For those of you who have been perfecting recipes since last year, here’s your big chance to win the Golden Ladle or Cornbread Plate — HMP’s de facto trophies! The judges will NOT accept bribes nor will they be swayed by threats or taunts, so let’s keep it clean this year.

Those who wish to compete must deliver their dishes by 4:45 pm to be included in the competition. Each competing dish is given a number, so the judges are “blind” to the creator, but not to the creation. Newcomers to the competition are welcome (and encouraged) to compete.

Christy Krieg’s home on Washington Boulevard was the location for the popular summer event. The neighborhood extends its appreciation to Christy for hosting the event and all volunteers who helped with set-up, clean-up and take-down.

Modeled after the strong academic traditions of British day schools, St. Richard’s provides Indianapolis-area students with an inclusive liberal arts and sciences education, coupled with a respect for values, diversity and community involvement. Since its opening, St. Richard’s School has lived its mission of providing students with “knowledge and values for a lifetime.” It’s all part of St. Richard’s five pillars of student success: classic curriculum, leadership, civic responsibility, global readiness and faith.

Initially founded by Trinity Episcopal Church, the school is now an independent Episcopal school that serves a diverse population. The commitment to serving all segments of the community is a proud part of the school’s heritage. St. Richard’s School was a pioneer in school integration, choosing to open its doors to students regardless of race. The school continues to provide a welcoming environment to a variety of families. The current student body is racially and ethnically diverse, including students from more than sixteen countries. Eighty percent of the students claim religious denominations other than Episcopal, and the school provides extensive financial assistance to families who demonstrate need.

Beyond the birthday party, several activities are planned the week of September 13 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, including a Eucharistic chapel with the Right Reverend Catherine Waynick, Bishop of Indianapolis; a homecoming luncheon for former teachers and staff; and Founders Day reception, where the Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Alumni will be named.  The week culminates with Fete, an all-school carnival, followed by a casual dinner. To learn more about the Anniversary Celebration or about enrollment at St. Richard’s School, go to www.StRichardsSchool.org or call 926-0425.

Our thanks to Tour Chair Cassie Mehlman-Rhys and to tour Steering Committee members Doug Day, Sharon Gamble, Kara Haughey, Margie Luchtman, Abby and Ben Nicol, Larry Sanner, Jay van Santen, and Lorraine Phillips Vavul for their leadership, imagination, and dedication in managing the tour activities. Special thanks to our neighbor and talented graphic designer, Katie Wertz, for creating our tour logo, all tour promotional materials, and the tour program. Also many thanks to David Bartley, neighbor and writer extraordinaire, for writing the copy for the home tour program. We would also like to thank Lee Smith for coordinating signage and once again graciously hosting the Friday evening Twilight Tour, Mark Herner and Joe Wood for their help in researching the architecture and the amenities of a century ago, Tina Noel for her exemplary PR initiatives, Krista Edstene for being our social media guru, and Brett Edstene for often picking up the slack when things didn’t go as planned. Also thanks to Don Watson for his prep and clean up efforts and Carlene Hiner for distribution of promotional materials.

For our “Front Porches: Reflecting & Connecting” home and garden tour, we especially thank our Home and Garden owners who allowed their properties to be put on display (including the countless hours of preparation to make their homes shine!): David Bartley and Annie Owen, John Carmer, Sharon Gamble, Jerry Johnson, John Chirgwin, Ken Keene, Jess LaNore, City-County Councilor Jackie Nytes and Michael O’Brien, Jeff and Stacey Patrick, Ben Solomon, Hope Tribble, State Senator Thomas Wyss, and the Trinity Episcopal Church Cloister Garden. We’d also like to thank our “welcoming porch” owners for their hospitality: Gretchen and Greg Turner, Jean and Lamar Richcreek, and Doug Day.

Special thanks to the vintage automobile owners who brought their cars here free of charge as well as to Mark Webb for coordinating the vintage car display. Special thanks to the musicians who donated their time and talent to entertain our patrons. Also special thanks to Ripple Bagel & Deli and The Goodie Box who provided food and beverages to our many guests.

