HOME style
spring
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER Jim Shrader (618)463-2580 Jim_Shrader@thetelegraph.com
Editor’s note
4
Kathie Bassett
EDITOR IN CHIEF Dan Brannan (618)463-2560 Dan_Brannan@thetelegraph.com
EDITOR Kathie Bassett (618)463-2562 kathie_bassett@thetelegraph.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Georgia Mills (618)463-2554 Georgia_Mills@thetelegraph.com
GRAPHIC SUPERVISOR Joe Wilson (618)463-2599 Joe_Wilson@thetelegraph.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Johnny Aguirre (618)463-2543 Johnny_Aguirre@thetelegraph.com
SALES COORDINATOR Sue Ellen Boschert (618)463-2532 Sue Ellen_Boschert@thetelegraph.com
CONTRIBUTORS Vicki Bennington
Getting to the root of it all
5
Planting seeds in the back yard
Cover story
8
Restoring a Victorian home to period elegance
Day Trip
11
St. Louis’ Central West End
Man Cave
14
Basement opens to Cardinal universe
Timeless Design
17
Decorator transforms space
Forever springtime
20
Artist creates residential portraits
Bird is the word
22
Bird fancier
Pet Corner
24
Crazy about little quackers
Jim Bowling (Photography) Laura Griffith
Taste of Napa in Edwardsville 25 Saint Mary’s School holds annual spring wine and beer tasting.
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Spring 2010
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editor’s note
kathie BASSETT
The Rites of Spring For many people, spring is their favorite time of year. Longer days, blue skies, flowers bursting forth from the earth along with picnics on fields of grass are just a few of the season's pleasures. To followers of America's pastime, spring means just one thing: baseball. The great Cardinal player Rogers Hornsby said, "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." A passionate fan, John Mills of Roxana has created a "man cave" that carries him through the winter months until spring training. If you are a gardener, like I am, you have been watching and waiting for tulips to appear. Doug Conley, the director of the Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville,
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shares his thoughts on the season in his column. With a city garden in their Alton backyard, John and Linda Callander have brought their love of nature inside their home by profusely incorporating organic pattern into their decor. Reflecting the history of their home, they have filled their house with antiques collected over the years. With warmer weather, spring is a good time to explore and take a day trip to the Central West End, which is filled with interesting restaurants and shops. Ranging from fun and funky to sophisticated and elegant, the Central West End has something for everyone. Shelton Davis Antiques and West End Galleries offer eclectic inventories that emphasize quality craftsmanship and affordability. Columnist Steve Whitworth takes us to Tower Grove Park in St. Louis for unique birding opportunities. Just as baseball and antiques are parts of our cultural heritage so is the architecture of the area. Jeanie Cousley of JMC Design has lovingly and creatively renovated an abandoned building in downtown Alton into a chic loft and design studio. With a similar passion, artist Richelle Flecke creates architectural portraits that capture a home's individual charm, with clients
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preferring spring or summer settings. The season also signals the arrival of ducklings on area lakes and ponds. For Myrah Marks of Glen Carbon, this is an event she has looked forward to most of her life, nurturing them and introducing new ducklings onto the lake as needed. Also a Master Gardener, Myrah starts thousands of seedlings each year in her basement to transplant outside, creating a lush gardenscape and a large vegetable patch. Professional landscapers Tammy and Dave Lackey of ProScape offer design advice for people just getting started. Using the talents of floral designer Michael Stevens, Lorrie Isringhausen and the steering committee for St. Mary's School in Edwardsville's annual spring fundraiser transform the gym into a vineyard in Tuscany for a wine tasting evening. Over the last few months, we have introduced a "What is you Home Style?” video and blog on The Telegraph website, and I hope to hear from you! Please respond to the blog postings or email me your comments, suggestions and photos at kbassett@thetelegraph.com. Without a doubt, each season has its own special pleasures so enjoy! Kathie
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Getting to the root of it all By VICKI BENNINGTON s a little girl Myrah Marks planted seeds in the backyard, but nothing happened. She couldn't figure out how people could possibly make them come to life. Now she knows. When Myrah was in her 40s, she found herself maintaining 15 acres that formerly belonged to her father, and she wanted to do it right. There were many shrubs, trees and a rose garden on the property where she and her family live. Myrah returned to school, earning an associate's degree in horticulture, then worked as a florist by day while cultivating her own grounds on her off time. "We added new flower gardens, made the rose garden bigger, and my son planted a vegetable garden," Myrah said. Now, her husband provides the muscle, while Myrah designs the landscaping and rotates colors, most often incorporating pinks. The couple has endless flower gardens and a huge vegetable garden, sharing the bountiful harvest with friends and food pantries. "Nothing goes to waste," Myrah said. She begins as many plants as possible from seeds that are labeled and organized, divided by species, alphabetized and refrigerated for freshness. The Master Gardener grows wave petunias, marigolds, cosmos - all very easy to start from seed, she said. The end of February is the best time to start seedlings. Peppers are first, then tomatoes, which should see fruit by July. Next, she starts cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and various flowers in "six-pack flower containers" under ceiling grow lights in her basement. "It's very important to have soil that is chemically balanced," Myrah stresses. She recommends having it tested at a local lab, then adjusting accordingly. For fertilization, she uses continuous-release pellets, along with a "12-12-12" crop fertilizer for vegetables. While the seeds are germinating, they are watered in trays from underneath. As they sprout and get bigger, she moves them to a pop-up greenhouse where they are watered from above. "I always lose some because seeds have different germination rate," Myrah said. "Some seeds I've had for years which also changes germination." Eventually, plants are transferred to the gardens, where she crowds many together, resulting in the lush look she loves. Maintenance is kept to a minimum with plastic sheeting and mulch. For pests, she first washes plants with soapy water, then adds chemicals if necessary, taking safety into account.
