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THE OLDE TOWNE CIVIC LEAGUE
by Martha Ann Creecy
with LARGE contributions from Les French
and Doris Leitner
Part I HOW DID WE START !?!?!?
IN THE BEGINNING, ONE STEP AT A TIME… In the early 1960’s,
Congress passed legislature that combined historic preservation
and urban renewal. It provided for the creation of Historic
Districts. Prior to this, most preservation focused on the
homes of important people (that would be the “rich and famous”
today). George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the oldest example.
Now the architecture of entire neighborhoods could be saved.
Low interest loans were provided by Redevelopment and Housing
Authorities to encourage rehabilitation.
Portsmouth created one of the earliest of these historic
districts (Olde Towne) in Virginia. It was built on the
work begun by community leaders such as Emily Spong and
John Paul Hanbury. One of the Federal requirements was to
have a citizens advisory committee (Project Area Committee
/ P.A.C.) in each neighborhood for which the city was applying
for funding from HUD for projects of renewal, conservation,
acquisition and demolition. Some members of our P.A.C. team
included: Jim Fillion, Doris Leitner, Ann-Douglas Smith,
George Gaffos and Sid Tiesenga.
In 1974, HUD changed some of it’s guidelines, which no
longer required a P.A.C., but did require public notice
in newspapers and public hearings to be held on federally
funded projects proposed by the city – this became CDBG
funding (Community Development Block Grant).
By 1979, the P.A.C. had become inactive. Two activities
prompted the need for a civic league organization: (1) Olde
Towne was experiencing a rash of burglaries and people were
alarmed. (2) At the same time, developers were approaching
the city with ideas for commercial development on London
Street. Preliminary organizational notices were delivered
to every homeowner and renter in the neighborhood.
Over 200 people came to the first meeting and the Olde
Towne Civic League comes into being. A GIANT of a Mission
Statement was then crafted : The Olde Towne Civic League
having been organized by the residents and property owners
to promote the interests, safety, community spirit and well-being
of the citizens in the Olde Towne area, and, wishing to
identify, protect, acquire, and preserve the area’s vistas,
streetscapes, sites, buildings, monuments, structures and
objects associated with the history and/or culture of Portsmouth.
In order to achieve these goals, the civic league began
with small endeavors. For several years, league members
sold cookies at parades, sponsored craft fairs, manned Bar-B-Q
stands at events, (such as the Seawall Festival), etc. to
raise funds for their lofty goals. These projects provided
lots of camaraderie, but not much money (more to come on
the money issue later).
Olde Towne Civic League Presidents have been diverse, “come
here’s” and “born here’s”. They have had an appreciation
for our city’s past and an eye on it’s future. They have
“stepped up to the plate” and “rolled up their sleeves”.
Innovation and perseverance comes to mind with their leadership.
Please thank these folks when you see them, they are the
reason we are where we are.
Les French (1979 – 1981)
Robert (Bob) Albertson (1981 – 1983)
David Leonard (1983 – 1985)
Anne McGlynn (1985 – 1987)
Sid Tiesenga (1987 – 1989)
Alan Gollihue (1989 – 1991)
Robbie Lee (1991 – 1993)
Tim Lyke (1993 – 1994)
Les French (1994 – 1996)
Martha Ann Creecy (1996 – 1998)
Kimberly Carlson Hahneman (1998 – 2000)
Jeanne Larcombe (2000 – 2002)
Michelle Weiss (2002 – 2004)
Jim Smith (2004 – 2006)
Irv Lindley (2006 – 2008)
Fred Sanborn (2008-2010)
BUT, in addition to these folks, here’s some more folks
who have done the “sleeve roll” thing: Amy Castleberry,
Cathi Bunn, Doris Leitner, Ann-Douglas Smith, Gail Tiesenga,
Rob and Susan Hansen, Robbie Lee, Jean Knapp, Katherine
Schuhr, Alice Bova, John Larcombe, Ellen Byrd, John and
DeDe Braley, Joy Young, Kevin and Claire-Marie Fisher-O’Leary,
Duane Lamkin, Margaret Lewis, Tom Olds, Shippy Reed, Jeff
Ghent, Duane Craps, Donna Blonts, Cathy Preddy, Ruth Johnson,
Anne Davis, Gerry Nichols, Shirley Brockwell, Charolotte
Miceli (Byrd), Mike Riely, Thelma Gordon, Ellen Byrd, Nate
and Heather, Julis Mardis, Elizabeth Smith and many, many
more. Who are these folks and what did they do? I’m sure
that you recognize some of the names, but as you can see,
there have been many people who have worked in small jobs
and behind the senses to make this a great neighborhood,
not to mention how our neighborhood has become a great asset
to the city of Portsmouth. From visitors to neighbors, we
put our best foot forward.
Part II
WHAT HAVE WE DONE!?!?!?
PLENTY OF STUFF WITH LOTS OF FOLKS....
The Olde Towne Ghost Walk (est.1980) was patterned after
the “Jack the Ripper Walk” in London (as in England in the
United Kingdom, the one across the “pond”). Two very astute
civic league members (Carolyn Castlebury and Cathi Bunn)
jumped on the idea and thus a very important event was born.
Not only did the civic league benefit, but the city of Portsmouth
has also benefited from the great event which brings folks
from all over the Hampton Roads area and beyond (we’ve had
folks from as far away as Wisconsin, Texas, and Kansas).
