Welcome to our Swillburg Neighborhood Association newsletter! Sign up here to receive this newsletter via e-mail if you did not get it directly! This newsletter will serve to give you the latest updates in our neighborhood and feature upcoming events.
Do you have an idea for the newsletter or would like us to feature your local event or business? Do you have historic photos of the neighborhood? Contact Josh Jacobs at joshua.f.jacobs@gmail.com
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ONLINE SWILLBURG STORE REOPENS FOR HOLIDAY SEASON |
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Visit the online store HERE. Proceeds for every purchase go back into neighborhood projects such as the gardens, dog waste bag stations, and events like our Summer Pig Party!
Swillburg gear makes great holiday gifts!!
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Thank You Swillburgers! Our Fall Gathering was a success, thanks to you!
In November, we transformed the Artisan Church sanctuary & vestibule into a place for sharing desserts, snagging neighborhood swag, bidding on food baskets and gift certificates, listening to reports on crime and new businesses here — and for communing with neighbors.
And we learned there was SO MUCH going on!
We found out we had a new young author — Jon Schnapps — who signed copies of his book. Dirt bike and panhandler issues were addressed by RPD Captain Jason Elwood and Lt. Rob Wilson. Neighborhood leader Judy Lee Hay, who emceed, announced a major upgrade for our School 35 playground. A new sidewalk snow-shoveling program, spearheaded by resident Brady Fergusson, was outlined. Owner Mohammad Khan discussed his expansion plans for the plaza and gas station at Clinton and Goodman. New owner John Vangellow outlined his ideas for Stuart’s Spices.
And there was more excitement: A new historical monument honoring bandleader and musician Blanche Calloway is fully funded now, and will be erected on a small plaza in our own Otto Henderberg Park, complementing that of her brother Cab Calloway! Unveiling is currently expected by spring.
Many steering committee members donated desserts, moved furniture, managed the auction, and picked up needed supplies — and all of us delivered fliers door-to-door, covering every Swillburg street.
But mostly, thanks is due Judy Lee Hay, for procuring the speakers and venue, hauling enormous amounts of stuff in her new truck, organizing the event, and generally whipping us (neighborhood planners) into shape.
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Sidewalk Snow Shoveling Pledge |
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Complete and submit this form to pledge to keep the sidewalk in front of your house clear of snow. Many people in our community - including children, elderly people, and people with disabilities - depend on using the sidewalk to get wherever they need to go. Let's make it safer for them to walk during the winter!
By making this pledge, you commit to shoveling the snow from the sidewalk or having the snow removal service you use (for example, a snow plowing service) clear the snow from the sidewalk. Thank you for considering to support this Swillburg Neighborhood initiative!
If you are unable to shovel your walk and would like to request help from a volunteer, please email Brady Fergusson at bradyf585@gmail.com
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Swillburg Receives Major Grants |
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The Swillburg Neighborhood Association, in partnership with the South East Area Coalition, received major grants to establish a small plaza and sculpture to honor Blanche Calloway in Otto Henderberg Park. The stone plaza made by stone mason Mike Santini and the sculpture by artist Stacey Mrva are funded through a $4,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, ESL grant of $6,100 and a SEAC $500 grant. On behalf of our neighborhood we thank our funders for their support and trust in our work.
How did the idea emerge to pay tribute to Blanche Calloway and who is she? Two long time Swillburg residents Jacks Mars and Frank TenBroeck had the idea of honoring Blanche Calloway. They knew of Blanche’s contributions to the field of music and the Civil Rights movement and wondered why Swillburg never recognized her. In 1993 a monument and plaque honoring her younger brother Cab Calloway was installed in Otto Henderberg Park, a short distance from 14 Sycamore where the family previously resided. Their question sent us on a journey to discover more about Blanche and her history.
In the 1920’s Chicago was the jazz capital of the world. Blanche made her home in Chicago performing at the Sunset Club before touring in New York. Wikipedia says, “Blanche performed alongside of musicians such as Cozy Cole and Chick Webb as well as her brother Cab. In 1925 Blanche recorded two blues songs, which would be promoted on race records, accompanied by Louis Armstrong and Richard M. Jones; the first inception of her Joys Boys Orchestra.” According to aaregistry.org “During these years her bands often performed songs she wrote. She penned Growling Dan, I Need Love, and Rhythm of the River.” Her songs can be accessed on Youtube.