A
She grows quite a selection of vegetables, with more than 200 kinds of tomatoes. "There's nothing prettier than a salad with yellow, orange and pink tomatoes," she said. "They tend to be sweeter because they are less acidic than red." But the flowers are her real weakness. She grows mostly annuals because she likes constant blooming, though she does plant perennials and bulbs. Color begins with purple and pink crocus and Lenten roses in March, followed by tulips and daffodils, then blooms of one kind or another through November. "I like to bring a little beauty to the world," Myrah said.
Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Each year, Myrah starts seedlings inside in her basement to transplant outside into her flower and vegetable gardens. “Home Style: Seeds” at “What is Your Home Style?” at www.thetelegraph.com/video.
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coverstory
Photos by JIM BOWLING
Dating from the 1880s, John and Linda Callander's Alton home was designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger for William Sonntag, who served under President Benjamin Harrison. Flowers courtesy of White’s Greenhouse’s.
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Spring 2010
The Callanders have incorporated vintage appliances into the kitchen decor, most noticeably an antique stove that they use for storage. Story by KATHIE BASSETT Photos by JIM BOWLING
S
tepping through the front door of John and Linda Callander's historic Lucas Pfeiffenberger home in Alton, the profusion of organic pattern and sumptuous color underscores the Victorian penchant for "all over decoration." "When John and I purchased the home 20 years ago, I kept the simple turn-of-the-centu-
ry oak pieces that I began collecting in college and blended them as we added the more formal Eastlake style suited to the home," said Linda. "Warm colors appeal to me, and I tried to select complementary colors and patterns from room to room. Some of the paper, while dark, has a pattern that includes reflective gold ink, which is pretty in a soft light." The foyer's cream papered walls are
The dining room showcases Eastlake furniture from the turn of the century.
adorned with delicate bouquets of pink and mauve flowers that contrast with the deeper hues found in the geometric-patterned runner on the staircase. The mauves subtly connect to the luxuriously monochromatic Arts and Crafts wallpaper in the den, located in the center of the house. The pattern is derived from a nineteenth century William Morris design. The parlor, to the left of the foyer, has a rich palette, highlighted by densely foliated wallpaper that interweaves bluish-purple grapes with large pink peonies and golden yellow tulips. Merlot-colored drapes unify the parlor with the sunnier color scheme that defines the dining room. The furniture is a combination of dark, ornately carved Victorian pieces and lighter, more geometric Eastlake pieces, The walls in the guest also from the bedroom are covered same era. with a William Morris At the back of designed wallpaper, the house, the "Willow Boughs," with Callanders have an Anglo-Japonisme bor- added updated der. The ornate motif is appliances to a renovated carried onto the ceiling. kitchen, while retaining period detail - most noticeably a vintage stove that they now use as a cabinet and an oak Hosier cabinet that John gave to Linda as a wedding present. The couple added a tin ceiling to accent the authenticity of the space. "We love all the details," Linda explained. "We both enjoy collecting antiques." Married since 1985, it was, in fact, their love of old houses that originally brought them
The foyer is a striking blend of color and pattern. Hanging on the wall are portraits of people that Linda refers to as "instant relatives" acquired in antique shops. together. Their first official date was to visit homes on Pride's annual tour. When looking for a house to share, John immediately saw the possibilities in this Italianate Victorian home on Henry Street originally built for William Sonntag in the 1880s. Sonntag, a native of Saxony, served as deputy collector of Internal Revenue during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison. See Victorian, Page 9 Home Style
9
The bed in a second guest room is piled with favorite childhood stuffed animals and dolls. With an eye for period detail, Linda has placed a Victorian pitcher and bowl on the bureau.
