Dear Friends,
Despite the dusting of snow outside our windows this morning, spring is definitely in the air. Seeds are sprouting in indoor nooks and crannies all over Prairie Hill. Wherever there's a patch of sunlight, you're likely to find a seed tray filled with a potpourri of native prairie plants, herbs, or heritage tomatoes and peppers. A lot of hope is planted in those trays!
We're also watching closely as the framing grows on our newest building, an up-down fourplex that will be home to four households. It's so exciting to see it take shape. There's a two-bedroom unit available in that building. If you've been thinking about a move to Prairie Hill, please don't wait. There are lots of people interested in our last available units. Send us a note at iowacitycohousing@gmail.com and arrange to visit soon.
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Our newest building, an up-down fourplex, is rapidly taking shape.
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Upcoming events at Prairie Hill
Information Meeting
Wednesday, April 6
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Find out about cohousing. How does it work? Do you have your own kitchen? How is it different from owning a condo? What is it like for families? Can you have pets? Come meet some of the people who live here and get answers to these questions and more. Text Val Bowman at 916-751-9188 or write to us at iowacitycohousing@gmail.com to get a link to this event.
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2nd Annual Prairie Hill Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 16
1-3 p.m.
Rain date: Sunday, April 17 1-3 p.m.
Make plans to join us for this free community event. The Easter bunny is hard at work getting all the eggs ready! In addition to the egg hunt, there will be snacks and fun kid crafts. Bring the family or come on your own to enjoy this fun springtime tradition! Please RVSP to valeriebowman2@gmail.com so the bunny will know how many kids to plan for.
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Weekend Meet and Greet
Saturday, April 23
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Come meet some of the people who live at Prairie Hill. Find out what life is like here. To get the link to this Zoom event, send a text to Val Bowman at 916-751-9188 or write to us at iowacitycohousing@gmail.com.
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Prairie Hill Open House
Saturday, April 23
On Zoom and in-person!
We will host a Meet and Greet Open House on Zoom on Saturday, April 23 from 10-11:30am CST. To get the link, write to valeriebowman2@gmail.com.
Local people are invited to stop by for an outdoor gathering to see our latest progress. If you would like to visit in person, please send a note to Valerie Bowman at valeriebowman2@gmail.com.
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On the night of her birthday, Prairie Hill resident Janet Lane had her eye out for a sign of hopefulness for the coming year. She peeked out her window and saw this creature looking back at her—a magical sign indeed!
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Prairie Hill Open House
April 23-24 marks National Cohousing Weekend. Cohousing communities around the country will open their doors to neighbors, friends and community seekers. We hope you’ll join us for a virtual or in-person event. We will host a Meet and Greet Open House on Zoom on Saturday, April 23 from 10-11:30am CST. To get the link, write to valeriebowman2@gmail.com.
If you live in the area, we invite you to stop by for an outdoor gathering to see how far we've come since we broke ground. Our first residents moved in March of 2018. Please let us know if you would like to visit in person by writing a quick note to iowacitycohousing@gmail.com.
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The step-by-step saga of our growing prairie
Before construction even started on Mary Ann and Bob Reynold's new house at Prairie Hill, Mary Ann was already busy planning a prairie for our hillside. Even in the midst of moving in 2020, the prairie remained one of her top priorities. Why? "Because" she says, "life depends on it." Here's a photo timeline of the project to date.
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First, we used cardboard to smother the invasives. (March 2020)
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Before moving from her house in Illinois, Mary Ann planted about 500 prairie plants to bring to Prairie Hill! (Winter/Spring 2020)
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In May, 2020, we planted the plugs in the cardboard and let their roots grow that first summer.
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By its second summer, the prairie was offering a continuous buffet of nourishment for our local pollinators, caterpillars, and birds. Diversity brings joy and connects us.
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Monarch mamas found our prairie and laid eggs there.
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The prairie provides continuous blooms from early spring through fall for nourishment.
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No watering required
Here's the prairie in Fall 2021. We put out a couple of Andironack chairs so that we could sit back and enjoy it! Since planting these prairie natives, we've never had to water them. They are deep rooted, resilient, self-sufficient and beautiful. What's not to love?
Give it a try in your yard...our pollinators, insects, birds, and wild creatures need our help in restoring their lost habitat and food supply. Life depends on it!
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Pelicans made a rare migratory stop at the Iowa River, just a few blocks from Prairie Hill. Photo by Mary Dix.
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How are things in your world? We would love to hear from you! Send us a note at iowacitycohousing@gmail.com. And come for a visit soon!
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