Special Supplement to the Herald-Citizen — Sunday, May 10, 2015
2 — HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015
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CityScape’s 20th Annual Taste of the Town
P atrons Founder Patron Nissan of Cookeville — Michael Rezi
Sustaining Patrons
Saturday, May 16, 2015 7-9:30 p.m.
Gold Patrons
At the home of Woody and Kari VanStratum
Averitt Express First Tennessee Bank
94.7 The Country Giant/98.5 Kiss FM/107.7 WHUB, Bank of Putnam Co., Bless, Cravens & Company, David W. Ledbetter Atty., First National Bank of Tennessee, Hill Realty, Brian & Jenny Maffett, Middle Tennessee Surgical Specialist, Premier Diagnostic Imaging LLC, Realty Firm, Woody & Kari VanStratum
290 Evergreen Place Parking at Algood Middle School
Food
Silver Patrons American Bank & Trust, Derek & Diana Baranowski, Kevin & Janet Bowling, Gene & Cathy Bressler, Collins Mfg. Co., Donnie & Donna Elkins, Garry & Brenda Floeter, Gaw-Bernhardt & Associates, Doug & Sherry Gentry, Jones Antiques, Larry & Janice McDonald, Wayne & Mary Alice Spain, SouthEast Bank, Swallows Insurance Agency, Angelo & Jennette Volpe, Ryan & Abby Williams, Laura Wolf
Patrons
Abel Gardens, Randy & Debbie Adams, AEI, Britt & Susannah Akers, Joe & Connie Albrecht, Matt & Sarah Allen, Auxin, Bob & Gloria Bell, Kathy Bertram, Parker & Debra Boles, Tom & Kim Brewer, Bob & Lisa Brooksbank, Leon & Julie Burns, Nolan & Susie Cantrell, William & Patti Clark, Carwile Mechanical Contractor, Center of Vision Development, Convention & Visitor Bureau, Bobby & Jean Davis, Jimmy & Kem Dickinson, George & Kim Dixon, Jay & Jackie Duncan, Bryant & LeeAnn Dunaway, Falcon Realty, FASTSIGNS, Mark & Tammy Fontenot, Martin & Jane Foutch, Tony & Celeste Gammon, Chad & Anna Gilbert, E & Christy Graves, Gunnels Florist, David & Lori Hatcher, Jason Hicks, Jim & Evon Hicks, Hooper-Huddleston & Horner, Chuck & Jan Jordan, Randy & Melinda Keifer, Paul & Janice Korth, Bob & Gail Luna, Bob & Cindy Mackie, Jimmy & Shirley Mackie, Gordon Martin & Paige Gernt, Ronnie & JoAnne Martin, W.E. Mayberry, Kevin & Ashley McCaleb, Jim & Karla McKinney, Donny & Debi Meadows, Martin & Laura Medley, MMA Creative, Phil & Kari Oldham, J.D. & Lissa Parks, Phil & Nancy Pierce, Michael & Stephanie Pippin, Missy Phillips, Ottis & Cindy Phillips, Randy & Melanie Porter, David & Michelle Price, Allen & Susan Ray, Bill & Jenny Ray, Mike Reel, Ronnie Reels & Lisa Waters, Regions Bank, David & Diane Roland, Sam & Cheryl Sandlin, Saxony Apts/Garry McNabb, Ricky & Shannon Shelton, Jim & Lee Ann Shipley, Chuck & Tracy Sparks, George & Kathy Starkweather, Johnny & Rosemary Stites, Adrienne Stone, Roman & Beth Stone, STONECOM, Danny & Joyce Sutton, Mike & Kelly Tayes, Larry & Connie Taylor, The Outdoor Experience, The Salt Box Inn, Larry & Margie Thomas, David & Lisa Uhrik, Bettye Vaden, W & O Construction Co. Inc., Eric & Linda Westin, Whitson Funeral Home, Bobby & Deborah Williams, Ken & Carrie Williams, Roy & Diane Williams, Mark Wilson & Melanie Gordon, Jim & Julia Woodford, Lee Wray, Jim & Janice Wright, Pete & Nicole Ziegler
19th Hole ClubHouse Blue Coast Burrito Bobby Q’s Restaurant Char Chartwells Catering Cosmos Crawdaddy’s West Side Grill Fazoli’s Firehouse Subs
Grade-A Catering Great Harvest Bread Co. Marco’s Pizza Mauricio’s Mealfit Olive Garden Outback Steakhouse Ralph’s Donuts Red Lobster Rib City
Seven Senses Food & Cheer Smoothie King Spankies The Back Room Bistro The Bull & Thistle The Cooke House WestSide Deli & Catering Wooly ClubHouse
Beverage P roviders Budweiser of Cookeville Coca-Cola
Danny & Karen Brooks — American Wine & Spirits Mid-South Distributing, Inc.
