Sherwood Forest

February 2002 Tattler

Feb 05, 2002

DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM EXHIBIT WILL FEATURE SHERWOOD FOREST

Sherwood Forest will be honored in a special exhibit entitled "Detroit Connections: Neighborhoods, Villages and Suburbs," which will open on August 17 at the Detroit Historical Museum. The exhibit will be based on a recent book by Eugene Scott called Detroit Beginnings: Early Villages and Old Neighborhoods. Mr. Scott will provide the text for the exhibit, but photographs, writings and artifacts will be provided by the individual neighborhoods. Some of the other Detroit communities to be included are Russell Woods, Indian Village, Greenacres, North Rosedale and Conant Gardens.

A museum curator has already requested some of the photos from our Sherwood Forest web page. Can you help us by supplying an interesting neighborhood artifact? Perhaps some treasure is lurking in your basement or attic. If so, please call Linda Jones at 863-8310 or Gail Rodwan at 342-5827 before the end of February.


A SNOW REMOVAL REMINDER

The December Tattler contained a reminder about the importance of NOT leaving cars on the street overnight any time, but especially in the winter when we need to keep the streets clear for snow removal equipment. Now that we have had a belated taste of winter weather, and anticipate more, we again publish the reminder.
It is a violation of Detroit city ordinances to leave a personal vehicle on the street for more than 48 hours without moving it or to leave a commercial vehicle on the street overnight. We know that some of our residents responded to our recent reminder about the parking of commercial vehicles, and we thank you. There are still a few neighbors who are in violation.

We encourage our residents to report violators to Officer Clark at the Twelfth Precinct, Mondays through Fridays. The number for his direct line is 596-1225. If he is not there, leave a detailed message on his voice mail giving the exact location of the vehicle to be ticketed.


APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Please make sure that you are familiar with out Sherwood Forest Property Restrictions, including paragraph six which deals with the requirement that homeowners obtain prior approval of the Sherwood Forest Association for any "material addition to or alteration of" property under circumstances where a permit from the city of Detroit is required. The restriction reads as follows:

A property owner shall submit to the Sherwood Forest Association ("Association") for its prior approval, detailed plans and specifications for the construction and location of any residence or garage, or any material addition to or alteration of same which requires a permit from the City of
Detroit. All such plans must be in conformity with all applicable building codes, rules and regulations, and these restrictions and otherwise provide for construction in harmony with the existing structure of which it is a part, and correspond in architecture to the immediate area of the subdivision involved. This must be approved by the Association in writing prior to commencement of any work or construction. If the Association has failed to approve said plans, or has failed to advise the owner that said plans are not acceptable, within thirty (30) days after their receipt by the Association, the said plans shall be considered as approved, and any construction shall be in accordance therewith. Any substantial changes in plans shall require the same approval and zoning as the original plans.


MEET MATT BECKER

Matt Becker is the new North District Forestry Supervisor for the Department of Parks and Recreation. He wants to help us keep our neighborhood a forest of beautiful trees. Mr. Becker reports that although parkway trees in front of our homes are on city property, the city lacks the funds to do the pruning so badly needed by many of our parkway trees. If you intend to do substantial pruning of a parkway tree on your own, Mr. Becker asks that you call him first at (313) 578-7600. He will advise you on the best way to prune your tree.

New parkway trees are planted each spring and fall, but you can order a tree anytime. First a forester will come to examine the strip in front of your home to determine if a planting is possible. The forester will decide on the variety and location of the tree(s) to be planted. The city charges $50.00 for a parkway tree. For each tree you plant, the Sherwood Forest Association will pay $25.00 of the $50.00 cost.

Send your request and your check to Florence Gantz of the Sherwood Forest Association's Reforestation Committee. Florence is at 19621 Canterbury and her phone number is 861-1315. Provide her with your name, address and the number of trees you wish to order. Make your check payable to the Sherwood Forest Association.
BECOME A REGULAR READER
OF OUR WEB PAGE

To get the most up-to-date information about the neighborhood, all you have to do is click on www.neighborhoodlink.com/detroit/swoodforest. You can read the latest Tattler, as well as back issues, access a continuously revised This Old House list, consult a calendar of upcoming events or enjoy photos of our beautiful neighborhood. If you would like to read the Tattler exclusively on line (which we encourage), notify Gail Rodwan at Rodwan@attglobal.net.


HELP US TO WELCOME EVERY
NEW NEIGHBOR

If a new neighbor moves onto your block, please notify Catherine Mayberry at 862-6342 or Michele Davis at 345-7120. As you know, Catherine and Michele personally welcome each new family with a basket of freshly-baked breads and pastries and an invitation to join the Sherwood Forest Association and the patrol service. You can help them make sure that no one is missed.


THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
YOUR ASSOCIATION

Thanks to the many residents who so promptly sent their $45.00 checks for Sherwood Forest Association dues. Although our fiscal year began on October 1, 2001, some residents still have not mailed us their checks, and they have just been sent reminder notices. If you are one of the residents whose dues have not been paid, please send your check to treasurer Sue McMillan at 19494 Shrewsbury. We have important plans for every dollar we receive.

Remember that one of the things your Association dues pay for is street snow removal. How relieved we all were on the day of the recent January 31 snowstorm to find that all Sherwood Forest streets had been cleared just before residents began returning home in the evening. Every time we have our streets cleared its costs the Association several hundred dollars, but our residents have told us it is well worth it. Your prompt payment will help ensure that our snow removal fund does not run out before the snow does.
FROM THE ARCHIVES

While recently going through a box of old Sherwood Forest papers in her basement, a resident came across an article from the October 18, 1967, edition of a newspaper called the Northwest Detroiter. The article, called "Sherwood Forest Celebrates," reports on a neighborhood party that was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sherwood Forest subdivision. The article states:

Changing times, maturing generations, transitory migrations often limit the lifetime of a neighborhood. Not so Sherwood Forest, where the residents of that tree laden, serpentined roaded area of imposing homes had a celebration Sunday.
Cause of the affair was the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the subdivision that constituted what now is one of Detroit's most desirable residential locations; its character unchanged through the passing years.
Summoned by a proclamation done in old English style, more than 200 residents gathered, despite the rain, on the green adjoining Squire Dickman's residence at 19355 Renfrew Road, between the hours of two and four. There they enjoyed cider, donuts and, as a committeeman said, much good company.
Honored guest was Elder Forester Judge Arthur Lacy, although many other long-time natives were on hand, such as Mrs. John Gibbon Leahy and Judge John V. Brennan. The Judge is now 95 while his former bench mate, Mr. Lacy, is 91.
George H. Tobias, president of the Sherwood Forest Association, presented Judge Lacy with an embossed certificate in recognition of his services to the group.
Chairman for the day was Mrs. Bruce J. Allen and Mrs. Thomas Brennan was co-chairman. Mrs. Victor J. Baum and Mrs. E. W. Karay were co-hostesses. Making merry during the proceedings were the Robinhood Merrie Maids, a corps of teen girls in costumes of the Walter Acott period.






This article is a reminder that we have only fifteen years to prepare for our 100th anniversary party. We probably can skip the Robinhood Merrie Maids next time, but we certainly don't want to miss an opportunity to celebrate our "tree laden, serpentined roaded area."