C hesterfield V illage

MARCH 2012

NEIGHBORHOOD

NEWSLETTER OF THE CHESTERFIELD VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION www.hoachesterfield.com

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Chesterfield Village Home of the Worlds Largest Fork

by Melissa Wittmer

Before I moved to Springfield, MO, I used to visit family who lived here a couple of times a year. One day while driving along South Glenstone Avenue, I saw a giant fork sculpture outside of a business. The fork became a landmark for me and I was sad to see it missing from the location on one of my return visits. Fast forward to 2007 when my husband and I were house-hunting and our journey led us to Chesterfield Village Neighborhood. Now, I was no stranger to Chesterfield Village. I saw movies often at the Palace, but for some reason, I had never driven around to the back of the building owned by Noble & Associates. I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw the same giant fork planted right outside of what would be my future neighborhood. Well, folks, that fork may have just sealed the deal for my family to move in. At least it did for my daughter who was convinced that Jack from the story Jack and the Beanstalk stole the fork from the Giants castle in the sky. Who else would need a fork that big? A plaque in front of the fork reads Worlds Largest Fork. In my search for information about the history of the fork sculpture, I spoke with Mark Gideon. Mr. Gideon used to be a corporate public relations spokesperson for Bob Nobles company Noble & Associates. Mark filled me in on some of the details about the original location of the fork and how it came to rest in the village.

headquarters of Noble & Associates in Chesterfield Village. Apparently, you cant just stick a giant fork outside of your business without following proper procedures through the City of Springfield. If the fork was classified as a sign, then sign permits through the City would be required. However, if the fork could be classified as a piece of art, it could be displayed after consent from the property owner. Barry Cox owned the land that was developed for Chesterfield Village, and he was happy to The Worlds Largest Fork give permission for the fork to be displayed. Thus, the fork is now a sculpture. The fork was removed and transported along the James River Freeway to Chesterfield Village. Some media outlets covered the ceremony and the fork was escorted by Highway Patrol. And the rest, as they say, is history. Landscapers plant leafy plants around the base of the fork each year so that it appears as if some giant person is getting ready to take a huge bite of salad. A Google search for Worlds Largest Fork immediately brings up results featuring the fork in lists of roadside attractions and pictures of people posing with the fork. One site suggests that the fork is highlighted in the Weird Missouri Book Series. So, as this wonderful spring weather beckons you outside for an evening stroll, make your way to Cox Road to pay a visit to our very own world-famous neighborhood roadside attraction.

Mark Gideon

In September 1997, Noble & Associates opened a restaurant called Greenhouse Market in a business venture to introduce the Springfield market to the notion of prepared take-home food. Offering quality, made from scratch meals that could be taken home to be reheated and eaten, the business sought to change the way Springfieldians thought about fast food. Measuring 35feet tall, the giant fork started out as a sign for Greenhouse Market, advertising to potential customers to turn at the fork in the road. Apparently, Springfield was a difficult test market for the meal preparation business and Greenhouse Market closed its doors in July 1998. When questioned by the Springfield Business Journal about the fate of the fork, Mark Gideon quipped, We havent found a drawer big enough to put it in. Gideon was instrumental in getting the fork relocated to the new

Do you have a picture of family or friends posing with the fork? If so, post your photos or share your thoughts about this article on our neighborhood Facebook page. The site is: www.facebook.com/chesterfieldvillagehoa

SquareUP with CVHA

CVHA Board of Directors
President Michael Olmsted 417.887.8376 Vice President Lorna Hammock 417.225.2011 Secretary Melissa Wittmer 417.889.9296 Treasurer Jennifer Choi 954.240.9434 Architectural Control Dale and Susie Brothers 417.887.7159 Pool Robert Sheldon 417.887.9311 Clubhouse Rentals Chad Carter 417.501.6345 Neighborhood Watch Edd Liniger 417.887.1375 CVHA Contact Email Address hoachesterfield@gmail.com

Treasurer Jennifer Choi is pleased to announce that residents can now use credit cards to pay HOA dues. Square provides a free credit card reader that works with an iPhone, iPad or Android phone to scan credit cards for purchases. All major credit cards are accepted. If you would like to pay HOA dues with a credit card, contact Jennifer Choi at 954.240.9434 or email hoachesterfield @gmail.com and she will meet with you to square up. A small fee is charged to process credit card payments. Receipts are automatically sent to the customers email address.

Neighborhood Watch Training

Please plan to attend one neighborhood watch training so that CV can qualify for the new neighborhood watch program. Training dates are posted on the Springfield Police Departments website (www.springfieldmo.gov/spd). Residents can sign up online, or can call 417.874.2113 to register. Training is limited to 40 participants. Turn in completed training certificates to Edd Liniger.

Upcoming Training Sessions

Sat. April 21, 8 a.m. to noon, The Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway

Ads are paying off

The monthly newsletter now offers advertisements for local businesses. Income received for ads helps pay for the printing of the newsletter. This edition of the newsletter was completely funded by ads. Thanks to all of the business owners who have chosen to advertise with us! If you are interested in advertising in the newsletter, please see the information provided at the bottom of the page.

