St. Charles Gardens Residents` Newsletter

St. Charles Gardens Residents’ Newsletter Spring 2010
Volume 1 Issue 1
St. Charles Gardens Residents’ Newsletter
Merry Band of Gardeners Help
Design Committee Plant this Spring
With 70 degree weather and clear sunny skies, the St. Charles Gardeners gathered on the General Taylor side of the Gardens to
work on the walkway planters. This is no easy task, as there are 72
containers to be replanted. Residents generally took to the task as
experienced gardeners who missed the annual digging and planting
that they used to enjoy before moving into a condo.
Residents Launch Newsletter
This newsletter is the brainchild of several residents of St. Charles
Gardens who want to bring a sense of community to this wonderful place where we live. We started by organizing a Design Committee to encourage volunteers to join us in sprucing up the look
of the Gardens. As we chatted, we found that we all have one
thing in common. We are interested in maintaining a good quality
of life for our residents. Although the idea originated with the Design Committee, the newsletter is independent from the committee.
The Design Committee sees its role as liaison between residents
and the St. Charles Gardens Homeowners Association Board of
Directors (the Board) and the condo manager. Since the Board is
set up to meet privately on an “as needed basis” this committee
will pass on all residents’ issues to the Condo Manager and President of the Board for review. The Design Committee does not set policy
and functions in an advisory capacity only.
An added bonus for the volunteer
Thanks to all of the
gardeners is they are saving
residents who pitched
homeowners money. For every
in to make our home a
planter completed on site, the
more beautiful place to
association saves money that
live:
would go to a professional gardening center. Harold’s Nursery
does assist in the planting but is ending up planting only about half
of the planters.
Thanks to Bill and Mel Tilling, Frank Kleinpeter, Frances
Davis, Lisa and Kelly Philips, and Tova Hodorov for all of
their hard work in making our homes a more beautiful place
to live.
Design Committee Ideas
1.
Replanting all of the planters on each floor inside the courtyard
2.
Replacing the tiles in the lobby area so the area reflects a clean, sophisticated building
3.
Beefing up security by connecting the security cameras
4.
Establishing resident committees such as community outreach, social
opportunities
5.
Launching a residents’ newsletter
If you would like to join the Design Committee or have any suggestions, please email caitlinbrewster@gmail.com
Inside this Issue:
An Interview with Frank Kleinpeter
Mel Tilling runs for Board Position
Out and About the Neighborhood
Board Election
2
2
3
4
Lisa and Kelly Phillips and Frank Kleinpeter work
to replace the wire lining on one of the walk-way
planters.
St. Charles Gardens Residents’ Newsletter Spring 2010
Volume 1 Issue 1
Page 2
An Interview with St. Charles Gardens
Homeowners Association President
Frank Kleinpeter
Q: Why did you get interested in becoming a member of the Homeowner’s Association Board?
F: I felt I had to protect my investment from overspending property managers.
Q: One of the nice things about being a board member who is a resident is that you are onsite,
and able to listen to people. What are residents telling you?
F: Lower my condo fees…make reasonable improvements to the property.
Q: You were seen monitoring almost every aspect of the Gardens during Mardi Gras. Things
seemed to go much smoother. What did you do differently this year?
F: The Board limited owners to 15 guests instead of passing out over 4000 wrist bands last year.
Q: As president, what do you see as your most important responsibility to condo owners?
F: Protect our investment and work towards making this a pleasant place to live.
Q: As president, what do you see as your most important responsibility to condo owners?
F: Improve communications with the owners and residents, get the cameras working, have a good time at Mardi Gras!
MaryEllen (Mel) Tilling Recently Appointed to Fill Vacant St. Charles Homeowners Association Board Position...Is Running to Make it Permanent
By Susan Summers
Mel Tilling works hard
to spruce up St.
Charles Gardens.
The first time I met Mel and her husband, Bill, they
were working out in our gym. The next time I saw
them, they were returning from a neighborhood walk.
As we struck up a conversation, I understood why this
couple is such a great addition to St. Charles Gardens.
Mel and Bill retired in 2002 after teaching in New York
state for 35 years. They bought their unit here in July,
2005. This past September they decided to make their
condo their primary residence so they can be near their
son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter who live in
New Orleans.
Always community minded, the couple have years of
volunteer experience behind them, including being
involved in seven homeowner’s association over the
years. Currently, besides serving on the Homeowners
Association Board and the Design Committee, Mel
volunteers at Touro Hospital and the Broadmoor
School.
Mel was appointed to fill a vacant board seat here a
couple of months ago and many residents urged her to
run for the position permanently.
“I feel that the owners should feel they have a board that listens
to them. Listening is one of my strong points...If I am elected to a
full term, you will get someone who will work to make this a
safe, beautiful, congenial place to live,” says Mel.
Homeowners are urged to attend the annual
meeting on Monday, May 24, 7:00 pm at the
Columns Hotel. If you cannot attend, please
send your ballots to Clyde Patton . (See page
4 for information). Board elections will held.
St. Charles Gardens Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 1
Page 3
Out and About
in the Crescent city
April 2010
23-25
1st weekend of Jazz & Heritage Festival
27
LPO presents Young People’s Concert
29
May 2 – 1st weekend of Jazz Festival
TBD
Zephyrs Season Opener
May 2010
April 29
4-9
5
7
8
9
13-16
Great Websites
http://www.neworleansonline.com
Event Listings
http://www.neworleanspodcasting.com/
Voices of Rebuilding NOLA
http://www.wwoz.org/
New Orleans Music, etc.
http://www.artscouncilofneworleans.org/
Support the Arts
http://www.ddaymuseum.org/
National WWII Museum
http://www.gumbopages.com/
Preserve NOLA Culture
15-16
21-23
25-29
28-30
31
2nd weekend of Jazz Festival
Bike Week
Cinco de Mayo
Audubon Zoo To Do
LPO presents Symphonie Fantastique
Mother’s Day at Audubon Zoo
Saints and Sinners Festival
(GLBT)
Volksfest
Bayou Boogaloo
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Greek Festival
Memorial Day
June 2010
1
BAA presents Avenue Q
9
D Day Anniversary
12-13
Vieux To Do (Creole Tomato, Cajun
Zydeco, and Seafood Festivals)
St. Charles Gardens Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 1
Page 4
Let Us Know What You Think
Let us know what you think of the newsletter! If you want to contribute anything just let us know. Are you a budding poet, or have
an organization you would like to let people know about? Is your
church having a food drive? Do you have a service you would like
to advertise? Do you know of any volunteer opportunities? Do you
want to write a column for the newsletter? Or, do you have any
great photos you’d like to share?
To be included in the next newsletter just email Susan Summers:
sumx2@yahoo.com
If you prefer to not receive further newsletters, please let us know
at the above email.
Just Being
Neighborly


