Family Weekend 2009

Every year our church has a weekend long celebration called Family Weekend Connection.   It is a fun venue where you bring the dogs and kids and camp in a tent.  We have never done the tent thing before at Family Weekend until this year.  For two years Vivian cried when we left.  She had the mistaken impression that WE were going to sleep in a tent.  HAHAHA…..  Well, I guess I was laughing right up until Steven decided to go ahead and get a tent to put up to see if we could do it for one night.  Well, I did do it for ONE night.   As a child, I was always confused about the story of Jacob, where he propped his head on a rock to sleep.  I did not fully understand until Friday night and that was when the answer to this two decade long puzzle became crystal clear in my brain.  I would have welcomed a rock to put my head on.   Anything!

We borrowed a pop up tent from a friend and I dug out a full size air mattress.  Well, it wasn’t until Steven wrestled the air mattress into the small tent and blew it up, that he realized he put the pillow part at the bottom of the tent where our feet go.  So, we slept slanted with our feet on the pillow! HA!  Everytime Steven got out of the tent, my rear-end hit the ground, and every time he got back into the tent, I see-sawed back up into the ceiling (it was only 2-3 feet above the mattress for movement).  Lots of fun.  After waking up almost paralyzed from the cold and pinched nerves, I declared that I was NOT going to spend another night outside at Family Weekend.  Not that I dislike camping.  Camping is great…..in the summer, or when you are at least comfortable and can sleep.  I did my mommy duty by staying out there one night to appease my five year old.  She had a blast….of course…..

Here are a few pictures from our weekend.  Hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend!

Andrea

Pumpkin Paint

pumpkin painting fwc

Hello Kitty!

Steven helping me with pumpkin painting booth

Angie and Rebecca

Yup, all six pictures of me look like this! I always blink.

Our campfire

Tasha and her dog

Rebecca and Kaylie

Jamie and Caleb

Vivian in her princess costume for the parade. She is not happy about the attention she was getting.

Vivian in the parade

Close to My Heart – Stampaganza!

To all of my scrapbooking and crafty friends out there, November is Stampaganza month at Close to My Heart.  What that means is that if you purchase two sets of Acrylix stamps, you get the third free!  Yay!  I am SUPER excited about this.  It is a great opportunity right before the holiday to pick up gifts and stocking stuffers for your crafty friends.  If anyone is interested in placing an order, please leave a comment.  Click on the link below to view the full details on the flyer.

CTMH Stampaganza!

Nottaway Plantation – Sunday, Sept 20th

Ceiling medallion freshly painted

An interesting light fixture

Dinner at Nottaway

Last week, Sunday, I had the privilege of joining likeminded preservationists at the Louisiana Trust’s unveiling of the properties that made their annual 10 Most Endangered List.  The Historical Association of Central Louisiana nominated the CLSH Dairy Barn in Pineville and the Armour Building on Lower Third.  The City of Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission, in short, Melinda Anderson, was responsible for the successful nomination of three other Cenla properties.   At first, I was excited that five of our properties made the list.  However, that excitement was short lived when I realized that it really is not an honor that we (Alexandria) have so many properties listed.  It is actually sad that we had so many buildings to nominate.  One preservationist at the event said “Alexandria, you need to get busy!”.  So true. 

Nottaway Plantation was beautiful.  I enjoyed touring the grounds and the restaurant.  Nottaway just underwent a “multi-million dollar renovation” by sprucing up the main house, building two pergolas, a pool and an assortment of out buildings which host parties, weddings and other events such as the one I attended.  Here are a few pictures I was able to take.  I found it hard to hold my program while juggling my evening bag and large SLR camera.  So, basically, they are what they are.

I had a great dinner and wonderful conversation with fellow HACL members Judge Rae Swent and Dr. Phillip Tapley and other preservationists from across the state. 

Alexandria:  We need to get busy!

Andrea

2 Local Buildings Make the Louisiana Trust’s 10 Most Endangered List

I could have danced when I received the email from the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation’s representative.  Due to the Historical Association’s, and mainly, Charles K. Charrier, President of HACL, diligent work nominating two CENLA buildings, the CLSH Dairy Barn in Pineville and the Armour Building on Lower Third in Alexandria, will receive local and national recognition by being placed on the Louisiana Trust’s 10 Most Endangered list.  The Louisiana Trust is part of the National Trust.  Each year, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes the state’s ten most endangered historic properties to draw attention to the importance of historic preservation of our rich Louisiana heritage.  Previously, Central Louisiana has had seven properties placed on the 10 Most Endangered List.  We are proud to see that number grow to 9!