From page 9 "At first, the amount of work to be done seemed overwhelming to me," confessed Linda. "John was more excited than I was so he tried to point out the original features to me to get me excited too. He saw the home's good bones before I did." Once convinced of its potential, John and Linda took to stripping the home of its red
shag carpeting and six layers of painted wallpaper. The two year long restoration included replacing the plumbing and wiring, plaster work, floor sanding, roofing, relining the fireplace chimney, and planting a perennial garden in the back yard. Surrounded by majestic trees, the couple has a picture of the home circa 1890 that shows two young Linden trees in their front yard. While one is no longer there, the surviv-
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ing tree shades the house. There are two wonderfully gnarled redbud trees in the back that they believe date from the 1920s. Known by their friends for their love of antiques, John and Linda arrived home several years ago to discover an Eastlake dining chair on their front porch. "On the back of the chair was pinned a note with letterhead from an inn in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire," laughed
John's mother, Laura, posed for the cover of McCall's in the 1930s. Linda. "The note asked that we adopt the chair or find a home for it - to this day, the donor remains a fun mystery." Scattered throughout the house are family heirlooms, including a 1930s cover from McCall's Magazine, featuring John's mother Laura, and an Eastlake bed belonging to John's grandfather in the Anglo-Japonisme bedroom, a style popular in the 19th century. If they have one regret, it is that they unknowingly threw out a rare light blue glass chandelier that had originally hung in the foyer. "We didn't realize what it was at the time," said Linda. "John is so thoughtful that he found a pink one similar to it in New England and brought it home for me." Apropos to how they met, the Callander home has been featured on the Landmark house tour and both Pride's Christmas home tour and garden tour.
kbassett@gmail.com
10
Spring 2010
day trip
St. Louis’ Central West End Story and photos by KATHIE BASSETT
I
f you are looking for a getaway within easy driving distance, the Central West End of St. Louis offers both a sense of vibrant history and a trendy panache that makes it a fun place to visit. Located at the eastern end of Forest Park, the area grew alongside the city's westward expansion and came into its own as a cosmopolitan neighborhood around the time of the 1904 World's Fair. A popular gathering place, the heart of the area is four city blocks filled with unusual boutiques, interesting restaurants, contemporary art galleries, design studios, and eclectic antique shops. An entire day can easily be spent browsing the area's diverse offerings, ranging from the "eccentric" merchandise to be discovered at Brewington to the avante garde minimalism featured at Centro Modern Furnishings to the sophistication of 17th to 19th century antiques found at West End Galleries and Shelton Davis Antiques on McPherson. Occupying a space that formerly served as a floral shop, West End Galleries offers fine antiques, specializing in dining tables and chairs as well as 19th century chandeliers, along with decorative objects, a framing service, and interior design. Owner Kim Kovac tries to cultivate lifelong customers by appealing to a wide variety of tastes and budgets, made possible by the spacious 10,000-square-foot showroom. Kim worked beside her mother-in-law, Mary Ann Allison, for many years before taking over the business last year. "Mom bought the original Josephine Baker poster that hung in the old Balaban's," said Kim. "She sold it to a collector in New York City, but we retained the rights to have
See Day Trip, page 12
Above, an elegant dining room setting in Shelton Davis Antiques. Left, a new shipment arrives and adds to the shop's ever-changing inventory.
Home Style
11
West End Galleries
An eclectic mix of pieces found at Shelton Davis. From West End Galleries, an Italian porcelain centerpiece with gold leaf highlights, c. 1950, and antique cut and Irish Waterford crystal.
4732 McPherson Ave. day trip St. Louis MO (314) 367-2900
From Page 11
her restruck in a limited edition so when they're gone, they're gone." Recently, Kim acquired two sculptures from the St. Louis World's Fair: a figure she believes that was originally shown in the Phillipine's Pavilion and an urn. With a nod toward St. Louis history, Kim also has an ornate cabinet that had stood in the lobby of the Chase Park Plaza until its recent renovation.
“I like to carry out-of-the-ordinary pieces.” Kim Kovac OWNER
“Over 10,000 sq. ft. of rare antiques, decorative arts, fine chandeliers and unique home furnishings displayed in our magnificent turn of the century building.”
Located in the fashionable Central West End 12
Spring 2010
Jon Davis of Shelton Davis Antiques appreciates the unique qualities of the pieces he encounters, viewing antiques as representing a living history. "Every item in the shop speaks to us," he said. "I love the whole romance of antiques and what they meant to the individuals who owned them before." Davis's shop occupies a more intimate space and items are arranged in vignettes to suggest room settings to give people an idea of how they might be arranged in a home. "People often make a mistake by thinking that they have to stay within one style, kind of wood, or color palette," he said. "Everything can be mixed if creatively done and with an eye for detail."
From Page 12 Along with a broad range of Persian rugs, silver, crystal, china, and oil paintings, Shelton Davis offers a selection of beautiful furniture that highlights craftsmanship. "We don't carry low end antiques, but if someone wants a wonderful chest, they can find one here that is comparably priced to a fine new one." Davis also offers a historic design service that encompasses all aspects of design through finish carpentry. Both dealers' inventories are constantly changing so they are actively engaged with purchasing items from individuals as well as from auctions.
