April 2015 SHNA Newsletter - Signal Hill Neighborhood Association

SIGNALS FROM THE HILL
Signal Hill Neighborhood Association
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 1
www.signalhillna.com
APRIL 2015
Signal Hill
Letter from the President
A Great Place to Live
A GUIDE TO WHAT'S INSIDE
Angels & Valentines /
A Tribute to Michele Cowell…....2
2015 Dues Paying Members.……3
West End Neighborhood
Summer Camp………………….…4 - 7
Hello Neighbors!
Spring is finally here! Throughout the neighborhood flowers are
blooming and the promise of warm weather and sunshine has finally
arrived. In the next couple of months, the South 95th Street Community
Garden will be the center of neighborhood activity. Be sure to stop by
when you take your daily stroll through the neighborhood. Our
West End Trail(s) Update….………8
gardeners are always willing and eager to answer any and all questions
-Think Spring -The Mad Planters S. 95th Street Garden - West
Belleville Garden Tour &
Boutique………………………………….9
from passers-by. It's the perfect 'hands-on classroom' for those interested
Front Porch Chatter
-St. Clair County Greenspace
Foundation - Hitching Post
Property - No milkweed. No
monarchs………………………………10
get caught up on those outdoor projects neglected throughout the winter
Front Porch Chatter
-SHNA Social Media Sites – WERC
- Rainbow Kids Preschool..…….11
Who Do You Call?
This page is a KEEPER!
SHNA Board of Directors and
other MUST HAVE contact
numbers…………………………..…...12
in taking up gardening but didn't know how to start.
Now is a great time to take advantage of the warmer weather to
months. The April Large Item Spring Clean-up was a huge help. We are
very fortunate to have a Highway Department who has a Commissioner
willing to help us keep our community clean and clutter free.
With warmer temperatures come more responsibility as
neighbors. Soon school will be dismissed for summer. This means more
children out and about during the day. Stay alert when driving! Watch
for children on bicycles or the one child that might chase a ball into the
street. With all of us working together, we can truly make Signal Hill a
Great Place to Live!
Sincerely,
Brian Triska
APRIL 2015
www.signahillna.com
PAGE 2
Angels and Valentines
No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another .
Long time Signal Hill resident and SHNA board member, Michele Cowell, passed away last October
after a short, but valiant, battle with cancer. Each of us who knew Michele undoubtedly remembers
something special about her. However, what stands out most in the minds of SHNA Board members was her
absolute love for, and dedication to those serving in the military. Michele was a champion advocate for the
men, women and their families who serve and sacrifice so much for us. She is the reason our neighborhood
displays hundreds of American flags on national holidays. She is the reason patriotism is alive and well in
Signal Hill.
As our way of honoring Michele’s service to her military families and our neighborhood, the Board
would like to plant a tree in front of the Community Garden on South 95th Street. Michele’s family has a
garden there, so the planting of a tree seems very appropriate. A plaque with Michele's name will be placed
underneath the tree. If you would like to contribute to this memorial, please send your donation to Barbara
Stalker, 2 Bluff Drive, Belleville, IL 62223. Please write “Memorial” on the memo line on your check.
REMEMBERING A DEAR FRIEND
~ By Signal Hill resident, Helen Davidson
“Just a few short months ago, Signal Hill lost a truly special person.
If someone asked me to give three words that best described Michele, they would be strong,
passionate, and loyal.
I have never met anyone with so much strength and commitment when it came to supporting and
fighting for the well-being of our armed forces; whether they were here in the U.S. or thousands of miles
away on deployment. It could have been helping to organize an honor guard for a fallen soldier, or making
pillowcases just to comfort and re-assure deployed men and women. Michele was there at the forefront of
advocating for anyone who wore a military uniform. No task was too big or daunting for her, and her sheer
perseverance and determination enabled her to help not only active military, but their families, too.
It still seems unbelievable that my good friend is gone. I will certainly miss our chats over the fence,
catching a weepy chick flick, a theater show, or just sitting on my porch putting the world right, over coffee.
