Meet Your Neighbors – Tom & Amanda

Meet Tom Long & Amanda Berard… Gretta and Harvey as well.

From: Amanda is from Hayward WI, Tom is originally from San Francisco and more recently from Chippewa Falls WI.

How long in the neighborhood: 10 months, February 09′

Family: Gretta, the white coat golden-doodle looking dog and Harvey the dark haired mix are both rescue dogs they had prior to moving to Beloit. Gretta loves to run, Harvey… he likes being carried.

Occupation: Amanda works for United Health Care and telecommutes managing her team from their home office. Tom works at Kerry as a commercial & operations controller – dairy division.

For Fun: They enjoy walking and playing with Gretta and Harvey. They’re into their Roku digital player for watching TV programming over the net. And on the other end of the technology spectrum Amanda knits, and very well too. Yes we’ve told her about the fanatic knitters in the neighborhood along with the when-n-where. Tom is looking to hone his handi-man skills with various projects planned for the house.

Community Involvement: As they’re new to the community and still settling in their focus has been on getting their new home set up.

Why this neighborhood: They had looked at homes in various communities in the state line area and as far south as Rockford. By chance they drove past the home on Bushnell and saw it for sale. Prior to moving to Beloit they’d lived in a new home where they were the first owner. They were intrigued by the distinctive architectural character of the old house. They contacted the realtor that afternoon and checked out the home that evening. Following that, looking at vintage homes elsewhere regionally they chose their Bushnell St. home. Tom appreciates having a short commute to work.

Best part of living here: They really enjoy being able to walk downtown. They particularly enjoy Nikki’s because they’re open late and they tend to work late. Having the park directly across the street is very nice and they’ve enjoyed events hosted there. They enjoy taking walks through the neighborhood looking at the old houses. There is a lot to do but regret that they’ve missed a number of things they’d have like to attended but they heard about too late.

Aspirations for the neighborhood community: It would be nice if there was a dog park nearby. Tom would also like to bike to work if there was a bike route available. They enjoy the growing number downtown restaurants and look forward to more downtown development of this sort.

Meet Tom & Amanda (and possibly Gretta & Harvey): You’ll bump into Tom & Amanda down at Nikki’s, usually late. You’ll see Gretta & Harvey out early walking their people around the neighborhood.

Click over to meet LaVaughn Kunny

Meet Your Neighbors – LaVaughn Kunny

Meet LaVaughn Kunny

From: Finley, North Dakota (north of Fargo – it’s very much like the movie)

How long in the neighborhood: 59 yrs. Moved in with Husband Bart in 1950.

Family: Husband Bart passed nine years ago. Three grown children, daughter, daughter, son. Bart was chairman of the biology department at Beloit College.

Occupation: Retired. Taught biology at Aldrich middle school.

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Community Involvements:

• - The Arts League of Beloit – Past president
• - SLU (Society for Learning Unlimited) – Founding member and past president
• - Beloit Historical Society – volunteer
• - Atonement Lutheran Church – member

Why this neighborhood: Bart had accepted a teaching position at Beloit College. Initially they moved into a rental home on the 700 block of Park. They subsequently purchased their home on Church. They moved into the neighborhood because of home values and proximity to work. Also, having studied art and architecture in college LaVaughn loved the character of their distinctive old house.

Best part about living here: LaVaughn loves her home, her neighbors and the neighborhood/community. With her appreciation for architecture and wanting to maintain the unique character of her home, subsequent updates to the home were done with professional architect design. As they entertained frequently they enlarged both the dining room and first floor bathroom.

As for the community, the best part is the diversity she and her family have enjoyed. Her children attended Wright School, Aldrich and BMHS and are the better for having experienced diversity in their education and upbringing. She’s proud of the diverse makeup of her and her children’s friendships.

LaVaughn loves being so close to the college. There is so much made available for the broader community that there is more to do then time to take advantage, and it’s so close.  She’s particularly fond of the symphony, Wright and Logan Museums.

Being a retired teacher she enjoys the affection of many former students who still go out of their way to show her their appreciation and friendship. She has lots of stories. Ask her and you’ll get her going. 

Aspirations for the neighborhood community: LaVaughn looks forward to ever more cultural diversity in the community. She’s particularly hopeful for more active involvement from Beloit’s Hispanic community.

Meet LaVaughn: “You’ll find me at out for lunch downtown somewhere.  Stop and say hello.”

Click over to meet Amanda Berard and Tom Long

Unduplexing — one win at a time

Ana and I had a chance to meet with the “Neighbors Who Care” folks last week over at the NHS offices on Grand. Among the items talked about were homes that originally had been built as single family homes that had been divided up into multi-family units. As many folks may know the city is trying to coax property owners into returning some of these homes back to single-family use.

When I asked how well this was going from the perspective of those in attendance the impression I was left with was that progress has been slow with few homes actually being returned to single family occupancy. Compliance is difficult, particularly with a reluctant owner or occupants as you’d imagine. It was interesting then that just a few days following this we had the opportunity to meet a young family who’s doing just this!

We’d heard from a friend that a young family had moved into 239 St. Lawrence and was in the process of “Unduplexing” the home that had been carved up into four units. Wow! I’ve long admired this distinctive limestone home. You can tell that when built it must have been a very grand home for the area. Not only is it included in the Bluff Street historic district but it’s on the short list identified as a “Pivotal”. Indeed, it is a very cool house. Well, Zack & Terry were brave enough to take on this project house. They moved in from another Beloit neighborhood and are familiar with old-house living.

It’ll be work ahead no doubt but the home looks to have great potential for rehab and improved property value. I think it’ll be a win for them.  I already know their having moved in is a win for the neighborhood.

The early movers (pioneers) buying into distinctive neighborhoods assume the greater risk but also reap the greater reward. As more pioneers discover and move in the neighborhood gets better and values improve. It’s bumpy, it doesnt always happen for sure but there are a number of historic neighborhoods and grand homes I wish I’d invested in if I knew then…

There are some amazing homes around town that sadly have been duplexed. We could use some more Zack-n-Terrys. If you see them be sure to say hi and welcome them.

Neighbor’s Old House Window Project

Some of you likely know AndyF from the neighborhood. Our kids and his attend school and play together.

Anyway, just saw this on his own blog and thought it clever and amusing. My Old House Window Project.

I particularly enjoy the before, during and after photos. Speaking of which… I’d love to be able to post before/after pics of projects you’ve done in and around you own home. If you’ve got something to share please let me know.

Hello from Nicki!

Hello Rick, just letting you know that I followed all your easy instructions and am now on board. We will not be able to make it to tonights meeting and no it is not because of the finale of Dancing w/ The Stars. We have been in Indiana for the Cross Country Nationals and Dominick is now a two time All-American. We have been gone for three days and have to play quick catch up before Thanksgiving. Rick great work so far and good news about Pleasant St. as a meeting place. Nicki