On behalf of everyone, I'd like to thank those that enjoyed the beautiful weather, great beer, delicious food, and wonderful company with us. We really had a great time as always and I hope you all did too. Here are some photos from the event (thanks, Doris!)
As usual, there were so many beautiful pots. Thanks to all who took their time to make this a success!
- Nancy
Best of Show
- Carol Lopus
Most Dramatic
- 1st Place: Wannette Legaspi
- 2nd Place: Tucker Susskind
Most Unusual
- Ken McCann
Composition
- Pat Buckley
Texture
- Elizabeth Johnson
Whimsical
- Kathleen Bard
Most Compelling
- Kathie Bard
Colorful
- Kate Quimby
Hidden Treasure
- Allen Lengle & Dave Grove
Most Spirit
- Vicki Bucher
Most Patriotic
- Doris Ulsh
Honorable Mention
- Marty Boone
Best Pot not in the Competition
- Becky Woods
Not in competition but best ceramic container
- Sharyn Peterson
I hope everyone had a great time during this year's Sillybration! I have posted our latest batch of photos to the Event Photos page (under the Bellevue Park Life menu) for everyone to see. Enjoy!
The historic “Please Drive Slowly” signs are now installed throughout Bellevue Park. Thank you to everyone who donated over $5,000 for the project. A special thank you to the dedicated volunteers who helped dig 7 holes (in the rain) on Friday, and install those signs on Saturday. I could not have done it without you! I hope everyone enjoys seeing them in the Park once again.
Here are the election results from the BP Community Building voting site (Precinct 9-4), which covers some of Bellevue Park and other areas.
Total Votes: D - 255; R - 74
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
President:
Clinton - 167
Sanders - 86
U.S. Senator:
McGinty - 114
Sestak - 70
Fetterman - 43
Attorney General:
Shapiro - 143
Zappala - 41
Morganelli - 27
PA Senator:
Teplitz - 171
Taylor - 52
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
President:
Trump - 28
Cruz - 22
Kasich - 19
Attorney General:
Rafferty - 40
Peters - 19
PA Senator:
DiSanto - 44
Lewis - 17
On Saturday morning in 2" of ground covering snow, cloudy skies, and cold temperatures, 21 early rising, bundled-up folks showed up at the Community Building for cups of hot coffee and Dunkin' Doughnuts, ready to sign up for spring cleaning jobs in our Park! Armed with warm gloves, and lots of tools, we mulched around reservation trees and signs, took down a dead tree and cut up a large fallen limb, planted 7 winter berry plants, re-dug the Pentwater trench, and cleaned out some storm drains. Today, Sunday, under bright sunshine, the work continued, 2 smaller groups cleaned up the paths, planted pansies at the Community Building, and picked up sticks.
Thanks to Terry Bachmann for the donation of the pansies.
And a huge thank you to all who helped with these projects!!
Carol and Barbara
The 3rd Annual Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup is April 16th from 9 am to 1 pm. While our park itself is clean, the perimeters of the park are getting bad. Last year, we cleaned Sullivan Alley, which is between Rudy Rd and Swatara St. It needs cleaned again. Also, we are trying to really clean the main arteries into the city, of which Market Street certainly qualifies. I am hoping to get about 20 volunteers this year. I would like to send 6 to 8 over to Sullivan Alley and the rest to a 4 block section of Market St. This is a street litter cleanup only. No bulk items and if a homeowner/resident comes out with a bag of trash, we do not take it. The cleanup ends at 1 pm so our dirvers can get all the bags to the incinerator by closing time. Bags, gloves, water and tools such as rakes will be provided. We would like everyone to preregister at http://bit.ly/ghlc2016. If you do not feel you can commit now but find you are able to help, we would not turn you away if you show up. You can get more info at the Clean and Green Harrisburg Facebook page. I would be willing to come and talk to any group that may be interested in helping in any way. If you know of another area in need of a cleaning please let me know. You can contact me, Dan Lewis, directly at bucdano@aol.com or by calling me at 870-213-7157 or 717-303-8993. LET'S CLEAN UP THIS CITY TOGETHER!! IT'S OUR HOME.
On Sunday, February 7, 2016 new residents were invited for a “meet and greet” at the Community Building and to be officially welcomed to Bellevue Park. Members of the Welcome Committee planned and coordinated the two-hour event for new neighbors of fifteen (15) homes that were recently purchased. We are pleased that a number of our newest neighbors have already joined committees, helped with volunteer clean up days, and attended our social activities.
Board President Steve MacDonald, Welcome Committee Chair Carl Marshall, and various Park Committee representatives provided a brief overview of the Park’s association, committees, important information, and activities. Our new residents had an opportunity learn how to get involved with the Park's many activities and were urged to sign onto our Google network. Many thanks go to “tenured” neighbors for donating the tasty snacks and refreshing beverages.
