By Jen Stults
Community Spirit is alive and well in Montpelier, as evidenced by the many summer activities and city improvements taking place this year. Recently, artists of all ages gathered at Baldwin Park for a painting class – fireworks with acrylic paints – taught by local artist and instructor, Lydia Smith. Painting in the Park is just one of the many outdoor activities available to residents.
Locals may have also noticed the new and improved 0.6 mile packed gravel trail at the ballpark. This trail is just the first step in efforts to create more walking and biking paths in Montpelier. Mayor Neff invites the public to a meeting at 4 p.m. Friday at Montpelier City Hall to create a plan for walking/biking trails so the city can apply for grants. Be sure to stop in and give your input!
Residents can also shoot hoops again behind the Civic Center in what is slated to become Legends Park. New pavement and commercial-grade basketball hoops that are built to last, thanks in part to grant money received, have been installed. According to Mayor Neff, court striping will be applied next week to finish it off. Neff adds that pickleball courts are coming soon on the East side of that parking lot in next few of weeks, as well as new fencing. “A big thank you to Cam Bonewit and our amazing street crew for getting the goals installed and making it all happen!”
Another project nearing completion is the painting of the Main Street murals by artist Pamela Bliss. The two murals are clever companions, with one a nod to Montpelier’s rich history as “Oil City” and the other a testament to the present and future of Montpelier.
Locals should take a peek at the murals during this month’s Main Street Friday on July 11 th , from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Montpelier. Positive Energy Café invites the public to join them for a book reading by Jessica Miller, “the author of 3 books including, Human Hurricane, The Bystander, and Grace and Riley Mae Have Won It All.” Showtime Dance Academy will perform at 6 p.m. on Main Street (in front of Dollar General), followed by SWCC Worship performing at 7:00 in the Tri-Kappa Park, on the northeast corner of Main and highway 18.
Montpelier Youth League will be set up with their popsicle stand, and J.R. Flooring will sponsor a popcorn stand. In addition, Frosty’s has teamed up with Positive Energy Café to “bring the good people of Montpelier a delicious treat in the form of espresso poured over a variety of ice cream.” Several downtown businesses will be open as well. We Seem to Have It All will feature special deals, such as Bring Your Own Big Bag and fill it for $20, or fill a small bag for only $10, as well as a bake sale benefit for Niki Moriarity, recently diagnosed with cancer.
In other city news, an adult co-ed softball league/tourney is being organized to play in August at the softball field in Montpelier. Games will take place on Sundays in August, beginning at 12:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Cam Lightle at 765-499-0391 Keep up the good work, Montpelier!
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