News

Woodruff a top neighborhood in 2017 NESCO Games

Woodruff residents eagerly participated again this year in the 2017 NESCO Games, a weeklong series of competitions of sport and skill held on the Near Eastside. On June 24, the closing day of competitions with strong participation in the track and field events, Woodruff Place took 3^rd place in the week’s events overall for the second year in a row out of over 20 neighborhoods and Near Eastside organizations that were participating. Neighborhood points for the overall 3^rd were achieved through individual residents placing in a variety of categories including shot put, 4×100 meter relay, long jump, Frisbee golf, and great representation in rooftop hockey, volleyball, trivia and more.

Photos:

Woodruff resident, Emily Scott, placed 3^rd in long jump.

Final photo: (Not sure if you can post this as I don’t have all the names) Woodruff residents Emily Scott and Darala White participated a team that placed 3^rd in the 4×100 meter relay. Gold, Silver and Bronze 4×100 meter relay teams.

 

 

2017 Home, Garden and Coop tour welcomes hundreds

The 2017 home, garden and coop home tour was an outstanding success, in large part due to the generosity of the ten homeowners who welcomed approximately 600 attendees into their homes. Guests also enjoyed the vintage fashion shows organized by Tessie Lloyd-Jones and modeled by numerous Woodruff residents.

Homeowners shared stories about the history of their homes, renovation tips, and gardening and chicken coop ideas. Visitors were notably generous with their compliments and made homeowners grateful for the chance to share their homes.

Special thanks go out to the more than 80 volunteers it takes to orchestrate this fundraiser and particularly to organizer Debbie Pidgeon and her husband Ben Pidgeon, who had extra bonding time with their three children while Debbie worked on tour details. Debbie very much appreciated the time and contributions made for each and every detail.

The funds raised from the Tour support the continued maintenance of the unique features of Woodruff Place including the Town Hall, fountains, urns and statues, Town Hall backyard, street lights, and Tenth Street fence.

Home, garden and coop owners include the following:

First row: Cynthia Brissman, Cecil Pendleton, Clyde Brickell Duffey, Missy Ellis and Greg Staab.

Row 2: Ron Lyons, Rachel Pendleton, Joe Mahern, Meredith Brickell and organizer Debbie Pidgeon.

Row 3: Jon Nolen, Kindra Hunckler, Caroline Mahern, Kathy Nelson and Beth Brunsting.

Row 4: Andy McConnell, Beau Ansty, Ray Duffey, Dave Brunsting, Craig Bowen and Jake Miller.

2017 Flea Market recap

The 2017 Woodruff Place Market Flea Market held on June 3^rd and 4^th was the beneficiary of great weather this year as the threat of rain subsided the day before and the sun graced the faces of vendors and shoppers alike. Food and beverage vendors including LICK, Gordon’s Ice Cream, Nicey Treat, Flat 12, Ash & Elm, Citizen Hash, Der Pretzel Wagen and well as others were on site at Middle Drive to satisfy the food cravings of attendees. Despite the many food vendors and thousands of visitors, the streets, sidewalks and esplanades remained clean due the service of dedicated resident volunteers who diligently emptied trash and recycling bins along each street and removed clutter from their path. Mayor Joe Hogsett visited the event on Saturday and made his way up and down the drives greeting residents and attendees. Proceeds from outside vendors and the suggested 10% donation of individual sales by resident vendors yielded the neighborhood a preliminary net income of $9,800 that will support continued maintenance and preservation of the neighborhood. Flea Market income is a crucial part of the neighborhood’s annual fundraising efforts and would not be possible without the many individuals involved in planning, soliciting vendors, coordinating food trucks, resident vendors and volunteers welcoming people into the neighborhood for this classic Indianapolis summer event.

Woodruff Place Volunteer Spotlight: Matt Settimi, flea market chair

Q: How long have you lived in Woodruff Place and what made you choose to buy a home in this neighborhood?