Michele was that rare, special type of person who embraced every challenge with a passion others can only
dream of possessing. She never tired of trying to make the world a better place, and I feel honored to have
known her.
We will miss you, Michele. Rest in peace.”
Michele Cowell, 1962 – 2014
APRIL 2015
www.signahillna.com
PAGE 3
2015 DUES-PAYING MEMBERS
2015
DUES PAYING MEMBERS
BLUFF DRIVE
Barry and Patti Gregory
Barbara Stalker
BRIAR HILL
Tom and Judy Weber
CRESTON DRIVE
Lynne Huffman
FOREST AVENUE
Jim Pappas
HAZEL AVENUE
Jerry and Susan Reece
Greg Render
Brian Triska
Herb and Donna Whitaker
JULIA PLACE
Jim and Sharon Eisele
Jamie and Jill Geoppo
Mariva Scherck
RIDGE LANE
Tom and Barb Ducey
SIGNAL HILL BOULEVARD
Ed and Donna Dougherty
SIGNAL POINT
Georgia Ann Edwards
SOUTH CRESTON DRIVE
Fred and Maggie Colliflower
SUPERIOR DRIVE
Candice and Dorian Hall
SYLVANIA DRIVE
Colleen and Rochelle Reed
If we each do our part –
then we share in making
Signal Hill a richer place in
which to live.
[There’s no logical order to
Signal Hill’s lovin’ list]
1. Our volunteers
2. Big ol’ shade trees
3. The West End Neighborhood
Summer Camp
4. Our Community Garden
5. Front porches and front
porch swings
6. A ka-zillion forest critters
7. Eclectic mix of people
8. Restricted traffic
9. Our firemen – all volunteers
10. Our Township Highway
Department
11. Our Signal Hill Park
12. Our 2 schools…both within
walking distance
13. Kids…lots of kids…and
pets…lots of pets, too
14. Generations of families
15. New neighbors
16. Lemonade stands on hot
summer afternoons
17. Families with strollers
walking the boulevard
18. Church bells on Sunday
mornings
19. Bluff Park Forest Preserve
20. Our Little Free Library
21. Neighborhood clean-ups
22. The rich history of our
neighborhood
23. Bike rides
24. Christmas lights and
luminaries
25. Flag displays on holidays
26. Semi-annual clean-ups
27. Our volunteers
28. Our new bike trail
29. Our neighborhood day care
30. Did we mention our GREAT
VOLUNTEERS?
31. Spring flower blossoms
32. The smell of barbecue on a
warm Saturday evening
33. Deer…Oh, Dear…Lots of
Deer
Love Thy Neighborhood…
Invest $20 today
A separate flier about Signal Hill
Neighborhood Association dues is
included with this issue of Signals
from the Hill. Please take the time
to read through it.
Side one outlines how your money
is being spent and lists all the
wonderful
things
Signal
Hill
residents enjoy because of the
efforts of the many volunteers we
have in our community. Hopefully,
you will gain a better appreciation of
the kinds of services and monies
that help to make our neighborhood
“a great place to live.”
Side two is the DUES FORM and
phone
numbers
and
email
addresses of Board members you
can contact if you have any
questions or concerns.
If you misplace the DUES FORM,
you can simply make your $20
check payable to the
SIGNAL HILL
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION
Mail it to:
Signal Hill Neighborhood
Association
c/o Treasurer Barbara Stalker
2 Bluff Drive, Belleville, IL 62223
Additional contributions are always
accepted and greatly appreciated.
Names are added to this list as dues
are received and will appear in
future newsletters.
APRIL 2015
www.signahillna.com
PAGE 4
THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
~ W.B. Yeats
Why was the WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP started in 2014?
Summer learning loss can accumulate over years, resulting in students performing far below their grade level.
 On average, students lose 2.6 months of grade level math skills during the summer break.
 While middle income students see a rise in reading performance during the summer months, lower-income
students may lose two or more months of reading achievement.
 Students who see the biggest drops in test scores and educational achievement are those in lower income
groups with few opportunities to stay sharp throughout the summer months.
