Benton House Newsletter ~ March 2008

A new fund-raising project ~ We're doing a cookbook featuring Irvington-area cooks! WE NEED RECIPES! For more information, please call Rose Mary Clark, 356 8692. Here is the link to our Recipe Form.

WE NEED BOOKS FOR THE JULY BOOK SALE CHAIRED BY ANN SHAVER. TO DONATE BOOKS, CALL 356 8692.

WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! WE NEED HELP TO PRESERVE THIS TREASURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. CAN YOU VOLUNTEER EVEN A COUPLE HOURS A YEAR?

~OTHER NEWS~

Homes Tour: The Tour Committee, co-chaired again by Amy Bomke Keating & Shari Bomke is hard at work. If you have homes to suggest or skills to donate, let us know.

Vintage Auto Show: We're excited about adding an auto show to the September Homes Tour. If you or a friend would be interested in participating, let us know.

A big thank you to Joe Hammond of Moore & Kirk Funeral Home for providing snow removal of our parking lot. Also, Jack and Mary Jane Eichacker hosted another St. Patrick's Day Dinner as a benefit. Thanks to Jack for also organizing a Christmas gathering on December 23rd and to piano teacher Paula Lewis and students.

New Board Member: Steve Nicewanger is a welcome addition! We are anxious to have more members on the Board. The next meeting is a breakfast at Book Mama's on Saturday, March 29th 10:00 am. You can buy coffee across the street at Lazy Daze. If interested in attending, call 356 8692. Officers will be elected on April 13th.

Several people came to the House for our "Get Acquainted Breakfast". Many joined the Association and volunteered to help. We plan to have more of these breakfasts.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ~ A letter from a satisfied renter ~ Shannon Bloomquist, an Irvington resident, sent the following to our wonderful House Manager, Linda Hudson, and gave us permission to use it.

"Hi Linda ~ Everything went very well yesterday during the baby shower, and all the guests had many wonderful things to say about the Benton House facility. I realize now that it would have been pure insanity for me to have that event at my own house. I am SO glad (and relieved) to have had the stocked kitchen and tables and chairs at my disposal, as well as the gorgeous surroundings of the home. It was elegant and fun, and I thank you for all of your assistance as I planned the event. I also thank you for letting me come the night before to put things in the fridge to chill, etc. That was a lifesaver. If I ever need an elegant setting for a future event, I know just where to have it!"

PLEASE SHARE THE ABOVE WITH YOUR ACQUAINTANCES. THE USER FEES THAT WE RECEIVE HELP US CONTINUE TO KEEP BENTON HOUSE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE LIKE SHANNON.

A note from Bill Clarke, President of the Landmarks Foundation:

Hooray! As a result of our "Each One, Reach One" campaign and our February Open House for volunteers, our membership has increased about 10%,

As this is being written, work is resuming on the Benton House Roof Gutters & Trim Project that began two years ago. Lack of funding delayed the project until now. With funding from the Marion County Historic Preservation Fund administered by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology, work is now scheduled for completion in May.

Meanwhile, those who have visited the House recently may note that the ceilings of the front and back halls have a new coat of paint, and there has been a major touch-up of scrapes and scratches in the downstairs woodwork.

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