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 The Irwin’s live on Allison Street in the Mayfair
edition, which is located in Ward 4 in Lincoln. Last week during the
city council meeting, Mayor Seth Goodman noted that this month, the
idea behind the home of the month was to award a home that best
represents the fall season in the landscape of their home.
He said there had been several nominations from aldermen, and he had
driven to each address and looked at the homes, before determining
that he would give the award to the Irwin’s.
On Friday afternoon, it was easy to see, why the home was nominated.
The brick ranch sits on a corner lot. The lawn was well groomed, and
the decorations about the lawn were a reflection of fall, harvest,
thanksgiving, and just a hint of Halloween past. In addition, the
everyday décor, items that are always present, were tasteful, and
reflected the personality of the Irwin’s.
The couple purchased the home just 11 months ago, and have settled
in nicely. Marvin said decorating the lawn is a “monthly”
occurrence, but Karen chided teasingly that she doesn’t redo the
decorations every month, but she certainly observes the season and
the holidays.
One of the sweetest draws in the yard is the antique bicycle with a
basket of fall flowers, ornamental corn, and gourds.
The ornamental corn is also a key feature at the mailbox, and
gourds, pumpkins and sunflowers carry over into the attractive
arrangement on the birdbath. Pumpkins are also prevalent in the yard
with real as well as some lovely artificial pumpkins scattered
about, such as the wooden painted pumpkin adorning the large antique
wheel leaning at the front of the house. Pumpkins can also be found
around the corner, with a real one sitting on a bright yellow stool,
while another flat metal pumpkin decoration accompanies it.
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On the front porch there are real and artificial
pumpkins along with a sweet looking ghost, straw, and bittersweet
berries. A wooden birdhouse holds a rustic sign that says “Happy
Harvest” with an adorable pumpkin luminary at the foot of the
birdhouse stand.
A garland of fall leaves adorns the snow white picket fence
section that carries a black ‘I’ for Irwin. There is also a birdhouse gourd
hanging from a tree in the front yard with a straw bow-tie and a happy little
pumpkin face painted on it.
The front porch also offers a large ‘welcome’ sign with a not so scary little
ghost sitting at its base.
Friday, Goodman and Ward 4 Aldermen Jeff Hoinacki and Rick Hoefle were present
to award the Home of the Month to the Irwin’s. The couple received a gift card
from the city and will have the Lincoln Home of the Month sign in their front
lawn throughout the rest of November.
Maurice and Karen are enjoying their new home, and enjoy getting out in the yard
and making things look nice. For Mayor Goodman, the goal of the Home of the
Month program is to find those people who take pride and pleasure in their home,
and do more than their fair share to make their neighborhood look nice for
everyone. The Irwin’s certainly fit that bill!
[Nila Smith] |