How can the WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP help turn things around?

Summer programming is a path to closing the achievement gap and offer enrichment opportunities for
students who need it the most.

THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP’S learning approach is an educational framework that
emphasizes high achievement through active learning, character development and teamwork.

THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP’S approach to learning places equal emphasis on
development of the character and the intellect. Learning can occur nearly anywhere, anyplace: in the
classroom; on a field trip; in a one-on-one conversation between counselor and camper. The positive
outcomes our students experience can be seen in their high level of enthusiasm and drive
for continual discovery. These small accomplishments give way to life-long learning. Through challenges,
adversity, failure and success, students learn and develop new skills and confidence.

THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP can provide these students with the additional space
and time to master material while providing a key component for improving the academic performance
of struggling students. The connection between academic achievement and summer learning loss is real.
A structured program of summer instruction like the West End Neighborhood Summer Camp could help
diminish this loss … and might even produce gains.
STRONG STUDENTS = STRONG COMMUNITIES
After school programs and summer camps have been successful in fulfilling their goal of supporting student
achievement, revitalizing neighborhoods, and maximizing the communities return on their financial investments.
As a result, new young families have moved into these neighborhoods, property values have increased, and there’s
a heightened sense of community.
APRIL 2015
www.signalhill.com
PAGE 5
THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP
2014 FINAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
By the Numbers
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40 students in K through 5th grade from Signal Hill School District #181 and Harmony-Emge School District
#175 enrolled in the camp. Children were recommended by their teachers and identified as being academically
at-risk and on free and reduced lunch status.
38 campers completed the 8-week, 6-hour daily sessions (2 campers moved during the summer)
Transportation was provided to and from school.
Students received breakfast and lunch through the Summer Food Program and were frequently sent home
with additional snacks provided by a group of local churches.
Families were required to pay a $40 fee per child for the entire summer. Two scholarships were awarded to
families who were unable to pay.
The campers participated in daily academics, creative arts, field trips, recreation, character education, and
physical activity.
As part of their daily academics, campers utilized MobyMax (a computer-based math intervention). They
worked on weekly reading lessons, had silent reading time and special readers came in twice a week to read
with campers.
o __100% of campers improved their math skills which were continuously measured by the MobyMax
math program throughout the summer.
o __82.4% of campers either improved or stayed the same in their reading skills as measured by the
DIBELS reading assessment that was given at the beginning and end of summer.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Financial Targets
Total Program cost:
Matching Grants:
Additional funds needed:
Total donations from the community:
$46,793
$24,143
$22,650
$23,207 (from individuals, corporations, and grants)
Funding Sources
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Harmony Neighborhood Community Association and Signal Hill Neighborhood Association (fundraising and
donations)
Individuals and businesses (small and large $25 - $1,000)
Civic Organizations (a grant from BASIC Initiative; funds donated from St. Clair County West Rotary
Foundation and The Willard C. Scrivner Public Health Foundation)
Federal Funding (AmeriCorps grant which helped pay for counselors)
State Funding (Summer Food Program)
Camp fees ( minimal: $40, as a family commitment to the program)
In-Kind Donations (given by individuals, universities, local businesses and non-profit organizations)

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Harmony SD 175 (in-kind facility use and custodial services)
Churches (fund raising assistance and activities from St. Matthews; sack lunches from church partnership sent
home with campers)
Ameren (safety presentations)
YMCA (swimming lessons)
University of Illinois Extension (food and nutrition unit)
Dream Castle Rides (bounce house for carnival on the last day)
(List continues on next page.)
APRIL 2015
www.signalhill.com
PAGE 6
THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP
COMMUNITY SUPPORT (continued from page 5)
In-Kind Donations (given by individuals, universities, local businesses and non-profit organizations)

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Modern Woodsmen (binoculars, jump ropes, eco-equipment)
Stray Rescue (presentation)
Cycle of Giving (bike repair and bikes donated to several campers)
Becky Kern (camp songs)
Standard Rule Promotions (counselor and camper t-shirts)
Volunteers

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District #175 teachers and staff who volunteered to read to and with campers and do academic activities
(science experiments, etc.)
