As I sit down to type this letter for the summer newsletter, it is 40 degrees and raining outside and the trees and shrubs are beginning to open up. A robin is building a nest by the corner of our garage. She was almost done with this artful adventure yesterday, but the winds from last night must have blown the entire nest to the ground. She just keeps working away on a new one. By the time everyone reads this letter, her young will be almost large enough to be chased from the nest. Nature is remarkable.

As a neighborhood association, we try to be like that robin, working on community projects that strengthen our nest to build a new active base of volunteers and neighbors that work toward common goals and civic engagement. We work together to bring neighbors together in venues that are both fun and entertaining. This year’s Easter Egg Hunt was one of those moments. Because of the disciplined work of your VP Jennifer Lenz, many neighbors were able to gather with their children to have a little fun in St. James Park. It was fun to watch so many people guide their children through the park to find those treats, and I enjoyed meeting and talking with so many of you as well.

As we slide into summer, please consider contacting any board member if you would like to volunteer to help out at some of our events. Students should consider this as a positive way to earn community service time they need to graduate as well.

Remember that we are Green Bay’s most historic neighborhood and historical preservation is at the core of our mission. We are also wide open to any ideas you may have for community projects that you feel may be important near you and your neighbors. Each block is different and needs vary. Please get involved and let’s grow our presence together throughout this lovely neighborhood we call home.

Regards,

Ron Dehn
President, Astor Neighborhood Association

From the Summer 2017 Astor Outlook Newsletter. Visit the Archive page to view the newsletter in it's entirety.

Astor Neighborhood Association partnered with the Brown County Historical Society to offer workshops to research your home! If This Home Could Talk! Every House Has a Story!

Houses all have a story to tell. This workshop will explore how to research a house history. Deb Anderson, coordinator of the UW Green Bay Archives and Area Research Center, will share a wide variety of resources that can be used to provide clues about construction dates, physical features, and occupants of your home.

The house history workshops on the 19th and 28th at 6:30 at the Brown County Historical Society located at 1008 S Monroe Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

Call Chris Dunbar to register - (920) 437-1840

If you are interested in having your home on the September 23rd If This Home Could Talk Homes Tour please call Deby Dehn – (920) 435-6502 or email deby.dehn@wheda.com.

Work to begin June 12, last throughout summer and fall 2017 A major construction project that will last throughout summer and into fall of 2017 will begin Monday, June 12 on S. Webster Avenue, in front of Bellin and HSHS St. Vincent hospitals.

Crews will be replacing utilities and pavement along Webster, resulting in traffic lane and sidewalk closures. Although Webster will not close entirely during the project, this work will cause significant disruptions for Bellin Health patients, visitors, employees, vendors and other individuals who access the hospital campus. It is imperative that these individuals allow extra time to get to appointments or to arrive at work.

“This is necessary work that will ultimately improve conditions for drivers and pedestrians along Webster Avenue,” said Chris Lyga, Bellin Health Maintenance Operations team leader. “We are doing everything we can to limit inconvenience for those who access our hospital campus, and we thank them in advance for their patience as this project proceeds.”

Individuals who drive to the Bellin Hospital campus during construction are urged to avoid Webster Avenue, where significant back-ups will be likely. Motorists approaching from the west are advised to take S. Monroe Avenue to Porlier Street and access the hospital campus via S. Van Buren Street. Those approaching from the east, north and south are advised to take S. Baird Street/Libal Street to Eliza Street to S. Van Buren. Hospital campus parking lots will remain open as usual during this time.

Bellin Health is implementing a multifaceted communication plan to minimize the impact of disruptions for all affected groups. The Bellin Health homepage, physical signage, a variety of patient communication channels and social media will be used to increase awareness and convey project updates as necessary.

Individuals with questions on the project may contact Chris Lyga at (920) 327-3894 or Robbie Kocian at (920) 609-7580.

(Press Release Article published by Bellin Health.)

Want to be a part of the excitement??!!?? Volunteer to staff a course corner and you’ll receive a special volunteer t-shirt and the appreciation of 14,000 people! Go to bellinrun.com/volunteer to sign up. Once you sign up, you will get information on picking up your shirt, etc.

The Astor Neighborhood Association has received a grant from the Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council to support our efforts in the development of “If Homes Could Talk” historical walking tour.  The tour is in partnership with the Brown County Historical Society to document and present the social and architectural history of the Astor Neighborhood.

We need your help! Do you love the history of your house and would like to share it with others? Tell your house’s story in 2017! The concept is to collect and present local history and historical anecdotes of your home in “story form” to be a part of the tour. The ANA will offer workshops for participants to develop a written history, tell stories, and offer information from the past. This information will be put on a sign, which will be provided by the ANA, and will be placed in front of participating homes in time for the guided walking tour. It will take place on Saturday, September 23rd throughout the twenty-five-block Astor Historic District bordered by Mason, Van Buren, and Grignon Streets and the east bank of the Fox River. To explore an example of an ongoing historical tour and signage displays in Newburyport follow this link: https://walknewburyport.wordpress.com/

Check out our website (http://astorneighborhood.org/) for upcoming workshops on how to research your home. Information will be on our Facebook page as well.

We have a number of homes committed but are looking for more to join us. Our goal is to have 30 homes participate. If you are interested in volunteering, participating, or donating to this project please email or call Deby Dehn at deby.dehn@wheda.com or (920)737-6501.