The German Village Commission honored three projects that contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the historic fabric of German Village. Following the Commission’s awards, the German Village Society presented the President’s Award to City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

Andrea and Brett Cambern joined us to receive a special recognition for years of dedication and service to the German Village Society.

Awards were followed by a reception and a chance to socialize with like-minded leaders in preservation and Columbus advocacy. Before the evening even began, our Open House showed off our newly remodeled office space and named the team of donors responsible for our very polished new home! If you couldn’t join us to see the self-led walking tour of the offices in person, here are the notes from the plaques.

May 15, 2012

You can preview their presentation here.PARKING ISSUES ON THE NEAR SOUTHSIDE OF COLUMBUS

Permit Parking Restrictions 5 3 12

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING rosetti

As everyone knows, it takes a lot of hard work and diligence to keep our wonderful village homes in shape.   And we all know that it takes a village to keep our beloved GVS Meeting Haus the pride of the community.   It is our civic theater, our society meeting place, the tourist’s stop, our social stomping ground, the symbol ofGermanVillage   It is indeed our home away from home and we are so proud of it.

But this wonderful haus comes with a price.   We inherited a mortgage free legacy, but no endowment to cover the operation and maintenance costs.   Therefore, your membership dues and other revenues must cover these annual costs such as cleaning, painting, insurance, heating, etc. Every year, the budget must include estimates for these expenses. It is the Meeting Haus Maintenance committee that has the responsibility, along with the staff, to ensure these tasks are completed.

In addition, there are the major maintenance costs such as new carpeting, furnaces, etc.  Just a few years ago, the outside of the building was in neglect.   Over $40,000 was spent to “catch up” by painting the outside trim, caulking, new flat roof (yes, portions of the roof are flat and covered with special fabric), etc.   TheVisitorCenterwas also freshened (some of you may remember that the flat roof leaked into the center ceiling).   It is a never-ending job and it is the responsibility of the Meeting Haus Maintenance committee to oversee and schedule this work.

A few years ago, the Board had the foresight to create two funds for our Meeting Haus.   There is a Meeting Haus Replacement Fund, based upon a lifetime replacement schedule of major assets (four furnaces, air conditioners, roofs, elevator, etc.).   The source of this fund was the sale of the Third Street rental a few years ago.    In addition, there is a Warner Maintenance Fund initiated with a bequest from Brent Warner.   This fund is used to pay for major “non-annual” maintenance items (our new alarm system, new phones, and others too numerous to mention).   This legacy of giving to the upkeep of our Meeting Haus continues today with a very generous gift in memory of Gene Owen in his will.

There are others who give funds for very specific needs.   Who hasn’t been aware of the sad condition of the office and kitchen area over the past few years?   Thanks to another generous set of donors, led by one major donation, who funded a major upgrade to the areas, the staff has a wonderful environment to work.  Be sure to take advantage of the building tour at the May 15 Open House before the Caretakers of a Legacy Awards ceremony to see what has been remodeled.   It is like night and day! The Open House begins next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with the award to begin at 6. We will reveal the donors’ names at that event!

The Maintenance Committee has been extremely active for the past couple of years.   By going from room to room, an inventory list was created for everything that needed fixed, upgraded, replaced or cleaned.   This list has safety issues (furnace clearance, emergency lighting, grab bars, etc.).  Upgrades will keep our insurance costs low and the building efficient.   Cleaning involves steaming years of grime off the tile and grout.   Did you ever notice the musty smell in the elevator during the summer?  Well it is a problem with a badly designed sump pump system.   Who knew?  But it will soon be fixed, thanks to the diligence of the Maintenance Committee.

The list of work goes on and on and it is a never-ending labor of love by the staff and committee to take care of our Meeting Haus, our collective legacy.   So the next time you run into Mary Ross, David Schooler, Ned Merkle, and Jeff Ruff – the committee members – as well as Russ and Shiloh, be sure to thank them!   And of course, if there is anyone who would like to join this band of legacy caretakers, just give Shiloh a call.   Preservation is not cheap nor easy and the committee can always use more help.

The meeting is at 109 North Front Street downtown and begins at 6 p.m.

Not sure if your address has been on Tour? Click here>> Haus und Garten 1960 – 2011 House Tour list 04-30-12

Please fill out the following information and return with a check made to

German Village Society.

RESERVATION DUE

JUNE 7, 2012

Homeowner Name ________________________________________________________

Contact Phone and Email _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ _____

YEAR Home Was on Tour ___________________________________________________

Signs will be available for pick up at the Meeting Haus on June 18, 2012.

]]> http://germanvillage.com/archives/7038/feed 0 http://germanvillage.com/archives/7049 http://germanvillage.com/archives/7049#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 15:21:32 +0000 admin http://germanvillage.com/?p=7049 We are back !!!   There are some changes, however, other than our feature’s name.  We will still be presenting the residential histories of German Village homes and shops but this will be monthly rather than weekly.  To compensate for this, the feature will  now be four pages covering four locations (be sure to click on the picture to advance to the next history).  In addition, we have added a ”News of the Day” segment which will feature stories from Columbus Newspapers published in the nineteenth century.   We hope you enjoy them.

Before we get started, we have on display at Winan’s Chocolates and Coffees our “ German Village Remembrances” exhibit.  Featured are seventy or so current German Village Homes with descriptions of residents from 100 or more years ago.  Stop by, get some coffee and enjoy the show.

This week’s locales feature the homes of a chainmaker, a chairmaker, a shoecutter, and a cigarmaker.  We also tell of a circus act, a boy who runs away to the circus, fireworks, and a ladybug.  Go to www.thismonthsgvlocales.com