Bright Spot Award
The Keep Carbondale Beautiful Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award on a monthly basis.
This award is presented for revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation. A Bright Spot sign is placed at the business or residence to designate it as a winner.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at
525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com.
This award is presented for revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation. A Bright Spot sign is placed at the business or residence to designate it as a winner.
If you would like to nominate a business or residence to receive the Award, please call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at
525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com.
Keep Carbondale Beautiful congratulates Slabz Skatepark at 609 S. Illinois Avenue, the recipients of the May/June 2023 Business Bright Spot Award.
Proprietors and spouses Austin and Elizabeth Sears opened the original Slabz Skate Shop at 606 S Illinois Avenue in August of 2020. In addition to selling skateboards, skateboarding products, and apparel, Austin built a mini skate ramp in the back of the shop, which brought excitement and “fueled the obvious need for the skatepark even more.” Two years later they opened the doors of Slabz Skatepark, making it the only indoor skatepark within 100 miles. “The goal was and still is to foster a community that provides a safe and fun space for youth and adults. We’ve gained a family in the last 3 years.” The couple is currently in the process of renovating and moving the skate shop to the former QQ Bubble Tea space at 701 S. Illinois Avenue, two doors down from the skatepark.
Both Austin and Elizabeth separately moved to Carbondale for school in 2013, and since then they have become part of the local community. They’re enthusiastic about doing their part to help revitalize The Strip. “Owning two businesses on the strip has definitely opened our eyes to how important it is to shop local. We all know the potential downtown Carbondale holds, so Elizabeth and I both have faith it'll come back to life.”
The mural on the side of the skatepark was commissioned by Artspace 304, designed by local artist Chris DeShazo, and painted by Chris DeShazo and Sue Gindlesparger. It was commissioned in part to announce the coming of the second Artspace facility that will be opening this fall in the old Mélange Café space one door north of Slabz at 607 S Illinois Avenue. The mural features depictions of local artists’ hands at work in various mediums, an idea DeShazo describes as “‘hand portraits’ actually in the process of creating art. I felt it resonated with all artists: hopefully giving them a sense of being connected, included and inspired!” Marsha Ryan of Artspace shared that “Among the hands are those of Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, a painter whose work is on the wall at Arnett's Barber Shop, and Steve Grimmer, the ceramicist at Alto Clay Works.” DeShazo and Gindlespargers’ own hands are also included in the mural. The original design spanned the whole length of the exterior wall, with “massive” images linked end-to-end. The design was re-tooled to fit a smaller section of the wall, and fitted together in a geometric quilt-like pattern, which DeShazo describes as “binding us all together!” While the Slabz owners were not the ones who commissioned the mural themselves, they “appreciate the great art that highlights our business.”
Proprietors and spouses Austin and Elizabeth Sears opened the original Slabz Skate Shop at 606 S Illinois Avenue in August of 2020. In addition to selling skateboards, skateboarding products, and apparel, Austin built a mini skate ramp in the back of the shop, which brought excitement and “fueled the obvious need for the skatepark even more.” Two years later they opened the doors of Slabz Skatepark, making it the only indoor skatepark within 100 miles. “The goal was and still is to foster a community that provides a safe and fun space for youth and adults. We’ve gained a family in the last 3 years.” The couple is currently in the process of renovating and moving the skate shop to the former QQ Bubble Tea space at 701 S. Illinois Avenue, two doors down from the skatepark.
Both Austin and Elizabeth separately moved to Carbondale for school in 2013, and since then they have become part of the local community. They’re enthusiastic about doing their part to help revitalize The Strip. “Owning two businesses on the strip has definitely opened our eyes to how important it is to shop local. We all know the potential downtown Carbondale holds, so Elizabeth and I both have faith it'll come back to life.”
