Dear Neighbors,

In following the governor's directive the Old Northside Foundation has decided to close the playgrounds at our neighborhood park (Shawn Grove) until further notice. Please help keep our neighborhood healthy and safe by abiding by this closure.

If you would like more information about the governor's stay at home directive click here.

If you would like information from the state of Indiana in regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) then click here.

Old Northside's Night Out at Rooster's Kitchen was a huge success.  Surprisingly, all thirty-five spots allocated for the event space filled up within a matter of days, so the social committee will be sure to engage other local businesses for similar events in the future.

Rooster's Kitchen hosted the Old Northsiders in their new expansion, which included a lovely open space and full bar.  They provided neighbors with complimentary Hoosier Popcorn, Pork Rinds, House Cheddar Spread, and White Bean Hummus.  The appetizers and drinks were delicious and neighbors agreed this is a great local spot to walk to in the future.

Coming up on March 14th is the second annual St. Patty's Progressive Cocktail Party.  In case you missed the fun event last year, two neighbors will provide St. Patrick's Day inspired drinks and appetizers for 40-60 neighbors. The first home will host from 6-7:30pm and the second home will host from 7:45-9:15pm.  Can't wait to see neighbors there!

In April, the neighborhood will participate again in Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's Great Indy Spring Cleanup.  Last year over forty neighbors came together to pick up trash and beautiful various needy spots around the Old Northside.  Hope to see even more neighbors help out this year and, as before, coffee and doughnuts will be provided for volunteers in the morning.  Please stay tuned for dates.

A’hoy me mateys! Planning is underway for the 3rd annual Plunder in the Park to be held on July 11, 2020. As the event continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers especially during the planning process. Some areas that could use some help are Sponsorship, Entertainment, Volunteer Coordination, and Vendor Coordination.  Do any of these fit your expertise? ‘Rrrr you willing to help out? Email plunder@oldnorthside.org so we can get you aboard! (Fluency in pirate lingo is a plus!)

Over 120 friends and neighbors enjoyed themselves at the 10th Annual Meet, Greet, Eat party at Landmarks.  Attendees enjoyed the live band, facepainting/balloon twisting, demos from local Firefighters, cornhole game, and a delicious catered dinner along with appetizers/desserts brought by neighbors.  Many lucky attendees went home with a door prize in hand.  Mayor Joe Hogsett even stopped by.

Pat McGuffey and Diana Mullendore with Mayor Hogsett and a local fireman

This year we added outside games for neighbors to enjoy

Packed house at Landmarks for the Meet, Greet, and Eat

A Big Thanks to Our 2019 Sponsors:

Platinum ($500 - $999)

Chris & Amy Eddy

Gold ($250 - $499)

Garry Elder & Christian Smeltzer

Chanda Johnson & Murphy Hendy of Chanda Johnson Team, Platt Collective

Rob Measel, Realtor, Platt Collective

Brian Rule, Rule Team @ F.C. Tucker Silver ($100 - $249)

Dan Cueller Law Office

McGuffey & Associates LLC  

Sam Crimmins & Marty Wood

Ashley Gray & Brent Pierce

Jordan & Emily Holmes

McGowan Hall  

Raymond Meldahl & Steven Morrison

Mental Health Group in Indiana

David & Jacquelyn Suess

Chuck & Mary Williams

Bronze ($25-$99)

Jim & Cheryl Strain

Bob & Sheila Kennedy

Eric Meininger

Keith Sattler & Megan Fannin

Joe Scott

And thank you to those who added a small donation with their RSVP payment!

Door Prize Donors:

Alabama Liquors

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Copier Wholesale Exchange 

Crown Liquors

Dudleys Toffee 

English Ivy’s Restaurant & Bar

FortyFive Degrees Restaurant

Festiva Restaurant

Greek’s Pizzeria

Hotel Tango

Indianapolis Men’s Chorus

Iozzo’s Garden of Italy Restaurant

McGowan Hall 

Peek Auto Detailing

Penn + Beech Candle Co.

Reclamation Cigar Bar & Speakeasy 

Tinker Street Restaurant

West Fork Whiskey Company

Thanks to Indiana Landmarks & Mary Scharnberg for providing the beautiful location.

And finally, thanks to the MGE team:

Sharlee Arkush

Sam Crimmins

Ken McGuffey

Pat McGuffey

Steven Morrison

Dan Mullendore

Diana Mullendore

Ashley Gray Pierce

Chuck Williams

Mary Williams

Marty Wood

On September 7th, over twenty neighbors gathered at Great Oak Commons to accomplish the neighborhood goals for the Fall 2019 Cleanup.  Neighbors removed eight plantings and seeded for grass.  The Association Board provided doughnuts and coffee for energy, thankfully, because removing the yuca roots was no easy task!  A big thank you to all the neighbors who came out for the cleanup and to countless other neighbors who took adjacent plantings under their wings and committed to maintaining them.

David & Samantha Bartoletti, and Megan Sattler

The Katz men help Chris Turner plant bulbs in Great Oak Commons Park

Check out the September 1996 issue of Indianapolis Monthly the home tours that helped fund the original installation of the corner plantings.

For November, the Social Committee brought back the popular progressive cocktail party.  Join neighbors on November 23rd for fall themed appetizers and cocktails, hosted by Keith and Megan Sattler, Ashley and Brent Pierce, and a third to-be-determined neighbor.  Please stay tuned to Facebook and Network for more details closer to the event.