To view additional photos, find directions, learn store hours, and read about dining possibilities, visit "What is your Home Style?" at www.homestyle.freedomblogging.com.
West End Galleries is located at 4732 McPherson and can be reached at (314) 367-2900; Shelton Davis is at 4724 McPherson and their number is (314) 361-2610. Known for their selection of dining room tables and chairs, and chandeliers, West End Galleries represents several dealers, including owner Kim Kovac. A limited number of reproductions of the Josephine Baker poster that had hung in Balaban's is available.
Home Style
13
Basement opens into a Cardinal universe Story by LAURA GRIFFITH Photos by GEORGIA MILLS
C
Above, John Mills proudly stands among his precious collections in his “man cave”. Right, Mills’ oldest treasure is his Punt, Pass, and Kick trophy he earned at 13 years old.
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Spring 2010
ardinals fan John Mills has been a collector ever since he was a child, and at 55 has more than 20 professional sports autographs and countless priceless trinkets. Next door, his Cubs fan neighbors show their allegiance with a flag hanging near the front door, but in the basement of the Roxana home John and his wife Kathy inherited from her mother, it's a whole other world. The photographs, beer steins, baseballs and bats he's collected over the years from family and friends bask in the reddish-yellow glow of a Budweiser sign that sets the tone there in his own little slice of baseball heaven. "I had to have my man cave," the dedicated Cards fan explained, describing a similar space
in his former home up the street on Longfellow. When Kathy's mother had lived in the home, the basement had been an apartment for a bachelor. The room where John now proudly displays his collection was once two rooms divided down the middle by a wall with asbestos tile floors. Just outside the room, the rest of the basement served as a bathroom and kitchen. John put a little bit of himself into the space, knocking down the dividing wall, recessing the ductwork into the ceiling as well as reflooring. He lined the walls with a material used to build tough sheds, and used acoustic ceiling spray to sound proof the room. Bordering the room, he built a shelf just taller than waist high to display his things. The oldest item in his collection is a Punt, Pass and Kick trophy he earned at age 13. Since then he's added newspaper articles, wall hangings and assorted bottle openers, including an Old Budweiser opener from the 40s
A lighted Budweiser sign hangs over a shelf lined with beer steins, bottle openers and other trinkets. Below, left, is a 1982 World Series autographed bat. Below is a lighted case that holds many autographs, including Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock and many more.
with the head of a Clydesdale, presumably from the 50s. "I've been collecting since right out of high school," John said. Several items have earned the label of John's "pride and joy," including a 1982 World Series autographed bat, featuring the signatures of Darrel Porter, who also quoted Proverbs 3:5-6, Andy Van Slyke, Ted Savage, Dan Cox and Jose Oquendo, among others. Near the entrance, which is marked with a large St. Louis Cardinals decal, is a large lightbox containing various autographs (he has around 15-20), a signed Stan the Man bat
rack, baseballs and more. "I could stand down here for days and talk about everything I've got," he said, as he glanced around his favorite room in the house. "I'm sure I could get bucks for some of these autographs, but they're priceless to me. And this is just a smidgen of what I have." He's not a buyer, so most of the items he owns he's found at yard sales, or he's been given by family and friends. "A lot of my friends come down here and play cards. I read my book, relax… chill. Not to get away from anyone, just some private
“They call it a man cave, but in my case my wife is just as into this as I am.”
time," he said. "They call it a man cave, but in my case my wife is just as into this as I am." Sometimes, he retreats to the room because his wife is watching "Nancy Grace"
See Cave, page 16
Home Style
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An autographed photo of Al Hrabowsky can be seen among other paraphernalia. From Page 15 or another show he's not into, but she does like to join him for games. "I'm a true Cardinals fan too, I love it. Not a football fan though - the Rams don't give us much to cheer about," Kathy joked. A futon, beanbag, bar stools, coffee table and entertainment system with surround sound complete the room, although sometimes John likes it for the quiet space it can be - a place to read or just admire the trinkets he's come to own. A stagehand and member of the IATSE Local 6, he even built some of the frames and cases for his memorabilia, including a case that holds a stuffed red bear sitting in his Ozzie Smith corner. One time, he worked on a show at the Alton Belle Casino during the Cardinals offseason, and Ernie Hayes happened to be working there, so he asked for his autograph. Aside from sports memorabilia, he's got drumsticks and guitar picks from shows he's worked for the Rolling Stones, The Eagles and The Who. He also collects Pez dispensers. He has a giant clown and a foot-high Darth Vader dispenser with glowing green eyes. Although his children don't like to think about it, they stand to inherit the whole lot someday, John said, including a Coca-Cola from the 1982 Cardinals World Series, an AP newspaper photograph of Mark McGwire making an appearance on the sitcom "Mad About You," and a photo of the 500th home run coming off McGwire's bat. "My wife and I were there when McGwire hit his 500th home run," he said. "It was a beautiful day. The stadium went nuts." In the 10 years the Millses have been in the home, the collection has grown and grown. Recently, he began to work on the other side of the basement so he can bring out and display more of his paraphernalia. No one knows what he'll add next.