A: I was introduced to Woodruff Place in 1998. I was renting in Broad Ripple at the time and a good friend of mine was renting at 940 Middle Drive, the 3-story brick building with great porches on the north end of Middle Dr. My lease was up and my friend told me to check out the apartment available in her building. I checked it out and was sold. I rented there for 2 years and fell in love with the neighborhood so decided to look for a house to buy. 839 West Drive was just the house for me. Both the neighborhood and the house reminded me of where I grew up in Fort Wayne so it felt like home. I was single at the time and wanted to dedicate my free time to fixing up an old house. With little experience besides helping my dad with all the fixing up he did over the years, I pulled the trigger and bought a house (26 years old at the time). Boy, did I not know what I was getting myself into and, 16 years later, I’m still fixing up this old house. No worries though, I’ve enjoyed almost every moment of it, almost every minute.

Q: What is your favorite neighborhood event and why?

A: The Flea Market, hands down. The first time I experienced the Woodruff Place Flea Market, I was beside myself. I could not believe the number of people that came through the neighborhood for this thing called the Flea Market. I love watching all the people that visit our neighborhood for this event and over the years have come to realize what a crucial fundraising event it is to maintain the historical infrastructure of the neighborhood. Equally enjoyable as the people watching is the treasure hunting and haggling with the sellers to get the best price possible. For the past 7 years, I’ve had the pleasure of chairing and planning my favorite event (including this year, the 40^th year!).

Q: Favorite locally-owned Eastside business(es):

A: Hard to name just one so… LaParada is a go to. I remember when they first got started and we were excited to support a local near eastside restaurant. My wife and I have gotten to know the owners over the years and it brings us such joy to see them prospering. We’ve been known to eat there a couple times a week on any given week. Cosmic Chrome Café is another great one.  Terri and Cliff are residents, close neighbors and friends of ours who started a food tuck a few years back and are doing great. We love supporting them any chance we get. The Winter Farmers Market moved to the CCIC building recently and makes for a fantastic Saturday morning venture and after that, it’s fun to stop in to Center Point Brewery for a pint (also a spot to get some good grub from Cosmic Chrome). If you’re in the need for a quick caffeine boost, Rabble Coffee House is just down the street! Finally, I can’t end without mentioning Gordon’s Ice Cream because who doesn’t like local made ice cream?!? I do!

Q: Which fellow Woodruffian inspires you and why?

A: Again, it’s tough to choose just one. I have to start with Tessie and Kimble Lloyd Jones who have been and still are, a beacon of everything community. From the famous Flea Market parties to the Home Tour fashion show, they are always in the mix. Linda Gilkerson and Tom Abeel who tricked me into chairing the Flea Market (WP’s largest fund raiser of the year, yikes!). Need to know anything Woodruff? Ask Tom. Plus the countless hours of volunteer work they do. Cynthia and Bill Longest who not only are great neighbors but have spent a lot of time, sweat, tears and money fixing up some dilapidated houses in WP, not for profit mind you, to make the WP better.  Matt Gutwein and Jane Henagar who I think are a super power couple. Character and kindness are what come to mind when I think of these two. They are both leaders in WP and the Indianapolis community. Their quiet strength and leadership remind me that you don’t have to be loud to have a voice. Damen Hostetter and Katie Lloyd Jones are another. These two just go and go and go. Just like Tessie and Kimble, they are always involved and always happy to help.

I never knew the true definition of community until I moved to WP. Every one of these people have dedicated their free time and efforts into making this neighborhood better, a fun, safe place to live.

Q: Occupation/Education:
A: Retail Manager at ICC Floors in Castleton. Herron School of Art, Bachelor of Art Education

Q: Hobbies
A: Woodworking, Hiking/Camping, Exercise, travel and good ol’fashion neighborhood living.

Q: Volunteerism (both in WP and beyond):

A: I love being a part of the neighborhood Spring/Fall clean up. Yes, it’s work but damn it’s fun. Home Tour, which our house was a part of several years back. Flea Market, which I’ve chaired for the last 7 years. WP Civic League Board (one term), which opened my eyes to all the hard work that goes into maintaining a strong community. Caulk of the Town organized by NEAR. I have hosted the Progressive Dinner one year.

Q: What do you hope the future holds for WP?

A: My hope for WP is that we continue to grow as a community and be an example for what is possible when a small group of dedicated people come together to affect change. With the younger folks/families that are moving and setting roots in WP, I believe we will continue to thrive and not only in WP but the larger Near Eastside community.

Most of you reading this are good friends who dedicate countless hours to the continued prosperity of our beautiful neighborhood which in turn contributes to the betterment of our great city. Thank you all for being such good people.