Artists
Retired teachers
McKendree Professor (A week of around the world activities)
Eagle Scout Project (taught students about theater; students performed skits and songs)
Jr. High, High School, and College Students (general support—former District 175 students, and children of
teachers and staff)
Expanding Summer Learning in 2015
Expansion
 Enrollment in 2015 will increase to 55 students (15 more than in 2014).
 The program will be 7 weeks and extended one grade level to include students K through 6th grade.
 Parochial school students who meet the camp criteria (free/reduced lunch, academically at-risk, and
residing in the Harmony-Emge or Signal Hill School District) will be invited to participate.
Goal
 Develop relationships within the community and beyond to secure long term funding through grants,
sponsorships and donors to ensure that effective programs and financial targets are set, met, and
changed as required.
Volunteer opportunities.
Retirees, current and retired teachers from any elementary school, high school, or college, business leaders,
community members, and even folks who live outside Belleville’s West End boundaries, are invited to
participate at our summer camp.
What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
 Read to or read with the kids once or twice a week.
 Share your knowledge and talents with the kids on a topic that would complement the lessons for one
of the THEME WEEKS. We have Sports’ Week, Health Week, Animals’ Week, Mad Scientist Week and
others.
 If you are interested in volunteering this summer, contact Camp Director Mark Bauer at (618)567-7552
or [email protected]. If you have an idea that you think the campers might like, tell Mark
about it.
Volunteers who have already signed up to help out this year are: Players from the Gateway Grizzlies, the St.
Louis Soccer Club, and Belleville West Boys’ Basketball team, Becky Kern’s Dance Studio, Belva from the
University of Illinois Extension and Ellis/Emge teachers Lynn Webb and KathyThompson - just to name a few.
Hopefully, you will add your name to this list as well.
APRIL 2015
www.signalhill.com
PAGE 7
THE WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP
Your Contribution Matters
As we look toward the future of the West End Neighborhood Summer Camp, there is a strong sense
of excitement propelled by the accomplishments of our first class of campers, the dedication of our staff and
volunteers, and the unique sense of unity within our community to support this program. We have much
to be grateful for, thanks to the hard work of so many.
It remains vital, however, for us to build upon this momentum in order to maintain our program, while
growing and changing to meet the ongoing educational needs of each young child entrusted to us.
Throughout the past twelve months, the West End Neighborhood Summer Camp has remained
committed to prudent stewardship of your contributions and responsible management of the program. We
always want to align our goals and strategies with our mission. By making efficient use of available
resources, the West End Neighborhood Summer Camp has developed a strong framework for moving
forward in ways that benefit not only the students, but the entire community.
PER CHILD COSTS
2015 Projected budget
Total Program Cost $53,573
Matching Grants
- $26,073
Dollars Still Needed $27,500
$500 pays for one child AND their camp supplies for all 7 weeks
$250 pays all transportation costs for one child for all 7 weeks
$150 pays for daily bus transportation for one child for all 7 weeks
$100 pays for field trips for one child for all 7 weeks
$100 assures 1 counselor for every 5 children
$ 50 sponsors one child for 1 week, including their camp
$ 20 pays for one child’s supplies for 7 weeks supplies
Students benefit directly from your gift because it is put to immediate use where it is needed the most. That
is why it is essential that we replenish this source of revenue each year. Your contribution adds up and
combines with others to create an exceptional WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP experience. Please
consider making a gift to the 2015 WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER CAMP. By working together, we can
make a difference!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -TEAR HERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HELP US LIGHT THE FIRE!
DONOR’S NAME ________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________
I would like my tax deductible gift to support this worthy project.
