Visitors delight in gardens’ beauty

‘Scents of July’ walk draws 300 people

BY MARY KAY SWEIKAR

FAIRMOUNT — Cool temperatures and mild summer breezes made last weekend perfect for most outdoor activities in Danville.

More than 300 people chose to spend several hours strolling through the Lincoln Park Historic District at the “Scents of July” house and garden walk on July 18. Some people gained a new appreciation, while others experienced a renewed interest in the area. The last Lincoln Park Historic District walk was held five years ago.

This year’s event featured tours of seven gardens, six homes and one porch. The event was presented by the Vermilion County Museum Society and the Lincoln Park Historic Neighborhood Association. Proceeds will benefit the Lamon House Restoration Fund and the neighborhood association.

Sue Richter, co-chairwoman of the event, said, “We are overwhelmed with our response today. We’ve heard so many good comments from people. This is such a great community event because it shows off one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods in Danville, with its brick streets and large, beautiful homes.”

Co-chairwoman Brenda Dwiggins said, “Our turnout today exceeded all expectations. We have about 60 volunteers, and our committee started planning for this event last fall.”

A SHOW STOPPER

The home and garden of Joyce and Harold Melton at 1103 Sherman were show-stoppers on the tour. Bountiful perennials line their corner lot, including such varieties as purple cone flowers, hydrangeas, hollyhocks, day lilies, daisies, black-eyed Susans, hostas, deep-red salvia, and a century plant.

Stone and wrought-iron benches, a variety of yard art, and colorful annuals spilling out of pots add unique touches to the natural setting on all sides of their home.

The Meltons started gardening seriously after their five children grew up and Harold retired. He was a civil engineer at Teepak for 17 years, and then worked for District 118. Joyce taught elementary school in the Danville district for more than 20 years.

Harold has built many yard structures: a deck, a gazebo, a tree house for the grandchildren, and two arbors.

Stepping into the Meltons’ home of 41 years opened another world of intrigue to visitors. The house, built in the early 1900s, is a basic Four Square style with a stucco interior and hip roof. The expansive front porch is a favorite family gathering place during pleasant weather. All the rooms are spacious with high ceilings, and the entry floor is slate.

Some call the home’s decor French country, but Joyce considers herself an eclectic. She prides herself in finding benches, chairs and other furnishings at garage sales and restoring them to complement her furnishings.

ARTIST’S TOUCH

Harold has either constructed or refurbished many of the decorative pieces in their home, and Joyce has used her artistic talents to add the decorative touches. Her talent for freestyle painting is apparent throughout — from her many oil paintings that line the walls, to the idyllic images of flowers, children, and animal scenes that sprawl across walls, chests of drawers, furnishings, and just about anything else that will stand still.

One woman joked that if you stand in front of Joyce long enough, she is likely to paint the front of your shirt.

Bright colors are Joyce’s trademark for her home — blues, vibrant pinks, yellows and greens. When Joyce tires of a room, she gets out her paint palette and brush and gives it a brand new look.

There’s a jungle room for the grandchildren, and the pretty pink room for her grown daughter. The basement is done in reds, yellows and oranges — a cheerful refuge on gloomy winter days.

After touring the Melton gardens and home, Sally Masters of Danville said, “Every time I come into this house I enjoy it more. Joyce has the talent of five people put together.”

Joyce does all her paintings free-hand. “I never learned how to stencil,” she said with a laugh. “We’ve lived here a long time, so we’ve had lots of time to make our home and garden just like we want them to be.”

FEAST FOR EYES

Liz and Jeff Fairchild of Monticello drove to Danville just to experience the house and garden tour.

“We’re very impressed,” Liz said. “We’ve been on tours in other towns, and this is absolutely the best one we’ve seen.”

Elaine Beeson of Danville picked up some good ideas from the homes and gardens that she toured. “Each one is unique in its own way,” she said, “but they are all beautiful.”

This was the first garden walk for Mary Barkley of Danville. “I’ve lived in town for 35 years and never realized that the houses and gardens were so beautiful in this area,” she said.

Rena and Walter Hamm of Danville were surprised that the homes built in the early 1900s were kept up so well. “You can tell these houses were built for big families,” Rena said. “They have such a ‘homey’ feel.”

SERENE SPOT

Many on the tour commented on a particularly small, yet charming garden at the home of Eileen French, 1123 Sherman. She moved there 30 years ago because it was close to the hospital, where she worked in radiology for 40 years.

Eileen fenced in an area of her back yard and has transformed it into a delightful, tranquil garden, which people on the tour were reluctant to leave.

Purple, orange and white petunias overflow the flower boxes, and colorful perennials, annuals, and foliage brighten up her back yard. Koi and other fish swim in her small pond area with a trickling waterfall, water lilies, and a variety of other water plants. Nostalgic statues of little boys fishing give the pond a cozy look.

Eileen pots all of her own flowers. “They are my passion,” she said. “Although my yard isn’t big and fancy, it’s a peaceful refuge for me.”

FAMILY FRIENDLY

The Jones family was attracted to their home at 1115 Sherman in 1959 because of the other large homes, the park, and Garfield School District. With more than 50 children in the neighborhood in the 1960s and ‘70s, it was a great place to raise a family.

This century-old home is characterized by spacious rooms, beveled leaded windows, and an L-shaped porch. Sue Jones said it’s the variety of flowers, bushes and trees, along with their beautiful colors, that make the overall look of her garden appealing.

PARTICIPANTS

Other participants in the Scents of July house and garden walk included Nancy and Keith Bates, 1124 N. Logan; Ellen and Vic Vanesse, 901 W. Center; Shari Hall, 1116 Sherman; and Rich Roth, 1123 Sherman.

Also featured on the tour were Pamela Starr, 1117 Sheridan; Carol Case, 1109 Sherman; the Bliss/Daugherty family, 1104 Grant; Lisa and Scott Burgess, 1129 N. Logan; Jennifer Mendoza, 1111 Sherman; and the Lamon House garden at Lincoln Park.

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