Decorator transforms space into
timeless design By VICKI BENNINGTON
W
Photos by JAY FRAM
Jeanie Cousley and her daughter Chrysa live above her interior design studio, JMC Design, on Belle St. Jeanie's sophisticated choice of colors highlights the building's architectural features. Above, a fountain adds interest to her cityscape garden.
hen Jeanie Cousley began looking for a place to house her interior decorating business, her friends and family were surprised when she chose the 100-yearold, boarded-up building on Belle Street. But she saw possibilities. "I knew it had architectural merit; it just needed attention," Cousley said. Her eye for detail and ecological common sense - putting things to reuse - just wouldn't let her pass it by. She opened JMC Design on the ground floor, later deciding to take up residence in the newly renovated second-floor apartment, originally slated as a rental. "When I saw how beautifully it was coming together, I decided it was too cool not to live in it," Cousley said. "Now everyone sees what I knew it could be." The building was formerly the site of an upholstery shop with an apartment above. The exterior was patched and shadowed with ghosts of billboards past. Sandblasting and tuck pointing would have been a huge expense, so Cousley opted to paint the brickwork an "earthy" green with brightly colored doors and trim. The inside was entirely gutted and reconfigured except for the wide second floor stairway. After installing new plumbing, electric and HVAC, the resulting 1,500 square feet of living space bespeaks urban living at its best with clean lines, exposed brick wall, high ceilings and eclectic mix of old and new. Always looking for quality at the See Design, page 18 Home Style
17
“Things do not have to cost a lot to look good. It's a matter of combining things in the right way.� JEANIE COUSLEY OWNER
design FROM PAGE 17 best price, Cousley installed granite tile countertops and back splash, noting that tiles make as big a statement, while costing considerably less than slab. She recycled cherry wood cabinets she already owned, edging them with black painted custom wood trim and crown topper. Several open cabinets keep cookbooks and plates within easy reach. She chose a tavern-grade wide maple plank flooring throughout. "It adds a lot of character, it's very solid and hides smudges and nicks," she said. "And it goes with everything." Cousley wanted to keep the living space open, while still providing individual private
Clockwise from top, Jeanie created a loft above her bedroom to maximize storage. She recycled cabinets and added granite tile countertops instead of using a slab to keep renovation costs in check. The blue ceilings add height to the hallways. Jeanie lofted her daughter's bed to provide extra room for her things. The piano is nestled into a nook so the piece doesn't dominate the apartment.
spaces for her 14-year-old daughter, Chrysa, and herself. The nine-and-a-half-foot ceilings allow dividing walls tall enough for privacy, while leaving open soffits for air circulation and transfer of sunlight. One bedroom is on the former concrete-floored back porch. A loft above provides room for bookshelves and computer desk. The spacious bathroom features slate flooring and a toilet alcove for added privacy. Double sheers that were discount store finds blend with the timeless mix of textures and colors. "Things do not have to cost a lot to look good," Cousley said "It's a matter of combining things in the right way." In the great room, black leather upholstered furniture anchors the space, flanked by much-loved antiques and a baby grand piano tucked into the bay window. "I think a home loses character when
18
Spring 2010
Designed for efficiency, the bathroom is spacious but allows for privacy.
FROM PAGE 18 everything is new," she said. "It's much more interesting if you have a combination." She likes to mix colors too, painting adjacent walls in colors like green and taupe with a muted yellow on the ceiling. Cousley says it's important to choose the right colors and make sure there are no harsh transitions. In the backyard, a double-car-detached garage was previously home to an auto parts business. A brick patio surrounded by a high stone wall, once filled with trash, now offers outdoor seating and a fire pit for cool evenings. Cousley specializes in interior design consulting, working with the homeowner so the space reflects their individual tastes - then enhancing it. "I help make the space attractive, but useable for real life," Cousley said. "I don't like to go with what's 'in' at the moment, but rather aim for a timeless design." For more information, visit www.jmcdesignalton.com.
