herman Hill
Association
NEWSLETTER February 2000

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President's Column

Carter House

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President's Column

By Sonja Roberts

Just because the groundhog in New Jersey saw his shadow doesn't mean that we're in for six more weeks of winter. NPR reports that "Jimmy" a groundhog in Sun Prairie Wisconsin, who arrived at the designated location by limousine did not see his shadow when coaxed out to enjoy his breakfast. Since Wisconsin is much closer than New Jersey, let's hope for the best.

It hardly seems time to start looking at seed catalogues but spring does bring with it the anticipation of new beginnings. The designated Neighborhood committee has been meeting with the city to prioritize our needs for capital improvements. It looks like we are going to select curb replacement as a number one goal (you are more than welcome to add to the wish list by calling Randa LeJeune). We are hoping that we will be able to set the Capital stones at the same time the cement trucks will be here to pour the supporting concrete slabs.

Thanks to hard work, planning, and volunteer efforts, our financial picture is as strong as it has been for years. Although we miss the benefits that a full time executive director provided, Dawn Bentley (as our part time right hand) has been doing a great job making sure that we are up to date and running smoothly. Thanks Dawn!

Don't forget that the Quarterly Meeting is on the 21st of February. Because of scheduling conflicts with Hoyt Sherman, and the fact that most of you will want to spend a romantic Valentine evening with your significant other we are meeting later. We have two board positions to fill, and a short list of business so there will be plenty of time to enjoy each other's company. See you there!

Sherman Hill Calendar of Events 2000

February 21 Quarterly Meeting

CARTER HOUSE INN

A note from your local innkeepers:

Some Sherman Hill residents may not realize that there is a bed and breakfast "right here in their own backyard". Others who do know may have wondered how running an inn in Sherman Hill has been going. For either group, we thought we'd provide an update on the kinds of guests who choose to stay in our neighborhood and what their impressions of the area have tended to be.

Since reopening Carter House back in 1996, its been our pleasure to host guests from, at last count, thirty eight states outside of Iowa (including Hawaii and Alaska) and the countries of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the Ukraine. The diversity of the people staying in our home and gathered around the breakfast table in the morning has been a continuous learning experience and a great source of interest and fun. While our guests have come from many different places and walks of life, they share in common a preference for seeking out a "home away from home" as an alternative to a standard hotel, and an attraction to the warmth, charm and character of an historic neighborhood. While all of us who live in Sherman Hill have the opportunity to expose family members and friends from the Des Moines area to the neighborhood, we're fortunate to have a unique perspective on the impression that Sherman Hill makes on people passing through Des Moines - whether on business, relocating across the country, here to stay with relatives, or believe it or not, tourists! We're pleased to report that reactions are generally very positive, and the changes we're making in the neighborhood do get noticed. We've lost count of the number of guests who have commented on the street light project. Many more people are inquiring about the Hoyt Sherman Theatre now that the new sign has been erected.

We give a "mini-lecture" on the history of the neighborhood to most guests upon check-in (whether they seem interested or not!), and often this motivates them to walk through the area and comment upon their return on how work is going on, houses currently undergoing restoration, local businesses that caught their eye, gardens in bloom, etc. Repeat guests chart neighborhood progress with satisfaction, and the number of people who arrive at our door with that "I'm worried about the area" look on their face has steadily declined (most notably after the houses at the corner of Woodland and MLK were finally torn down - we used to joke that they were the Carter House Annex For Problem Guests!).

In short, people who could choose to stay anywhere they wanted while visiting Des Moines are choosing to stay in Sherman Hill, and are liking what they see. That is a credit to all of us, who make this neighborhood our home. Starting this month, Cindy Nelson will be devoting full time and energy to innkeeping at Carter House, and we look forward to another year of welcoming guests to the inn.

Submitted by Rick and Cindy Nelson

How could we forget?

In our last issue of the Sherman Hill newsletter, there was an article listing and thanking people involved in making this last fall's house tour so successful. We neglected to mention that Joe and Claranel Smith so graciously opened their home on the tour. Joe and Claranel are always such wonderful and giving people to the neighborhood. Please accept our apology!

Note

Items of interest to the people and supporters of the Sherman Hill neighborhood are welcome. You are encouraged to share your comments about trends, progress, people, houses, and businesses in Sherman Hill. Electronic format is appreciated but certainly not required. Please send your comments, pictures, or other submissions for this newsletter to:

Rick Knecht
680 20th Street
288-3495
rickk10071@aol.com

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Contact us
Sherman Hill Neighborhood Association
756 16th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Phone: (515) 284-5717