Please don’t park in the No
Parking/Loading Zones. Taxis
and repair trucks use those
spaces, even on weekends!
Also. it is so hard to see
around a car parked so close
to the driveway.
Newsletter
Staff
Susan Summers
Frances Davis
Caitlin Brewster
MANAGEMENT
If you are interested in joining the newsletter
staff or have any ideas that you would like
Please return the carts & groto see included, please email Susan Sumcery basket to the first floor
mers:
so others can use them. We
have residents in wheelchairs sumx2@yahoo.com
who have trouble navigating
around carts left on walkways.
BUILDING MANAGER:
CLYDE PATTON
(504) 895-3642 (Office and Cell)
EMAIL: stcharlesgardens@bellsouth.net
St. Charles Gardens Homeowners
Association Board of Directors
President
Frank Kleinpeter
frankkleinpeter@cox.net

Please don’t throw your junk
mail on the bench by the
mailboxes. There is a trashcan The St. Charles Gardens Newsletter
is a service provided by residents for
nearby for this.
residents and is not affiliated with
the St. Charles Gardens Homeowners Association.
Vice President
Barrie Hiern
Secretary
Ray Serpas
Treasurer
Ron Dyer **
Director
MaryEllen (Mel) Tilling **
** On the ballot for re-election . Mel has
numerous experience with association
boards. She is a fulltime resident, member
of the Design Committee and Homeowners Association Board member. Ron has
been an invaluable member of the Board
because of his experience and financial
expertise.