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Home Style
19
Forever springtime
F
By KATHIE BASSETT
or a picture-perfect gift, artist Richelle Flecke creates residential portraits that not only represent the architectural style of a home but also reflect the identity of the family that lives there. Working in either watercolor or pen-andink, Richelle's work is technically precise while refreshingly bright and airy, highlighting the innate charm of each home. "When I do a portrait, I always think
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Spring 2010
Richelle
FLECKE ARTIST
what I would do if it were my own home," she said. "I always meet with clients to get insight to see if there are any features that they especially cherish about their home, garden or landscaping." Richelle said she also feels it is important to learn about the history of the house and to gain a sense of the occupants' distinctive personalities. "I love hearing the different stories that go along with the home and the memories that people share with me," she continued. "These insights help me get a better understanding of the home's character, and more importantly, the more visual information I have, the better the artwork turns out." The majority of Richelle's portraits are done in watercolor, with 8-inches-by-10-inches and 11-inches-by-14-inches being the most popular sizes. Richelle begins each project by visiting the home and shooting photos of it. With the aid of her camera, Richelle can hone in on architectural details, such as intricate woodwork, ornate stained glass or interesting brickwork for accurate representation. With photos to reference, Richelle creates the painting in her home studio. Portraits take at least two days to complete, with larger projects often taking five days to capture the home's unique character. A graduate of Webster University's Fine Arts Department, Richelle began her career as a fashion illustrator.
Artist Richelle Flecke created this portrait of a Highland, Ill. home for a client.
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“When I do a portrait, I do whatever it takes to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible.�
Richelle became interested in architecture 12 years ago, making the decision to specialize in residential portraiture. She had painted a portrait of her own home, which she said immediately felt "right." Requests for home portraits from people who had seen her original quickly followed. The mother of three children, she felt that working as a freelance artist allowed her the flexibility to adapt her schedule to spend more time with her family. Most of her customers prefer spring and summer portraits, replete with vibrant flowers and sun-dappled lawns. "I use the most flattering view of the home; I use the most flattering sunlight," Richelle said. "When I do a portrait, I do whatever it takes to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible, if it means trimming trees, or removing elements, such as power lines, that detract from the portrait." "What is rewarding for me is to know that I can bring a lot of pleasure to someone with a house portrait," she said. "I enjoy seeing my client's reaction to my art. It's a good feeling to know I provide a personal and meaningful piece of art that brings joy and special memories to its owner." For more information, call (314) 892-9221 or visit www.customhouseportraits.com to see additional examples of Richelle's portraits.
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Bird is the word By Steve WHITWORTH
Bird fancier ch at River Bran d o o W r u ue Visit o uson Aven 217 E. Ferg
It's spring, when a young man's fancy turns to birds. OK, so I'm not that young anymore, but now that I'm married, it's safer to think about our feathered friends. My apologies to Lord Tennyson.
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For The Telegraph/SPENCER GRADY-PAWL
The entrance to the Gaddy Bird Garden at Tower Grove Park, where many neotropical migrants can be seen during spring migration. The Bird Garden is in the western end of the park near the Kingshighway entrance.
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Spring 2010
In previous columns over the years, I've highlighted the best places in The Telegraph area to see birds during spring migration. As I've said, those include the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Mo.; The Nature Institute/Mississippi Sanctuary in Godfrey; Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Brussels; and Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. But for those of you who mainly watch birds at your backyard feeders and may be wondering where to see some of the more interesting species shown in your field guides, the greater St. Louis area offers many birding opportunities. For my money, the best time for birding is spring migration, when the neotropical migrants such as warblers, vireos, orioles and tanagers are in their most beautiful breeding plumage. And if you're looking for one place to see a wide variety of migrants in a compact area, I still believe Tower Grove Park in south St. Louis is the best spot to go. Tower Grove has an abundance of mature native tree species that warblers and other migrants love, including oaks, tulip trees (yellow-poplars), sweet gums, sycamores and bald cypress. Add in a number of smaller, flowering trees and bushes, and it's a place in springtime to delight the senses of birds and birders alike.
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Residential & Commercial Garage Doors- many styles & colors • Transmittors • Installation, Repairs, Openers & Springs • Guard Rails • Fences - All Types • Dog Kennels • Flag Poles & Accessories Hooded warbler For beginners, I recommend starting at the Gaddy Bird Garden, which is in the western end of the rectangular park, near the entrance from Kingshighway. When I first got interested in birds, I spent the first year or two looking for them and learning along the rural roads and hiking trails near my parents' farm in Glen Carbon. Along the way, I met someone who recommended that I should try Tower Grove Park. I'll never forget my first visit to the Gaddy Bird Garden. I had barely set foot on the main path through the garden when I spotted a beautiful male hooded warbler in breeding plumage hopping along the trail just 15 feet in front of me. Since then, I've spotted a number of life birds (my first time seeing the species) in Tower Grove, including scarlet tanager, Cape May warbler and Connecticut warbler. Another great spot in Tower Grove is the "cypress circle," an area of mature bald cypress trees at the eastern end of the park, near the entrance from Grand Boulevard. Just west of the cypress circle is another stand of bald cypress that runs along a little creek. Here, there is a small pond named for the late Jack Van Benthuysen, a St. Louis birder who helped many a neophyte identify many a life bird. I'll always remember how he helped me see my first Cape May warbler and taught me to recognize its faint, highpitched song. The pond is a great place to sit and enjoy the beauty of the park, its birds and their songs. Jack also was one of the authors of "Birds of the St. Louis Area: When and Where to Find Them," published by the Webster Groves Nature Study Society. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to explore the St. Louis area and find the many birds that inhabit or pass through it at different times of the year. The book is available by sending $15 to the Webster Groves Nature Study Society, P.O. Box 190065, St. Louis, MO 63119-6065. There are many other great places to view the spring migration around the St. Louis area: Forest Park's Kennedy Forest, the Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County, Castlewood State Park in Ballwin and the new Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in North St. Louis County, to name a few. Why not make this spring the year you get out and see a few new places and a few new birds?
