On Tuesday, June 17, German Village Society celebrated Fred & Howard by unveiling a bronze plaque at Hausfrau Haven. The Oral History Committee, with videographer John Clark, created the video tribute above through a grant from Ohio Humanities Council. Hausfrau provided wine and The Original Max & Erma’s provided snacks for the crowd.
Geoff Schmidt talked about the contribution his family’s restaurant made to make the plaque possible, and about the long-standing, shared goals of Schmidt’s and Fred & Howard to make German Village beautiful and thriving.
Beth Ervin made tribute remarks about her friend, Fred & Howard:
As I thought about what to say today about Fred Holdridge and Howard Burns, the word that kept coming into my head was “commitment.” . . . They were deeply committed to each other, spending more than 50 years together as partners in business and in life.
They were, as we know, committed to historic preservation. Who hasn’t heard the story of Fred and his other partners in crime planting a tree in a pothole to call the city’s attention to the need to repair our brick streets? They restored properties throughout the Village and also campaigned against the demolition of important Columbus landmarks such as the Beggs Building and the Athenaeum.
They were committed to this neighborhood. Fred was on the German Village Society board forever, and served several terms as its president. Both served in various other leadership roles and never hesitated to roll up their sleeves and do what needed to be done – like picking up trash at Oktoberfest. And with Hausfrau Haven they created a German Village institution and neighborhood center, not to mention a place to buy dirty cards and wine.
And they were committed to enjoying life. Fred once told me that his mother often said to him, “Have fun Freddie.” Someone must whispered something similar in Howard’s ear, because we all know he liked a good time. They were the impetus behind Casseroles and Carols, VoidVillities, the German Village 500, a chili supper, movie nights, a corn roast. They offered dinner in the window of Hausfrau as a prize for community fundraisers. They made regular appearances in the Short North’s DooDah Parade, often dressed as pink flamingos, and were involved in lots of other shenanigans and mischief.
Today we are dedicating this plaque to two unique human beings who had a huge and lasting impact on our very special neighborhood. It also will serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of community pride, without taking ourselves too seriously. Of working hard on what is important to us, and then taking the time to play and enjoy. Of bringing a community together to celebrate. Of commitment.
A big thanks to Jodi Graichen, for shepherding this project through from start to finish and for the eloquent words on the plaque; to David Schooler and Julie D’Elia for reviewing the design along every step of the way to ensure it would meet the approval of its honorees … to Shiloh, for just making things happen, in general … and, of course, to the Schmidt family who made this possible through their generous contribution.
May the spirits of Fred and Howard live on in German Village forever.
Elberfelds Honored
The 2014 Fred & Howard Award was also given. Here are remarks shared by German Village Society Board of Trustees President Jeanne Likins:
Many of us remember Fred and Howard for the fun times they created during an important stage in the historic preservation of German Village.
They were energetic, engaging, dedicated, playful, and, sometimes, zany….both the activities and Fred and Howard!
They created events which inspired and nurtured camaraderie among their many friends and neighbors, old and new, in German Village and beyond.
Constantly, often right here in Haus Frau Haven, Fred and Howard endeavored to engage everyone they knew or met in the renovation and the community life of German Village.
Fred and Howard understood, instinctively, that a vibrant community requires more than restored buildings and brick streets and sidewalks ….. as important as those are!
As a matter of fact, one of the very first activities Joseph and I participated in was the “re-laying” of the bricks on Beck Street. We knew immediately that German Village was an activistcommunity!
Opportunities for passionate engagement, activities which garner the spirit of friendship and loyalty so characteristic of camaraderie, are just as important today.
There are literally dozens of ways to engage and thereby contribute to our vibrant community.
The German Village Society Board of Trustees and our staff believe that our continued success as a remarkable historic neighborhood requires meaningful, passionate engagement; a genuine sense of camaraderie; and frankly, lots of love….for both our work together and, for each other.
Our work though is never finished….as those who have lived here for a while can attest! Not to worry though!
As we engage together, we meet new friends, feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, and make a constructive difference for German Village and, in our shared life together in this most amazing historic community.
Fred and Howard though also clearly understood that German Village was not an island unto itself….that German Village an “our story” had to be shared beyond our footprint for lots of reasons, including basic survivability at that time.
In short, Fred and Howard were important ambassadors for German Village, both within the Village and beyond.
Telling our German Village story and having ambassadors is as important today as when Fred and Howard led the way many decades ago.
