Warren

Beautification Commission to recognize well-kept yards

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Brian C. Louwers The yard of Evelyn Trindade’s home on Aline is adorned with perennial plants, colorful annuals and beautiful hanging baskets. Photo by Brian C. Louwers The yard of Evelyn Trindade’s home on Aline is adorned with perennial plants, colorful annuals and beautiful hanging baskets.

WARREN — They’re the best of the best, the cream of the crop — 20 well-kept homes and yards, slated for recognition at a special dinner later this month.

The owners of 20 properties who rose above weather-related challenges this year to keep their lawns green and gardens tidy will be honored as part of the Warren Beautification Commission’s Residential Recognition Awards program.

Carol Peterson, chairperson of the program celebrating its 19th year this summer, said the winners were selected from a group of 75 homes nominated citywide.

She said the number was down slightly from past years, possibly because of the “unique” weather that brought an early thaw to Southeast Michigan, followed by another harsh freeze that damaged emerging buds and plants. Add to that a long, hot summer with limited rain early in the season.

“The winners were special people this year because of our unique weather,” Peterson said. “Gardeners had a lot of barriers to overcome. Every gardener deserves a wealth of credit for their endeavors this year.”

Peterson coordinates the program for the Beautification Commission and uses a bike to visit some of the properties.

Nominations were sought earlier this summer for homes worthy of recognition for well-maintained landscapes, creative gardens and overall good maintenance. The owners of the winning properties will be treated to dinner at The Gazebo on Sept. 26, where they’ll view a slide show and rub elbows with other honorees. Each winner will also receive a plaque to display on his or her property.

Evelyn Trindade’s home on Aline was selected among this year’s winners.

“That’s wonderful. I’m thrilled about that,” Trindade said last week.

Trindade said she’s lived in her home for 20 years and learned a lot about gardening from her parents. She said she also became certified through the Michigan State University Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteer Program last spring.

“I have a good mix of annuals and perennials. I have a few areas that are a little bit bare this year,” Trindade said.

She confirmed Peterson’s suspicion that the weather wreaked havoc on gardens, trees and landscape plants this year.

“It was really challenging,” Trindade said. “There were, I think, a lot of things in my garden that suffered because of the heat. It required a lot more watering. Other things have really managed to hang in there. I think it was because I was diligent with my watering.”

Jeff and Jen O’Kroy were recognized for their home on Champaign, adorned with rock from northern Michigan’s Drummond Island, trimmed junipers and pear trees.

“It was her grandpa’s place,” Jeff O’Kroy said. “I just enjoy doing it, and the neighbors appreciate it.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.