A series of entries designed to capture the ongoing adventures of NINA! See how we came to be where we are today, and follow along as we enter the new century of social media!
Page: 73We’re still puzzling over these very different houses. As we’ve mentioned previously, we know 51 Ashley was part of an set of 6 houses with alternating designs built by Frederick Mahl in the 1890s, but we don’t have any information on who built 55 Ashley or when, exactly. It does mark the switch to wood from brick on the south side of the street, and in that regard it corresponds to 50 and 54 Ashley across the street, but 55 is still quite different from even those houses. We’re still looking into it, but near as we can tell 55 Ashley is unique on the street, in the neighborhood, and maybe even in the city.
And, yes, I did go inside both houses! See the next posts.
Who knew irises bloomed in November? This gorgeous example was planted during Vest Pocket Gardens last year, and it’s good to see it thriving.
They let me out of the office today, and I took full advantage of the opportunity to visit our ongoing projects. First stop was 207 Garden Street, where they’ve been framing away. They’ve gotten enough done that the wallboard started to arrive today.
Other shots include a peek down the future elevator shaft (which hasn’t been started yet, but it will go in where the rickety fire escape used to be), the old “gangway” (which was really more of a gang plank), and of course a shot looking up into the skylight. Still not sure why I like it so much, but I’m very glad it will be preserved.
Credit to the USPS for utilizing this old mailbox as a planter for some mums. Our Vest Pocket Gardens incorporated some found objects (i.e., trash that wasn’t quite trash yet) in with the plantings, but this suggests that we might use derelict objects as planters, especially if those objects don’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Certainly something to think about as we contemplate what comes next for gardening in the neighborhood.
This is up at the main post office on Weston Street.
NINA appeared tonight on NBC Connecticut. Debra Bogstie covered the installation of the new banners at Sigourney Square Park. Her story included interviews with Luwannia Martin, who is chair of the Friends of Sigourney Square Park, and several residents in the park. She also noted NINA's project at 156-158 Sargeant Street, which sits across from the northeaster corner of the park. The link to her story won't last forever, but please take a look to see if it's still live!
Andy Hart came round to take some photos of us posing with the new banners at Sigourney Square Park, and I snuck a photo in, too! From left to right are: Luwannia Martin, Chair, Friends of Sigourney Square Park Diane Cantello, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Hartford Mike Zaleski, Executive Director, Hartford BID Ken Johnson, Executive Director, NINA. It's very exciting to have the banners up -- and this was a great partnership that made it happen! Next step: reminding Hartford who Lydia Sigourney was! By the way, compare the sky in this photo with the sky in the photos from the interviews with Debra Bogstie -- heck of a difference 3 hours can make in New England.
Debra Bogstie interviewed Luwannia Martin of the Friends of Sigourney Square Park and Morgan Sones from The Hartford about Sigourney Square Park and our efforts to beautify and to improve the park. Luwannia was attacked by a bee, Morgan didn't make the cut, and I couldn't keep my sunglasses out of the frame, but we had a great time all the way around!
Dan the Banner Man installed the new banners around Sigourney Square Park today! They show off a silhouette of Lydia Sigourney (not that anyone knows who she is anymore, but we'll change that soon enough!), the Sweet Songstress of Hartford for whom the park and the street were named. The colors keep to the Victorian palette, and they match the changing leaves pretty darn well, too.
Newly installed at Sigourney Square Park: a Big Belly! Big Belly trash receptacles are the latest in public garbage collection. They double as trash compactors, which means they can go longer without having to be emptied, and they are solar powered, which means they can run without any external power connections. They are entirely self-contained. Better still, they can call the Department of Public Works when they need to be emptied or if they are in need of other service. How cool is that?
There has been hope that they could be rolled out all over Hartford, but they are a bit big for placement on just any sidewalk. They fit really well in the park, though, and we hope that they will be a boon for our anti-litter campaign in the park.
Oh, in case you're wondering, there's one Big Belly for garbage and one for recycling. Very green!
