July 12th Meeting - History of the Indian River area

At our July meeting last week, life-long local resident and historian Kaye Rountrey Herndon transported us back in time to the Indian River of the 1880's, back to when Indian River Road was a simple oyster shell paved track and the original Indian River Bridge opened as a narrow wooden toll bridge, back to when the River itself was the primary mode of transportation around the area.    She told us about many of the families that established their farms around the waterfront in those days and the homes they built.   The descendants of many of those families continue to live in our community, and some of those homes still exist today.    Using her excellent story telling technique, Mrs. Herndon truly engaged the audience who asked many questions at the end of the story and discussions which continued afterwards as we enjoyed some cake.

1887 Map of Indian River area.  The original
map is in the Chesapeake Central Library
on Cedar Road.

Also at the meeting, Rogard Ross reported on the progress of getting the Friends of Indian River setup as a non-profit organization.   We have incorporated, established a Board of Directors, and are working on Bylaws.   Mr. Ross asked for and received a vote of approval from the group in attendance for the interim officers who will serve through the until the first full elections, which are slated to happen in January.   The interim officers are:

- Rogard Ross - President

- Diane Burke - Vice President

- Carol Warren - Treasurer

- Sharon Komenda - Secretary

Ms. Komenda, who leads the Beautification Subcommittee, reported that  she met with Roxanne Stonecypher, Environmental Coordinator for the City of Chesapeake, who approved our adopting the area around Indian River Bridge.   Phase 1 of our plan will clear weeds and invasive plants from the planters at the bridge corners and to plant new flowering plants in those planters and the surrounding area.   Ms. Stonecypher is also helping us plan Phase 2 that would expand the beautification effort along the roadside and median approaches to the bridge to turn the area into a "Gateway" to the community.  A meeting of the subcommittee will be held in August to prepare for Phase 1.

Ms. Weber of the Outreach committee shared a draft membership tri-fold brochure which she prepared.   The draft, which explains our mission, activities, and has a membership application was very well received by the group.   Everyone praised her work.

Upcoming Events:

- 7/18 - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is holding an Oyster Gardening Seminar at 6 PM on Wednesday at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club (along the Lafayette River).   Oyster Gardening is a way for waterfront residents to help the CBF raise Oysters to be planted on various Oyster Sanctuary Reefs around the region.  For more information and to register see http://www.cbf.org/page.aspx?pid=1106&erid=11284471&trid=dd716d00-35fe-4dc6-a3e3-34d5ef1e8d1a#new

- 7/21 - The Chesapeake Master Gardeners are hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Indian River Library next Saturday at 10 am.   The cost is $40 per barrel for supplies.   For more information and to register, see http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Government/City-Departments/Departments/Public-Works-Department/getinvolved-volunteer/Rain-Barrel-Workshop.htm

- 8/4 - The Friends of Indian River will conduct there next quarterly cleanup along Indian River Road on Saturday, 8/4, at 8 am.    The meeting place is TBD (probably at Oaklette United Methodist Church again).   More details will follow.   RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/429047380469018/ 

- 8/9 - Friend of Indian River August Meeting - Chris Moore, Science Advocate for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will speak to us about "Oysters, Crabs, Fish, and more".  https://www.facebook.com/events/403470139705193/