So here we go:
1. Really simple here, just make sure the place is clean, neat and tidy.
Don't have the ability or the tools to do this? Call a church in your neighborhood, there are plenty of hands looking for community projects to do and help out.
http://inwhiteriver.wrsp.in.gov/EVENTSCALENDAR/Event/EventID/424
2. Fresh coat of paint to things that need painted.
This can get costly I know, but sometimes if you call around some of the Big Box stores have some returned paints that may just be what will fill the bill for your needs. These returned paints are marked down for a quicker sale. Call locally first. If you don't have luck there, ask the managers if they would consider having a Bicentennial Spring Cleaning Sale - it could help them clear off some merchandise and help the area by having more affordable paint supply right before the throngs of folks come in to town to see us again after so long!
3. Do some historic landscaping.
Would like to do this but just do not have a CLUE as to where to begin? Call the Master Gardeners and gardening clubs, even the Extension office may have some info for you . Certainly the Fayette county public Library has SHELVES of books dedicated to gardening/landscaping.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/mg/about.html
4. Along the same lines but a bit off the beaten path (pun intended) plant an historic veggie or flower garden this spring!
There are some awesome materials on the internet and again at the library about:
- Victory Gardens
- Victorian Herb Gardens
-Pioneer Kitchen Gardens
- Truck Patches (Some of you may be too young to remember truck patches, they were what great grandma grew as EXTRA produce to have ready for the man that drove the Tomato Truck, the Turnip Truck the Potato Truck, etc. around and bought produce from local residents to sell at the town market.)
-1970's Back to The Land Movement Homesteading Gardens (this includes urban gardens too!)
5. Add some vintage signage to the side of your garage.
Some of the old signs were just absolute works of art. Don't have a couple hundred dollars to plunk down for a vintage metal sign? Look up the design on the internet and print it out, transfer it to some ply wood, paint it and clear coat it. Sure it won't last 70 years (or maybe it will) but it will be a fine piece of work you can take pride in. And it will help Connersville put on some new summer buttons and bows, hats and gloves, shoes and spats....you get the idea.
6. Fix up some of the spots on the facade of the house and buildings on your lot that need attention.
Even a brightly painted white house with gingerbread trim is quaint and inviting, making folks want to see more of our little town. Don't have the tools or the knowledge to do that? Why not call the Optimists Club, the Rotary, the boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts...you get the point. There are plenty of groups with in our community that may have folks that would love to teach you how to do these things. JUST ASK!
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/tim%20the%20tool%20man%20taylor
Classes
7. Create a block theme.
Many neighborhoods around Connersville were built around the same time. Some are Victorian, some are more 1920's Bungalow era, while others are the post WWII subdivision construction. There are many others. Try to get others on your block to agree to decorate, landscape, or paint their homes in the historically correct time period. Remember: the Bicentennial will coincide with 4th of July. That means a common theme could be 4th of July through the years!
8. Wear a vintage outfit to the festivities or just at home while doing yard work that week!
Yes, it sounds silly, but you just may inspire some others to do the same thing. ( I do NOT advocate wearing your full 19th century trapper's gear or your Civil War era ball gown while pushing the lawn mower the week of July!)
http://emeraldparlor.wordpress.com/simplicity-pattern-reviews/
9. Sit out on your front porch more, or maybe even for the first time.
How does this help? ANYTIME a community is out and about to see what's going on on the block makes a community better. there is more interaction. One can see other's needs better that way and can think about how they can help their neighbor.
http://www.sweetpeachblog.com/journal/2012/10/10/professional-porch-sitters-union.html
10. Become a local amateur historian. AND share your knowledge.
Do you like the theater? Music? Art? Collect as much info as you can on Connersville life and share it with your friends, loved ones, co-workers, class, church group or what ever! It matters not if you are a professional or an amateur, just get out there and showcase your talents and interests.
Whitewater Valley Arts
Brian Keith Wallen
Old Photos in a musical slideshow
Like model building and have some pretty cool examples of home made kits? Share it with some of the Facebook Groups created to help organize and celebrate Connersville's history.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_-_Boys_with_model_airplanes_at_Alki,_1925.gif
Are you a hairstylist and know tons and tons about vintage quiofs? Give a demo at a local salon a few times- you may be able to pick up a few more clients just by showing them how to do a Regency Up Do!
http://pinterest.com/bonlet/regency-hair-styles/
The ideas are endless.
My point is that you do not have to have a house in town to affect a positive response from others around you to help give Connersville a spit and shine. Sometimes our minds need to be kick started with new twists to older ideas for us to feel like we have something to give.
At the very least you can contact me here, OR you can contact the Fayette County Historical Society or the Bicentennial Committee and ask for more details on what help needs to be done around the community.
-Suzanna
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