Recently, for reasons unknown, I noted myself wondering about a couple of old friends from Bloomington, Melissa Overton and Jenna Hanes. I most recently saw Melissa on my last visit to the town, in 1999, I think. It’s possible I actually saw her on the prior visit.
I haven’t seen Jenna for years and years, though. It was my impression that she was working for Bloomingfoods at the time I was there last but it’s clearly possible that that was only true ten or more years ago. Googling for her proved a touch difficult as her name is partially shared by a porn star and a brand of clothing. I suppose creating this post means it’s possible that either person might come across it while eGoogling, in which case, hi ladies! Hope you are well!
Eventually, I did come across the minutes of a Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in which a mighty battle was fought concerning a person’s chicken colony. Jenna appears to have testified in favor of the chickens, noting that she and her daughter enjoyed them. A surprisingly large number of people appear to have attended the meeting, all favoring chicken lib.
A pair of articles in the local paper by editor Carrol Krause were cited, and upon further investigation, I found this recent article on a chicken seminar held by none other than Carrol Krause: Chickens in the City.
This journalist student’s work cites one David Rollo, a member of the city’s Environmental Council, as recalling the chicken-oriented activism:
“There was one citizen’s group, called CLUCK, which stood for Citizens Love Urban Chickens,†he said. “They wanted a change in the municipal code so that they could keep chickens as pets and get their own eggs and such right at home.”
Sadly, no further trace of CLUCK was uncovered in using Google to scratch at the dirt of the farmweb. All power to the glorious people’s poultry protesters!
I just spoke with Jenna about 3 weeks ago- she called to try and assist with the lost dog saga currently going on in my neck of the woods. She’s alive and well and nice as ever.
I think I knew her too? Shaved head in 1984 – often wore berets – hung out with Dave?
CLUCK (Citizens Love Urban ChicKens) was formed by Judy Sylvester and myself as an attempt (ultimately successful) to keep her from losing her backyard flock, which she had maintained with her neighbors’ blessings for 18 years on South Washington Street until a passerby finked on her to Animal Control. Judy and I orchestrated a spirited defense to the Board Of Zoning Appeals and lobbied City Council to change the current ordinance to permit small backyard flocks. Supposedly, the chicken-friendly changes to Zoming are supposed to be implemented later this year. In the meantime, backyard flocks will remain unhindered while the city waits for the new ordinance to kick in.
I’m the editor of the Herald-Times “Homes” section, and after doing an article on people who kept illegal backyard chickens, I was so impressed by what I learned that I established my own flock. I urge all interested parties to surf the Net for the many resources available on urban chickens and backyard poultry. Chickens are fun; they’re interesting; little kids love them; and they unite neighborhoods. They’re great little pets to have around. Two of my hens are so affectionate and tame that they will flutter up to perch on my shoulder. What other pet can give you something as tangible and useful as an egg?
all my best,
Carrol Krause
Hey Mike,
This might be old news but Jena is on myspace. We had a “punk rock” reunion of sorts last weekend at Harmony. It was alot of fun. Jena was there but no Melissa
Zac Burke