Another shout-out

This blog is turning into a stream-of-conciousness gratitude fest. But really--so many people have stepped forward to support the vision of the Whetstone Community Center. And most of these folks have gotten very little recognition for their commitment to this project (but that's why I like this community--they are not doing it for recognition, they are doing to to pay back, or pay forward or just because they believe in the value of a strong community).

If you really want to get me on a roll about the amazing things folks have done, ask me about Element--a design and communications firm based here in Clintonville. Words can hardly express just how invaluable they have been to this campaign. They have provided all kinds of services (logo design, brochure design, flyer design, poster design, banner design, letterhead design, banner design, website design, sticker design, temporary tattoo design, photography, original artwork), offered insightful and smart advice, called in favors from friends for free printing -- and haven't charged the project a dime. They have been believers from the start and their commitment (and talent) has helped make this whole project possible. Jeremy and John--you're the best. Check out the great work they do at http://elementville.com/

Above, I've posted one of Jeremy's photographs from the groundbreaking. Check out more of his work at http://www.whetstonepark.org/wri/ or at our flickr site, http://www.flickr.com/groups/whetstone/

Thanks to our early supporters

I'm loving this blog. There's been so many times when people have stepped up to offer their time, talent, inspiration and--yes, money--to the Whetstone project. And yet, it's been hard to properly recognize their efforts. Sometimes we can get coverage in the paper or letters printed to the editor; sometimes we can get the word out through emails. But often, good deeds have gone unrecognized. I feel better knowing that we can start to put together a record of how the community came together to support the Whetstone Renovation Initiative.

One early supporter was Melissa Goodrich and her fellow shop-owners involved in Shop Clintonville. Back when this fundraising campaign was only in the earliest planning stages, Melissa came forward and proposed making Shop Clintonville's annual Holiday Open House into a benefit for Whetstone. The WRI was the beneficiary of both the 2006and 2007 events, which together raised more than $2,000 for the project. It's a great example of how our local merchants and store owners are both invested and involved in this community. Thanks Melissa, Katie and all involved in Shop Clintonville!

(Above is a picture of caroling that took place as part of the 2006 Open House).

Through rain or shine...

Now that I'm going back and trying to capture some of the great initiatives on behalf of the Whetstone Community Center, I need to offer a HUGE thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Northern Columbus.

Last fall, the Kiwanis Club started a snack tent to serve the hundreds of kids (and their parents, grandparents and assorted adults) who are involved in Whetstone's soccer league. Each Saturday of the fall and spring soccer season, the men and women of the Kiwanis Club diligently staffed the snack tent, making hot coffee, sports drinks and treats available to hungry kids and caffeine-deprived adults. The proceeds from the snack tent were split between the Whetstone campaign and other community-serving activities of the Kiwanis Club.

If you happened to participate in the soccer league this spring, you know just how rainy, windy and cold many of those Saturdays were! Bringing snacks to the masses was no easy feat. The dedicated volunteers of the Kiwanis Club did a great job initiating, organizing and running the snack tent. We hope they return for next season!

Speaking of next season, the Whetstone soccer program is just wonderful--it brings together more than 50 teams of kids, ranging in age from 4-12. The soccer fields are literally swarming with people on Saturday mornings. The volunteer coaches are amazing. It's just a great league, thanks to the Whetstone rec center staff and volunteers. We're lucky to have such a league in our neighborhood. (For information on the soccer league, check out http://www.whetstonepark.org/).

E. Longview Neighbors are awesome!

Many of us who live in Clintonville love this neighborhood for how community-minded it is. And many of us are also fortunate enough to be surrounded by terrific neighbors.

Over Memorial Day weekend, the terrific, community-minded neighbors of E. Longview came together for a "Rally in the Alley" to benefit the Whetstone Community Center.

Jean and Andy Ault organized and hosted the event, which featured pizza & salad in exchange for a donation to WRI. About 15 families attended, many of whom also bought engraved bricks for the community patio that will be installed at Whetstone. Not only was the evening great fun, it was a very successful fundraiser -- over $1,000 was raised for the Whetstone campaign!