Please accept my gift of:
___$500 ___$250 ___ $150 ___ $100 ___$50 ___$20 ___ Other_____________
(Amount)
Make your check payable to: BASIC (Belleville Achieves Strength in Character)
On the MEMO LINE OF YOUR CHECK, please write WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER
CAMP
Mail this card with your check to:
JIM SCHNEIDER
510 WEST MAIN St
BELLEVILLE, IL 62220
APRIL 2015
www.signalhill.com
WEST END TRAIL(S) UPDATE
SIGNAL HILL TRAIL
-from the desk of Jason Poole, Assistant Director of
Belleville Parks and Recreation
Who should you call about issues on the trail?
Please let the Parks Dept. know of any issues you have
with the Signal Hill Trail. Our hours are 8 to 4:30 Monday
through Friday. The office number is 233-1416. After
hours for non-emergencies, Police Dispatch can be
reached at 234-1212 Ext 2. They will notify Parks Staff as
needed.
Are rules going to be posted on the trail?
Yes, I have been working with the City Attorney for the
Trail Guidelines. It should be on the next Ordinance and
Legal Review Committee agenda for review. Then it will
need to go through the full Council for approval before
posting. I honestly had no idea it would take this
long. Please accept my apology for the delays.
Is an Emergency Call Tower going to be installed?
The Emergency Call Tower is installed and working.
Is the Parks Department going to maintain the trail?
We do our best with the staff we have to make the trail
look as good as possible. We are also going to make a
conscious effort to make the "Peterson's Pond" area look
better as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any
reason. We appreciate your positive feedback, too.
___________________
FOLEY TRAIL EXTENSION
- submitted by Gary L. Green, Powder Creek Resident,
Member of Belleville Neighborhood Partnership Zone E
On March 2, 2015, the Kaskaskia Engineering
Group presented a Trail Feasibility Study to the Stookey
Township Board of Trustees at their monthly
meeting. This satisfies the main part of a contract made
with the Kaskaskia group in 2014. There was a brief
presentation by the Kaskaskia engineers and clarifying
PAGE 8
questions followed. Concerns were expressed about
safety and speeds on Foley Dr., maintenance costs, and
whether Stookey Township would have the resources to
qualify as a sponsor for suggested grants. No further
action was taken concerning the study.
The feasibility study, investigates and
evaluates possible Signal Hill and West Belleville Trail
(future) connection access, for neighborhoods lying
along the south side of Foley Drive (i.e. Briar Hill,
Millie, Cedar Hill, Powder Creek, Country Club
Terrace), and would provide additional access for
Signal Hill area residents. Also the study presents the
routing of a trail extension that would connect the
neighborhoods along South 74th St, from Foley Drive
to the Stookey Township Park (i.e. Claymont Court,
Olges, Oak Hill, Dorchester).
The study is a tool that presents ideas, designs,
options, and cost estimates of possible project
options. The goal was to find safe, efficient connections
for these neighborhood communities, extending safe
school routes to the existing and planned West End Trail
Network.
The study was initiated by the joint efforts of
the Powder Creek and Country Club Terrace
Neighborhood Associations and supported by the
Belleville Neighborhood Partnership Zone E. This was
the result of neighborhood surveys that found that
community members were in favor of annexing to the
New Signal Hill Multi-use Trail ('Safe Route to School'
Trail) , and were interested a safer route to school for
neighborhood children.
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
The next step is to evaluate the study with public
involvement and feedback by the potential
stakeholders. Your input is welcomed and invited
as we attempt to determine a workable
plan. Please contact Gary L. Green
at [email protected] if you'd like to
receive a Study copy for review and evaluation.
MOUNT HOPE Trail Extension?
Survey results link.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-CW6CXMG7/
APRIL 2015
www.signalhillna.com
PAGE 9
Think Spring!
The Mad Planters
By Retired Master Gardener, Barbara Stalker
By Gary Green, Powder Creek resident
Neighbors from 3 West End communities – Signal
Hill, Country Club Terrace, and Powder Creek - got in a
late round of planting on Sunday, December 21, 2014.
