John R Hedrick
John R. Hedrick is an attorney and consultant who currently focuses on community and urban design issues. He is now also sharing his experience and related interests. Contact at: mdrn.consulting@me.com
Beyond Battles: Shelby’s Journey
In continuing to celebrate America’s 250 anniversary, current world conflicts are another reminder that every generation has faced periods of disagreement, uncertainty, and sacrifice. That perspective has turned me to another ancestor Shelby Hedrick and more divisive Civil War times. At just seventeen years old, Shelby left Brown County, Indiana, to serve with the 25th Indiana Infantry, beginning a journey that would shape the remainder of his life, my family and US history.
Colonial Frontier: Family Legacies
In celebrating America’s anniversary, I’m reminded how our ancestors, and my Peter Hedrick (Sr.), helped shape the early Virginia frontier through military service and community leadership. His story reflects the courage and determination of the Hedrick family’s earliest American ancestors - and many ordinary families who influenced US history.
Balancing Growth and Community Character
How can communities accommodate growth while preserving the qualities that make people want to live, work, and invest there? That question was at the heart of a recent Municipal Design Review Network (MDRN) program co-hosted with the APA Chicago Metro Section. The discussion brought together urban and suburban perspectives on density, public engagement, and the role of good design.