned by the Warners that included apple trees, if not "orchards." There you have it! Warner Orchard Neighborhood it is, no "Association," no "Group" (altho' Your Ms. Brooke was having fun playing with Elmer Fudd-like expressions of "WIGHT OR WONG?.." (Original City plat names that were considered included: Parkwood, Terrell, Rosedale, Kugel, Carlson, Broadview, Brown, Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Grandview, Warner and Harsch. Many thanks to Ryan Kragerud and his committee for their time and research.)

HISTORY & BACKGROUND ON JAMES PARKER WARNER
James Parker Warner was 60 years old, and his wife, Nancy Phebe Flint, 59, when they moved to Longmont in 1881. Married in September 1843, in Walden, Vermont. Although both of their families had been "Vermonters" since before the American Revolution, the Warners pioneered near Janesville, Wisconsin, hacking a farm out of the hardwood forest. After their first-born son Francis was born with crippled legs, they joined Warner's brother in business in New Orleans, hoping that doctors there could help the child. They carried "Frank" on a silk pillow on the steamboat trip down the Mississippi in 1849, but Frank never walked, and used a wheel chair all of his life. The Warners lived in New Orleans for more than 20 years. After the Civil War, John Warner was injured in an accident. He was in the "natural" ice business with his brother, Jothan Lord Warner. Those days, "natural ice" was brought in during the winter by ship from New England and stored in warehouses along the wharves. With the invention of artificial ice, the economy was ruined--the Warner brothers found themselves out of a business. So James and Nancy Warner moved to Marengo, Iowa, joining relatives.


After a few years, they moved to Longmont, Colorado. They established another business, the J. M. Warner Furniture Co. at Fourth & Main, which later became Longmont Drug. As was the custom in those days,

furniture dealers were also the town's undertakers; the J. M. Warner Furniture Co.had Longmont's first hearse, horse-drawn, of course, which was first used in April 1882, for the burial of J. J. Jilson. According to historian Carolyn McDonough, "Longmont was a happy young town---it's many festivities included broom drills in which both men and women took part. They were regular military-type drills, performed with brooms, in casual clothing." And Frank? Not limited by his wheel chair, Frank became a fine pianist and he taught music lessons.

(Historical notes from Carolyn McDonough. To be continued in the January W.O.N. Newsletter.)



WHERE, YOU MAY ASK, EXACTLY IS THE WARNER ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOOD?
The area includes all households 1) on the North side of 3rd Avenue, 2) the East side of Sunset Avenue, 3) the South side of 9th Avenue, and 4) on the West side of Bowen (to the alley on the property line).

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (SO FAR)?
In no particular order, here are the names of some of the "early adapters," folks interested in building community, who have been attending formational and regular monthly meetings of the Warner Orchard Neighborhood over the past six months:


Robin McGuire, (CO-Leader), Lauren Harlick (CO-Leader),
Susan & Stephen Scruggs, Scott Seymour,

Sue Muench, Jayne Enerson, Elizabeth & Eric Lennert,
Andrea & Ryan Kragerud, Elizabeth Harris, Justin (& Lauren) Harlick,
Peggy Bangham, Charles & Jennifer Kamenides, Mary Colomac,
Jeanne Russell, Christina & Jeremy Haley, Patrick & Marianne McCarthy,
Kathy McLean, Jamie Riggs, Rick & Cindy Hoge,
Ann Krohn & Rick David (& daughter Langley), Jeff & Kathy Olson,
Cee & Bob Godwin, Tim Towns & Derice Peefferkorn,
Lynn & Otis Dillow, Mary Covell, Mary Wickersham & Brad DeSwarte,
Jeff & Kathy Olson, Tracy Ellyn, Kelly & Mark Sanseverino,
Jill Hubbard & Bea, Stephanie Hilvitz & Greg Rodriguez,
Geza & Monika Buko (& son Alec), Jim & Karen Dawson, David Fox,
Julie & Mark Benjaminson, Patrice & Bret Von, Angela Elliott,

and Your Ms. Brooke (Newsletter Editor).

Not on the list? Want to add someone? Please call Jeanie Brooke, 303-774-8442

or 303-956-5929 (cell), or contact me via e-mail.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE "WARNER ORCHARD NEIGHBORHOOD":
Recounting the Warner Orchard Neighborhood's short history, Robin McGuire, CO-leader, said that the group began with an Inquiry Meeting with the Westside Historic Neighborhood on May 16, 2005, which was followed by a lively second meeting at Caffe' 3rd Avenue June 30, and, continued with the first of many regularly scheduled meetings at the Longmont Senior Center on Longs Peak Avenue, starting August 18, 2005. Approximately 44 interested neighbors attended. The next meeting will be............

