Member Event at the German House!

Join us for "Kaffeestube" — a traditional German breakfast for just $6! This Saturday, November 16, at 10am at the German Haus, 301 Summit. Look for the SARPA table!

Remembering Judy

On September 5, 2011, Ramsey Hill lost a founding mother. Judy McLaughlin, one of the great heroes of Ramsey Hill, passed on to party once again with other notable neighborhood pioneers and activists—Mike Hoffman, MaryAnn O’Brien, Pam Gru, Rick Raiter, Jim Czarniecki, Tom Segar, , and her husband, Mike and son, William.

Judy and Mike McLaughlin, with toddler, David, purchased the derelict mansion at 275 Summit Avenue for a vision and a song in the early seventies. Long active in politics on the state and federal level, the McLaughlins recognized the need for hospitality venue that could host political events, especially those with DFL ties, as well as young couples celebrating their wedding day. This was a bold move. Summit Avenue was tarnished—the old families were fleeing to suburban split-levels, the once stately homes were deteriorating into boarding houses, pleasure seeking johns were cruising the side streets in search of cheap thrills, and gun shots in the night were not uncommon as buyers argued with dealers.

Fortunately Ramsey Hill homes had good bones and young, urban pioneers (yuppies as they became known across the nation), had the chutzpah, if not the cash to recognize real value in behind the crumbling brick and flaking paint. It was a time when it was easy to meet the neighbors—everyone had to take a break from the plaster dust and toxic fumes. You didn’t have to walk far to find neighbors working at the same pace you were. Judy was a walker, for several years behind a stroller, and a talker and she knew who the real housewives of Ramsey Hill were long before there was reality TV.

Not incidentally, those strolls and informal sidewalk get-togethers also prompted the formation of the Ramsey Hill Association (RHA) -- and more formal way to promote the unparalleled qualities of owning a distinctive address. The house tour was originally conceived to encourage prospective homebuyers to consider the possibilities inherent in historic properties. The Progressive Dinner was an opportunity to meet new neighbors after a long Minnesota winter indoors and to share renovation horror stories and advice on where to find the best wood stripper, historic wallpaper, and cheap labor.

Swapping tales about the fate of neighborhood properties—which ones had enthusiastic new owners and which ones the city had slated for demolition and suburban style redevelopment probably prompted Judy’s passionate efforts to establish the Historic Hill District through the state legislative process. Was it fortuitous that Judy was an insider at the capital—Speaker Fred Norton’s Chief of Staff?

From this early start, Judy became an active force in the neighborhood, in leadership positions on the RHA Board, as well as behind the scenes. She first manned walkie-talkies as part of the two person crime watch teams patrolling the neighborhood in the early years searching out evil-doers and activity at the after-hours joints and then built on those skills by supervising the House Tour Sanitation Coordinating Committee. Judy was always ready to step up and volunteer for anything that would make her neighborhood a better place.

By the nineties, Ramsey Hill had turned around and the painted ladies on the streets were now homes—not working girls. Former yuppies would exclaim that there was no way they could afford to buy a home in Ramsey Hill today—it had been completely transformed into one of the premier residential locations in the Twin Cities. BUT, there was still just one more eyesore that needed attention—that awful patch of dirt and straw at the top of Ramsey Hill. Judy vowed that she’d see that piece of city-owned property renewed if it was the last thing she’d ever do.

Despite numerous capital improvement proposals, STAR grant requests, golf tournaments (the upscale equivalent of bake sales) and just about anything else to generate interest in park improvements, it was to no avail. There never was a plan that RHA, the U Club, neighbors and the city could agree on and “those people” thought that Ramsey Hill was wealthy and didn’t warrant public help, and besides, it was good enough for the croquet squad!

About the turn of this new century, 100 years after the city had purchased and sat on the property, the Ramsey Hill Association agreed to assume leadership for renovating the park in a manner worthy of placement of the historic St. Gaudens New York Life Eagle.
Judy was involved in all aspects of the transformation—from design detail to construction management to assuring that the inscriptions on the hundreds of pavers were spelled correctly. Ultimately, though, it was Judy’s long and wide range of political friendships and her well-honed persuasion skills that brought the cash to complete the job on the project that never seems to end. With her passing, one last brick will be added to the paver carpet.

In recent weeks, too many people to mention have shared Judy stories. The constant theme has been, “She encouraged me to get involved!” And she did. Whether participation in neighborhood activities, through traditional political action, or simply by voicing thoughtful concern, Judy’s influence has been vast and truly memorable.

