Sept. 12, 2023 — Mrs. Willa Carroll, a long-time resident of 340 Milwaukee Street, has been announced as the September Excelsior Springs Thrive Curb Appeal Award winner. Sponsored by the Manley Home Team in September, the monthly contest recognizes homeowners who make valuable contributions to the community through their well-maintained and attractive properties.
Meranda Lefebvre, from the Manley Home Team, honored Mrs. Carroll with a $25 gift card to ACE Hardware as an acknowledgment of her beautifully kept home and outdoor spaces.
Upon receiving the call announcing her win, Mrs. Carroll expressed genuine surprise. “When I got the phone call, I almost didn’t answer it because I thought it was a robocall,” she laughed. “And I thought, no, that number looks right… I’ll go on and answer it… I didn’t expect it at all. You know, because I just love what I’m doing.”
The Carrolls have resided at their Milwaukee Street home for nearly 47 years, transforming it from a small stucco house into a comfortable home for their family. When they were younger, the Carrolls removed the stucco siding and added on what they call their big room. “When my son was little, he couldn’t pronounce living room, and he just called it ‘the big room,’ and that’s what it’s been ever since,” she laughed.
Mrs. Carroll only started gardening three years ago but has consistently expanded her efforts each year. “Last year, I did that area over there,” she said, pointing to a corner of her front yard. “I’ve done a lot around back this year; that’s my favorite area,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. As she walked to the backyard, she pointed out the many plants and all of the stonework she’d done herself. Mrs. Carroll’s backyard garden features a uniquely personal touch, a series of stepping stones gifted by her grandchildren, around which she has lovingly cultivated her garden. Arriving in her backyard oasis, she declared, “This whole garden is dedicated to my three grandkids. It’s all for them!” And what a lovely tribute it is.
The Excelsior Springs Thrive Curb Appeal Award serves to celebrate the individuals who enrich the community through their dedication to home improvement. Mrs. Carroll’s garden, a blend of aesthetic beauty and familial love, rightly earns its place as this month’s beacon of community spirit.
Take time to nominate your neighbors for the September Curb Appeal Award! Find the nomination form here: https://forms.gle/RqpxzTtRtV8GoxVf6
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