CLSH Dairy Barn 9-01-09

Armour Bldg, Lower Third 9-01-09

There will be a reception at Nottaway Plantation on September 20th, and at that time, there will be an unveiling of each structure that has made the 2009 list.  As of now, I do not have a list of the other properties.  This is exciting news for CENLA and for historic preservation!

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”.  Winston Churchill

Andrea

Save the Armour Building

Thank you Town Talk for spotlighting this historic building.

“Too-costly repair plan leaves Alexandria’s Armour building vulnerable”

The old Armour & Co. building in Alexandria is potentially facing the wrecking ball again. This time, local preservationists want to save it for good.  

“Enough is enough,” said Charles Charrier, president of the Historical Association of Central Louisiana. “So much of our past is gone. Much of our downtown is gone. Many of our commercial and warehouse buildings are gone. Our position is it’s time for the ‘just tear it down’ mentality to stop here in Alexandria.”

The former meat processing plant at 1901 Third St. is a good place to take that stand, Charrier thinks.

Built between 1909 and 1914, the building for decades housed a packing plant, which would receive meat via railroad and process it for sale locally. It has been vacant for about 20 years.

“It’s one of the last surviving industrial buildings that depended on rail transportation for its existence,” Charrier said. “That’s why it’s significant, along with the grand design and historic character.” …for the rest of the article, click here.

My Week

I was able to go and visit my new nephew last weekend.  Skyler.  He is sweet, sweet and definitely a Wilson.

Proud Cousin

Sleepy bugs

Proud Aunty

I also had a chance to go out with three old friends of mine. What tonic for the soul!  We laughed and talked until we were almost kicked out of the restaurant, then we went over to one of my friend’s house and sat and talked for almost two hours after that.  I had a great time…Thanks Heather and Jessica!  I wish we did not live in four different cities across two states….

I came home for one day, then left out for West Monroe.  The National Deaf Evangelism Ministry conference was being held at Bro. Foster’s church in West Monroe and me and a friend decided to go up Wednesday through Saturday.  We met new interpreter friends and made plans to go shopping in Baton Rouge in August!  What fun!  I was liking West Monroe already!

Then, Rebecca’s battery died.  We took separate cars because she leaving the conference on Friday, and I planned to leave on Saturday.  You should have seen two girls trying to hook up jumper cables!    I am not one to ask for help, and I figured I could do it just as good as anyone else.  I had the directions and jumper cables…that’s all I needed.  Well, I couldn’t find the latch to open her hood and she had never ventured under the hood of her car before, so I had to break out the instruction manual for her car.  It had a thumb latch.

Hidden thumb latch

Ok, over one hurdle.  I read the instructions and hooked up the cables according to directions, but I could not figure out where to put the last negative cable.  It said to put it on the engine block or at least 18 inches away from the battery.   Hmmm…..  I could not find the engine block.  So, I got her car manual out again to find a picture of it.  Nothing under the hood looked like the picture.  So, I called my husband and her husband trying to figure out where in the world to put the thing.

Where do I put this one?

 We called Rebecca’s husband and he told us to do exactly what both sets of directions said NOT to do…hook the negative cable to the battery.  I didn’t argue with him, after all, it was his car.  So I hooked it to the battery.  He told me to stay on the phone in case I had any trouble. 

The girls looking innocent

Well, in the mean time, the two girls are in my car waiting on us to get finished.  I did not know it, but one of them shoved a piece of a cottonball into the keyhole of my ignition.  I did not discover it until I put my key in and shoved it all the way into the ignition. 

Discovering the cotton

Trying to get the cotton out

The cotton

The tools

So, after all that, I was able to crank my car up and charge her battery.

Then, a bizarre thing happened.  We parked our cars, cleaned up, dressed and left for church.  As I was removing Vivian’s  booster seat from my car and trying to put it in Rebecca’s car, a man came out of his hotel room.  We stayed in room 120, he was in 121.  He came out and said “I don’t know which room you are staying in, but I am in room 121 and you are parked in my space”.  I looked at him perplexed, I did not remember them saying anything about parking assignments at the front desk, nor did I see any numbers on the spaces.  So, I said “We are in room 120, right next to you and we parked here to be close to our room”.  He said that he parked in room 122’s spot and explained to me that you were supposed to park directly in front of your room (If I did that, my car would be in the pool).  I thought maybe HE was confused, so I pointed out that there were not any numbers painted on the parking spaces and that he was allowed to park wherever he wanted.  This made him angry and he stomped off saying that he was going to contact the front desk.  he told me I needed to move to in front of my hotel room.  I stood there completely astounded.  I was not trying to be ugly, I was explaining to him that he should not be worried and that he could park wherever he wanted.  I guess he wanted me to move.  He was really angry when I got in Rebecca’s car to go to church and left mine parked in front of his room.

