2011 was a big year for HMP!  We had lofty plans and dreamed big!  We believed that we could be more and do more despite being a smaller neighborhood. We rolled up our sleeves, worked hard, and reached out beyond our boundaries and across neighborhoods and organizations. And through a lot of planning, determination, and the combined talents of many neighbors, we are bringing numerous positive changes to HMP!

Our key priorities for 2011 were to continue holding events that bring neighbors together and build community while also diversifying participation, increasing HMP beautification and pride in the neighborhood, and helping maintain the historical and architectural integrity of our neighborhood through the development of historic renovation guidelines. Additionally, we wanted to improve our HMP communication platform, to reach more people, better brand HMP to create a consistent look and feel for the neighborhood, and develop some standard operating procedures in terms of how the Board is run and how elections are held.

The HMPNA has made significant strides in all of these areas from launching our small house parties (i.e., block parties) for neighbors to get to know each other better, developing a plan to beautify and increase the safety of the roundabout, designing and purchasing HMP’s first historic marker, and developing a plan and determining a location for HMP’s first pocket park. We have also created HMP’s historic renovation guidelines for the neighborhood that will be particularly helpful for landlords, investors, and other partners who want to be good neighbors, but need guidance on rehabbing a property of historical significance.

Additionally, we now have a new logo and presentation template, a new Twitter site, a new and improved HMP website and Facebook site, and a Café Press store where you can show your neighborhood pride by shopping for HMP-branded sweatshirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, and even clothing for your tots and pets!

We also added some formality to the HMPNA Board to increase our focus, efficiency, and transparency. We developed an HMP 5-year plan, developed committees and clarified roles and responsibilities, documented important policies, and created a “Nominating Committee” to make the HMPNA election process more fair and consistent.

And last but not least, HMP collaborated with five surrounding neighborhoods this past year to build a “Quality of Life Plan” for the Mid-North area. This plan was the result of hundreds of engaged neighbors and friends who worked hard to understand the needs of the Mid-North area, set out a common vision to make improvements that will make a real difference in the quality of life of residents, and find sponsors to lead the identified projects. The plan, which is now completed, will be unveiled on January 23rd and will attract investors and donors and create positive change for the Mid-North area for years to come.

And HMP accomplished all of this while also holding 2 alley clean-ups, 3 neighborhood social events (Cajun Brunch and New Neighbor Reception, The Fall Festival, and  Winter Warm-Up Holiday Party), 2 block parties, the HMP Neighborhood Yard Sale, and 3 General Meetings!

Never has it been a more exciting time to live in our neighborhood. The Mid-North Quality of Life plan coupled with an extraordinarily active HMPNA Board and volunteer base presents us new opportunities like never before.  We are already accomplishing more than we ever thought imaginable. Will 2012 be the year we surpass our own expectations? Will we be able to secure a property for our pocket park, develop gateway markers for our neighborhood, provide our Seniors with additional care and assistance, and re-launch our Safe Neighborhood Awareness Program? Will our green spaces look nicer, our streets be cleaner, and our neighborhood be safer? And will it be the year when more neighbors get to know each other and get involved in HMP events? Our opportunities are only as big as our determination, our vision, and our dreams of what we want to become. With the talents and diversity of the incoming 2012 HMPNA Board and our exceptional volunteers, friends, and neighbors, we can take our neighborhood from a great place to live, to one of the Indianapolis’s finest neighborhoods.

Thank you for your continued support and confidence in me as your Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association Board President. Also many thanks to our 2011 HMPNA Board for their tireless effort, dedication, and commitment to serving our neighborhood  (John Carmer, David Conrad, Doug Day, Christy Krieg, Jerry Johnson, Karla Johnson, Jess LaNore, and Ora Triplett). Have I told you guys lately how much YOU ROCK?

Looking forward to a year of surpassed expectations!

Cassie Mehlman-Rhys
President, Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association Board of Directors

“We’re proud to be able to help children and families in our community,” says Abby Williams, Early Childhood and Lower Division Head at St. Richard’s, who also coordinates the school’s HUDDLE student community service group.  “Every child should have gifts to open on Christmas day.”

The presents were collected at St. Richard’s before being wrapped by students and delivered to School 60 on December 19.  The collaboration was just the latest in a strong partnership that has included past gift drives and a half day Gift of Time exchange by teachers.

Christian is a junior at Scecina Memorial High School.  Christian is a starting defensive end on the football team where he was instrumental in leading Scecina in the Sectional Championship game.  He is also a member of the wrestling team and enjoys weightlifting and socializing with friends and family.  Christian is an accomplished self-taught artist whose drawing have been used in many school publications.