DECEMBER MEETING: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7PM, LONGMONT SENIOR CENTER ON LONGS PEAK AVE:
Please plan to attend -- and bring more of your neighbors with you to help plan the January WON Potluck and other socials. Your input is needed. (Bring some snacks to share.)

CHRISTMAS PHOTO WITH SANTA? Coldwell Banker Realty has a tradition of offering one 8" x 10" Christmas Photo FREE, pix taken at their office, 451-21st Avenue (Main & 21st), on Sunday, Dec. 4. Bring your family, just your festive self, or a pet (just one). Because the photos have to be hand-delivered by Robin McGuire, who works there as well as being a flight steward for Frontier Airlines, you will need to say, "Robin sent me...." when you call to make your reservation. Which reminds me, our next issue of WON News will include a special category, "Business Briefs," which will give us a chance to get to know more about our neighbors and what they "do"---we have so many interesting and talented neighbors! -- handymen, (no doubt some "handywomen, too!), hairdressers, veterinarians, nurses, spa owners, realtors, researchers, teachers, writers, just to name a few---so please think about what you'd like your neighbors to know about what you "do," and send that information to Your Ms. Brooke, you know the drill. Also coming in the January newsletter, t
he obituary of a beloved
neighbors, Barbara Newman Beal Green, who died unexpectedly on September 11, 2005. Someone at the November meeting said they have a special photo of her with others in the neighborhood. I'd be happy to include it.
....this plucky lady will be sorely missed.



JANUARY POTLUCK--MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Saturday, January 28, 2006, will mark the beginning of something great--Warmer Orchard Neighborhood's first potluck--to be held at the Senior Center. Doors Open at 5; Dinner at 5:30. Are there any musicians in the group? Any broom dancers/drillers? If so, please get in touch with Lauren Harlick - 303-774-0790- or Robin McGuire - 303-776-9653. More information about the Potluck to come in the January WON Newsletter.



IT'S GOOD TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: Did you know that in neighborhoods where there's a strong sense of trust and shared values, there are lower rates of violence? And there are significantly lower death rates where people have strong social ties. These area just two of the many reasons for getting to know your neighbors.The City of Longmont's Neighborhood Resources Office has a wealth of information available. Go into the office to request your own packet of information, and learn more about mini-grants--up to $40 for any social event or project that benefits your block, (and more if you include two blocks); there's a Garage Sale Kit, an Easy Block Party Kit (which includes a $40 gift certificate from a local grocer). In addition, there are some truly some significant Community Improvement Grants that will be available after the Neighborhood has been organized and meeting regularly for one full year.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Robin McGuire, our fearless co-leader, has created a personal profile online at the City of Longmont's Neighborhood website, and she encourages each of you to do the same, plus check out all of the important information that is available online. Go to: www.neighborhoodlink.com/longmont/won. And don't be shy, knock on your neighbor's doors during the holidays, have them over for some turkey leftovers (the best kind...), and be sure to invite them to the next W.O.N. meeting.



How to Make the Warner Orchard Neighborhood Great.
You are invited to send us your ideas of "How to Make the Warner Orchard Neighborhood Great." Please include a few sentences to describe your idea, and give examples of where it has been tried in the past. Some great ideas have been offered already, including, forming Work Parties to help each other on special projects, hosting progressive dinner parties, and (I like this one a lot!), alternating hosting responsibilities for TGIF wine-tastings in Neighborhood homes, forming book clubs, and getting involved in WON Beautification projects, and reaching out to the elderly in our neighborhood, shoveling snow, and so on.

LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING DEPARTMENT:THESE COULD BE "THE WORLD'S THINNEST BOOKS":
MY BEAUTY SECRETS by Janet Reno
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN AIRPLANE by John Denver
MY SUPER BOWL HIGHLIGHTS by Dan Marino
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BILL by Hillary Clinton
MY LITTLE BOOK OF PERSONAL HYGIENE by Osama Bin Laden
THINGS I CANNOT AFFORD by Bill Gates
THINGS I WOULD NOT DO FOR MONEY by Dennis Rodman
MY WILD YEARS by Al Gore
AMELIA EARHART'S GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC
AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR LAWYERS
DETROIT: a Travel Guide
A COLLECTION of MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES by Dr. J. Kevorkian
ALL THE MEN I HAVE LOVED BEFORE by Ellen de Generes
A GUIDE TO DATING ETIQUETTE by Mike Tyson
SPOTTED OWL RECIPES by the EPA
THE AMISH PHONE DIRECTORY
MY PLAN TO FIND THE REAL KILLERS by O. J. Simpson
BRIDGE TRAVEL by Ted Kennedy.~

AND NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN, HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! -- Your Ms. Brooke