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.
Bright Spot Award, Spring 2020
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.
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.
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
Bright Spot Award, Fall 2020
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, January 2021
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.
May’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Bright Spot award recipient goes to 613 Skyline rd. Linda Ward has been tending this home and garden since 1978 when she and her husband moved to the area. Now retired, Linda participates in the
Evergreen Garden Club. Many of the flowers have been sourced from friends in the club. She smiles and says, “when the flowers bloom, I think of them.” The eye-catching variety of colorful irises initially caught the attention of the community, but many more blooming flowers and plants round out the beautiful array. A towering pin oak shades the west facing front yard and deck. Linda chuckles, “That was just a small guy when I moved here.” Landscaped around the front are small cacti, purple spiderwort, columbine and snap dragons. Threading up the deck and bird feeders are the magenta and orange native honey suckle vines,
rising just above pink azaleas. During the afternoons, hummingbirds are seen to frequent the area for nourishment. The flower garden is rounded out with red common roses and hydrangeas.
The Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Inc., Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award for enhancing the beauty of our community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation.
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 [email protected]. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
Evergreen Garden Club. Many of the flowers have been sourced from friends in the club. She smiles and says, “when the flowers bloom, I think of them.” The eye-catching variety of colorful irises initially caught the attention of the community, but many more blooming flowers and plants round out the beautiful array. A towering pin oak shades the west facing front yard and deck. Linda chuckles, “That was just a small guy when I moved here.” Landscaped around the front are small cacti, purple spiderwort, columbine and snap dragons. Threading up the deck and bird feeders are the magenta and orange native honey suckle vines,
rising just above pink azaleas. During the afternoons, hummingbirds are seen to frequent the area for nourishment. The flower garden is rounded out with red common roses and hydrangeas.
The Keep Carbondale Beautiful, Inc., Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award for enhancing the beauty of our community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation.
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 [email protected]. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
May Bright Spot
Gail and Linda White are the proud recipients of the Keep Carbondale Beautiful Commercial Bright Spot award. The east facing brick wall, right around the corner of Town Square Market, on N. Washington St, is a superb layer collage of graphics. Previously, fragments of faded paint still clung to the wall for years as upgrades to the building were being made. Expert repair masonry prepared the wall for the final design.
Mural artist Christine Brunk DeShazo was employed to make the dream come true. Met in 2019, Gail, Linda and Christine pieced together historical photographs of the building’s past. Vintage fonts and art styles were diligently researched for an amalgamation of layers. Various names, like “Siebert” was the name of the drugstore and building from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Old commercial art articulates the industry of the day. The brick warehouse building next door was a Coca-Cola bottling warehouse for many years before closure. The weathered texture is preserved and honored while being hand drawn/painted as close to the original as possible. A collection of 80 hours paint time in 2 full weeks, the beauty of the past is vibrant again along N. Washington St.
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 e-mail [email protected]. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
Mural artist Christine Brunk DeShazo was employed to make the dream come true. Met in 2019, Gail, Linda and Christine pieced together historical photographs of the building’s past. Vintage fonts and art styles were diligently researched for an amalgamation of layers. Various names, like “Siebert” was the name of the drugstore and building from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. Old commercial art articulates the industry of the day. The brick warehouse building next door was a Coca-Cola bottling warehouse for many years before closure. The weathered texture is preserved and honored while being hand drawn/painted as close to the original as possible. A collection of 80 hours paint time in 2 full weeks, the beauty of the past is vibrant again along N. Washington St.
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 e-mail [email protected]. Archives of some past Bright Spot Award winners may be found at keepcb.org.
Historic Mural Wins Commercial Bright Spot Award
509 Main St. has likely caught your eye driving west through Carbondale. It has certainly caught the attention of Keep Carbondale Beautiful. The Mize-Ashley family came together and made it a restoration project. Initially, neighbors were concerned with the building maintaining its integrity, but it became quickly apparent the renovation was staying as true to the historic original as much as possible. This five year long project involved restoring original hardwood floors and reusing bricks to reestablish other structures within the home. “The ceilings were falling down in the house” recounts Jaye Mize. While working through the architecture, the family found old newspapers from 1918-1919, boxes of photos from previous families and old coins. The striking sky and royal blue with white trim were very close to time period specific colors researched for the 1870’s era.