Thanks to a donation of 250 Narcissus bulbs by Ned
Siegel of Powder Creek, the group got together in the
late morning to plant bulbs on the islands formed by
the coupling of Foley Drive and South 70th (on the side
of Jefferson’s). Joining the fun were Toni Goelz and
Clare Goelz of Gerold Lane, Ned Siegel, Gary and
Joan Green of Powder Creek, and Brian Triska’s son,
Preston, and Donna Dougherty of Signal Hill. More
‘mad planting’ to occur in 2015.
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal in the plant and
animal kingdom. Signal Hill residents share a very
diverse ecosystem. As stewards we should protect and
enhance the plant and animal life that reside here.
Some of the ways we can do that are:
Plant trees and bushes that can provide nesting,
roosting, protection and food sources for birds.
Provide food and water sources (bird baths) for birds.
Provide perennial and annual plants and flowers that
attract butterflies and pollinators - butterflies are good
indicators of a healthy garden.
Where can you find advice on which trees and
plants to place in your garden?
Locally – Effingers and Sandy’s Back Porch (you
can receive emails by contacting them to be placed on
the list for updates, sales, and discounts), and the
Master Gardener program at SIU. They can answer
all your questions about plants, animals, trees,
diseases and your lawns. Home Depot has a
gardening club that you can get emailed to you with
tips, coupons, sale items etc.
Plant varieties that are natural to our area as they seem
to grow the best and you might investigate growing
heirloom varieties also.
Use little or no chemicals – they kill helpful insects
and can make your outdoor pets sick. Composting and
rain barrels are definitely a plus.
Sources:
Michigan Butterfly Network
Kalamazoo Nature Center
www.NatureCenter.org
1-269-381-1574 ext. 0
Seed Lending Libraries:
seedlibraries.net
exchange.seedsavers.org
Kingcoseed.org/find-a-seed-library-near-you
www.GardenGateMagazine.com
Plant profiles, tips, videos etc.
What’s Going On at the South 95th Street
Community Garden?
By Donna Dougherty
How many gardeners are participating this year? 33
What Improvements are coming this year?
-- A paver pathway from the street to the garden gate
is being installed.
--Two yards of compost and soil were brought in.
Volunteers - Ben, Luke and Adam Davidson, Daniel
Hunter, and Micha Moran - shoveled and spread it
into the beds.
--Two tupelo trees were planted. As soon as the area
around them is seeded, the trees will be staked.
-- West End resident, Eric Lavelle, is making a sign for
the community garden. He has plans to install it by the
first week of June.
S. 95th Street Community Garden
will be featured at the
WEST BELLEVILLE GARDEN
TOUR & BOUTIQUE
Saturday, June 20
(Rain date: June 21)
This is a West Belleville Promotional
Committee fundraiser. All monies raised will
be reinvested in West Belleville community
projects.
APRIL 2015
www.signalhillna.com
PAGE 10
FRONT PORCH CHATTER
2015 SPRING NEWS FROM ST. CLAIR
COUNTY GREENSPACE FOUNDATION
-By Barbara Taylor, St. Clair County Greenspace
Foundation
-- Volunteers are close to completing 400 hours of
volunteer time in Bluff Park Preserve.
-- Adults and children alike joined Charlie Giedeman
for the April 11th spring hike. As the woods are
cleared of exotic invasive plants, more and more wild
flowers are appearing on the forest floor. The
transformation that has taken place over the winter
months is remarkable!
-- A few months ago, Greenspace acquired the old
“Day Line Railroad” right-of-way that winds through
the forest preserve from Highway 157 to Signal Hill
School. This will continue as a walking trail in Bluff
Park Preserve.
WHAT’S GOING ON AT THE OLD
HITCHING POST PROPERTY?
-- Thanks to Jim Kassly, Terry O’Leary, Jim Harin and
the Blessed Sacrament Men’s Club, the vacant lot
across from Blessed Sacrament School (aka the old
Hitching Post Property) is being cleared of invasive
species.
-- The project began in 2013. The bulk of their work
has been done during the fall as the plants die back.
-- Their goal is to remove all invasive species from the
tree line, plant new trees and improve the overall
appearance of the area. The list of invasive species
they have removed from the property is impressive:
tree of heaven, bush honeysuckle, wintercreeper and
euonymous alatus, otherwise known as burning
bush.
