96
The Hillcrest Heartbeat – June 2022
In this issue, we’ll share more information about June’s hybrid meeting, upcoming celebrations and events, the history of Hillcrest, and much more…<!–
June 2022
A Message from the HCCA Leadership
Summertime Approaches
By Villareal “VJ” Johnson
Can you believe this year is moving so fast? It is almost summer. While summer officially begins June 21, the same day as the DC Primary Election, we also know that Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer. As you and your family begin to plan for your children’s summertime activities, travel plans and cookouts, know that the Hillcrest Community Civic Association (HCCA) will be doing the same.
The HCCA is also hoping to engage its members and community stakeholders in fun relational activities. The association will be hosting its June meeting at the Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver Street, SE). This meeting will be hybrid, so you have a choice to attend in person or online. The June meeting will be special as we recognize past board members and neighbors who have been instrumental in achieving the quality of life we now appreciate.
The HCCA will return to its engagement activities, like the garden and cultural walking tours, the casino bus trip, Porchfest (which will be in Hillcrest this year), as well as Hillcrest Day. Read more >>>
Join/Renew Your HCCA Membership!
<!–
–>
General Membership Meetings
All Hillcrest residents are invited to join the association to promote the welfare of our neighborhood. We are excited to announce our June 4 meeting will be hybrid. You can attend in person at the Hillcrest Recreation Center or continue to join us via Zoom.
Meetings are typically held on the first Saturday of the month from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. If you plan to attend via Zoom, please register now for the June 4 meeting!
Missed the May meeting? Listen to the recording. (Passcode: 6ENYGY+c)
Register for the June HCCA Meeting (Zoom only)
<!–
–>
HCCA Will Celebrate Past Board Members
The HCCA cordially invites you to the June meeting, which will include an inaugural recognition of some of our past board members. We hope this will be the start of an effort to continually acknowledge our past, which will propel our civic association into the future.
<!–
–>
Primary Elections are Around the Corner
Hillcrest has long been a prominent voice in Washington, DC elections, as one of the top voting precincts in Ward 7. This primary election season, we cast our votes for Mayor, Attorney General of D.C., Delegate to Congress, At-Large Councilmember, and U.S. Shadow Representative. Here’s a link to all you need to know about the June Primary election with dates, locations, and how to prepare. Access the DC Primary Election Voter Guide >>
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
Mail Ballot Drop Boxes: May 27–June 21
Early Voting: June 10–19
Primary Election Day Voting: June 21
Neighborhood Voting Centers:
Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver Street, SE)
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (3601 Alabama Avenue, SE)
Neighborhood Mail-In Ballot Drop Off Centers:
Francis Gregory Library (3660 Alabama Avenue, SE)
The Shops at Penn Branch (3202 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE)
<!–
–>
(click on the links below)
<!–
–>
Free Prom Attire Available for Ward 7 Students
High school seniors who live or attend school in Ward 7 can visit the Hillcrest Recreation Center, located at 3100 Denver Street, SE to shop at the Hillcrest Prom Boutique. Students can choose one dress or one suit for their prom events. The boutique hours are Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturdays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Special thanks and shout out to the Hillcrest and Ward 7 communities for their generosity. A special thank you to Hillcrest resident Ashley Emerson for organizing this initiative.
Photos
Left: Racks of prom attire donations for Ward 7 high school students. The giveaway is happening while supplies last.
Right: Hillcrest neighbor Mr. Jessie poses after dropping off a tux.
<!–
–>
Lorraine Whitlock Scholarship Event
In honor of the life and legacy of Lorraine Whitlock, former school teacher and civic activist, the Ward 7 Dems will host the Lorraine Whitlock Scholarship Event on Friday, June 3 at 7:30 pm. This event is a long-standing tradition for the organization and an opportunity to support Ward 7 high school seniors preparing for college with scholarships. For more information and to purchase tickets here.
<!–
–>
Celebrate Dads on Father’s Day, June 19
Father’s Day is a holiday honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation designating the third Sunday in June to honor fathers. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law declaring that Father’s Day would be celebrated annually. It has been an official, permanent national holiday ever since. Read about Father’s Day in the Farmer’s Almanac.
<!–
–>
What is Juneteenth & Why Do We Celebrate It
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas in 1865, during the aftermath of the Civil War. While enslaved people were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation, those in Texas were the last to learn of their freedom three years later. In the District of Columbia, the city celebrates emancipation on April 16 to honor those formerly enslaved people.