Outside, the front hosts beautiful landscaping thoughtfully arranged to compliment the colors and design. Large white planter pots hosts a bouquet of purple and white petunias. Wrapping around the front, are matching bricks, painted royal blue, trimming green striped hostas and crème lilies. A small white Crepe Myrtle tree was recently planted out front, to herald in, and oversee, the next chapter of this historic home’s new life.
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 e-mail [email protected].
Outside, the front hosts beautiful landscaping thoughtfully arranged to compliment the colors and design. Large white planter pots hosts a bouquet of purple and white petunias. Wrapping around the front, are matching bricks, painted royal blue, trimming green striped hostas and crème lilies. A small white Crepe Myrtle tree was recently planted out front, to herald in, and oversee, the next chapter of this historic home’s new life.
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 e-mail [email protected].
Restored Historic Home Wins June Bright Spot
July’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Bright Spot award recipient goes to 208 S. Emerald St. Rick Crossley, moved in to the residence and transformed the yard in one years’ time. Working from home full time, he manages a resourceful outlet in landscaping such an enjoyable space. Starting at the mailbox by the street, ringed around colorful flowers. Along the drive up to the front door, a curvy, rock bordered, “French pebble drain” helps direct water flow from the home elegantly. Framing the doorway, top to bottom, is a small, lush jungle of potted plants. Outdoor furniture are also reclaimed finds that have been repaired and brightly spray painted into new life. All the planters were procured through estate sales and reclaimed side of the road finds.
Rick articulates, “I want it to look like a million dollars when it costs nothing at all to make it beautiful. This is my creative outlet”. Rick also mentions he is part of local Facebook community plant groups and has obtained a few great finds on that platform. The plants are impressively cared for, one such example, a sansevieria, or also known as, mother-in-law’s tongue, is over 30 years old. Notably, Rick mentions during the growing season, he uses fish fertilizer every 19 days. All the potted plants are stored indoors during the dormant season.
Wrapping around the home, red volcano rock edges an eclectic mix of plant holders and pedestals. These hold aloft the variety of geometric vegetation. Small found object statuary and trickling fountains are centerpieces along the playful row in the front yard. The balance and color of the display is skillfully apparent.
Rick articulates, “I want it to look like a million dollars when it costs nothing at all to make it beautiful. This is my creative outlet”. Rick also mentions he is part of local Facebook community plant groups and has obtained a few great finds on that platform. The plants are impressively cared for, one such example, a sansevieria, or also known as, mother-in-law’s tongue, is over 30 years old. Notably, Rick mentions during the growing season, he uses fish fertilizer every 19 days. All the potted plants are stored indoors during the dormant season.
Wrapping around the home, red volcano rock edges an eclectic mix of plant holders and pedestals. These hold aloft the variety of geometric vegetation. Small found object statuary and trickling fountains are centerpieces along the playful row in the front yard. The balance and color of the display is skillfully apparent.
July’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful business Bright Spot award recipient goes to Baker Family Dentistry, located 305 S. Oakland Ave. Doug Baker, owner and head dentist gave his business a facelift to the building and the landscaping during 2020. A family project, his wife and daughter did the landscaping and painting, his son and a friend worked with contractor Mark Gindlesparger of Murphysboro for remodeling. Redwood panels on the outside were torn down but repurposed and gifted to local artists.
Desiring to keep the original architectural design, but create a sleek and updated look, the small wooden deck was redone into a larger concrete deck with ramp walkup. The sculptural railing forged by Murphysboro metalsmith, John Medwedeff, greets guests with a fun and whimsical design. Thoughtfully placed, a bubbling fountain adds a calming effect before entering the dentist office. An Asian inspired bubble rock garden with a Japanese maple tree and butterfly bush round out the front visitor area.
“It is a good spot and central location. I like this friendly neighborhood”, Doug states. He and his business have been at this site since 2007. His investment in the local community resulted in cleaning a fair amount of litter out of the surrounding area and replanting holly trees. Various bird and small wildlife feeders are maintained along with flowering rose bushes for pollinators. The overall effect resulted in an easier managed space and revitalizes the immediate neighborhood.
Desiring to keep the original architectural design, but create a sleek and updated look, the small wooden deck was redone into a larger concrete deck with ramp walkup. The sculptural railing forged by Murphysboro metalsmith, John Medwedeff, greets guests with a fun and whimsical design. Thoughtfully placed, a bubbling fountain adds a calming effect before entering the dentist office. An Asian inspired bubble rock garden with a Japanese maple tree and butterfly bush round out the front visitor area.