The Olde Towne Christmas Tour (est.1996) was a result of
a statewide City Clerk Convention being held in Portsmouth
and hosted by the City Clerk of Portsmouth. She (Shelia
Pittman) called the President of OTCL (that would be me)
and asked if there was any way that some of the homes in
Olde Towne could be opened up for a tour during the Clerk’s
Convention. As most of you who know me, know I’m not into
details, so I said, “YES”. I didn’t have a clue about what
it takes to pull an event together, but, with about 2 months
notice, the civic league jumped into action. Thus, another
great event was born. Again, the city of Portsmouth has
benefited from an event that brings folks from all over
the Hampton Roads area. Gail Tiesenga stepped up to the
proverbial plate and Chaired. These two events have made
the pages of national and local magazines. Our forward thinking
(Olde Towne Foundation) has put us on the forefront of innovative
civic leagues in Hampton Roads and most likely, the country.
The Olde Towne PUFF (Portsmouth Under Four Flags) Tour was
done in 2000 in response to the city being involved in OP
Sail 2000. Once again, the civic league stepped right on
up to the plate. Barbara Early (Chair) had an idea, and
thus the PUFF Tour was born. The civic league supported
the initiative with “time, talent and treasure” as they
say. We had lots of members (Saunders & Barbara Early, Peter
& Sarah Youngblood, Jeannette Rainey, Carla Welsh, Dan Schmit,
David Rietz, Mary Heaster, and Sarah Steele just to name
a few) in period costumes highlighting our city’s history
that June weekend. Accomplishments: Supporting Our Neighborhood
/ Community: (1) The Olde Towne Lantern (Community Newsletter),
est. 1996 (2) Olde Towne Civic League Directory, est. 1996
(3) Olde Towne Civic League Foundation, est. 1998 (4) The
Wright House ( 601-603 London Street) which the civic league
purchased from the PRHA in 1996. With “sweat equity” and
hard-earned monies accumulated from over the years (in addition,
we raised over $5,000.00 for the project), the community
rehabbed the house and sold it. This was the beginning of
the revitalization of the entire 600 block of London Street
(we even had the name changed from London Boulevard to London
Street beginning at Effingham Street and ending at Water
Street so that the sign on Valerie Cosnotti’s house was
no longer incorrect). (5) Playground equipment for the Middle
Street Park bought and installed by the civic league. One
of our members (Anne Davis) paid the freight charges (not
chump change, I might add) to get the equipment here. (6)
North Street Park has been planted, weeded and watered by
civic leaguers (our 2007 OTCL Picnic will be held here)
Washington Street Park is now the community focus of the
Beautification Committee with plantings, cleanups and a
gorgeous wrought iron fence being lovingly repaired, refurbished
and installed at a corner gateway to our community. (we
might want to think about the 2006 Scotts “ Community Beautification
Gardener of the Year” Award). These are some of the “big
ticketed” items that have been accomplished. But, trust
me, there have been hundreds of “small” things throughout
our community that have made this a great neighborhood.
One of the “small” things was the missing cornice brackets
on the “Wright House”. In steps, Roney Leitner in his wood
shop made eight replicas at minimal costs instead of the
$200.00 to 300.00 quoted by cabinet shops. We can thank
Kathy Williams-Preddy for acting as general contractor/architect
on the “Wright House” and countless volunteers on Saturday
mornings fulfilling the “sweat equity” part of the project.
Another one of the “small” things was when our very own
“Johnny Appleseed” (that’s Barbara McKown) decided to spruce
up the strip of “grass” between the side walk and curb in
the “lower” 300 block of Dinwiddie Street. The project began
quite innocently, someone threw out plants that were still
green and living. The replanting morphed into purchasing
trees, dividing plants that she had raised and asking neighbors
for “donations” from their gardens. Some of Barbara’s neighbors
(thrilled to the teeth or is that “curb” with the transformation)
nominated her for the 2003 Scotts “Community Beautification
Gardner of the Year” Award. Supporting Our City: (1) Vision
2005 – Downtown Committee (many of us served on this committee
beginning in 1996) for the revitalization of our downtown
and our waterfront (we have almost 88 miles of shoreline
in our city) (2) Vision 2005 - 600 Block of London Street
Committee (some of us served on this committee also, to
ensure that the new homes being built would be compatible
and almost discernable from the original homes that had
been “saved” {thanks to C.A.R. and support from OTCL} from
the “demo mentality” that was prevalent at the city and
PRHA at the time) (3) Portsmouth Mounted Police Patrol (4)
Park View Elementary School (the only accredited Montessori
School in the state) with notebooks, pencils, music lessons
and monies) (5) Portsmouth Public Library (Children’s Corner)
(6) Helped to revise the City Codes to include a provision
for Bed and Breakfasts (7) Many of us serve and have served
as appointees to Boards and Commissions for our city. We
also volunteer our time and energy for events that showcase
our city (Holiday House 5K Run, Todifest, Crawford Bay Crew
Classic (sponsored by PortsEvents), Elizabeth River Run,
just to name a few). We are hardworking, dedicated, and
innovative citizens. We believe in our neighborhood and
our city. We “step up” and “dig in” on a regular basis.
We are “out of the box” thinkers. Nothing speaks louder,
clearer and better that our participation. We have a great
neighborhood, thanks to ALL of us.
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