As I said in one of my comment replies this morning, when we have a sunny day, we are sure see a rainy day follow. Today is that rainy day. Heavy rain fell during the night. Now, it’s just damp, soggy and gray.
I was at the book store the other day. I found the one remaining copy of the new quarterly; Quiltfolk.
The first issue was focused on quilter and quilt shops in Oregon. This one is about Iowa. I’ve peeked at it, but am saving it to read this afternoon, preferably with some hot chocolate. It’s really beautifully photographed and written. No ads. That makes it pricey, but it’s such a treat. If I can swing it, I think I’ll subscribe.
I ran errands yesterday and then went to a meeting last night. The residents in this area have recently found out about the sale of some land to a developer who wants to erect cabins (both summer cabins and year-round cabins) with a swimming pool, restaurant, tennis courts – you name it – all on the creek that runs through this area and is right across the street from our house. We are banding together to fight it. It’s essentially a trendy ‘glamping’ resort and will bring way too many people into our area, displace wildlife including a prime bird of prey habitat, put a strain on our water supply (we all have wells), cause a loss of privacy for many of us, impact the views that many people moved here for, add light pollution, and the noise will be an issue.
Since the old mill across the road became a distillery and restaurant, we are already dealing with noise issues during the summer that we are going to attempt to measure in decibels. You wouldn’t believe how loud it can get with an outdoor reception and a DJ. And this new development also wants to have weddings. Even if they say there will only be a few, we know that once they get permission, it will be out of our control.
We also already have a camping resort just down the road that has been there for years.
Do we need more? No.
All this is impacting the quality of life for residents of our town. Between this and the horrific changes happening in Washington, DC, I’m feeling threatened on all sides.
So, we’re organizing, the core group that alerted the rest of us to this has hired a lawyer and we’re going to do our best to fight this. And no, we can’t afford to move right now, so we’re going to fight.
We’ve lived here almost 12 years and it’s only been in the last few years that we’ve had issues.
Sigh. And many curse words.
More egg cups. The one on the left is my ‘Scoutie’ egg cup because it has always reminded me of her.
Happy Tuesday.
I can see why that cute cup with those pink ears reminds you of Scout. These all have a very Easter-like look to me. “Developers” can be so direspectful of the places they want to “develop”. So often it means destruction of what drew them to the area to begin with. Seems they only have dollar signs for eyes!
Yes, and they’re trying to call it eco-friendly. The irony!
Claudia,
I am with you!
I bet you do feel like “what the%$#?” This should not be happening. All this build up for that golden MONEY!!!!! (yes, we have to have some but the greed is overwhelming.
Is there no decency among those who want to, as one of my favorite poets, Joni said yrs and yrs ago, …”Pave paradise and put up a parking lot” ???
I wish I could fight with you and your neighbors. I would be stinkin’ mad. I want to say my Katheryn’ words but I won’t.
Love,
Katheryn
All for money. No concern for the taxpayers who live in this community. It makes me crazy.
A glamping resort? Oh, please no! We have had the blessing of an open lot across the street from us, for almost 34 years. It allows us a view to the creek and marsh beyond. Hubby mows the lot, he’s compensated by the owner….and we sort of feel like it’s ours. The owner would have to use pilings to improve the lot before he could build on it. That’s pricey! I would hate to see a house built there…not only would it disturb the neighborhood, but it would spoil our view. So I understand what you must be going through. A resort? All the traffic, people, noise? That’s a hundred times worse! I’d fight it too!
Ah…the egg cups! ;)
We are going to fight. But it costs money and we need to raise some.
I wish you success as your group fights the good fight. Years ago, we had a friend who saved from developers Ten Chimneys, the Wisconsin home of Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. They were going to carve it up into housing lots! When he was attempting to get state funding, he held a dinner for 10 of us so we could see what needed to be done to the house. It was a magical evening and a preview of what could have been lost. We ate at the Lunts’ dining room table, saw the water damage in the “Helen Hayes Bedroom,” the paper back books still next to Lynn’s bed, Alfred’s beloved pots and pans in his kitchen, and touched the piano Noel Coward played. Today Ten Chimneys has been restored as a living memorial to our friend who didn’t live to see it completed. Some things are definitely worth fighting for!!
I know Ten Chimneys. Good for you! That’s an amazing victory!
It would be awful for your community to have this ‘resort’ built there. I hope you can get it stopped. One of the things I love about where I live is how quiet it is for the most part. I like it a lot. Enjoy your quilt magazine. It rained here yesterday so today we have sunshine. Mom has an appt with her Cardiologist today. So we will probably go shopping afterward. My Mom loves her outings since they seem to be about once a week now. Hugs!
Have a good day with your mother, Linda!
Hope the sun comes out soon. Enjoy your new read. Looks intriguing!
We are in the same boat as you and Don and your neighbors right now. We moved to the country for peace, nature and unobstructed views. Last week, several neighbors in our subdivision received a letter about a 120 foot internet tower being erected in the spot where we all walk, where we hold an annual bbq/bonfire, where kids play, where families snowmobile and most importantly, where the deer lounge! Our neighbor has banded everyone together as most of us did not get the letter. Everyone is opposed. Not one neighbor wants nor needs this tower. We created a petition, sent letters and invited our county councillor to visit. Now there is a meeting the first week in May with the internet provider, all of us and the county. We are fighting this to the end as there is no need, and there is great danger to our children playing and the deer and other wildlife living. I’m hopeful because our county councillor, who also lives in the country and “gets it” is not impressed and is fighting with us. We’ve quoted by-laws (broken by these actions), country procedures (not followed in this instance) and have all voiced our collective opinions. Fingers crossed that we win. And I wish the best to you and your community as you fight this new development that clearly will not enhance your region!