“It is a good spot and central location. I like this friendly neighborhood”, Doug states. He and his business have been at this site since 2007. His investment in the local community resulted in cleaning a fair amount of litter out of the surrounding area and replanting holly trees. Various bird and small wildlife feeders are maintained along with flowering rose bushes for pollinators. The overall effect resulted in an easier managed space and revitalizes the immediate neighborhood.
Baker Family Dentistry Wins Business Bright Spot Award
Creative Planter Garden Wins July Bright Spot Award
August’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful Business Bright Spot award recipient
goes to Kids Korner, located 101 N Glenview Drive. Specifically the garden
caught the eye of many locals and had an interesting journey to the present.
Superintendent of Children and Director Katy Burns started the garden in a small
side corner of the front of the building. It was an auspicious beginning, starting
plants from seeds with kids and needing a place to grow those little plants.
“Growing food is important and teaching kids where our food comes from is so
valuable” Katy states. In a short 3 years, the blank grass strip in front of the
building has turned into an interagency, intergenerational, collaborative sustenance
education project.
As this outdoor classroom grew, a grant by Illinois Association of Parks
Districts called “Powerplay”, centered on health, nutrition and fitness, was
awarded to the Carbondale Parks District to guy the garden tools and equipment.
The U of I Extension and the Master Gardeners of Jackson co got involved to
support the day to day needs of the garden, which frees up time for the instructors
at Kids Korner. This partnership with U of I Extension donates to local food
pantries. Some of the produce stays at Kids Korner, some goes to Good Samaritan
House and local church donation sites.
Raised box bed gardens host a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Towering colorful heirloom tomato plants, verdant pepper and fragrant basil
sprawl all over the box maze garden that is indisputably bringing childhood magic
and memories to the children attending Kids Korner. Katy recounts a favorable
part of the garden, “hearing parents say, they don’t eat vegetables at home, and
then watching a kid pick a tomato off a plant is really fulfilling as an educator”
goes to Kids Korner, located 101 N Glenview Drive. Specifically the garden
caught the eye of many locals and had an interesting journey to the present.
Superintendent of Children and Director Katy Burns started the garden in a small
side corner of the front of the building. It was an auspicious beginning, starting
plants from seeds with kids and needing a place to grow those little plants.
“Growing food is important and teaching kids where our food comes from is so
valuable” Katy states. In a short 3 years, the blank grass strip in front of the
building has turned into an interagency, intergenerational, collaborative sustenance
education project.
As this outdoor classroom grew, a grant by Illinois Association of Parks
Districts called “Powerplay”, centered on health, nutrition and fitness, was
awarded to the Carbondale Parks District to guy the garden tools and equipment.
The U of I Extension and the Master Gardeners of Jackson co got involved to
support the day to day needs of the garden, which frees up time for the instructors
at Kids Korner. This partnership with U of I Extension donates to local food
pantries. Some of the produce stays at Kids Korner, some goes to Good Samaritan
House and local church donation sites.
Raised box bed gardens host a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Towering colorful heirloom tomato plants, verdant pepper and fragrant basil
sprawl all over the box maze garden that is indisputably bringing childhood magic
and memories to the children attending Kids Korner. Katy recounts a favorable
part of the garden, “hearing parents say, they don’t eat vegetables at home, and
then watching a kid pick a tomato off a plant is really fulfilling as an educator”
Community Kids Korner Garden Wins Business Bright Spot Award
August’s Keep Carbondale Beautiful residential Bright Spot award recipient goes to 512 Oak St. Long time Carbondale resident Sara Murphy has been tending to the space for 3 years. Much of the recent development has been a product of 18 months of quarantine and few things to do on the weekends, and “plenty, plenty, plenty of yard” Sara laughs recounting.
The biggest challenge is shade. Many of the trees are mature and were likely planted when the house was built in the 1930s. The stately trees casting dimness do not slow down Sara. Many purple and indigo plants do well in the dappled light. Ten different color varieties of hostas wrap around the side of the home along the old brick pathway. Purple plantain lilies rise above the hostas. Deep ruby oxalis shamrock, burgundy coralbells and striking magenta coleus plants are all thriving, colorful, blooms against an easy, low lit backdrop. In the midrange of this landscape are draping, broad leafed elephant ear plants, adding an outsized geometric feature to the space. Sea green ferns hang in lush masses, unhurried, awaiting visitors on the front porch.
