THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050145
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: COASTAL JOURNAL
SOURCE: MARY REID BARROW
LENGTH: 74 lines
It does my heart good to drive down the street and see a pretty yard, a well-landscaped business, even a colorful hanging basket on a store's streetfront awning.
In summer, particularly when bedding plants are so inexpensive, it's a wonder that all homes and businesses don't make the effort to add their share of color to the world. It takes so little to make a passer-by's or shopper's day.
We're lucky here in Virginia Beach that lots of folks already go well beyond the call of duty to make the world a little more cheerful. Every year three who've walked the extra mile to brighten their surroundings are honored with Landscape Recognition awards by the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission at its annual dinner meeting in May.
This year's awards went to:
John and Barbara Ferguson. They won the commission's residential award for their interesting, water-wise yard at 2421 Hunts Neck Trail in Strawbridge.
The couple cared for a lawn and battled tree roots and water problems for many years before they re-landscaped three years ago. Now the yard is a combination of shady trees, beds of colorful with pansies in winter and marigolds in summer, and gravel areas. They save mowing time and although they have a well, they also save water.
``It was interesting that they had gone to water-wise gardening,'' said beautification commission chairman Johnnie Miller. ``They also had a bench in a cool shaded place where you can sit down and relax.''
Avis Rent-a-Car Systems, at 300 Centre Point off Baxter Road. Avis won the commercial award for the inviting landscaping around the company's new office building that just opened last month.
Despite the new construction, a number of large trees were saved. A graceful, tree-shaded brick walk with azaleas in the understory and park benches on the curves leads to the entrance of the building. A deck with tables and umbrellas for employees is on one side of the structure.
The area all around the building also is landscaped with trees and understory plants. The parking lot medians and even the parking lot perimeter also are planted with shrubs and trees.
The Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd. The historic site won the commission's institutional award for the sweep of green lawn, carefully tended trees and bulb-filled beds that surround the house.
The city's Landscape Services tend to the grounds day in and day out and, typical of many institutions, volunteers play a big role in making the Francis Land House beautiful.
More than 60,000 bulbs, which bloom in spring, summer and fall, have been donated over two years by the Cavalier Garden Club. May Farm Garden Club donated and replenishes each year the flower-filled bed at the gift shop entrance. Virginia Beach Master Gardeners lend their talent and expertise to care for heirloom vegetable, herb and formal gardens at the Land house.
Cape Story by the Sea Civic League. The beautification commission gave a special award to the league for its efforts in landscaping the medians on Shore Drive this spring. ``The VBBC wanted to say to those involved in that project, `We noticed and thank you,' '' Miller said.
You'd be surprised at how many people do notice and take pleasure in such efforts. As the VBBC motto says, ``Beauty is good business.'' MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know
about Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555.
Enter category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet
address: mbarrow(AT)infi.net. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by MARY REID BARROW
The new Avis rent-a-car center won the commercial award for its
graceful, tree-shaded brick walk with azaleas in the understory and
park benches on the curves that leads to the entrance of the
building.
The Francis Land House won the commission's institutional award for
the sweep of green lawn, carefully tended trees and bulb-filled beds
that surround the historic house. by CNB