The mural on the side of the skatepark was commissioned by Artspace 304, designed by local artist Chris DeShazo, and painted by Chris DeShazo and Sue Gindlesparger. It was commissioned in part to announce the coming of the second Artspace facility that will be opening this fall in the old Mélange Café space one door north of Slabz at 607 S Illinois Avenue. The mural features depictions of local artists’ hands at work in various mediums, an idea DeShazo describes as “‘hand portraits’ actually in the process of creating art. I felt it resonated with all artists: hopefully giving them a sense of being connected, included and inspired!” Marsha Ryan of Artspace shared that “Among the hands are those of Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, a painter whose work is on the wall at Arnett's Barber Shop, and Steve Grimmer, the ceramicist at Alto Clay Works.” DeShazo and Gindlespargers’ own hands are also included in the mural. The original design spanned the whole length of the exterior wall, with “massive” images linked end-to-end. The design was re-tooled to fit a smaller section of the wall, and fitted together in a geometric quilt-like pattern, which DeShazo describes as “binding us all together!” While the Slabz owners were not the ones who commissioned the mural themselves, they “appreciate the great art that highlights our business.”
Legacy Bright Spot Award, May 2023 |
Keep Carbondale Beautiful is pleased to announce a 25th anniversary Legacy Bright Spot Award presented to 101 South Tower Road as the May 2023 Residential Bright Spot. Legacy Bright Spot Awards are bestowed to properties that have received a Bright Spot Award in the past, and have demonstrated continued upkeep of and improvements to their homes or businesses in the years that follow. 101 South Tower Road was given their first Bright Spot Award in June 1998.
101 South Tower Road was the first house built in the neighborhood, then called “Parrish Acres.” The house was built by Ira Parrish, of the prominent Parrish family of Carbondale. At the time the home was built in the 1950’s, Sunset Drive did not extend past Little Crab Orchard Creek, so the neighborhood grew from Tower Road itself. Later came Parrish Lane and Parrish School, as well as many connecting streets named after members of the Parrish family.
The house is classic Mid-Century Modern architecture, with vaulted ceilings, clean lines, large windows, skylights, and a floor plan that invites movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Originally built as a small home, the residents have made many additions and improvements since they bought the property in 1988, including a deck, a swimming pool, and the prominent columns and pergola that cover the circle drive’s entrance to the house. The additions and renovations blend seamlessly with the existing design, keeping true to the original architectural vision.
In their 35 years on the property, the homeowners have taken the landscaping through several evolutions, replacing trees and plantings as needed to maintain a garden and grounds that compliment the clean lines of the house. 101 South Tower Road remains a Bright Spot in the city of Carbondale.
101 South Tower Road was the first house built in the neighborhood, then called “Parrish Acres.” The house was built by Ira Parrish, of the prominent Parrish family of Carbondale. At the time the home was built in the 1950’s, Sunset Drive did not extend past Little Crab Orchard Creek, so the neighborhood grew from Tower Road itself. Later came Parrish Lane and Parrish School, as well as many connecting streets named after members of the Parrish family.
The house is classic Mid-Century Modern architecture, with vaulted ceilings, clean lines, large windows, skylights, and a floor plan that invites movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Originally built as a small home, the residents have made many additions and improvements since they bought the property in 1988, including a deck, a swimming pool, and the prominent columns and pergola that cover the circle drive’s entrance to the house. The additions and renovations blend seamlessly with the existing design, keeping true to the original architectural vision.
In their 35 years on the property, the homeowners have taken the landscaping through several evolutions, replacing trees and plantings as needed to maintain a garden and grounds that compliment the clean lines of the house. 101 South Tower Road remains a Bright Spot in the city of Carbondale.
Bright Spot Award, January 2021
Aldon and Dona Bachman Addington live in one of the most unique houses in Carbondale. Aldon, a retired SIUC professor of sculpture and 3-D art, moved to the Northeast side of Carbondale in 1992. He purchased a small house at 608 E. Searing, that he ultimately decided could never be salvaged. Over his 35 years teaching, he made many trips to Gary’s Metals in Carterville looking for art supplies for his sculpture. He also began to uncover material for a house, especially after coming across 84 steel frames that had been once been used for hauling engine blocks on railroad flatcars. Over the course of six years, 2000 – 2006, Aldon with the assistance of several SIUC art students and advice from neighbor John Chambers built his house to fit his plot of land. He approached the building from an artist’s perspective. He classifies his art style as “non-representational modern geometric”. His works are arch welded and arranged throughout and around the building. Aldon had met his wife Dona, then director of the SIUC University Museum when she hosted a retrospective of his work in 2003. Dona added a number of adjustments to the house plan, and they moved into “The Iron House” in 2006.