At the Oakland Cemetery graveside service, Mayor Chris Coleman, state it best when he noted that Judy McLaughlin was taking her rightful place among the City’s movers and shakers—Alexander Ramsey, Henry Sibley, Amherst Wilder and Harriet Bishop. There was little in Saint Paul’s recent history that wasn’t touched by Judy’s hand. We’ll miss her!

(guest posy by Denise Beigbeder)

September 2011 Minutes

Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association
September MEETING MINUTES
Board Meeting: Sept. 17, 2011 7:11 p.m.
Meeting Location: Bethany Gladhill’s home at 1348 Summit Avenue
Recorded by: Carolyn Will, Secretary
Present: Bethany Gladhill, Kit Natz, Carolyn Will, Elizabeth Paper, Harry Walsh, Mary Lynch, Ed Boher and the other new member Brian Millberg.
Absent: KD Athow

1. Called to order at 7:14 p.m. President called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of July Minutes.
3. President’s Report:
Old Business:
A. Ayd Mill Planters:
• Mary Lynch has volunteered to clear out the Ayd Mill planters & plant mums. The members questioned whether we could organize volunteer effort to water.
• Request was made for Emerald Acres to donate a variety of evergreen boughs for the winter foliage. Secretary Will agreed to make arrangements.
B. House of Hope Garden fence:
• Elizabeth Paper raised the issue of a house near Dale Ave. which has a chain link fence. Bethany said it was grandfathered in before Summit Ave. became a historic district.
• House of Hope Fence: E. Paper said she personally does mind the fence and does not like how the letter from SARPA to the Amy Spong’s office has reflected on SARPA in the media.
• Question: Has Councilor Melvin Carter offered to pay a portion? Secretary Will offered to ask M.Carter if he is going to pay a portion. President Gladhill said she was in communication with Councilor Carter’s office and would follow-up.
• Ed Bohr has suggested SARPA offer to pay a portion of putting up an appropriate surround fence the fence.
• Member Bohr motions that we approach House of Hope and the City Council to offer to raise the funds to share in the cost of installing a portion of a historically suitable surround fence. Member Lynch seconded. Five: Yea. Two: Nay. One Abstained.
C. Olson House Architectural tour: October 9th from 2-5 pm.
David Heide Architecture firm will host and cover cost of appetizers.
SARPA is selling tickets for $10 on Brown Paper tickets. Cash or check at the door.
Paper Booties: Kit Nantz will ask Ramsey Hill for their leftover paper booties.
Beer: Summit liquor has denied
Bethany suggests we serve nonalcoholic beverages – sparking water, lemonade & coffee. Mary Lynch offered her large coffee urn & serving dishes.
Mary Lynch has offered to approach Skinner’s pizza, or Golden Fig to serve 200 guests. Purchasing supplies at Target or Cosco will be the back-up.
Volunteers: We need board members to work the event.
• Members Will, Nantz, Walsh, Gladhill & Lynch will do set up. Bill Lynch will take photos.
• Pres. Gladhill suggests if this goes well that SARPA select a house each year to hold a tour as a fundraiser.
4. New Business:
• Pres. Gladhill suggested that we encourage a SARPA membership gathering at one of the November German Haus breakfast. Board members agreed that this would be a nice event.
• Member Lynch household offered to host the Christmas gathering for SARPA. Winners will be selected by SARPA members. Bethany suggests we post photos of holiday lights along Summit Avenue on FB page and encourage public to vote. On the night of the SARPA party, take a ride along Summit Ave to look at lights and vote on best display.

• Idea of potential award introduced: Solicit entries in Summit longevity – either family ownership or individual ownership.

• Member Walsh moves that SARPA offer an honorary membership to SARPA for David & Amber McLaughlin in memory of their mother, Judy, and all her good efforts to establish Summit Avenue as a Historic Preservation District. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
• Suggestion was made to give Bill Lynch photo assignments of events along Summit Ave. when events are scheduled – Heide house tour, UST homecoming, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, etc. Board members agreed this would be a good way to highlight Summit’s community aspects.

5. Membership report:
a. Member Natz asked everyone on the board to renew their membership. He mentioned that several board members need to make payments which were taken care of at this point.
b. Pres. Gladhill asked if members would distribute membership flyers, SARPA registration forms and envelopes for up two blocks. Bethany will distribute current membership list so we don’t duplicate.


6. WSNAC: Congratulations to Rachel Westermeyer. Housing moratorium passed at the city council. Liquor license is next issue.
7. Next Board Meeting: Monday, October 17 at 7 pm
8. Treasurer’s report. Submitted. Ending August 30th, was $12,217.25
9. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Marathon 2011

Some great photos that remind us why the Twin Cities Marathon is considered one of the most beautiful in the country, and why it ends on Summit!