Joseph is an eighth grader at Little Flower Catholic School.  He is an Altar Server at St. Joan of Arc church and, like his older brother Christian, enjoys sports.  He is a member of the Little Flower football and basketball teams and the Our Lady of Lourdes wrestling team.  He enjoys weightlifting with his brother, playing the guitar, and socializing with friends and family.  Joseph rarely meets a stranger he doesn’t make a friend.

Gabriella is a kindergarten at Little Flower Catholic School.  She enjoys all things pink and princess, reading and writing, puzzles, and coloring. She further enjoys swimming and running in races and socializing with other children her age.

Devon is known for his creativity, sense of humor, and adventurous nature. He plays violin with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra program and is active in sports, most recently soccer. He has also earned several Karate belts. Devon started his own shoe-shine business a couple months ago called “Little Dude, Big Shine” and charges $3.00 a pair. He likes camping and hiking, roller coasters, and any type of project where he can use tools!  Devon is called “The Chicken Whisperer” because he is the only one in the family that can catch their chickens.

Noah is known for his generosity, gift of gab, and sweet nature. He plays cello with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra program and has a love/hate relationship with sports. Noah likes playing video games, doing puzzles, and reading books. He loves to eat and has never met a food he doesn’t like. Noah loves animals and wants a puppy of his own. He has an excellent memory and likes to schedule and plan – so he helps the family stay on track!

Hattie is in the eighth grade at Westlane Middle School.  She plays cello in her school orchestra and is involved in the “Best Buddies” program, a program that encourages students to develop friendships with their fellow students who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.  She is also a member of “Wyldlife” (the middle school version of “Young Life”)  She is in the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.  This year she is singing in “Cantantes Angeli”.  That is the most advanced middle school ICC choir.  Last summer the choir traveled to Washington DC, Boston, and New York City and sang in the World Premier of the oratorio, “A Melancholy Beauty.”  So far this year, they have participated in the dedication of the 9/11  Project Memorial, Irish Fest, they sang with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in Circle Theater, and they sang at Dan Wheldon’s Memorial Service.  They have a full schedule this season and they will travel to Spain next summer!  Hattie is also an active member of the youth group at TAB (Tabernacle Presbyterian Church).

Maggie and Rachel attend St. Richard’s Episcopal School in the Historic Meridian Park neighborhood. Maggie enjoys swimming, softball, rock climbing, and math and science class. Rachel enjoys running, swimming, rock climbing, and going to The Children’s Museum.

The demolition of Winona Hospital represents years of work on the neighborhood’s part to find a positive use for that space. The Children’s Museum took the lead in helping better the neighborhood by proposing a viable use for the property.

The small house party is a new initiative that HMP has begun in order to give residents a smaller venue to where neighbors can socialize and get to know their neighbors.  HMP has already hosted 2 small house parties where the
Abel Trio played at the first.  HMP Board is currently looking for a host for the next house party.  Invitations to small house parties are typically given to residents of that block only.  Our goal is to keep the gathering small and intimate to encourage our neighbors to get to know on another.  If you are interested in hosting a small house party on your block, please contact a member of the board.  We will assist you with supplies, food, and logistics if necessary.

In September, HMP held a community meeting to determine if the neighborhood association was in favor of developing a pocket park within HMP boundaries. Association members voted overwhelmingly in favor of an HMP pocket park! The Pocket Park committee communicated that their next step would be to partner with the KIB and do site visits for each identified potential location to gain their feedback on the pros and cons of each location and get an overall recommendation. The site visits have been completed and the Pocket Park committee would like to share the KIB recommendations on location and gain community input on park uses. We will conclude the meeting with a voting
exercise to select the location and better understand what uses the community would like to see for the park. Even if you missed the first meeting, this is a great opportunity to get informed and involved in putting a “park” in
Historic Meridian Park!  Remember, to vote you need to be a current Neighborhood Association member. To check your status, go to the dues paying page. If you have any questions, please contact Cassie Mehlman-Rhys at cassiemehlmanrhys@gmail.com or 317-997-2791.

HMPNA will provide some delicious catered noshes!  Please bring your favorite holiday dish or treat to share.  There will be live music, a sing along, drinks and cheer for all!  A SPECIAL GUEST (“S.C.”) will arrive at 7:00 PM.

If you would like Santa to present your child(ren) a gift that night at the party, please bring a wrapped present for each of your children with the child’s name clearly and securely labeled on the gift.  Nothing too large or
expensive, please.  Doug will have a bag on his porch starting the morning of December 4th.  Please discreetly place the gift in that bag. When Santa arrives, he will put the gifts in his Santa bag and ho ho ho his way into
the party. Santa will then call the children by name to receive their presents.  It is impressive!

We are also looking for someone to help bring a Kwanzaa celebration to the party this year and for volunteers to help setup and cleanup the night of the party.  Anyone knowledgeable about Kwanzaa or who would like to volunteer should
contact Christy Krieg at 317-432-5496.