This good idea--bringing friends and neighbors together to for community-building events that also help build our community center--is spreading. Plans are in the works for neighbhorhood parties on Amazon and Winthrop.

If you want to organize a neighborhood fundraising party, let us know. We'll be happy to provide materials about the WRI campaign and also stop by to say a few comments and answer questions.

Thanks East Longview! (Full disclosure -- I live on E. Longview. That's how I know they are terrific neighbors!).

MAY UPDATE

Yes, this blog was started in June. And yes, I'm not going back to post information from May. Part of the purpose of this blog is to serve as an archive of this community effort. There is much to be shared about all of the activities related to this unprecedented fundraising and community-building project. So expect a flurry of posts in this next week or so--all related to activities that have happened in the past few months (perhaps even years!).

Here is the May update:

FOUR MONTHS AND COUNTING. The Whetstone Recreation Center will formally re-open as the Whetstone Community Center on Saturday, September 6th! The 9,660 sq ft addition includes a 1,360 sq ft community room, a large multipurpose room, new upper and lower-floor restrooms and additional storage space. The center will feature an improved fitness room, game room, lobby and office. All classrooms will be updated and the building will be air conditioned for better year-around use. Check here to see photos of the construction progress.

COMMUNITY STIMULUS INVESTMENT. A gift to the Whetstone Renovation Initiative will help our newly expanded community center serve generations of local families and residents. It will help provide the space and the activities that will bring people together and enhance the quality of life in Clintonville. Consider using some of your economic stimulus rebate to give back to the community. Check here to see the types of items needed for the community center. See here for more information on donor options and recognition.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. The Whetstone Renovation Initiative will be raising funds for fixtures and furnishings throughout the summer. We need help staffing tables at community events, working with local businesses to develop fundraisers and organizing “block parties” to benefit the renovation project. Email ernie@clintonvillechamber.com or bh@bhubbard.com to get involved.

ROOFTOP GRASS. The new addition at the community center will have a “green” or vegetated roof. The surface of the roof will be covered with 3-4” of soil and planted with drought tolerant, low-growing grasses and sedum. This will improve the roof’s insulation value, reducing heat loss and saving on cooling costs. It will also reduce stormwater run-off, help filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide. This is the first time the City of Columbus has installed a green roof on one of their buildings.

SNACK FOR A CAUSE. Many thanks to the Northern Kiwanis of Columbus for running the soccer snack tent on Saturday mornings. In addition to offering coffee, hot chocolate and a wide range of drinks and snacks, they sell “snack packs” of juice and crackers or granola bars for post-game team snacks (email adventurewoods@gmail.com and hekalbright@yahoo.com to reserve a snack pack for Saturday morning pick-up). The proceeds are split between the renovation project and other community-serving activities of the Kiwanis.

WAY BETTER THAN ANOTHER BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. Looking for a special—and lasting—gift to honor your mother? Declare your love and appreciation on an engraved brick on the Whetstone Community Center patio. Bricks are $125 for 4”x8” and $300 for 8”x8”. Look here for an order form.

LOOK FOR US AT THE MAY 3 FARMER’S MARKET. The Whetstone Renovation Initiative will be staffing a booth at Saturday’s Spring Sprout market. Stop by to see blueprints, ask questions or offer suggestions.

Welcome to the Whetstone Renovation Initiative blog!

Hello friends! In three months, the Whetstone Community Center will officially open its doors! The new recreation center will seem new (due to all the improvements) and be greatly improved (given the new addition, elevator, restrooms, etc.).

As I hope you've all heard by now, the Whetstone Renovation Initiative was launched in 2005 to help solicit community input on the pending improvements to the recreation center. This effort emerged into a fundraising campaign to help raise money to add on a community room and furnish the center. For details on WRI and the fundraising campaign, please see www.whetstonepark.org/wri.

There are a lot of activities going on this summer to help raise funds for the community center. This blog is being created to help keep people updated about activities, events, updates and good news. One of the challenges of this campaign has been trying to communicate and get the word out about what's going on. Hopefully, this blog will help. Check back often for updates!

Thanks,
Betsy Hubbard
Co-chair, Whetstone Renovation Initiative