(photo credit Patrick Rhone)

Cathedral Heritage Foundation Lecture: Architectural features tell stories of medieval life

The Cathedral Heritage Foundation invites the public to a lecture which takes apart features of cathedrals in the Middle Ages to illustrate the impact of Christian philosophy on Western culture. William Cook, Ph.D., Cornell University, will present “Like Dante, Like Thomas Aquinas: The Cathedral as synthesis of western culture,” Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m.

The lecture will begin in Hayden Hall, located on the lower level of the Cathedral, at the corner of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard. Free parking is available in the parking lot on the south side of the Cathedral as well as ample street parking.

Professor Cook will primarily highlight examples of our European cathedrals which have helped shape western culture. He will also take those in attendance on a walking tour of our more “modern” Cathedral to point out features. “Gazing toward the dome of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, we find mosaics of the four cardinal virtues--prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude. Since these virtues are first grouped together by Plato and we find them in a cathedral, Saint Paul's continues the tradition of synthesis that I will illuminate as I take those present on a 'tour' of some of the salient features of medieval cathedrals,” writes Cook.

For more information, visit www.cathedralsaintpaul.org or call the Welcome Center at 651-228-1766. To view photos of the Cathedral of Saint Paul’s interior and exterior go to http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/album

SARPA Fundraiser at 977 Summit

“Sneak Peek” at Newly Renovated 977 Summit —
An Exclusive SARPA Fundraiser
Sunday, October 9 • 2-5pm

The Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association (SARPA) invites you to a “Sneak Peek” of Summit Avenue’s most talked-about recent renovations!

Come explore the transformation of this gracious Summit Avenue Mediterranean villa built in 1924. After years of neglect and deterioration, new owners have undertaken a complete renovation of the interior, exterior, and site. Take a peek behind the scenes at this nearly completed project before the owners move in. The project deftly balances a respect for the historic integrity of the house with updates for modern living and luxe conveniences. The two units stylistically are very different—one is strikingly modern while the other is more traditional. The contrasting designs reflect the multi-generational owners’ tastes and illustrate approaches to living in an old house. In addition to the extensive renovation, which includes three new kitchens and seven new bathrooms, feel free to explore other features such as a new tennis court, swimming pool, and four-car carriage house. The project also boasts state of the art geothermal systems and other energy efficiency measures. It is designed for LEED® Gold Certification.

This exclusive “Sneak Peek” opens the home to SARPA guests just before the owners finally move into the home after over two years of continuous renovations. The project has faced extensive challenges, including a massive rebuild of the base structure and stucco work after early demolition found that the internal gutter system had failed, and that the wood framing had rotted. As many original elements of the home were kept as possible, while others items, such as roof tiles and leaded glass windows, were painstakingly replicated.

The event is a fundraiser for SARPA’s educational outreach — including the winter free lecture series. Tickets are just $10, and available online via http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/197104, through the 24/7 Ticket Hotline at 1-800-838-3006, or cash or check at the door, if any remain. Light refreshments will be served.

Very special thanks to the event sponsors, David Heide Design, and to the two generations of Olson families moving in!

Renewal Time!

It’s time to renew your annual membership! It’s been a great year for the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association, with a lot of new initiatives that we could not have taken on without the support of people like you.

We’ve continued our ongoing work with historic preservation and land use along Summit, including serving a key role on the West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Committee regarding the steady expansion of the University of St. Thomas. We’ve also advised in land use issues, trying to find the right balance between historic preservation and a changing community.

Most of all, though, we’ve listened to what you want. You told us you wanted:

• Better communication — so we beefed up the blog, added a Facebook page, and re-instated a periodic print newsletter. We’re looking at a listserv, a brochure, and other mechanisms.
• Education — so we started a popular lecture series, which we’ll bring back this winter. We also held a traffic forum, and will continue to work on that issue, We’re also thinking about book groups and publications!
• Gardens — so we’ve continued keeping up the Ayd Mill planters and the Monument gardens, as well as holding our popular Garden Stroll.
• Social Activities — so we held a members’ event, the Annual Meeting, and a garage sale. There are even more events lined up for this next year!

We’ve got even more ideas for next year, but as a volunteer organization that relies on its membership, we can’t do it without you! Please renew your membership today by sending your $30 household dues to:

SARPA
PO Box 40351
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Looking forward to seeing you at SARPA events this fall,


Bethany Gladhill
President