X Chy
Good luck with your fight. In our case, I’m not sure if there is someone who is in our corner. I hope we find that person.
yay for iowa in the quilting magazine. lots to love here!
i, too, can see a scout-y resemblance in that egg cup … cute!
lots of sadness about the proposed development near you. when money gets to make the decision, not nature, not health or homeowners’/long-term residents’ rights or protection of animals and the environment. will pray for you, chy and others in similar situations and hope those projects don’t get approved. not all change is progress!!!
and am thinking about a way we (your readers who care about you all) might raise money to help your side win … … ??? online auction (said by someone who has no blog or way to host such a thing)? donations to pay a lawyer? please let us know if you think of something we could do!
kathy in iowa
Thanks so much, Kathy. I’ll keep that in mind. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks and then I’ll go from there.
Claudia, hope you find strong legal reasons to stop the development. After you mentioned Quiltfolk in a previous post, I looked it up, and decided to subscribe. Thank you for letting us know about Quiltfolk! I’m slowly savoring the Iowa issue. Hope you get time with your hot choc and magazine, though it’s so substantial, it can’t really be called a magazine.
No, it’s really more like a book, isn’t it? And when you think of it that way, it’s a bargain!
Several years ago we were in Sisters, Oregon when they held their outdoor quilt show. It was amazing. They hang quilts from what appears to be every single surface throughout the village. You can see them as you come into town. Just breathtaking!!
I am so sorry for what you are going through with what too many consider to be “improvements”. I feel like we are way outnumbered with the current “administration” smirking and ready to bring down their ax on anything that we hold up to be near and dear and especially in regard to the environment. It appears that if anything stands in the way of any one person or corporation to make money ~ it is a GO. No questions asked. I’m sure his son-in-law will soon be in charge of what is left of the environment (Just ask Jared)…. or maybe it will be Tiffany’s job. Freaking unbelievable.
I wish you luck with your quest, and I hope it turns out well ….. I just have so little faith remaining in our country standing any chance.
I’ve read a lot about that show. I bet it was wonderful!
Yes. Corporations and big money are clearly more important than our quality of life. That is very clear.
This sounds like a nightmare! I cannot believe how callous developers can be in their quest to make money! No respect for the land, the wildlife, or the current neighbors! I hope that your group will be able to stop this stupidity from happening. It makes me sick. The woods across from our neighborhood were developed into a subdivision a few years back and our neighborhood has had flooding problems, traffic problems ,etc. since then. Wishing you luck.
It seems that developers often don’t consider the environmental impact of their projects. We are trying to get experts to look at the whole thing and gauge that impact.
Good luck with your fight! I know it won’t be easy. Looks like a lovely magazine – hope you are enjoying it this afternoon. Our rain ended this morning and the sun has been out all afternoon – and it’s warm!!
The sun is out today, Vera. It’s going to reach 61 degrees. Huzzah!
We have a similar thing going on here. We are just a small town, no light, no grocery store or gas station. Now a developer buys a chunk of property and wants to build a destination resort. Before even getting the permits, he clear cut the entire area which included a swamp and dune area which he can’t build on. We don’t really have a say in the matter although there will be meetings with the planning commission. To top it all off he puts a statement on Face Book that says he is trying to make Arcadia great again and he hopes a few unimportant regulations won’t stop him from doing it. It’s all about money. I feel like crying every time I drive down our road and see all the stumps. Good luck!
Eileen
It is indeed all about money and tax revenue. Makes me so angry! I’m sorry you have to deal with this, too, Eileen. It’s all so disillusioning. Money seems to trump everything. And I use the word ‘trump’ on purpose. Much love, cousin. xo Claudia
I can’t imagine how vulnerable you must feel with such a potential development so close to you. We have a couple of things like this happening in my town and I feel really sorry for the nearest residents. It can prompt homeowners to flee; and relocating is harder the older you get, at least I think so (money, strength/energy to pack and reorganize; and just having to go through all that major life stress but also sadness of leaving something you’d otherwise not leave). You are wise to put up your dukes and stand your ground/state your case…but, sigh, it’s a contentment-drainer.
The quilt mag seems like a good buy because, with no ads, it’s really just like a book, right? An investment!
It is indeed a contentment-drainer. And there’s so much draining my contentment at the moment!
You’re right – the magazine is really more like a book.
Those egg cups are just right for spring and the Scouty egg cup is adorable. With that dear face I see why she reminds you of Scout.
I am sorry to hear about the possible changes to your neighborhood. I have seen so much destruction to neighborhoods and consider it an extremely serious issue. Stable neighborhoods contribute much in many ways, including less crime as well as a positive environment for children, to a city or town and their integrity and livability should be valued and protected. Unfortunately, many towns/cities will approve a commercial development no matter how detrimental to an area because it may generate more tax revenue than a single family residence. Neighborhoods are another casualty of the current emphasis on large profits no matter the consequences. To make it even worse, most developers are building with the idea the project will have a limited life span, become an eyesore and will be torn down in a few years (usually about 10-12). Stable, cared for neighborhoods are part of the foundation of a stable healthy country/ culture and can determine it’s future. Sorry if I ramble about this, but I have very strong feelings about this issue and the importance of neighborhoods. Sincerely hoping you get support from officials with the responsibility to make the best choices for the home owners. Dianne
I see w
I agree with everything you’ve said, Dianne. I find it very hard to fathom the rationale behind this kind of development. Money-making of course.
And there is only so much water around here.
Could I ask you a question off subject? I remember you got the lori loft dollhouse. Are the stairs movable or are they permanently mounted? Thanks so much
I agree with your feelings. Who needs more noise, more traffic and more pollution? I hope the meeting is productive
I don’t know. I do know they are screwed into the floor of the dollhouse, so they might be removable. You’d just have to patch the areas where they were screwed in.