From Rev. Bailey’s email:
All are invited to join us this Sunday, January 6, at 5 PM for a special Epiphany celebration of Lessons and Carols. Child Care available.
St. Andrew’s Chancel Choir and Guests will sing the music of Cunningham, Mendelssohn, Lole, Dyson, Rutter, and Wood. Following the service, please join us for a reception as we say good-bye to the Christmas season and welcome the New Year. www.standrewsoregonhill.org.
Happy 2013!
Abbott
From email:
Richmond Hostel Friends:
The monthly Richmond Hostel Committee meeting for January is cancelled.
But, don’t miss this month’s Vicarious Travelers Series at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library at 101 E. Franklin St.
This Saturday, January 5, at 3:00PM, Emily Parlove will present “The Frugal Explorer’s Dream Trip to Australia.” Gerry Leonard ‘s presentation “More Bang for Your Euro” will be on Saturday, January 19 at 3:00PM at the library.Our next meeting will be February 12.
Sarah Weisiger, Richmond Hostel Committee, Chair
Henrico Citizen has a recent article that touches on Oregon Hill’s ‘patron saint’, Grace Arents:
Just across Hilliard Road from the Lakeside Town Center, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (LGBG), employees of the Garden often speak of the “ghost of Grace.” At a recent Lakeside Business Association social, a few business owners wondered whether the spirit playing in the shops might be a long-ago resident of the homes that were once on the site – or perhaps the young Grace Arents, Lewis Ginter’s niece.
Beth Monroe, LGBG director of public relations and marketing, noted that Arents – who lived as an adult in the Bloemendaal House and possibly played on the grounds as a child – had a generous nature and was known for her philanthropic efforts, such as establishing a convalescent home for children and founding Richmond’s first public library.
Arents was especially concerned with the plight of urban children, who would often be brought out from Oregon Hill to Bloemendaal Farm so that they could enjoy fresh air and eat healthy foods. “The site of the Children’s Garden is where she grew her vegetables,” Monroe pointed out.
Noting that “places like Lewis Ginter often have a patron saint of sorts,” Monroe said that Arents clearly fits the profile of the affectionate, benevolent, and playful spirit that seems to show up at the Bloemendaal House from time to time. While “Grace’s ghost” has not been heard to giggle, staff members and volunteers have occasionally reported feeling a rush of air when no one else was around, said Monroe. Others have caught a glimpse of a vision in white.
And like the spirit that frequents the Lakeside Town Center, the Garden’s ghost seems to be an especially mischievous one.
“Whenever something odd happens at the house,” said Monroe, “like the lights blink, or a door that was closed is left open, we say, “Ahhh, there’s Grace again!”
From email message:
Byrd House Renegade Market
Wednesday, December 26th
Shortened hours: 3 – 5 pm
Spend some gift $$ on great foods for New Year’s!
Happy winter solstice. Happy holidays – blue and white; red and green; red black green & gold. Light all good candles and may your loved ones gather together.
Love. Peace. Renewal.
As a blogger treat, I recently toured the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. What a great reminder to keep others in our prayers this season.
Also, please don’t forget about toy safety-
From email announcement:
3-6 pm corner of Idlewood & S. Linden Sts. 23220
Be here, get hot drinks,
find warm gifts and good peeps.
May winter shine upon ya.
Produce, Specialty FoodsAgriberry
Byrd Farm / Rural Virginia Market
Deer Run Farm
Ettamae’s Oven
Faith Farm Foods
Sub Rosa Breads
Tomten Farm
Arts, Crafts, Holiday GreeneryBreeze Hill Farm (lamb’s wool yarns, holiday greenery and gifts)
CityGarden (holiday greenery designs)
Foraged (natural materials made into holiday decorations and gifts)
KR2 Knitting (fingerless gloves and half-mittens, scarves, hats, dickies, mufflers, berets…)
PrayerMonkey (crocheted wire & beaded jewelry)
Ron Stradone (holiday greenery designs)
WBCH Renegade Market TentFriendly faces, good cheer, holiday warmth
and More!
Holiday Schedule!!
CLOSED Tuesday CHRISTMAS DAY:
OPEN WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 3-5 pm
OPEN Tuesday NEW YEAR’S DAY: Normal Hours, 3-6pm—
_____________________Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) is meeting a week early for the month of December (fourth Tuesday is Christmas).
Tuesday, December 18th, at 7 PM at William Byrd Community House (WBCH).
From WBCH press release:
Richmond, December 12, 2012 – The board of directors of the William Byrd Community House, the near century-old community organization that provides a range of services to some of Richmond’s most vulnerable families, has named Shelia Givens as its new executive director, effective immediately.
Ms. Givens has served William Byrd Community House as its director of operations for the past four years. She succeeds Robert Bolling, who served as executive director for five years.
“We had the right person ready to step into the role,” said José “Pepe” Porrata, president of the board. “She understands our programs and the people they serve, and has earned the respect and affection of the staff and the many friends and partners of the William Byrd Community House. We are confident that, through her leadership and the dedication she brings to her expanded role, our next century will be as bright and productive as our previous.”
Prior to William Byrd Community House, Ms. Givens held positions at Wachovia Securities, LG&E Power and the Virginia Department of Health.
“William Byrd Community House holds a special place in this community, as it does in my heart, and I am thrilled and proud to serve as its new executive director,” Ms. Givens said. “Our work is critical on so many fronts – as a resource for families striving to gain self-sufficiency, as a safe and nurturing place for children, as a safety net for those unable to meet their basic needs. As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, our focus will be on continuing to meet the needs of Richmond’s most vulnerable families.”
# # #
Some local historians argue that is what is now known as Oregon Hill was actually called Belvidere Hill, and Oregon Hill was the part of the neighborhood that used to exist east of Belvidere. Of course, if you want to go further back, what is now known as Oregon Hill was outside of the old City limits and known as part of the Sydney township.
John Murden, who does the Church Hill People’s News site, has been digging around at the Library of Virginia and found the following photos and information:
From the Richmond Esthetic Survey & Historic Building Survey:
In 1964, the Historic Richmond Foundation (HRF) and the William Byrd Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) undertook an inventory of historic buildings in Richmond. The Richmond City Planning Commission assisted the APVA and HRF in underwriting the cost of the survey. Workers carried out the study in the spring of 1965 under the direction of Paul S. Delaney and Carlo Pelliccia of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture.
The project confined the inventory to the central part of Richmond, from Boulevard east to Chimborazo Park, and from the James River north to Shockoe Cemetery. The area’s concentration of historic architecture, in addition to the amount of change and demolition going on at the time, prompted this focus.
From email announcement:
Should be a nice day…
Hope you’re planning to come on by. 3pm to 6pm.Wanna Stock up on Stocking Stuffers?
December 18 is the Renegade Market’s Holiday Market!
Be here, get hot drinks,
find warm gifts and good peeps.
May winter shine upon ya.Thanks to Everyone!
who attended this year’s Spaghetti Dinner at Perly’s and to the WBCH associate board and staff who made it happen. special thanks to Perly’s for being THE joint for THIS happening annually for the last 6 years.ByrdHouseMarket.blogspot.com
Visit our blog for more info on the market, WBCH programs, Eat Good to Grow Great recipes and so much more.Bees Up Your Alley?
See the Beehive Grant Fund information (Click to open PDF)! You could get money (or reimbursement for funds spent) to start a beehive in your backyard, neighborhood, school, community garden, park… check it out. Remarkable!_____________________
Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306