Welch yard chosen

The home of Lloyd and Juanita Huddleston Welch was chosen as Monette Yard of the Month for August.

City Beautification Committee members Joyce Read and Raye Finley presented Mr. and Mrs. Welch with a certificate, which read "The home of Lloyd and Juanita Welch has been recognized as having the most beautifully landscaped and manicured yard in the entire Monette Community for the month of August 2010."

A yellow and brown Yard of the Month sign was placed in the Welch's front yard to acknowledge the beautification award. The committee presented them with a hot pink hanging petunia plant.

The Welches are both retired and enjoy being back home in Monette and enjoying the quiet and leisurely lifestyle that it affords.

They have two sons, Lloyd Lee and Douglas Welch. They have six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The Welch's home on Highway 18 East of Monette was formerly owned by Juanita's parents, Bud and Fannie Huddleston, and was built in 1954. The two-bedroom home, sits on a half acre lot. It contains a living room, two bedrooms, dining room, kitchen dinette and one bath. A spacious concrete patio has been built on the east side of the home, for sitting outside in the shade during the afternoons as friends drop by for a visit.

"I especially love the benches that Lloyd built for me," Mrs. Welch said. "He first built one out back, white with a picket fence back. I liked it so much he built another one for the east side of the house. It sits under a shade tree.

"We love being outside during the cooler times of the day. We are probably the only couple in their 80s and 90s that still do all their own yard work. We plan to keep it up as long as we physically can, as it is great exercise."

The lot has dogwood trees, crepe myrtles, smoke tree, pecan, red bud and azalea bushes. Hostas and annual flowering plants surround the home. The yard has a well-manicured appearance, and this is the second time that they have received the Monette Yard of the Month title.