Eddie and Elaine Pedockie have spent the last 18 years making their house feel like home, and now, their efforts have caught the attention of the community.
The Pedockies were selected as June’s winners of the Curb Appeal Award, a monthly honor coordinated by Thrive Excelsior and sponsored by Hightower Heritage. The award celebrates local homeowners who put in the time and care to beautify their property, contributing to the visual charm of Excelsior Springs through friendly neighborhood competition.
“We were so shocked!” Elaine shared, “I was so excited to win; we couldn’t believe it.”
The couple did the landscaping themselves, from mowing and weed-eating to planting bushes and maintaining flower beds, to keeping their yard in top condition all season long. Elaine shared this wasn’t an easy feat, considering the heat in combination with the physical labor required, but they stayed consistent to make their home beautiful. Eddie, the planner, makes sure to measure twice and dig once; no plant goes in the ground without his eyes on it.
“We worked so hard,” Elaine added. “It’s nice to know someone appreciates it.”
Each month, a ten-member committee from the Thrive Excelsior task force casts votes for homes that were nominated throughout the city, and the property with the most votes earns the title. According to committee member Laura Mise, the Pedockie home stood out for its neatly kept yard, eye-catching landscaping, and the use of vibrant, live plants.
That attention to detail shows from clean edges along the driveway to the careful placement of blooms near the porch, with statues or figures in nearly every bed. And while the recognition may have come as a surprise to the Pedockies, according to Mise, their meticulous work has dutifully earned them their award.
Keep an eye out for the next Curb Appeal open nominations announcement on Thrive Excelsior’s Facebook, with July’s winner to be announced on 7/15. In the meantime, take a cue from the Pedockies. A little sweat, a few well-planned flower beds, and a lot of time sitting outside enjoying the view goes a long way.
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