Sunlight plays an important role in “The Iron House.” Aldon comments, “I wanted the largest number of windows to be prominent on the north side to catch the sun, and conversely to keep out the intense sun on the south side. The sun glows on the many works of stainless steel and mild steel
sculptures that can be found across the property. The sculpture is “planted” next to a pond, which he built on the site of the former house on the property. According to Dona, “the Iron House sparkles in the sunlight – on the many trees that make the house almost a tree house, on the greenery in warmer months, visiting grandchildren, and above all on the sculptures.”
Sunlight plays an important role in “The Iron House.” Aldon comments, “I wanted the largest number of windows to be prominent on the north side to catch the sun, and conversely to keep out the intense sun on the south side. The sun glows on the many works of stainless steel and mild steel
sculptures that can be found across the property. The sculpture is “planted” next to a pond, which he built on the site of the former house on the property. According to Dona, “the Iron House sparkles in the sunlight – on the many trees that make the house almost a tree house, on the greenery in warmer months, visiting grandchildren, and above all on the sculptures.”
Bright Spot Award, Fall 2020
Keep Carbondale Beautiful Fall winner of the Bright Spot award goes to 716 McKinley Avenue. The landscaping is done by husband, Andy Fonck and the planting is done by wife, Francine Fonck. Andy and Francine have lived at their residence for 17 years. Driveway side border is boxed in with reclaimed wood. The raised bed holds a colorful array of hardy crimson mums, purple cockspurs and ginger marigolds. Exposed aggregate walkup is framed by rock and 3 ft tall canna plants. Sweeping along the right side of the house, is a lush stand of hydrangeas, intended to softly camouflage the front window.
A standout aspect of this particular yard is the management style the Fonck’s are able to achieve. Rainwater is collected in barrels to water the garden. Beautiful white marble border stones were brought from a previous home in northern Illinois. Upcycled and found objects dot their garden and tell the stories of their lives. “I’ve done a lot with not too much money” recounts Andy Fonck, “I’m a blue-collar man, and I have to be resourceful.” Around the back of the home, is a vegetable garden, and a surrounding sitting area with upcycle car tire seats.
A standout aspect of this particular yard is the management style the Fonck’s are able to achieve. Rainwater is collected in barrels to water the garden. Beautiful white marble border stones were brought from a previous home in northern Illinois. Upcycled and found objects dot their garden and tell the stories of their lives. “I’ve done a lot with not too much money” recounts Andy Fonck, “I’m a blue-collar man, and I have to be resourceful.” Around the back of the home, is a vegetable garden, and a surrounding sitting area with upcycle car tire seats.
Bright Spot Awards, Summer 2020
One of this summer's Keep Carbondale Beautiful Bright Spot Awards goes to 1013 Emerald lane. Retired Carbondale High school administrative employee, Sandy Brown dedicates time during the growing season to maintaining a lovely landscape. A healthy gumball tree shades a single story brick home. An adorable, silvery Yorkie named DeAngelo oversees the yard. Welcome signs decorate and greet a visitor. Up the walkway is a handicap accessible ramp, folded in nicely with a large brick planter and surrounding green vegetation. A curvy brick border breaks up the straight lines of the yard and house, and wraps around the house. Playfully arranged blooms of color match the rocky hem of the border.
Box bush, black eyed Susan’s, lavender, calla Lilly and english ivy are all carefully arranged through out the front. Very modestly, Sandy states “I take a little time to water it when it doesn’t rain, about 30 minutes a day. Every year I add two or three new plants to the front of the house.” When asked if she had trouble with deer, she proclaimed the chipmunks are the biggest nuisance.
