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December 5, 2006

Couple takes pride in North Logan yard

BY JENNIFER WEAKLEY The Commercial-News Tue Dec 05, 2006, 09:53 AM CST

DANVILLE — Passers-by have watched Bill Brown meticulously make progress on his brick driveway in the 1400 block of North Logan Avenue the past month.

Neighbors and others stop by daily to ask Brown about his work or compliment him on the yard.

Brown said he’s used 10,000 bricks for the driveway and sidewalk around his home and spent “too much.”

An unexpected — and sad — expense, however, was the loss of Brown’s wedding ring.

“It’s in the tons of concrete,” he said looking at the driveway.

Those things are bound to happen, even to a retired construction worker who’s been in the profession for 32 years.

Brown and his wife, Marilyn, have lived at 1413 N. Logan Ave. for five years.

Bill, a Danville native, and Marilyn, also retired and who grew up in Indiana, take pride in their home and yard, which are decked out in Christmas lights and decorations.

Brown started remodeling the home three years ago by building a room addition for their hot tub.

Last year, he added a deck.

Other front-yard additions include brick flower planters, a wooden swing and trellis and pond with koi fish surrounded by tropical plants earlier this year. The pond replaced a maple tree.

Brown wasn’t sure if he’d get to the driveway this year, but he had time.

“There was draining problems, and the asphalt was breaking up,” Brown said.

And he just didn’t like the look of it.

Brown started working on the driveway in October by putting together tan and natural blends of bricks.

Red concrete lines the drive along the edge with a swirling decorative design Marilyn stamped into it.

“She’s my go-fer,” Bill said.

Marilyn had fun serving as a flagger when the concrete came for the driveway.

Brown has worked every day of the week — for too many hours to count — even in rainy and other inclement weather.

“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it,” he said.

He also got used to people stopping by to ask him about the project.

“It’s not unusual for four to five times a day,” he said.

Because the Browns couldn’t park in their driveway during the work, they said neighbors were nice enough to allow them to park their vehicles next door.

Recognition of the Browns’ yard came earlier this year from the Danville Garden Club.

The Browns received a “Before and After” first-place award in the Make it Bloom contest.

“I like the driveway. I think it really looks nice,” neighbor Jim Smith said.

“All the brickwork looks real, real nice. He did a superb job. … He really enjoys doing things like that.”

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