Running a home and garden tour is a huge undertaking that could not be done without hundreds of volunteers. Our hats off to the more than 200 volunteers and docents helping us over the two-day tour; without them, this tour would not have been possible! We apologize for not having enough space to give them the individual recognition they deserve. Also special thanks to our tour sponsors: Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation (MFCDC), Wilds Restoration Services LLC, and Kevin Warren of Prudential Realty, as well as the many generous businesses who purchased ads in our program that underwrote many of our tour expenses.

We would also like to thank Trinity Episcopal Church, Broadway United Methodist Church, and Tabernacle Presbyterian Church for their continuing, generous support of the tour. Many thanks to Dick Luchtman, HMP’s “Titan of Trash” for helping our neighborhood look its best, to Printing Partners for their role in providing beautiful and affordable printed materials, and to Jay van Santen for his photography talents and expertise. Also thanks to Marsh Supermarkets, Old National Bank, and the Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation (MFCDC) for selling advance tickets on behalf of the tour.

Last, but not least, we thank you for visiting our neighborhood and appreciating the historic homes and community within Historic Meridian Park. We always enjoy offering these tours and hope that you left the tour with some new ideas about Indianapolis history, a new appreciation of Arts & Crafts architecture, and a new opportunity to “reflect and connect” on one of our welcoming porches!

The Historic Meridian Park 2010 Tour of Homes is quickly approaching! Set for June 26 and 27 from NOON until 5 PM, the neighborhood’s rich history, diverse architecture, live music, and vintage automobiles make the tour one of the city’s favorites!

Friends and neighbors often ask me, “What can I do to support the tour?” Here are a few ideas:

1. Attend the tour at least once…maybe twice! The tour features eight homes and four gardens, live music and concessions on the courtyard, vintage automobiles in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania St., and “welcoming porches” where you can relax, have a glass of water, and mingle with other homeowners while enjoying the beauty and social connection embedded in our neighborhood’s grand front porches.
2. Tell all your friends about the tour! Contact at least 10 co-workers, family members, and friends to tell them about the tour. If you are on Facebook, join the Historic Meridian Park Tour of Homes page, RSVP for the event, and suggest the page to your friends. Once you’ve hit the “Like” button to join our page, you’ll be entered to win free tickets beginning June 1! Also be sure follow the tour on Twitter; you’ll find us at @HMPHomeTour.
3. Do your part to ensure our neighborhood looks its best! Prior to the tour, be sure to mow your grass, remove clutter on your porch and in your yard, dispose of any visible trash, prune flowers, and cut back bushes and shrubs along the sidewalks that would interfere with patron traffic. Also, take a minute to clean up the curb in front of your home and clear out storm drains.  We need everyone’s help to make our neighborhood sparkle!
4. Refrain from parking on the street when possible. Residents of the 3200 block of Pennsylvania St. will need to refrain from street parking on their block for the entire tour to accommodate the vintage car showcase. If you live along this stretch of Penn, you will receive a flyer with specific instructions prior to the tour. All other residents should minimize street parking and park in garages and driveways when possible.
5. Volunteer! Many volunteer opportunities are still available for the tour weekend including staffing the ticket-booth, helping with security, acting as a docent (or guide) in one of the tour homes or for the vintage cars, assisting with set-up needs, and lending a hand with clean-up after the tour. To volunteer, contact the Volunteer Staffing Chairs -  Ben and Abby Nicol  – at 616.334.1012 or abbybarnesnicol@gmail.com.

For additional tour information, please contact Cassie Mehlman-Rhys, 2010 Tour Chair, at (317) 997-2791.

“No person knowingly shall allow a dog or cat which is kept by that person to defecate or urinate on a public street, byway, municipally owned or public land or building, or upon private property, in the city without the prior permission of the owner of such property; however, if an animal defecates on property described in this subsection, the animal’s owner or keeper promptly shall remove any feces to a waste container, or otherwise dispose of such material in a manner inoffensive to reasonable public sensibilities.”