We invite you to learn more about the newest federal holiday and to view a listing of local events that will be held on Juneteenth. Read More >>>
<!–
–>
June is a Month of Celebrations
LGBTQIA Pride Month
Throughout June, Pride Month commemorates the
Stonewall riots in Manhattan in 1969 and rallies support for the LGBTQIA community. Communities across the country hold parades, workshops, celebrations, and concerts. Marches for civil rights and awareness take place. The month is a time for remembering those who paved the way for the LGBTQIA community and who continue to do so. It’s a time for education and breaking down barriers, too. Look back at the changes and see what more work still needs to be done. Read More >>>
Honoring the History of Black Music
Since 1979, the United States has set aside the month of June to appreciate the musical contributions of its African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters. Inspired to celebrate an enduring art form, Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams pursued creating Black Music Month. Their efforts were backed up by generations of artists whose talents and skills built a foundation of musical ingenuity in America. Read more on the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture website.
Recognizing National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month in June recognizes the contributions of the Caribbean Americans to the diversity and broader landscape of American culture. Caribbean-American immigrants and residents of Caribbean U.S. territories are a vibrant part of the American melting pot. They have a long tradition of contributing to our communities and serving their country. From the first Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton to civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, and Jennifer Carroll, Lieutenant Governor of Florida, Caribbean-Americans stepped up to challenges across generations.
Visit the Caribbean-American Heritage Month website.
Read the National Day Calendar and the National Today Calendar to learn about other celebrations during the month of June. (Hint, there are quite a few.)
<!–
–>
The History of Hillcrest
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history of our beautiful neighborhood? Well, we’ve invited neighbors who are interested in its history to share stories about our community. Please send articles to comms@hillcrestdc.com.
This month, neighbor Anna Lee Dozier shares an interesting story about former inhabitants of Hillcrest dating back to the 18th century.
The presence in our area of the Young family dates back to the early 1700s. Benjamin Young, the first Young to come to the colonies from England, married into the Rozier family which had been here for generations. The family built up large plantations in Maryland, in what is now Prince George’s County, and the District of Columbia. The area was prized for tobacco growing and the family enslaved large numbers of men, women and children over the years, hundreds if not upwards of a thousand, before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Around 1860, George Washington Young built a house on Bangor Street SE that is often referred to as the “Plantations House.” This home was not the main house; according to records. The plantation owner at the time, George Washington Young, lived in Giesboro, a now-gone mansion, in southwest DC. The plantation associated with the area where Hillcrest is located, Nonesuch, extended into Prince George’s County and the Nonesuch Plantation House was located across the Maryland border. Like Giesboro, it no longer exists. Around 1866 George Washington Young gave the house located in Hillcrest to his daughter, Harriet, as a wedding gift. Read more >>>
<!–
–>
Picture This: Gardens of Hillcrest
Spring has sprung in Hillcrest and our flowers are in full bloom. Check out florals around the neighborhood as we tour the community through our gardens. In this segment, we invite the community to submit photos and descriptions of your prettiest plants, trees, and flowers to feature in our monthly newsletter. Show us your garden!!
Not quite the gardener? Register for the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Urban Grower Certificate Course to learn tips and tools to start and grow your garden. You can view all recordings online as they are released weekly for the duration of the course here.
Here’s another great resource. Check out the DPR Urban Growers program.
<!–
–>
Ward 7 Sacred Grounds RiverSmart Homes Summer Native Plant & Rain Garden Walking Tour
Join the National Wildlife Federation, Department of Energy and Environment, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for a tour of RiverSmart Homes projects in Hillcrest on Saturday, June 4 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The tour will begin at the East Washington Heights Baptist Church (2220 Branch Avenue SE).
Learn about rain barrels, shade trees, rain gardens, rain gardens, bayscaping, and permeable pavement at this event. See installations and learn how you can qualify to receive these beautiful stormwater features on your property. Rain or shine! Please wear closed-toe shoes and pants!
Questions? Contact Carly Starobin at cstarobin@allianceforthebay.org.
<!–
–>
The image above shows the restaurants and other retailers that have found a home at the Skyland Town Center.
<!–
–>
ANC 7B Monthly Meetings
Join the ANC 7B Advisory Neighborhood Commission on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm for their monthly public meeting. Learn more >>
<!–
–>
COVID-19 Updates
<!–
–>
Copyright © 2022 Hillcrest Community Civic Association, All rights reserved.
http://www.hillcrestdc.com | comms@hillcrestdc.com
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.