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pet corner
Crazy about little quackers By Laura Griffith
M
yrah Marks, 66, has lived in the same Glen Carbon home on and off for most of her life, and for 50 of those years has enjoyed sharing her five acres with pet ducks. "Way back when I was a kid, my mom and dad lived here. Dad did all the lawn work and knew exactly where the ducks laid their eggs over a period of time," she said. When some of the eggs hatched, the mother would take those ducklings down to a lake on the property and leave the others. So that the ones left behind wouldn't be alone, Myrah's father would wait until they hatched, then rescue them and raise five to eight at a time in a big box in the house, she said. "In the mornings I would wake up, and mom would bring me a baby duck to keep warm," she remembered fondly. Her mother would feed the ducklings chicken feed and bread, and one time tried cottage cheese, which turned out to be a disaster. "They didn't like the cottage cheese," Myrah said. "They'd strewn it all over. The kitchen was covered in cottage cheese."
As they would grow older, the ducks would move outside in a cage. They'd be let out to roam, but always came back at night, she said. Myrah said her family noticed the ducks wouldn't go to the lake and appeared to be afraid of the water. They filled a little plastic swimming pool for them and tried escorting them to the lake, but eventually noticed the ducks disappearing on their own during certain parts of the day into a landscaping pond on the side of the house, she said. Some ducks stayed, and others came and went with the changing of the seasons for years, then the population seemed to thin out. "A couple of years ago, there just weren't that many ducks on the lake," she said. To bring back a bit of nostalgia, Myrah bought six ducklings from Rural King in Highland and raised them as her family had when she was little. As her ducks grew older, she released them on the lake. Last year, two of them had ducklings of their own. Many of Myrah's ducks come back to the property each year - as of this past February, about 30 had returned, but last summer, more
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Living next to a lake, Myrah has nurtured ducks since her childhood. When needed, she raises ducklings to grow the population. than 100 came to feed every day, she said. Although they've integrated well, she can tell the wild ones from the ones she raised because the ones she raised are not afraid of humans. "If I open the back door, the fairly tame ones will stay put," she said. Over the years, her children and grandchildren have gotten to enjoy the ducks as well, but don't have as many memories as Myrah has from her childhood. "I love to watch them walk. They waddle so cute. They're just nice friendly little pets. They imprint on whoever's closest to them. They'll follow you all over the place," Myrah said. "But they're wild animals. They don't like to be held and petted. You can't potty train them and can only raise them in the house when they're little. For someone living in a house (without lots of land) I would not suggest them."
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A TASTE OF NAPA in Edwardsville
Tortellini skewers Amy Goodman, Lorrie Isringhausen, Michael Stevens, Amy Cadagin, and Kathy Stopka gather to make final decisions on the fundraiser to benefit St. Mary's School in Edwardsville.
he challenge for any fund-raising committee is to take a large cavernous space and to transform it into something intimate and inviting. The steering committee for St. Mary's School in Edwardsville's annual spring wine and beer tasting does just that with great elan. "The goal for the party is to make it special," said Lorrie Isringhausen, who is in charge of decorating along with her sister, Amy Goodman. "It's still a gym but I want to give people something a little different by bringing in organic elements so we can envision we're on rolling hills in Napa." Lorrie transported tables from her house and "commissioned" her mother, Margaret Reis, to paint a landscape to set the ambiance. The duo stretched a large piece of canvas on two-by-fours, for Margaret to paint. So large, it had to be taken apart to get it in through the door. Crushed Grapes in Edwardsville partners
T
with the school, featuring wines and beers from around the world. Each of the 10 stations showcases a different country or region. The most popular hors d'oeuvres of the evening have an Italian twist: tortellini skewers and bruschetta. J & J Chocolate Chalet provides sumptious chocolate desserts. Floral stylist Michael Stevens creates the centerpieces, invoking Napa with his lavish use of sunflowers and fruit. To complement the vibrant blossoms, Michael uses green and red grapes, lemons, limes, and pears as colorful filler. So that people can plan ahead to attend the event, committee co-chair Kathy Stopka said that the tasting will be consistently held the Saturday after Easter. "By having the event at school instead of in a home, it helps people remember what you're doing it for," said co-chair Amy Cadagin. "It's also nice to have an adults-only event in the gym." To view a video of this year's event, visit "Home Style: Wine-tasting" at "What is your Home Style?" at www.thetelegraph.com/video.
