Earlier this year, Allendale Neighborhood Association’s board of directors put out a call for nominations for new board members.  We asked and the neighborhood responded.  The board is happy to announce the members of the board and give thanks to those board members who are stepping down: Cheryl Landwehr, Pam Smith, and Cathy Sue Stevens.  We appreciate their hard work on the board on behalf of our neighborhood. The new board members, in alphabetical order, are:

• Brad Bohnert
• Mary Snell Bryant
• Erica Hough
• Greg Matthews

Jim Stitt, board president, said he is “very excited about working with each of these new members as we continue to make the Allendale neighborhood one of the nicest places to live in St. Petersburg.” Here is the full list of all board members and a short “bio” of each board member.

President, Jim Stitt.
40th Avenue.

“In 1976 my wife Loretta and I moved to 40th Ave N where we raised our family. From those very first days Allendale has always been a uniquely beautiful, friendly and welcoming neighborhood. I am personally very committed to keeping those qualities alive and well.”

Vice President, Howard Finberg. 11th Street.

“Kate and I moved to the Allendale “hill” in 2005 from the Snell Island lowlands. We enjoy the neighborhood and, more important, our neighbors – some of whom have become friends.  I look forward to helping the neighborhood grow and improve and continue to be a welcoming place.”

Treasurer, Andy Corty. Monticello Blvd.

“My wife Betty and I have lived on Monticello Blvd. for about eight years.  Our two sons are married to women we love -- their names are Robert & Maithri and Edward & Courtnee.  We are about to be grandparents (Edward & Courtnee; don't know if it's a boy or girl).”

Adam Erickson.
39th Avenue

Adam Erickson, his wife Erin and their two sons, Avery and Zander have been proud residents of Allendale since 2011. Adam has actively participated in the neighborhood association for several years. 

Pete Wells.
Monticello Boulevard

“My wife Lisa and I moved into our home in 1992 where we raised our two sons Justin and Trevor.  My family has deep roots in Allendale--my grandparents lived here starting in 1939 and then my father’s and his two sister’s families all moved to Allendale in the mid 1950’s.  And in the past year our son Trevor and his wife Grace moved to Allendale on 40th Avenue.  So, obviously, we love Allendale!  I think the most important thing to me is maintaining safety in the neighborhood through Crime Watch and all of us staying vigilant.”

Crime Watch Coordinator, Nina Light. 

42nd Avenue

Robert Kapusta.
45th Avenue

Brad Bohnert.
Monticello Boulevard

“My wife Jenny, daughter Elsa and I moved to Allendale in 2010 and it was the best decision we ever made!  From the beautiful trees to the wide streets and welcoming neighbors, we absolutely love everything about Allendale! I am excited to be joining our Board to do my part in maintaining the charm of this wonderful community.”

Greg Matthews.
41th Avenue

"My wife Kathy and I moved to Allendale in 2014 after both of us retired from the company we operated for 35 years. Our home was constructed by Cade Allen in 1952 for his family. It is the second Cade Allen home we have owned; the first was in the Euclid neighborhood. I’m a retired CPA/Actuary who is currently working a series of oil paintings for a one-man show in July at the Morean Art Center. We have two daughters and granddaughters, all of whom live in the St Petersburg area."

Mary Snell Bryant. Monticello Boulevard

“I’ve lived in St Petersburg for over 30 years and I like say that when I moved to Allendale 10 years ago that ‘I’ve finally got it right.’ I reside with my two college age daughters and two rescue dogs, Oliver and Daisy Mae. You'll often see me walking in the neighborhood with the pups. I look forward to working with the association and getting to know more of our wonderful neighbors.”

Erica Hough.
40th Avenue

“My husband Will and I and our daughter Ellie moved into Allendale in April 2022.  We always knew this would be the neighborhood we would raise our family as Will grew up on the corner of 43rd Ave N and 12th St until he was 10 years old and still has fond memories of those days.  I look forward to working with the Board to continue the legacy of our great neighborhood for future generations to come.”

At the most recent board meeting, some new projects / assignments were discussed:

• Howard Finberg proposed a new project to deal with the poor quality of the brick streets in the neighborhood. Greg Matthews quickly joined that effort.
• Bard Bohnert volunteered to attend the city’s Council of Neighborhood Associations meetings. Brad will make sure the Allendale neighborhood needs are heard.
• Mary Bryant will be working with Nina Light to update our community welcome package for new neighbors.

As usual, if you have any questions or comments, please send then to info@allendaleneighbors.com.                                            

Neighborhood Association Leadership Changes

We are pleased to announce that Andy Corty has joined the Association Board as our new Treasurer. Some of you know Andy either personally or through his role as community lead-er and executive at the Tampa Bay Times. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our team. He and his wife Betty live at 1139 Monticello. Welcome Andy.

As many of you know, Nina Light has been the association’s Treasurer for many years. Nina, at her re-quest, is stepping down as treasurer so she can focus on her crime watch responsibilities.On behalf of the entire neighborhood, we want to thank Nina for her faithful and skillful service as our treasurer. We are also very thankful her service as crime watch coordinator will continue. How did crime watch start?

Here’s Nina’s story: “Early in 2007, our house was home invaded at 6:30 a.m. by three young teens with guns. It was a very surreal experience. Thankfully, we all survived and the following day, the St. Petersburg Police and City Council met with neighborhood residents and helped us form our Allendale Crime Watch, Inc. There are several of us that have been patrolling the neighborhood in vehicles, bicycles and on foot for the past four-teen years. And we continue to work hard to identify and correct any situation that might pose even the slightest threat to our neighborhood. People have learned to lock their cars and homes and many have also installed security cameras. As a result, police records confirm that Allendale is one of the safest neighborhoods in the City, and we will be working hard for you to keep it that way."

Please offer Nina your personal thanks the next time you see her patrolling the neighborhood

Important City Information

Another goal of your association is to make sure you are aware of City of St. Petersburg programs and activities that might affect you or your Allendale neighbors. To help residents stay ahead of tropical storms and hurricanes, the City has an alert system called Alert St. Pete. Residents can sign up for notifications during emergency situations affecting St. Petersburg, including mandatory evacuations, hurricane information, flooding events, local emergencies and optional National Weather Service bulletins. Learn more at https://www.stpete.org/news/alert_stpete.php

Our Beautiful Trees

Historically, Allendale has been known for its thick canopy of beautiful trees. As our trees die or are cut down, we thought you’d be interested in some facts recently published by the national Arbor Day Foundation:

• Surfaces shaded by trees may be as much as 20-45 degrees cooler than peak temperatures of un-shaded areas.
• One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people.
• More than 180 million Americans receive quality drinking water from forested watersheds.
• Trees increase property values. A survey in Portland Oregon, showed homes in tree-lined neighborhoods sold more quickly and for an average of $7,130 more.

More Beautiful Trees

In 2018 Nina Light coordinated a wholesale purchase and installation of thirteen live oak trees at 10 home sites. The trees are all healthy and growing and will soon contribute to the beauty of the neighborhood. The wholesale price saved residents more than 20 percent. Your association is planning an-other similar project. For more information, watch for details in an upcoming email newsletter. Or you can let us know by filling out a simple form.