Our Polk County recorder, Carol, is a very creative person. This is the gal that turned a deserted
passport picture of me into a full page "wanted" poster and hung it up in her office. So when I wanted to name, rather
than number the lots in the first phase of Settlers Village, (That is the area highlighted in orange.) I thought she
would understand. Neighborhoods should not be a series of numbers. Ones that are working well are known best
by the names of the occupants. Those names often endure long after the orignal settlers have moved on.
I am, however, allowed to name the development. There is not doubt in my mind that "Settlers
Village" was the best choice. I had many other more exotic suggestions. All were based on showcasing a feeling
of old world luxury. I found this quite tempting, since I am personally lured by the romance of far away places. In
the end, however, I know that it is not the place, but rather, the face that will define this community. What
really makes this place special, is you, and the friends who settle here with you.
I am also allowed to name the neighborhoods and the roads. I apologize for my selection for this first
neighborhood, Garden Villas...sounds good, but just what does it mean? I have a friend in Arkansas who thinks I would
just be the person to design a retirement community at Fayetteville. He refers to it as "an old geezers commune".
Perhaps when the numbers on the lots become real people, the neighborhood will develop a personality all its own. And
then we will be able to give it an appropriate name. One that aptly reflects the human element, not the physical.
In my mind I can envision George who lives on Lot 3. An avid gardner and a great chess player.
His wife, Lil, sings in the choir, and plays piano. She is always late, mainly because she tries to pack just a whole
bunch into her day. And then there is Orville, the handyman on Lot 7. Should talk to him today. I
really like the birdhouse that he put up in his backyard. I should take my book over to Suzzie's house
on Lot 10. I know how much she enjoys Louie L' Amour. I wonder if Jen on Lot 14 would like to walk with me this
afternoon. I saw a pair of scissor tails perched on stems of prairie grass yesterday.
Lots to settlers. Numbers to names. And in the end it will be a place that we simply call home.
And that's a really nice place to be.