-- St. Clair County ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ comes in
periodically and picks up the plant material the men
cut down. The newly planted trees on the property
were secured by John Pertzborn.
-- The lot is owned by the West Belleville Foundation,
and the grass is cut, compliments of Blessed
Sacrament Church.
No milkweed.
No monarch
butterflies.
Fact. Monarch butterflies are at their lowest numbers
since 1996.
Why the decline? Because milkweed plants are
disappearing. t
What’s the connection between monarchs and
milkweed plants? Milkweed is the only plant the
monarch caterpillar will eat and the only plant where
it will lay its eggs. Monarch caterpillars need the
milkweed plants to grow into monarch butterflies.
What’s happening to milkweed?
The milkweed plant is threatened by many factors:
 Some people cut down milkweed
because...well, it looks like a weed.
 Milkweed grows on the edges of corn and
soybean fields and highways. It can't
withstand the herbicides sprayed on crops
and along roads. It's a hardy plant, but not
that hardy. Some estimate that the number
of milkweed plants has declined by as much
as 80 percent with the widespread spraying
of weed killer.
 As the habitat disappears…so goes the
monarch butterfly.
What can our neighborhood do?
SHNA wants to sell milkweed plants to neighbors
so we can begin to attract these wonderful
butterflies back to Signal Hill. These plants need a
bit of tender loving care in the beginning, but
nothing too burdensome. We promise that the
rewards are well worth the effort.
The cost per plant will be nominal.
Please contact Donna Dougherty at
398-6836 or via mail at
[email protected] for more
information.
APRIL 2015
www.signalhillna.com
PAGE 11
MORE FRONT PORCH CHATTER
LIKE US IN FACEBOOK
Signal Hill Neighborhood Association, Belleville, IL
(NEW) Signal Hill Neighbors Helping Neighbors
SIGN UP ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EMAIL LIST
Contact Barb Ducey at [email protected]
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.signalhillna.com
Mark your calendar for WERC’s 8th Annual Golf
Tournament which will be Friday, May 29th at Grand
Marias Golf Club. It’s a four person scramble, with $80
per player or $400 Team and Hole Sponsorship.
Registration and lunch is 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with
a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Entry fee includes lunch,
Golf, cart beverages during the scramble and dinner
with a cash bar at Shenanigans after the tournament.
Awards and cash prizes are presented at the dinner for
the skills contest and each flight. Sponsorship
0pportunities include: $1000 Platinum Sponsor; $500
Gold Sponsor; $250 Silver Sponsor; and $100 Hole
Sponsor. Platinum and Gold Sponsors are listed in
WERC’s brochures and have adverting signs on the golf
course along with the Silver and Hole Sponsors that
also have advertising signs on the golf course. We had
a great time last year and look forward to another fun
event this year.
For new residents to the Signal Hill
neighborhood, WERC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, is comprised of dedicated members of
the community and business people who champion
the West End of Belleville. The goal of WERC is to
restore, renovate and revitalize properties in our
community. Our organization also initiates and
supports beautification projects in the West End.
Founded in December 2005, WERC serves the
neighborhoods which are bound by Routes 157, 161,
15 and 26th St. in Belleville.
WERC continues to make strides in
restoration and revitalization in West Belleville.
WERC completely rehabbed another home at 329
Susan Court and has a two-bedroom frame home on
N. 98th St. that has been gutted and renovation plans
are under way.
WERC and Zone E of Belleville
Neighborhood Partnership have combined efforts
and completed construction of two Little Free
Libraries, an international effort designed to provide
free books
for children and adults. Its theme is “Take a book –
Return a book”. One LFL is located at 47 Signal
Place (across the street from Signal Hill School on
Superior Dr.) and a second LFL (an Eagle Scout
Project) will have books available at the end of April
at 9700 W. Main St.
