OCTOBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

Hi everyone!

Many thanks to Bob Yapp, Executive Director of Renaissance Danville, for speaking at our September meeting. Bob covered a great deal of ground in a short period of time. We learned of his training in Germany, insights from previous renovation and rehabilitation projects, the goals he and his team have for Danville, and much more. He also offered to consult with anyone in the Historic District on housing rehabilitation. His positive attitude towards Danville and its potential for improvements and growth was very uplifting.

Thanks to Vice Mayor and Aldermen Mike Puhr, as well as everyone else, for attending the meetings this past spring and summer. Your interest and support are certainly appreciated.

Sincere condolences are extended to "Sparky" Songer in the loss of his beloved wife, Eloise. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The winter banners have arrived and will be hung by the Parks Department on the poles bordering the park on December 1^st. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the fund to include Mike and Carol Olson. No word yet as to the status of the banners sponsored by Danville Township or when the LPHDNA "Leaf a Legacy" tree will be planted at Lincoln Park.

A motion was approved to donate $25 to the Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society for a picture of the Sunken Gardens that were once at Lincoln Park. This picture could possibly be used in a fundraiser of some sort in the future.

Congratulations to Rich Roth and his family for being the first in our neighborhood to receive the "Making a Difference in the Neighborhood" yard sign for their property improvements. Thanks for taking such pride in your property! Who will be the next to receive this recognition? Maybe YOU!

Residents from our neighborhood will take part in three workshops sponsored by Downtown Danville Inc., the Commercial-News, Renaissance Danville and Crosspoint Human Services. These workshops are designed for citizens, leaders, elected officials and representatives of neighborhood associations to gather to work on issues related to the improvement of Danville. The first one took place on October 5^th; the second will be October 19^th, the third October 26^th. Joyce Melton attended the first one. Here are her remarks:

"This was a very intense seminar designed for those interested in turning their lofts into living spaces. I was really out of my element since there was lots of information on codes, finances, and tax credits. The four lofts were very interesting to tour. We had been to parties years ago above the Deluxe when there was a club there. The ceiling of tin is still magnificent. This would be a great place for banquets if the Deluxe pursues this development. The loft above the Java Hut is just beautiful and really inspiring to see what can be done with them. We toured an unfinished loft that Jim Crose hopes to develop for a business. Jack Smith has finished a loft and plans for a business also. The skylight was original to the building. The Java Hut loft also has two original skylights that are amazing when you learn how old they are.

The seminar was not well attended in my opinion. Hopefully the attendance will pick up on the other two meetings. The speakers were very complimentary toward all that Danville is doing in their development and several had worked with Bob Yapp in Rock Island. We were told that Rock Island is very similar to Danville in demographics and were shown many before-and-after slides.

I enjoyed the seminar and thanks to Brenda Dwiggins for arranging for members of our Lincoln Park Association to attend."

Thanks, Joyce, for taking the time to attend the workshop and showing such interest in the future of our city. If anyone is interested in attending the workshop on October 26^th (at no expense to you), "Creating a Pedestrian-Friendly Environment", please let me know.

Tutors are still needed at Garfield School to work with individuals or small groups K-5. Please contact Mrs. Garner at 444-1750 for more details.

Thanks to Mike Puhr for donating his 50/50 raffle winnings to the LPHDNA treasury and for Joyce Melton providing delicious refreshments.

Even though park clean ups are not scheduled during the months when there are no meetings; please help keep the park clear of litter and debris. There are several trash bins throughout the park for dumping the trash. Also, when you're walking your dogs, please clean up after them. Some don't.

There are no updates for your Directory this month.

Our Neighborhood Association is functioning thanks to the faithful handful of neighbors who attend the meetings and help with activities along with the Block Captains who distribute the monthly flyers. Special thanks to the officers of our Association for all of their help. I hope more of you will participate when the meetings resume in the spring. The success of our Neighborhood Association in helping to keep our community in high standing is directly related to YOUR SUPPORT. As always, the backing received from Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, our Aldermen and the City of Danville's Community Development Department is greatly appreciated. A few highlights from this past summer include the completion of our first Directory (please support the advertisers), selling the 1915 Lincoln Park Pavilion note cards, purchasing winter banners with the $921 donated from our very own neighbors, purchasing a "Leaf a Legacy" tree, the yard sale, winning the $100 KVCB lottery, donating to Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society, receiving good publicity in the Commercial-News, approval of welcoming neighbors contiguous to the Historic District to participate in our activities, having interesting guest speakers, neighbors participating in workshops and…... we kept Lincoln Park clean! Not bad, huh!?!?

Our meetings will resume at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 15, 2007 at the Lincoln Park Pavilion, if it is open; otherwise, we'll gather at the bandstand. I hope to see all of you there! Meanwhile, good health and much happiness to all of you!

Brenda Dwiggins

President, LPHDNA