By the 1930’s Blanche had established herself as a talented jazz singer, composer, recording artist, activist and bandleader. She was a major influence on her younger brother Cab Calloway. As with many talented women, especially African American women of that time period, Blanche’s contributions to the field of jazz, music, democratic values, civil rights and women’s capacity to influence culture, lacked recognition. Race and gender played a significant role in Blanche being over-shadowed. In 1940 in a suburb of Philadelphia, Blanche became Democratic committeewoman. In 1950’s Blanche moved to Florida at the beginning Civil Rights Movement and became the first African American voting clerk and first African American woman to vote in 1958. She was an active member of the NAACP and Congress of Racial Equality. Blanche served on the Board National Urban League and Protested with forty other African American Women with Women’s Peace Force at Hague.
As our Swillburg leadership team came to understand why Jack and Frank had raised up Blanche’s name for recognition we decided it was time for her to be recognized. Stacey Mrva is the artist the SNA and the South Clinton Merchants Association has worked with for the ten decorative benches along South Clinton Avenue. Mike Santini is a well know stonemason, thus a new partnership evolved. In the fall of 2022 the plaza will be installed across from the little library and in the spring/summer a celebration will be held as the sculpture is installed. Otto Henderberg Park is owned and controlled by the City of Rochester, thus several permits and legal issues had to be resolved. Thanks to Sara Scott from the City Department of Recreation and Human Services, Jeff Mroczek Senior Landscape Architect City of Rochester and the city legal department we are moving forward to celebrate Blanche Calloway’s life and legacy.
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Renovation of School 35 Playground |
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Over three years ago the issue of the need for an extreme makeover for the School 35 playground was brought to the attention of the Swillburg leadership by two different parents John Chajks and Kaitlin Ruffolo whose children enjoy the space for activity. Each had concerns that ranged from chipping paint on outdated equipment, rough wood chips, weeds, broken boards to name a few areas of concern. Our SNA leadership team took the concerns seriously and approached Sara Scott from the Department of Recreation and Human Services and also sent our concerns to the School Board. Sara met with staff from City Recreation and Human and Services and School District personnel. We are delighted to announce that a complete makeover of the School 35 playground will happen by the fall of 2023.
A special thanks to Eric Hansen Project Architect Rochester City School District who writes “this playground utilizes all of the pieces from a new playground that was recently installed and then removed from School #25 when it closed (see the attached photo). The attached plan places this equipment in the area of the present playground at School #35 and preserves all of the mature trees in this lovely space. The surfacing beneath the equipment with be soft surface tiles that are shown in the photo, replacing the wood fill that is currently in the playground (shown in the second photo). New decorative metal fencing is planned for three sides of the playground. The adjacent areas inside the fence line will be grass (sod) with the intent that the new playground for School #35 is ready for the fall of 2023”.
A reminder that we can make a difference in our neighborhood when concerns are raised and when neighbors seek solutions and partnerships to bring about change. As with the School 35 playground it does not happen immediately, but it can happen thanks to many committed folks at all levels of our larger community and neighborhood.
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Swillburg Sign By South Reinstalled |
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The RGE crew laying new lines on Field Street, severely damaged our “Welcome To Swillburg” sign and the neighbor’s lovely lilac bushes. Fortunately the SNA leadership team was able to contact Veronica Dasher, from Community Relations at RGE. The sign and bushes will be replaced by RGE at its expense. Image 360 had our design in its computer, so getting a new sign made was easy.
RGE has since replaced the sign and it looks great!
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We have a great community — and an amazing steering committee who runs the neighborhood association. However WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We meet once a month and plan events like our Annual Pig Party, come up with swag ideas to raise money, planting our flower gardens, Swillburg clean up, and much much more! There is something for everyone and all abilities!
If you would like to be part of our Swillburg Neighborhood Association Steering Committee, please email Josh Jacobs at joshua.f.jacobs@gmail.com
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What Ideas Do You Have For Swillburg?
We want to hear from YOU! What would you like to see happen in Swillburg? Events? Beautification? Information? New swag?
The skys the limit! Send any ideas to joshua.f.jacobs@gmail.com and your name will be kept confidential if you choose!
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204 Schlegel Hall | Rochester, NY 14620 US
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