1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini 40 large pitted ripe olives 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing 40 thin slices pepperoni or salami 40 cubes mozzarella cheese 40 grape tomatoes 1. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. 2. Marinate the tortellini and olives in the salad dressing 4 hours or overnight. 3. Discard the marinade. 4. Thread an olive, folded pepperoni slice, tortellini, tomato, and cheese cube onto a short skewer. This recipe makes 40 skewers
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25
Doug
CONLEY DIRECTOR OF THE GARDENS AT SIUE
s I write this column, the delightful fragrance of Arnold Promise witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise') is still on my nose. This plant, a gift from my wife and a dear friend, resides near our carport. I adore witchhazels because, with a little luck and proper planning, a gardener may enjoy them from October through March! That said, the arrival of "Arnold Promise" tells me spring is here and it is time to tend my piece of the Earth. I purchased my first Farmer's Almanac this winter. I suspect this is a sign of aging, maturing as a gardener, and a desire to get closer to the Earth and natural phenomena that sustain life. Reading the Almanac has been both amusing, educational and, along with rereading Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac," has heightened my awareness and curiosity of the world. Spring arrived on March 20, the vernal equinox. However, the signs of spring - longer
A
Arnold Promise witch hazel daylight, singing birds, swelling buds, and the sound of children of all ages playing outside surround us. These signs subtly tell us it's time to return to the land and prepare for the season ahead. We are not as close to the land as we once were, yet remain completely dependent upon it. Gardening provides us the opportunity to reconnect with the land in simple or extravagant ways. Find a garden style and size that fits your life, gardening should be enjoyable, not a chore. If possible, make it a family affair - children of all ages are amazed
I Want my
Mommy & Daddy
to learn that a carrot comes from the ground and tastes better than one purchased in a store! April brings the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22) and the 138th renewal of Arbor Day (April 30). The Gardens at SIUE, along with several other organizations and communities, will commemorate these days with activities to connect you with the Earth. Please participate if your schedule allows. Either way, consider the question "What will I do this year to move closer to the Earth that sustains us?
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Ask a Professional 1. What questions do you ask clients to think about before beginning the design process? The first thing I need to know is what are the goals of project: Are they planning on staying in their home for a while and wanting to invest into a great backyard for their family to enjoy? Or are they planning on selling their home and need to spruce up the front to give it more curb appeal? I like to find out the size of their family and if they do a lot of entertaining so I can help them determine the size and shape of new patios and decks. I also like to find out how much time they have for the maintenance of the landscape, so I know the types of plants and materials to use. As always, budget plays a big part in the designing process as well so I can design a landscape that will get them the most for their money. 2. How much time does it take to develop a plan and install the landscaping? Can it be done in time for this summer? It is a good idea to give the designer you
resources and experience to be able to guide you in picking out the plants and materials that are going to fit your style and needs. There is still time to have your project finished in time for the summer. Landscape companies are just beginning to get started for the upcoming season so this is the perfect time to start planning. 3. Must projects be installed all at once, or can they be done in multiple stages?
ProScape
TAMMY AND DAVE LACKEY are working with two to three weeks for the designing process. Hiring a landscape contractor involves meeting a couple of times to develop a plan that will fit your needs and budget. A landscape designer has the
It is possible to install your landscaping in stages. Many of our customers, especially new home builders, need to break down the design into two or more phases, but in the end they want the landscape to come together and look as if it were built at the same time. This is where planning and design are essential. If you have an overall plan for the landscaping, the final result will be a landscape that is consistent and compliments the entire home. Often, new homeowners will focus first on the front of the house and starting a new lawn and then come back in a year or two to install the backyard. For more information, call (618) 259-2427
Grounds to go garden Coffee and tea byproducts can be used in and around the garden to act as a slowrelease fertilizer and a main component of compost. Like leaves left to decompose in the garden, coffee grounds when dispersed thinly in the soil, can be an amendment and add nutrients back into the ground.
Consider these uses for grounds: ● Add to compost piles (filters and all) along with tea bags to make an all-natural, rich source of energy for plants. ● Dilute with water to make a fast-acting fertilizer. ● Use in soil for houseplants or in vegetable beds. ● Some people believe that coffee grounds can help repel pests, such as snails and slugs. ● If your garden needs more nitrogen, definitely turn to coffee. Nitrogen is essential for plant leaf development. ● Plants that thrive in acidic soil, such as pines, evergreens, blueberries, raspberries, roses, azaleas, gardenias, ferns, rhododendrons, lily-of-the-valley, and even marigolds, can benefit from coffee grounds which slightly lower the pH of the soil. ● Feed the coffee grounds to garden worms. It seems they love to consume them. Worm excrement in the garden is beneficial, as is the aeration provided by tunnelling worms. Home Style
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Spring 2010
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