June 2016

“When we moved to Highland Park in 1969, 47 years ago, our yard was barren except for a couple of dead trees and a huge crop of dandelions and many other over-grown weeds. At that time, we had no evergreens, no flowers, and nothing but a huge pile of half-burned junk and ashes, accumulated from many years of burning trash all over the back yard. I could not vision ever having grass in our yard.

Through the years, as our budget allowed, we bought additional trees, planted grass, flowers, and a few vegetables here and there. Meanwhile, we watched all of Highland Park yards and homes spring to life. Together, we did it, our neighborhood became one of the most desirable places to live and raise a family.

Now I look out the bay window of our 100+ year-old kitchen and see a yard filled with big, beautiful trees, evergreens, and flowers that my husband has planted and cared for all these years. In the winter, snow creates dramatic, gorgeous scenes in our back yard. And in each of the seasons, including spring, summer, and fall, I stand in that window and think or say, “This is my favorite spot in the whole world.”

– Sue & Scott Abney, Wyandotte Avenue