Like us on Facebook!
Chesterfield Village has a page on Facebook. Find us at www.facebook.com/ chesterfieldvillagehoa. We plan to use the page to post event reminders and general information. Neighbors can also post to the site!

CVHA Committees
NeighborWoods Program Melissa Wittmer 417.889.9296 Kids Club Lorna Hammock 417.225.2011

Neighborhood Directory
Block Captains have been busy collecting information from residents for the new directory. The deadline to submit forms is March 31. Please contact Melissa Wittmer at 417.889.9296 or at chesterfieldvillagenewsletter@gmail.com if you have questions. Plans are to publish the directory this summer.

CVHA Meeting Schedule

Monday, April 2 Monday, May 7 Monday, June 4
7:00 p.m. Every 1st Monday Chesterfield Village Clubhouse

Please address all correspondence to:

Chesterfield Village Homeowners Association Inc. 2101 West Chesterfield Blvd. Bldg. C, Suite 100 PMB 69 Springfield, MO 65807

Advertising Rates
Current circulation is about 200 homes. Business card: $25, 1/4 page: $40, 1/2 page: $65, Full page: $100 Call 417.889.9296 Email: chesterfieldvillagenewsletter@gmail.com

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New Neighbor Safety Tips

Information from the Springfield Police Departments Website
Warm weather is the time most people prefer to relocate. Whether it's a promotion, better schools, or the desire for a different climate, spring is the time when many families start the process of moving. If you are already in a new location or soon will be, here are some tips to help your children adjust safely to their surroundings: Point out public places the children can go to if they Dont buy the need assistance or are house, buy the neighborhood. frightened. Make a map they can take with them -Russian proverb until they are familiar with the area. Once the children have made new friends, make sure they understand that they must have permission before accepting rides or going to someone's house. Remind your children that the same house rules still applykeep doors and windows locked, don't open the door to strangers, don't give out personal information over the phone, don't tell a caller that no adults are home, etc.

Be sure your children know their full names and learn their new address and phone number as soon as possible. Visit their new school prior to the first day of classes. If your children will be riding the bus, both you and your children should know the location of the bus stop and the number of their bus. They should tell you about any unusual incidents at the bus stop or on the bus. When meeting new neighbors, try to have your children present. This will let people know there are new playmates for their children and make them aware that the new faces they are seeing in the neighborhood belong there. Place a list of emergency phone numbers by the phone as soon as possible, including pager and cell phone numbers. Make sure your child knows how and when to dial 911. Take the family on a walk through the neighborhood to learn new streets and landmarks.

Moving to a new neighborhood can be both frightening and exciting. Make sure your children understand that rules of safety still apply no matter where they live. Do you want to be informed about criminal activity in and around your neighborhood? Go to myneighborhoodupdate.net to sign up for free text and email alerts about police activity in your area.

We are looking for neighbors to feature in the newsletter. Please contact Melissa Wittmer at chesterfieldvillagenewsletter@gmail.com or call 417.889.9296. Residents can submit articles with photographs for the column.

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Welcome, New Board Member!

Robert Sheldon, Pool/Tennis Courts
Robert Sheldon, or Bob, is a regular at the pool. He swims twelve to fifteen laps every day, making him a great candidate for the Pool/Tennis court position on the Board of Directors. He joined the Board of Directors at the beginning of March. Bob has been seriously retired since 2005 and he has lived in Chesterfield Village for six years. After serving four years as an electronics technician aboard a naval escort carrier, Bob earned a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin followed by a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of NebraskaLincoln. Mr. Sheldon worked as a reporter for the Racine Journal-Times in Racine, Wisconsin for ten years. After that, he worked for three years as the news director at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. For the next 26 years, Bob returned to work at his alma materthe University of NebraskaLincoln. While there, he worked as a director of news and information and later as editor and publications coordinator. In 2000, Bob and his wife relocated to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he worked for three years as a reporter for the Bella Vista weekly newspaper. Bob used to play a lot of tennis, but he now spends more time swimming and reading. Bob will be able to answer your questions about the pool. He can be reached at 417.887.9311.

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Hotspot at the pool

Good news is here for people who experience internet withdrawal while sunbathing at the pool. The Chesterfield Village Clubhouse now offers free wireless internet access for residents. So, bring those e-readers, laptops, tablets and other devices to the pool this summer and surf away! If you are interested in booking the clubhouse for meetings or other events, you will now have internet access. Bring your own computer. The password to access the internet is the following phrase in lowercase letters: ilovechesterfield. Information about the Wi-Fi hotspot will be posted in the Clubhouse.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Kids Club is providing an Easter Egg Hunt for children, grandchildren and relatives of neighborhood residents. Kids young and old are invited to attend with their families for a morning hunt. The activity will take place on March 31 at 10:00 a.m. Arrive at the pool Clubhouse five minutes early if you want to participate. Refreshments will be provided after the egg hunt. This activity is a great way for kids to make friends in the neighborhood. Contact Kids Club Committee Chairperson Lorna Hammock if you have questions about the event.