Parked as close to my room as I could get

Is this where I was supposed to park it?

Now, if I was to park in front of my room, then I would have had to park on top of the stairs or in the pool.  What about room 221?  On the second floor.  Were they supposed to park their car on top of his?  I did not understand his reasoning.  He seemed to be a little off anyway.  Rebecca asked me why I always manage to attract weird people….I dunno….

The conference was well planned and we had a great time.  Here is a picture of one of the sign choirs.  I am very glad to be home. I have been to three of the four corners of the state this week.

The Beginner Sign Language Class

Happy Saturday!

Andrea

Welcome Skyler!

Skyler was born yesterday evening.  8lbs 4 oz.  Congratulations Melanie!  Welcome new little nephew!

Sklyer

Sklyer...a few minutes old

Andrea

Donovan Rypkema: All I can say is WOW

Donovan Rypkema, PlaceEconomics

I had the privilege to attend the opening session of the Louisiana Trust’s 30th Annual Preservation Conference which featured keynote speaker Donovan Rypkema.  Not only was he fantastic…he was AWEsome!!!  When took to the podium he appeared like your typical absent-minded professor, way smarter than you, economist.  Everything he said was heartfelt with a hint of humor.  His remarks were concise and easy to follow and understand.  I was proud when he said that the City of Alexandria is employing its own stimulus plan which will be more effective and self sustaining in the long run without expecting our great grandchildren to pay the debt 100 years from now (which cannot be said about the Obama stimulus plan).  I have always been a supporter of SPARC, but it is just nice when you have a big wig from D.C. come down and pat you on the back.  (Thumbs up Mayor and staff).

For a complete bio and CV on Mr. Rypkema, please click here.  Otherwise, below is the Town Talk article on the opening session.

Economist says SPARC is city’s stimulus plan
By RT Morgan • rtmorgan@thetowntalk.com • April 30, 2009
Preservation and reuse of the city of Alexandria’s older buildings could provide relief during an economic downturn, according to an expert on the economic benefits of historic preservation.

Donovan Rypkema categorized a city’s move toward historic preservation as a key to establishing sustainable economic development.

Rypkema, an internationally known economics professional, was in Alexandria on Wednesday as the keynote speaker for the 30th annual Louisiana Preservation Conference.

Based in Washington, D.C., Rypkema is the principal economist for PlaceEconomics, a real estate and economic development consulting firm. He is also the author of several books and articles concerning economic development, downtown redevelopment and historic preservation.

His comments on preserving and repairing existing assets coincide with a plan that has already been implemented by the city of Alexandria’s administration, the $96 million SPARC plan — Special Planned Activity Redevelopment Corridors.

Rypkema referred to the far-reaching development project as Alexandria’s stimulus plan. He was briefed on SPARC by members of the city administration.

Kay Michiels, the city’s chief operating officer/interim planning director, said she “drug (Rypkema) all over town” and picked his brain on development.

For the most part, Rypkema believes the city of Alexandria is headed in the right direction. He said SPARC meets a few specific goals, including long-term public gain and the focus on areas that warrant re-investment.

By operation, SPARC breaks the city into three Cultural Restoration Areas, primarily parts of Alexandria that have been economically left behind.

The strategy is right, Rypkema said of the city’s push to re-engage forgotten infrastructure, such as buildings, sidewalks and roads. He likened the current limited use of downtown’s sidewalks and roads to “piddling away tax dollars.” This is a result of growth that’s been left unchecked and uncontrolled.

Dinner on the Bricks – Historic Downtown Alexandria, Louisiana

Renovation giving building new life for local Red Cross

Reposted from the Town Talk’s website. 

Renovation work continues on the Cotton Brothers Building — soon to be the new location of the Central Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

The organization began renovations earlier this year to the building located at 425 Bolton Ave. in Alexandria. But just recently workers with Petron tore down an add-on to the original building, said Leann Murphy, CEO of the local Red Cross chapter.

Murphy said removal of the addition from the original art-deco structure helped open up the whole block of Bolton.

Workers now are constructing load-bearing walls inside the 75-year-old structure to allow for roof repairs.

Once the renovations are finished, the building will serve as office space and provide the Red Cross with a warehouse and designated training area. The second floor of the building will be left vacant initially. Read the rest of the story here:

 

Inside Cotton Brothers/Trailways Building -- soon to be American Red Cross Headquarters