The presentation of this annual award reminds us of Fred and Howard.
It prompts us to recall their contributions, their service, their countless volunteer efforts, to improve German Village and the German Village Society.
The Fred and Howard Award recognizes and applauds those who have been influential in disseminating the German Village story beyond our borders, in being ambassadors on our behalf.
This years’ awardees are…….Ed and Barb Elberfeld! Please congratulate them!
Almost forty years ago Barb and Ed chose to live in German Village.
They wanted to live close to their work.
They were drawn here, to the renovation efforts underway.
Like so many of us …. both then, and now.
Ed and Barb believed in the community revitalization efforts that Fred and Howard’s leadership offered German Village residents and businesses.
They enjoyed Fred and Howard and participated in many of the activities they organized.
If you know Ed and Barb, you know that just about everything one engages with or volunteers for, the other does as well.
You can’t really sort out exactly what Barb contributes and what Ed adds and vice versa.
They work together, as a team. And…with great results! Lucky for us!
Now, that’s testimony to a long term relationship, in the best sense of things!
Over the years, Barb and Ed have been involved in lots of “ambassador” activities, all of which focus on German Village as well as projecting German Village and our story beyond our 233 beautiful acres.
Examples include:
- participating in the German Village Society’s Haus & Garten Tours
- hosting Haus & Garten pre-Tour dinners, including again this year
- volunteering at the Meeting Haus, which is “command central” for our ambassadors who greet and assist countless residents and business owners and, who welcome thousands from around the globe each year
- assisting with more recent initiatives such as Monster
Bash, which draws young professionals from around the region, and the Warner Fest Hall Gallery, which showcases artists and their work and, which is enjoyed by residents and guests alike;
- serving on the Society’s Long Range Planning Committee,
an essential focus for our sustained vibrancy In fact, it was within this Long Range Planning Committee that Village Connections was incubated and later, created as a new 501©3 organization.
Ed serves as its President and has been highly visible as the face of this innovative program which serves German Village and surrounding neighborhoods.
We all know though, that Barb’s just as active with this exciting new effort which enables older residents to remain in their homes and, in charge of their lives.
Ed and Barb’s significant engagement in helping to “birth” Village Connections is a recent and great example of being of service to our community and, of being an ambassador for German Village, for telling our story, both within our boundaries and beyond.
When asked recently about their favorite aspect of German Village, the Elberfelds quickly pointed out that it has always been and continues to be the people who live here.
Specifically, they noted the sense of community and neighborliness, combined with the genuine spirit of volunteerism, which has created an infectious sense of togetherness to improve our neighborhood.
Ed and Barb are terrific examples of those who serve German Village and, who are ambassadors on behalf of our community.
The Elberfelds’ commitment demonstrates the importance of spreading the German Village story and, living the service to our community, the volunteerism, which ensures that we will thrive as a beloved neighborhood.
Barb and Ed, on behalf of the German Village Society Board of Trustees, our staff, our members, and our entire community, thank you for all that you have given German Village and the German Village Society.
Fred and Howard would be very proud of your contributions and successes, just as we all are!
Three cheers for Ed and Barb!
Anonymous Village Mr. Fixit Honored
Also honored at the event was David Schooler, the “Anonymous Village Mr. Fixit” — David Schooler. A special paint brush award was created for David and will be on display at the Meeting Haus. Here are remarks shared about David’s contributions:
The person ALWAYS in the thick of it, but typically not visible.
If you fall through your ceiling, he loans you a bedroom for an indeterminate amount of time.
Never ask him to babysit for your pets. They may end up “rescued” via vehicle trunk.
He was on the capital campaign committee and has always maintained a “vested” interest. If there’s a light bulb out at the Meeting Haus, you’ll find him on a ladder replacing it. He is the right-hand man for maintenance and building rehab, and will always let a volunteer in at any hour needed.
He’s an enthusiastic participant in helping Village Connections spring to life, helping keep his community of friends together as we all age in place.
He has the most eloquent welcome lunches.
If we’re not having enough FUN in the village, he steps up to chair the committee called FUN! One big piece of FUN was his leadership with GVBC in Village Lights.
The man behind the wheel of the golf cart with the wheelchair. Must be his Peace Corps learnings. Most especially the men we honor here tonight – but not JUST Fred & Howard. If there’s a need, he fixes it. He’s the friend every person wants.
If you don’t know who this is yet, book your travel plans over at Town & Country – corner of Willow and Lazelle!