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Important note: the color scheme is yet to be decided!
Who are Women On The Edge?
We are fun, diverse, interested and interesting women of all ages living in the Edgcumbe Road area (between Montreal and Randolph) who meet quarterly. We are committed to participating in philanthropic projects, educating ourselves about a diversity of issues and, most importantly, building a neighborhood community. ~ Lisa Knudson and Karla Myers, 1997
Letter from the President – Suzanne Gappa
While enjoying my morning coffee on one of our recent glorious mid-August days, I was delighted to see the following headline on the front page of the Pioneer Press: “The hot new trend: Meeting the neighbors.” It made me realize that we really are on the cutting edge in our neighborhood—the members of W.O.T.E. have been doing this very thing for nearly a decade!
The article notes that knowing neighbors gives people a sense of wellbeing. As many of us would agree, one of the most important results of W.O.T.E. is being connected to each other, across age and life-story lines and across a large, multi-block area. And, for those of us who are newer to this wonderful neighborhood, W.O.T.E. has made our transitions so much easier and more welcoming.
Another key result of knowing our neighbors pointed out by the article is that it increases neighborhood safety and security. In this and upcoming issues of the W.O.T.E Note, you’ll see a new, regular feature on Neighborhood Safety—with information we can all use to make our homes and neighborhood more secure.
Ultimately, W.O.T.E. exists to serve our wonderful, diverse and interesting group of neighborhood women. We want to hear from you how W.O.T.E. can better meet your needs, interests and lifestyle. Don’t miss the W.O.T.E. Survey in this issue—it’s an easy way for every member to provide feedback to the Board to make our connections even stronger.
I look forward to seeing you at our Fall Meeting and to hearing from you with your ideas and stories over the coming months!
Neighborhood News, from Karen Middleton
W.O.T.E. welcomes the following new neighbors: Abby and Ken Dawkins, 665 Montcalm Lyn Glenn, 590 Montcalm Rebecca Pan, her husband Ernest and sons William and Michael, 1350 Edgcumbe Road Sue Tracy, her husband, Joe, and sons Kevin, Dylan and Ryan; 2 Edgcumbe Place Congratulations to Carolyn and Robert Wollan, 1359 Edgcumbe on the July 24th birth of their son, Robbie. His older sisters are Elizabeth, Catherine and Emily. Congratulations to John and Terry Greip, 1456 Edgcumbe Road. They were married on August 5! Please contact Karen Middleton about news of the neighborhood: new neighbors, births/adoptions, those moving from the neighborhood, etc. She can be reached at 690-1590.
Summer Picnic
The WOTE Summer Picnic was held on June 21 at the Highland Park Pavilion, with hot dogs, hamburgers, delicious dishes prepared by our neighbors, balloons and activities for the kids, and a beautiful evening to enjoy with friends and neighbors—new and old. Thanks to Karen Middleton for securing the pavilion for our event! Thanks to Lisa Knudson, Karla Myers Alexandra Polo for helping with set-up and clean up! Thanks to Pat Judge and John Gappa for grilling expertise! Big thanks to Karen Judge for seeing to a multitude of details to make the picnic a great event
Neighborhood Safety
On June 12, Suzanne Gappa hosted a block area meeting with representatives from the St. Paul Police Department to address graffiti and loitering concerns. Commander Tyrone Strickland and Meredith Vogland of the F.O.R.C.E. Unit (community crime prevention) answered questions and provided excellent information about ways to increase neighborhood safety. Commander Strickland and Ms. Vogland emphasized that the best way to promote a safe neighborhood is for each of us to be alert—to know our neighbors and watch out for each other. In addition, we learned about two police programs that help promote safety for our homes and neighborhood:
PREMISE CHECKS: The St. Paul Police will send a trained volunteer to provide your residence with a security premise evaluation, including locks, lighting, security systems, windows, etc. The program is free of charge and some insurance companies provide premium discounts to residents who participate in the security audit.
HOUSE WATCH: Upon request to the police, a Neighborhood Assistance Officer, as well as police patrol officers, will patrol by the homes of residents who are on vacation. This program is free and is available for both long- and short-term absences.
PARTICIPATION: To participate in either of these two programs, contact the Western District police office at 651-266-5512.
Tell Us Your W.O.T.E. Story
We’d love to hear about the relationships or positive impact that W.O.T.E. has resulted in for you! Have you started a walking group? A babysitting co-op? A meal-sharing co-op? Or maybe being part of W.O.T.E. has resulted in a special friendship or the opportunity to try a new activity that you’ve always been intrigued by, but never had a “buddy” to try it with? Email your story to Karen Judge at wotenote@comcast.net or Suzanne Gappa at suzegappa@msn.com, or call Suzanne at 651-334-0236 and we’ll include your story in an upcoming newsletter.