The 2019 social committee calendar will commense with our big annual Assocation Board meeting on Tuesday, December 10th.  The meeting will start with a social hour to catch up with neighbors and to enjoy delicious catered food.  Come out to see your neighborhood friends and check out the new slate of Assocation Board members.

The final count is in...Plunder in the Park 2019 raised $20,643.19. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed and attended!

As questions about Plunder in the Park pour in, this month’s submission is a great opportunity to familiarize neighbors with the Old Northside’s annual fundraiser.

What?  Plunder in the Park was originally paired with Indiana Landmarks’ annual Treasure Hunt. While the Treasure Hunt is taking a year off, our pirate-themed fundraiser was such a success last year that we’ll continue with the tradition.

When and where?  Plunder in the Park is on July 13th from 6-10pm at our beautiful Great Oak Commons Park. The 14th-15th Street block on North Park Street will also be closed off to provide more room for attendees, so make sure all cars are off the street by 4pm the day of the event!

Why?  Plunder in the Park is the perfect opportunity to raise money for our parks and neighborhood art installations.  It takes $20,000 every year just for routine maintenance of our parks.  Any improvements, like painting or adding new playground equipment, require additional resources.  The proceeds from Plunder in the Park are essential to keep the Old Northside’s parks sources of pride for neighbors.  

How can neighbors help?  Attend and please help spread the word to any friends and family members who love fun events that support local neighborhoods.  Additionally, neighbors who generously donate $100 or more to Plunder in the Park will receive a Jolly Roger flag, which neighbors will proudly display the week leading up to Plunder as a fun reminder.

The Plunder committee has invited several of our favorite food trucks and local beer vendors and have lined up incredible local talent, from Bluegrass music to a 90s cover band.  Please come ready for a great time and to support the beautiful, historic Old Northside.

For summertime social events, the Social Committee will be showcasing our beautiful parks and unique Victorian porches. In June, several neighbors will be hosting porch parties at their homes. The idea is that hosts provide drinks and an opportunity for neighbors to walk around the neighborhood and meet or catch up with other Old Northsiders. Please stay tuned to Nextdoor, Facebook, and your email for more information about the June event.

As mentioned in previous articles, July 13th is our second annual neighborhood fundraiser, Plunder in the Park. The event is open to everyone, so please tell any and all family and friends about the event and get ready to enjoy live music, drinks, and food trucks in The Old Northside’s very own Great Oaks Common Park.

On Saturday, April 27th, Herron High School students and the Old Northside joined resources to clean up and renew the planting beds at the intersection of Tinker (16th) and Pennsylvania Streets.

The New Tinker Street Committee coordinated the project by proposing to student leaders that they adopt maintenance of the planting beds with financial assistance from the Old Northside Neighborhood Association and Foundation. A group of students responded enthusiastically and made plans to clean up the beds and plant trees, Black-eyed Susans, Lavender, Tiger Grass and Blazing Stars.

Some of the student’s work was done on the Old Northside (south) side of Tinker Street. However, the project included attention to the traffic island and planting beds at the southwest corner of the intersection. These areas constantly need attention and some long-term solutions to maintenance problems were made. Most specifically, replacing mulch with stone to prevent frequent rainwater splash “wash-outs.”

On Saturday, May 11th, flowers will be planted in the bed directly in front of the main Herron High School building.

The members of the student committee are Kaylin Johnson, Maddie Swank-Brooks, Jackson Bruce, Atsede Zemichael, Amaya Davis, Genesis Brown, Jaala Weaver-Young and Rylee Butcher. Their sponsor is Ms. Ashley Coulter.

Special thanks goes to Mark Nottingham and The Foundry for providing lunch for the students during their work.

This project is also part of Old Northside efforts to renew plantings and other identification markers at the neighborhood’s “gateways.” The Association and Foundation have committed funding for 2019 – 2021.

On April 13th, the Old Northside teamed up with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Great Indy Cleanup for a spring neighborhood cleanup. After a quick meeting at Great Oak Commons for donuts and coffee, over 40 volunteers divided throughout the ONS to pick up litter, clear curbs and storm drains and so much more. The teamwork of all involved made the event a HUGE success. The neighborhood looks great! 

Thank you to the ONS social committee for organizing this event. Many neighbors commented on how it was a great way to meet neighbors in addition to getting things cleaned up for spring. Preliminary plans are being made for a fall cleanup as well. If you are interested in assisting with the planning and coordination of future cleanups, email treasurer@oldnorthside.org.

Special thanks to Tyson Chastain for coordinating the removal of 40 stumps throughout the ONS. He was able to collect a $1000 from neighbors that was matched by the ONS Foundation and Neighborhood Association. A “stump team” made the rounds during the neighborhood cleanup to collect the wood chips left from the grinding. Despite the number of stumps removed, many more remain. If you are interested in contributing to future removal of stumps, visit www.oldnorthside.org/donate and select “Capital Campaign”. An email to treasurer@oldnorthside.org following the donation is helpful so you can be properly thanked for your contribution and ensure it is earmarked for stump removal.

Thank you again to all the hardworking volunteers that made this event successful. The completely filled dumpster was a testament to the hard work that was done. In addition to the plethora of plastic and Styrofoam picked up, a few unexpected items were found…an animal jawbone, a rake, a ceiling fan and a woman’s platform sandal. Next time, a contest might be held for the most unusual find. Hope to see you all in the fall!