U nderwriters Brenda Floeter Herald-Citizen Lakeland Electric
Party Source and Rentals Tennessee Tech University
Other C ontributors Flowers Abel Gardens Gunnels Florist Bartending Vince & Amanda Taylor Safety Cookeville Police Department Entertainment Mystique Productions DJ Services Ofleo Quartet
WD Stone
Graphic Design
Illustration Mahria Crawford Special Thanks Algood Middle School Helen Bandy Stroud’s BBQ
Tickets for the 2015 event are sold out. Tickets are available only to CityScape members.
HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015 — 3
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CityScape Board members for 2015 are, seated, from left, Joanne Martin, Laura Wolf, Larry thomas, Jackie Duncan and Nicole Smith. in back, Brian Maffett, Lee Wray, Randy adams, angelo Volpe and Jim Woodford. Not pictured: David allen, Gene Bressler, andrea Burckhard, Rick Jones and Mark Wilson. Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
This is CityScape Operation CityScape, officially chartered in 1992, is Cookeville’s Main Street organization, affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Cookeville is one of only 26 Tennessee communities that are certified “Main Street” programs. This downtown revitalization organization began with the collective vision of a small group of people in 1990. These visionaries and community leaders realized that concrete and infrastructure were being upgraded in all areas except in the heart of Cookeville, the historic downtown. With that realization, CityScape was
formed to create partnerships between the public and private sectors in order to revitalize the downtown Cookeville area through design guidelines and grants, economic restructuring, preservation education, marketing events and infrastructure improvements. CityScape is now in its 23rd year and has been a state and nationally recognized Main Street community since 1994. In partnership with the City of Cookeville, the Cookevillearea Chamber of Commerce, the Putnam See CitySCape, page 8
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4 —HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015
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Megan Trotter | Herald-Citizen
The VanStratums’ lush green lawn and beautiful home will be the site of the 2015 Taste of the Town.
VanStratums open home for Taste of the Town By MEGAN TROTTER HERALD-CITIZEN Staff
COOKEVILLE — One of the first times that Woody and Kari VanStratum attended Taste of the Town, they arrived to find a stunning home with spacious rooms and peaceful green lawns. It was a little piece of paradise tucked away in the city — and little did the VanStratums know that one day it would be their own. “As I was leaving, I told the owners, ‘You have a beautiful house. I’d love to have a house like this some day,’” Woody said.
Years later when the couple were house hunting, they saw that the home was up for sale. Both were still completely in love with the site, but feared it was a little out of their price range. However, knowing how much his wife loved the house, Woody secretly set out to make it work. “While I was going to the bank trying to get the money situated, Kari is like, ‘Why are you at the bank every other day? Is everything okay?’” Woody chuckled. “I said, ‘Yes, dear, everything’s fine!’” When he got the phone call about his offer on the home being accepted, he was with Kari and had to struggle to keep a
neutral expression. On Kari’s birthday, Woody told her that he was going to take her to Nashville, but on the way, he said he wanted to swing by and look at the house that she liked so much. “And she said, ‘Look, if it’s sold, I don’t want to know about it,’” Woody remembered. He convinced her to let him swing by since they were in the area. When they pulled up the drive, there was a big bow on the door that said “Happy birthday, Kari.” Inside was a piano playing soft music, a bottle of wine and a vase of flowers. It was a dream come true — for both
of them. “We sat in the driveway for about three minutes, both of us, with tears pouring out of our eyes,” Woody said. The VanStratums have lived in the home for almost two years and are now are excited for the opportunity to open up their doors to the community during Taste of the Town. Guests will get the chance to sample delicious foods, hear live music, and enjoy the beauty of the location that first drew Woody and Kari to the area. “We really love it here,” Kari said, “And we’re looking forward to the event.”
HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015 — 5
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Planning this year’s Taste of the Town are, from left, Nicole Smith, Jackie Duncan and Laura Wolf with CityScape, and Kari and Woody VanStratum. Megan Trotter | HeraldCitizen
P ast H osts 1996 — John and Carrie Limbacher
2006 — Walter Derryberry
1997 — John and Carrie Limbacher
2007 — Richard and Adrienne Newson
1998 — Dr. & Mrs. Walter Derryberry
2008 — Parker and Debra Boles
1999 — Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Williams
2009 — Jeff and Kathy Callahan
2000 — Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lowe
2010 — Greg and Charlotte Suggs
2001 — Dr. & Mrs. Bob Bell
2011 — Richard and Adrienne Newson
2002 — Dr. & Mrs. Chuck Jordan
2012 — Bettye Vaden
2003 — Town Centre
2013 — Dr. & Mrs. Phillip Oldham
2004 — Dr. & Mrs. Bob Bell
2014 — Ed & Suzanne Buck
2005 — John and Carrie Limbacher
Party&GroupRates! Special! All day Sunday & Monday: Bowl 2 Get 1 FREE (per person)
GiftCertificatesAvailable! Cosmic Bowling! Every Saturday Night, 10PM-12AM
Open Bowling Daily RESTAURANT •P RO-SHOP •G AMER OOM 545 Neal St., Cookeville, TN • 931-528-5551
6 — HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015
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CityScape’s mission: Preserving historic downtown CityScape strives to revitalize and preserve the Historic Downtown Cookeville business district. Here are a few of the current or completed projects that CityScape has been involved with. Cream City Sign In 2012, CityScape, in partnership with the building owner and Southern Signs, undertook the restoration of the Cream City sign. The iconic sign is located in the historic West Side district across from the Depot. Through donations and the sale of t-shirts, CityScape was able to raise the funding necessary to repair the sign. Masonic Lodge revitalization CityScape has worked with the Masonic Lodge on the Square to revitalize their building. CityScape first secured grant funding for financial needs. The turquoise aluminum siding was removed as well as the original metal awning that had been installed in the 1960s. The back and sides of the building were then painted, and the front of the building resurfaced. Upon completion, the building looks brand new while all of its original integrity was maintained. CityScape was very proud and honored to be part of this process. Historic Lampposts CityScape is working in conjunction with the City of Cookeville, the Cookeville City Council and the Department of Leisure Services to help in any way it can with the Dogwood Park project. CityScape is selling historic lampposts in the new expansion of Dogwood Park. This park is such a wonderful addition to the Square and to the West Side, uniting both areas into one integrated Downtown. Parking Lot Renovation In 2007, CityScape was awarded a $10,000 grant and worked with the city to redo the parking lot behind the row of buildings on the West Side. With this grant money, the surface was re-paved and restriped to make for better traffic flow. Green spaces and trees were added as well as better lighting to make the parking lot an attractive, safe environment for shoppers. Awning/Facade Grants CityScape offers Awning/Facade Grants to building owners making improvements to the exteriors of their buildings. To do so, fill out an application, and then submit that to CityScape’s design committee for approval. Once approved and completed, CityScape reimburses the building owner 25 percent of the cost, up to $1,000. Recent recipients have been the Cookeville Children’s Museum, WestSide Deli, Bellena’s, and Jim and Barbara Fleming’s building at 39 W. Broad Street. Alleyway into Green Space In 2010, CityScape received a $5,000
Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
Cookeville residents have enjoyed the fountain at Dogwood Park.
Green Grant, which was used on the West Side. In conjunction with the City of Cookeville, drainage issues in the alley beside then-Sweet Sallie’s were repaired. CityScape would love to turn this alleyway into green space as a pocket park once future funding has been secured. West Side Promotions In 2009, CityScape used grant monies to help pay for banners for the Depot and the Square while also helping the West Side merchants with the cost of producing a brochure promoting their area. Dogwood Pavilion Seating In 2008, CityScape received a $20,000 grant that was used to install tiered seating at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion.
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HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015 — 7
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Cookeville Nissan partners with CityScape By LAURA MILITANA HERALD-CITIZEN Staff
COOKEVILLE — Originally from Florence, Italy, Michael Rezi knows what preservation is and how everything comes from downtown. Now as a citizen of Cookeville, he wants to bring a renewed sense of pride, and is now CityScape’s first and only Founder Partner. “I’m very excited to be partnering with CityScape,” he said. “I want to bring fresh ideas here. Downtown is such a thriving place.” Rezi became acquainted with Cookeville in early 2012 when he bought Cookeville Nissan. He bought a house on 6th Street just this past November. “I love the downtown atmosphere,” he said. “I love walking in the area. So when I saw the CityScape signs, I looked into it.” Once he found out what the organization is, he saw it as an opportunity for him to make an impact. “It’s all about preserving your roots,” he said. “That’s how Italy is — proud of their history and revitilization. And CityScape is doing just that.”
Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
CityScape is proud to partner with Michael Rezi, center, owner of Cookeville Nissan, to be a founder partner of the organization. Also pictured with Rezi are Laura Wolfe, executive director of CityScape; and Jackie Duncan, CityScape event director.
Through his work with CityScape, he wants to keep downtown thriving by helping people start business there — and keep
them there. “I’ve been impressed with the downtown businesses,” he said. “They all work to-
gether.” He cited the unique stores currently established downtown — including restaurants with local flavor. “I’d like to share ideas,” he said of his new partnership. One idea is to possibly expand the Farmer’s Market. “Let’s enhance the awareness of our local produce and groceries,” he said. “Downtown is a perfect spot for that.” He noted that the people of Florence are like that — they take pride in their local creations and everyone from around the world enjoys it as well. “It takes time to get there,” he said. “It makes you care for your town more.” CityScape is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that was created to establish a partnership between public and private sectors dedicated to the revitalization of the Historic Downtown Cookeville business district. As an official Main Street program, CityScape is certified on the state and national levels by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information about CityScape, visit www.cookevillecityscape.com.
CityScape receives 2015 National Main St. Accreditation COOKEVILLE — CityScape has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the Main Street Four Point Approach. “We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for their outstanding accomplishment in meeting the National Main Street Center’s 10 Standards of Performance,” says Patrice Frey, president & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “As the National Main Street Center celebrates its 35th anniversary, it is also important to celebrate the achievements of the local Main Street programs across the country, some of whom have been around since the beginning. These local programs work hard every day to make their communities great places to work, live, play and
visit while still preserving their historic character.” The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by CityScape which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application of the Main Street four-point approach to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determine the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong publicprivate partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings. “This accreditation is so important to our organization and the mission of CityScape,” Laura Wolf, CityScape executive director, said. “To be recognized as one of Tennessee’s 28 Tennessee Main Street organizations is such an accomplishment for Cookeville. CityScape began in 1994 and has been dedicated to revitalizing downtown through economic restructuring and
historic preservation.” Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980, the National Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,000 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 35 years, the Main Street program has lever-
aged more than $61.7 billion in new public and private investment. Participating communities have created 528,557 net new jobs and 120,510 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 251,838 buildings, leveraging an average of $26.52 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.
8 — HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Sunday, May 10, 2015
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Screening process creates Taste of the Town invitation prints
COOKEVILLE — The Taste of the Town invitation design — created by W.D. Stone for more than 20 years — has always been a major part of the annual event, and this year is no different. When the CityScape staff discussed the VanStratum home, the beautiful and plush landscaping, and the overall theme that they envisioned, illustrator Mahria Crawford had an immediate vision for the invitation. She wanted the artwork to possess a vintage retro southern style befitting the theme of the event. Once the staff of CityScape saw her hand-drawn illustration, they instantly knew it needed to become a frameable print. In order to keep the look as a vintage art piece, it needed to be taken through a three process screening. The search for this printing process ended with Tennessee Tech student Jessica Hagar offering to print the illustration at Appalachian Center for Craft. There will be 100 signed original prints for sale at Taste of the Town.
CITYSCAPE From Page A3
Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen
Mahria Crawford, illustrator, left, works with Jessica Hagar, TTU senior fiber artist, to create a screen print of the Taste of the Town invitation.
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County Commission and hundreds of individual members and volunteers, CityScape has completed three phases of Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Plan, including new sidewalks, decorative lampposts, upgraded utilities and green spaces. More than 300 trees have been planted and more than 250 lampposts erected to enhance the public’s perception that downtown is a pedestrianfriendly and vibrant place to work, shop and live. As the clearing house for downtown issues, CityScape has provided design and preser-
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vation assistance for more than 50 building renovations, helped to establish centrally-located Dogwood Park and Farmer’s Market, planned and coordinated downtown events such as Fall FunFest and Cream City Crankin,’ and began an annual Christmas ornament sale that features local historic buildings or signs as well as providing grants for downtown facade improvements or awning grants. The economic growth in downtown has seen 100 new businesses, approximately 300 new jobs since CityScape’s establishment in 1992. The future is bright for downtown Cookeville, the heart of our community.