Chesterfield Village Spring Yard Sale

Mark your calendar for April 28! The annual spring neighborhood yard sale is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to noon. There is no fee to participatejust set up some tables, dust off your items and hope for good weather! The sale will be advertised that weekend in the Springfield News-Leader and on several online sites.

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What Are Rebus Puzzles?

The word Rebus comes from Latin and it means "of thing". A Rebus puzzle is a kind of word puzzle consisting of pictures representing syllables, words or parts of words. Rebus puzzles are great not only for fun but they help improve logic and problem solving skills. See if you can figure out the hidden meaning in the rebus puzzles below. Answers can be found on page 7.

Update on Enochs BBQ Restaurant Opening

It looks like well have to wait a little longer to satisfy our cravings for local BBQ and southern cooking. The owners of Enochs BBQ have delayed opening the restaurant due to delays with city permits and other issues. The good news is that the grand opening should be coming soon. The restaurants Facebook page shows that a couple of new employees have been hired and all permits have been received. The business has received additional media coverage. The Springfield Business Journal published an article that can be read at www.417local.com.

Contact information 2101 W Chesterfield Blvd Suite B-102 Springfield, MO 65807 Phone: 417-881-2888 Email: info@enochsbbq.com Hours of Operation Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sundays

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All Brite Pools & Pressure Washing offers expert cleaning service for pools, driveways, decks, and more to the Springfield, MO area. Our owner, Gary Weaver, has been in the business for over 30 years. We specialize in power washing, particularly in hot water and cold water blasting. Our Pool Services Include: Pool repair and cleaning

Facelifts Pool tile, liner, pump, filter, and cover service Chemical application

Winter maintenance We Also Clean The Following: Decks Fences Parking lots Sidewalks Patios Restaurant equipment

Drive-thru References are available. We offer special weekly service. We serve residential and commercial establishments in Springfield, Branson, and the surrounding areas. Call All Brite Pools & Pressure Washing today at 417-894-2203 for a free estimate.

Are you Storm Aware?

Missouris emergency management office, SEMA launched a new website to help people be aware of storm dangers and how to be prepared. The website is stormaware.mo.gov. The website lists some interesting facts about tornado sirens. Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching. How can I get alerts when Im at work or in my house? For alerts indoors, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio AllHazards. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action. Who activates the sirens? Sirens are typically activated by city or county officials, usually a police or fire department or emergency management personnel. Check with your city or county officials to learn more.

What should I do when I hear the sirens? When you hear tornado sirens, go inside and tune to local media to get more information. Why cant I hear the sirens in my house?

Solutions to the rebus puzzles on page 6 Top row: Crossbreed, Moral Support, Small Talk Bottom row: Downright Stupid, Half-Hearted, Two Left Feet

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Community Calendar
March 31 March 31 April 2 April 6 Chesterfield Village Neighborhood Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children, grandchildren and relatives of residents, Pool Clubhouse, 10 a.m. Cherry Blossom Kite Festival, Botanical Center and Japanese Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic, Admission is free, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals Exhibition Game, Hammons Field, 6 p.m. Big Read Iron Chef Cook-Off, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Park Central Library, free admission, competition event featuring chefs from Victory Trade School and San Francisco cuisine Grand Opening of new Farmers Market of the Ozarks featuring 60 farm and Artisan vendors; cooking demonstrations; live music, activities for kids; and a donation station for Ozarks Food Harvest, Republic Rd at James River Freeway, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Admission is free Enrichment EGGstravaganza, Dickerson Park Zoo, Watch zoo animals go on their own Easter egg hunt as zookeepers hide papier-mch treats for animals to find, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Admission: $8 adults and teens, $5 children 3-12 Downtown Dog Dash benefitting The Wistrom Family Foundation and SAAF Spay/ Neuter Clinic, 1-Mile Fun Run (with your pet) + 5k + 8k, Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., race begins at 8:30 a.m., $20 in advance, $25 day of, Runners & dogs get free t-shirt, free micro-chipping for participating dogs Into the Woods, Springfield Little Theater

April 7

April 7

April 7

April 13-15 April 19-22 April 27-29 April 20-21

Rockn Ribs BBQ Festival, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, 220 W. Plainview, Fri. (5-11 p.m. ages 21+), Sat. (10 a.m. to 11 p.m. all ages), $7 in advance, $10 at the gate (children 12 and under are free) Party for the Planet, Celebrate Earth Day at Dickerson Park Zoo, activities are free with paid zoo park admission, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chesterfield Village Neighborhood Spring Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. OTC Community Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., OTC Springfield Campus, Activities include annual car show, free welding repairs, plant sale, health screenings, SpringfieldGreene County Library Book-mobile, kids activities Arts Fest on Walnut Street, Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tickets are $3 in advance at McDonalds Restaurants, $5 at the gate, Children 5 and under are free

April 21 April 28 April 28

May 5-6

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