If you would like to volunteer on a rehab
project, or assist with fund raising, mailings or any
number of other aspects of WERC’s activities,
please contact us at WERC (792-9091) or visit our
web site at www.gotowerc.com. Donations can also
be made on line.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Linda Havlin, Executive Director, West End
Redevelopment Corp. NFP
RAINBOW KIDS PRESCHOOL
47 Signal Hill Place, Belleville, IL
Did you know Signal Hill is privileged to have its
own licensed daycare facility conveniently
located within our neighborhood boundaries?
For over 10 year, Rainbow Kids Childcare Center
has been in operation in the Signal Hill United
Methodist across the street from Signal Hill
School. They offer convenient pick-up service
for children attending Signal Hill School. They
currently have openings for full time and part
time students. They are open from 6am to 6pm
Monday through Friday and may be contacted
at (618)397-1050.
Signa
APRIL 2015
www.signalhillna.com
PAGE 12
WHO DO YOU CALL?
2014 – 2015 SHNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEMBERS
ADDRESS
PHONE
E-MAIL ADDRESS
OFFICERS
1
Brian Triska, President
103 Hazel Ave
(H) 397-8091
[email protected]
2
Donna Dougherty, VP
23 Signal Hill Blvd.
(H) 398-6836
[email protected]
3
Donna Whitaker, Secretary
222 Hazel Ave.
(H) 397-8092
[email protected]
4
Barbara Stalker, Treasurer
2 Bluff Drive
(H) 398-8826
[email protected]
5
Fred Colliflower
126 S. Creston
(H) 398-1143
[email protected]
6
Barb Ducey
7 Ridge Lane
(H) 398-6435
[email protected]
7
Jim Pappas
103 Forest Ave
(H) 397-9433
[email protected]
8
Doug Tedford
306 Julia Place
(H) 397-6070
[email protected]
9
Julie Tedford
306 Julia Place
(H) 397-6070
[email protected]
10
Herb Whitaker
222 Hazel Avenue
(H) 397-8092
[email protected]
Ad Hoc
Peggy Beaupre
108 Julia Place
(H) 397-3002
[email protected]
Ad Hoc
Georgia Ann Edwards
31 Signal Point
(H) 394-8463
[email protected]
Ad Hoc
Michael Payne
305 Julia Place
(H) 960-9031
[email protected]
WHO DO YOU CALL?
STREET PROBLEMS? Downed limbs, pot holes, snow, ice
Signal Hill Blvd. residents…………………………St. Clair County Hwy Dept……………………………...233-1392
Centreville Twsp residents……………………….Centreville Township Hwy Dept…………..Office: 332-1520
Marty Crawford, Hwy Commissioner……Cell: 420-6918
Belleville City residents………………………… …Belleville City Street Dept………………………........233-6518
ANIMAL CRUELTY, ABUSE & NEGLECT? New protocol effective March 2015
County residents………………………………………St. Clair County Sheriff’s Dept………………………...277-3504
Belleville City residents……………………….......St. Clair County Sheriff’s Dept……………………..….277-3504
County and Belleville City residents………....Belleville Area Humane Society……………………...235-3712
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN SIGNAL HILL PARK OR ON SIGNAL HILL TRAIL?
Both the Park & Trail are in the Belleville City limits………..Belleville Police Dept……………….234-1212 or 911
ELECTED OFFICIALS?
Centreville Twsp Supervisor…………………………………Curtis McCall…………….Phone: 874-1034
Centreville Twsp Precinct Comm. Woman… Rose (Boo Boo) Gomric……..Phone: 398-1778
Stookey Twsp Supervisor………………….………………….Dave Bone………….......Phone: 398-6925
Belleville Mayor……………………………………………….….Mark Eckert……………...Phone: 233-6910
Belleville Alderman, Ward 4………………………………..Johnnie Anthony……….Phone: 825-0660
Belleville Alderman, Ward 4………………………………..Raffi Ovian………………..Phone: 444-5171
Belleville Alderman, Ward 8………………………………..Jim Musgrove……………Phone: 233-3967
Belleville Alderman, Ward 8………………………………..Roger Wigginton…….…Phone: 581-0429
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]