THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030183
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
When Bonnie Smith and her family moved to their Great Bridge home last year, the previous owners warned them that come spring, they might be playing the role of landlord.
And sure enough, they are.
A few weeks ago, Smith noticed two bird nests on her property, one wedged between an outdoor light fixture and the family's front porch, the other in a hanging basket on the Smiths' side porch.
``We knew the sparrows would build a nest near the light fixture,'' Smith said. ``But when I saw a dove nesting in the flower basket, I was a bit surprised.''
The new tenants have altered the Smiths' daily routine.
``We don't want to upset the apple cart so we're trying to stay away from them as much as possible,'' said Smith.
That means the Smiths have yet to sweep the pollen off their side porch for fear of disturbing the mother dove.
``I guess we'll also have to wait for her to leave before we can plant anything in the hanging basket,'' said Smith.
Fortunately, the sparrows nesting behind the outdoor light fixture are close to vacating their nest.
``I saw three little heads poke up out of the nest last week,'' Smith said. ``They should be flying soon.''
And while the fledglings test their wings, what could perhaps be their biggest threat, the family cat, is being forced to stay indoors for the time being.
``Jake isn't even aware they're there,'' Smith said. 'Paint Your Heart Out'
The Chesapeake Rotary Club and hundreds of other volunteers from throughout the city painted, repaired and landscaped the homes of 25 elderly homeowners across the city April 27 during the annual ``Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake'' project.
There was a lot going on behind the scenes of the big event. Here's a few vignettes we happened to see.
Maybe they've been trained - On paint day, the Public Works Department team hammered, sawed, painted and patched their assigned house while a crew of master gardeners raked, trimmed and groomed the overgrown yard.
The elderly homeowner, William Wright, wandered from the back to the front of the house as he critically watched the needed improvements to his house. After several hours of work, Wright only had one comment.
``I have never seen so many people work so hard and accomplish so much,'' Wright said, ``And without having a supervisor standing over them.''
A bit of Japan - Also at Wright's house, master gardeners Karen E. Smith, Carolyn E. Kuhlmann, Larry A. Kuhlmann and Victoria E. Kuhlmann topped trees, ripped out vines, trimmed the hedge and cut back overgrown shrubs from the yard.
Finally Helen Crainer, one of the gardeners, invited Wright to review the exotic results of their labor.
``Step back here,'' Crainer said. ``Let me show you your new bonsai garden.''
They're what? - At one job site, the homeowner inquired about a tray of plants a master gardener was preparing for the front flower bed. The gardener pointed out vinca, portulaca and dianthus.
``Well, anyway,'' the homeowner said. ``They look just like pretty spring flowers to me.''
Sweet returns - Last year Elsie McAllister's house was treated to the one day paint make-over, and this year she still wanted to express her gratitude to her paint team.
On Saturday, McAllister tracked down the Greenbrier Presbyterian work crew and treated them to dozens of homemade cupcakes.
Which color? - At the end of paint day, hard worker Rosa Sanchez was splattered with blue paint.
But one of her co-workers reminded the team that Sanchez was painting a house with white paint.
Worth every penny - Homeowner Mary Porter had many compliments and one astute comment about the new paint job and the beautifully manicured lawn at her home. ``I sure am glad I don't have to pay for this,'' Porter said, ``because it would cost at least a million dollars.''
Not just cosmetic - At the close of the fifth annual ``Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake'' Rotarian William J. Hearring, chairman of material acquisitions, reported that more than 250 gallons of paint had been used. It not only refreshed homes but brightened the lives of senior citizens who deserve extra help.
- Susan Smith and
Jennifer O'Donnell by CNB