RSS Feeds
 |
|
|||||||||||||
News » Metro
Article rated a 5
by 1
users |
Mary Jo Klatt stands in front of her house of 28 years on San Souci Drive. (NATE SKINNER/ Courier Staff Photographer)
~ADVERTISING~
Scattered by flood, Sans Souci homeowners catch up on news
By TIM JAMISON, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- Residents of Sans Souci Island gathered around picnic tables, coolers and campfires Wednesday to enjoy a potluck and each other's company.
It's a familiar scene in this tight-knit neighborhood of 20 homes nestled along a private road in the middle of the Cedar River.
"This is just like our normal get-together," said Bonnie Dunham. "We socialize. We party in the street."
But little else is normal anymore in Sans Souci.
Record flooding in June chased residents from the island and heavily damaged their homes, most of which remain uninhabitable. While they wait for word on possible buyouts or home repairs, Sans Souci homeowners have scattered throughout the area in rental homes, apartments or with family members.
This week's party was a chance for the island's residents to get back at least one facet of their lives lost earlier this year.
"We don't have each other like we've always had," Dunham said.
Deb Murray, one of Sans Souci's newest residents, said that sense of community surpassed even the island's natural beauty.
"We moved here two years ago, and it was like a family instantly," Murray said. "Everybody had a gift, and we bonded together to do things."
Murray's son still returns to the island frequently to fish or ride four-wheelers back in the woods. Other residents return periodically to continue cleaning up their homes or mowing yards.
Mary Jo Klatt organized the get-together to celebrate her 28th year living on Sans Souci. While some residents likely are gone for good, Klatt hopes this island party won't be her last.
"We're all looking forward to being together again," said Klatt, who was pregnant with her son when she moved to the island and found it to be a great place to raise children. Now she misses sitting on her veranda on weekday afternoons, watching her neighbors return home from work.
Klatt's home, like some on the island, appears normal from the street except for the purple tag the city placed on the front door as a sign of the damage.
Inside, where flood water reached the main floor fireplace mantle, it's a different story. Beautiful oak flooring, still intact upstairs, has been stripped from the home's first floor, along with drywall, furniture and appliances.
But Klatt was more concerned this week with catching up with her neighbors than fretting over what eventually may happen with her home or the island's association, which has been around since 1897.
Several dogs, who journeyed back with their owners, also seemed to be making up for lost time, as they chased each other around tables and trees.
Ed Stanhope used to get up every morning and take all the island's pets for a walk. His wife, Pat, has lived on Sans Souci or across the river in Chautauqua Park for 73 years.
"I've been through the floods going back through high school," Pat Stanhope said. "When I come down here like this I look around and ask myself, 'How could I live anywhere else?'"
Contact Tim Jamison
at (319) 291-1577 or
tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.
It's a familiar scene in this tight-knit neighborhood of 20 homes nestled along a private road in the middle of the Cedar River.
"This is just like our normal get-together," said Bonnie Dunham. "We socialize. We party in the street."
But little else is normal anymore in Sans Souci.
Record flooding in June chased residents from the island and heavily damaged their homes, most of which remain uninhabitable. While they wait for word on possible buyouts or home repairs, Sans Souci homeowners have scattered throughout the area in rental homes, apartments or with family members.
This week's party was a chance for the island's residents to get back at least one facet of their lives lost earlier this year.
"We don't have each other like we've always had," Dunham said.
Deb Murray, one of Sans Souci's newest residents, said that sense of community surpassed even the island's natural beauty.
"We moved here two years ago, and it was like a family instantly," Murray said. "Everybody had a gift, and we bonded together to do things."
Murray's son still returns to the island frequently to fish or ride four-wheelers back in the woods. Other residents return periodically to continue cleaning up their homes or mowing yards.
Mary Jo Klatt organized the get-together to celebrate her 28th year living on Sans Souci. While some residents likely are gone for good, Klatt hopes this island party won't be her last.
"We're all looking forward to being together again," said Klatt, who was pregnant with her son when she moved to the island and found it to be a great place to raise children. Now she misses sitting on her veranda on weekday afternoons, watching her neighbors return home from work.
Klatt's home, like some on the island, appears normal from the street except for the purple tag the city placed on the front door as a sign of the damage.
Inside, where flood water reached the main floor fireplace mantle, it's a different story. Beautiful oak flooring, still intact upstairs, has been stripped from the home's first floor, along with drywall, furniture and appliances.
But Klatt was more concerned this week with catching up with her neighbors than fretting over what eventually may happen with her home or the island's association, which has been around since 1897.
Several dogs, who journeyed back with their owners, also seemed to be making up for lost time, as they chased each other around tables and trees.
Ed Stanhope used to get up every morning and take all the island's pets for a walk. His wife, Pat, has lived on Sans Souci or across the river in Chautauqua Park for 73 years.
"I've been through the floods going back through high school," Pat Stanhope said. "When I come down here like this I look around and ask myself, 'How could I live anywhere else?'"
Contact Tim Jamison
at (319) 291-1577 or
tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.
 |
 |
More Stories from News » Metro
Heavy rains bring about flood warningsRotary seeks candidates for exchange trip to ItalyScattered by flood, Sans Souci homeowners catch up on newsDamm's ex-wife testifies her family was harassed
Due to the amount of spam and negative comments received, the Courier implement a registered-user system for participation in the comment portion of our site. In doing so, the Courier reserves the right to ban any user(s) at any time without notice if we feel they are not following the terms of agreement.
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
~ADVERTISEMENT~
NEWS |
SPORTS |
COMMUNITY |
BUSINESS |
ENTERTAINMENT |
FEATURES |
OPINIONS |
OBITUARIES |
CLASSIFIEDS |
PRIVACY POLICY |
CONTACT US |
CARRIER PAGES
|