Welcome Committee members enjoy visiting with new residents to acquaint them with Park information including our many committees and activities, bylaws, and Park life. If you would like committee members to visit you please contact Carl Marshall at 238-3414 or cmarshall2304@verizon.net.
Welcome, all new neighbors!
As we all know, every season is beautiful in Bellevue Park - even winter! In January, we've been buried with over 30 inches of snow in one weekend. Park resident Alex Miller shared some photographs with us.
Thanks, Alex!!
With the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bellevue Park Association, money is being raised to restore our "PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY" signs. One of the signs stood at Valley and Southfield Roads until a month or so ago. During the past 100 years, the signs have deteriorated and parts have been lost forever. However, an effort is under way to restore two original signs from which we were able to salvage parts as well as having 3 signs recreated via laser cutting by an artist. These 5 signs will then be mounted on posts in strategic locations in the Park. However, the more money we raise in this effort, the more signs we can install. It is estimated that for 5 signs, $2,500 will need to be raised.
To support this effort, please send your donation, with your name and address, no later than February 26, 2016 to Bob Pennell, Bellevue Park Treasurer.
Please contribute today! THANK YOU!
To all of our fall clean up workers,
A huge thanks to everyone who participated in our clean up today! There were 46 of you on this perfect weather day. You helped clean out the gravel from above the weir with the back hoe and shovels and then, distributed the gravel into large dips in the Briarcliff Reservation. You helped to weed out and prune the dead holly trees (in spite of the snakes). You planted Allen's donation of 10 yellow twig dogwoods. You helped to trim, prune, rake, weed, cut ivy, remove dead trees, and lop branches around all of the reservations, ponds, and the guardrails. You planted lirope and mulched around our signs. You sawed large branches and trees and gathered sticks from everywhere. You treated the ailanthus (an ongoing project) to get rid of it and planted new things on our banks. That's a lot of work from a lot of people and so a gigantic "THANK YOU" for your time, energy, and fun doing it!!
- Your Grounds Committee
As always, I think we had a great Oktoberfest! Lots of friends, food, and beer... what could be better? The weather was great and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Already, many of us are looking forward to next year! Auf Wiedersehen!
These photos were from the September 14, 2015 Food Swap. Great time as always! And get ready, there isn't much turnaround time before the next Food Swap, which is scheduled for October 12, 2015.
Freezer Raspberry Jam and lightly sweetened Applesauce from Swapper Carol was a beautiful example of preserving the local produce season's bounty.
New Swapper, Peggy, had made this Peach Jalapeno Chutney long ago, and brought the recipe back out to make a batch for her Food Swap debut. We are all glad she did!
There's always good conversation amongst neighbors.
Two Harrisburg residents who are great gardeners donated an evening to judge our flower pots here in Bellevue Park. The results are as follows!
Judges’ Choice Carol Lopus
Best of Show Nancy Graham
Best Composition
1st Place Rich & Nancy DiStanislao
2nd Place Barbara Pennell
Most Artistic
1st Place Elizabeth Johnson
2nd Place SueEllen Ramer
Whimsical
Kathleen Bard
Most Unusual
1st Place Pat Buckley
2nd Place Sue Kalnasy
Best use of Color
1st Place Kate Quimby
2nd Place Ken McCann
Best use of Texture
1st Place Babs Phillips
2nd Place Carl Marshall
On a personal note I think as a collective effort this was our best year ever. There were just so many beautiful well cared for pots. I admired so many pots that didn’t get recognized above. I hope all will participate next year and hope more neighbors will join in. This contest adds one more layer of beauty to an already beautiful neighborhood!
Nancy Graham
Thanks to everyone for coming out for a sometimes rainy, but always fun Sillybration this year! Some people were heard saying that they thought it was the best Sillybration yet! To help relive the memories of that day, check out the pictures from the day under the Bellevue Park Life menu and Event Photos section.
On June 15, a Penn State Master Gardener / Master Food Preserver gave a presentation on Home Canning, Food Freezing, and Dehydration. Thanks to Bob for a great presentation and sharing information with us!
What happens when people think "green" foods for a food swap? We all get to see the many shades of green that foods can display! Great effort, beautiful results, Swappers! The next Food Swap is scheduled for July 27th! For more information, please see the Facebook Food Swap page.
Swapper Tanya's offerings: Spinach Feta Bread (in bags), Green Goddess Dressing, and Cream of Asparagus Soup.
Swapper Carol's pretty display included Creme de Menthe made from mint growing in her yard and Chili-Lime Salt using dried lime zest.
A Swapper's take home goodies!
An energetic group of volunteers planted 6 new trees on Bellevue Park reservations On May 7. Most of the trees were donated by residents in memory of a neighbor. In the words of Rob Ulsh - "making the vue more belle."
Thank you to volunteer planters: Kathy Bard, Allen Lengle, Ray Lewis, Ray Everngram , Rich DiStanislao, Pat Buckley, Nancy Graham, Vince Fogarty, Barb Pennell, Mary Warner, Maurene Krauth and Rob Ulsh.