A neighbor had called into Keep Carbondale Beautiful to nominate her neighbor for the Bright Spot Award. KCB encourages community members to get involved with projects like Adopt-a-Spot, litter cleanups, tree sales as well as Bright Spot Award.
Box bush, black eyed Susan’s, lavender, calla Lilly and english ivy are all carefully arranged through out the front. Very modestly, Sandy states “I take a little time to water it when it doesn’t rain, about 30 minutes a day. Every year I add two or three new plants to the front of the house.” When asked if she had trouble with deer, she proclaimed the chipmunks are the biggest nuisance.
A neighbor had called into Keep Carbondale Beautiful to nominate her neighbor for the Bright Spot Award. KCB encourages community members to get involved with projects like Adopt-a-Spot, litter cleanups, tree sales as well as Bright Spot Award.
Botanical bursts of color greet a lucky visitor at our Bright Spot Award winner, 206 Greg Lane. The Kolay family- Prabir, Sumita and Arkaprabha - have a skillfully planned front landscape. Along the walk-up to the house one will find on the left shoulder high orange canna plants skirted by clean-cut boxwood bushes and hanging planters with cascades of purple draping over the sides. On the right side of the walk-up clay planter pots have fountain-tiered layers of vivid annual flowers. Rock garden features border the path.The Kolay family estimate they dedicate about 10 to15 hours a week during the growing season to management of their well-crafted lawn. “The choice of plants is important”, primary gardener Samita recounts. She finds a way to make her landscaping work despite pesky deer during the growing season. Deer resistant plants like dusty miller and marigolds are planted to protect two mid-sized trees, a flowering plum and a prairie crabapple. For various plants that are not deer resistant, such as petunias and hostas, a net covers them in the evening , helped along with a little deer repellent spray.
The Kolay family moved to Carbondale from Calcutta in 2012. Prabir is a Professor of Engineering, and Sumita is pursuing her degree in administrative work. When they moved to their home the yard was simply flat and green - a clean slate. Reflections of their homeland can be seen in the beautiful selection of plants, particularly the orange cassandra, the delicate, blue flowered vine, aparajita (Asian Pigeonwing), and edible flora including curry leaves, plants and herbs, and Tulsi, or holy basil.
The Kolay family moved to Carbondale from Calcutta in 2012. Prabir is a Professor of Engineering, and Sumita is pursuing her degree in administrative work. When they moved to their home the yard was simply flat and green - a clean slate. Reflections of their homeland can be seen in the beautiful selection of plants, particularly the orange cassandra, the delicate, blue flowered vine, aparajita (Asian Pigeonwing), and edible flora including curry leaves, plants and herbs, and Tulsi, or holy basil.
Bright Spot Award, Spring 2020
Red Buckeyes at 2725 West Kent caught the attention the Keep Carbondale Beautiful board, leading to a Bright Spot award for Tad Foland and his 91-year old father, Neal. Tad Foland grew up in the house and worked at landscaping golf courses. He brought that attention to detail to his own home, using a mix of native and non-native plants and coordinating bloom times. Red buckeyes in blossom over ferns and lily-of-the-valley are the show now; white azaleas will follow, then pink and white rhododendrons. If the flowers aren’t enough, they are supplemented by hummingbird feeders. Statuary adds further interest, including monuments to family pets.
The equally manicured backyard has a 50-year old white dogwood and a purple wisteria that had originated in England and came by way of Cambria. Japanese maples highlight the sides. Despite all the work that’s gone into the yard, Foland says, “I still spend 20 hours a week out here” during growing season. Neighbors affirm that the award is well deserved.
The equally manicured backyard has a 50-year old white dogwood and a purple wisteria that had originated in England and came by way of Cambria. Japanese maples highlight the sides. Despite all the work that’s gone into the yard, Foland says, “I still spend 20 hours a week out here” during growing season. Neighbors affirm that the award is well deserved.
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