The dreamy quality of the yard is further directed by tiny fairy doors at the foot of many trees, welcoming a magical atmosphere for ethereal beings. A good stopover for hummingbirds, several feeders wait to nourish the tiny iridescent birds. Enjoying the yard at night, solar lights are strung up through the lower branches of trees around the home. Tranquil space here feels miles away from city life.
The biggest challenge is shade. Many of the trees are mature and were likely planted when the house was built in the 1930s. The stately trees casting dimness do not slow down Sara. Many purple and indigo plants do well in the dappled light. Ten different color varieties of hostas wrap around the side of the home along the old brick pathway. Purple plantain lilies rise above the hostas. Deep ruby oxalis shamrock, burgundy coralbells and striking magenta coleus plants are all thriving, colorful, blooms against an easy, low lit backdrop. In the midrange of this landscape are draping, broad leafed elephant ear plants, adding an outsized geometric feature to the space. Sea green ferns hang in lush masses, unhurried, awaiting visitors on the front porch.
The dreamy quality of the yard is further directed by tiny fairy doors at the foot of many trees, welcoming a magical atmosphere for ethereal beings. A good stopover for hummingbirds, several feeders wait to nourish the tiny iridescent birds. Enjoying the yard at night, solar lights are strung up through the lower branches of trees around the home. Tranquil space here feels miles away from city life.
Lovely, Low Lit Lawn, 512 W. Oak, Wins Residential Bright Spot Award.
The Legacy Bright Spot award is an award given by Keep Carbondale
Beautiful to recognize previous recipients of the Bright Spot award. This
recognition is intended to encourage and maintain long term care and
stewardship to the local environment of Carbondale. One of the missions of
Keep Carbondale Beautiful is to preserve and maintain the local natural
beauty of Southern Illinois.
The inaugural Legacy Bright Spot award winner is kicking off with
601 W. Walnut. Kathy Kathie and Austin Rigney recall receiving the Bright
Spot award in July of 2004. Kathie laughs, telling what she remembers.
“It was nice to be recognized.” The home was built in 1917 and has been
added on to over the years. They moved to the residence in 1998. Preparing
for a growing family, Kathy began gardening in the front yard. In this
nesting garden, irises, spiderwort and Pocomoke crape myrtle were planted.
The oldest surviving plants are Jerusalem roses, over 20 years old.
The May 8 th storm shifted their yard around, an 80 ft oak lodged in
their attic. Getting the tree out, “we were entertainment for the whole
neighborhood” Kathie recounts. After that, they had the bug for reorganizing
the landscape. A white blooming redbud survived the storm,
casting its canopy over hydrangeas and boxwoods lining the front of the
home. A Japanese maple shades a horseshoe shaped garden with English ivy
and ferns. Around the side of the home is an oasis from the busy city street,
birdfeeders are set among a variety of herbs and large hostas.
Beautiful to recognize previous recipients of the Bright Spot award. This
recognition is intended to encourage and maintain long term care and
stewardship to the local environment of Carbondale. One of the missions of
Keep Carbondale Beautiful is to preserve and maintain the local natural
beauty of Southern Illinois.
The inaugural Legacy Bright Spot award winner is kicking off with
601 W. Walnut. Kathy Kathie and Austin Rigney recall receiving the Bright
Spot award in July of 2004. Kathie laughs, telling what she remembers.
“It was nice to be recognized.” The home was built in 1917 and has been
added on to over the years. They moved to the residence in 1998. Preparing
for a growing family, Kathy began gardening in the front yard. In this
nesting garden, irises, spiderwort and Pocomoke crape myrtle were planted.
The oldest surviving plants are Jerusalem roses, over 20 years old.
The May 8 th storm shifted their yard around, an 80 ft oak lodged in
their attic. Getting the tree out, “we were entertainment for the whole
neighborhood” Kathie recounts. After that, they had the bug for reorganizing
the landscape. A white blooming redbud survived the storm,
casting its canopy over hydrangeas and boxwoods lining the front of the
home. A Japanese maple shades a horseshoe shaped garden with English ivy
and ferns. Around the side of the home is an oasis from the busy city street,
birdfeeders are set among a variety of herbs and large hostas.
Send nominations to [email protected]
2018 and 2019 Bright Spot Awards
2016 and 2017 Bright Spot Awards
2015 Bright Spot Awards
2014 Bright Spot Awards
Some Past Bright Spot Winners
