Yard of the Month: 1068 South Cox
By Sydney Ashby
Pride is something that Joe Calhoun of 1068 South Cox St. has in abundance. You can see it in the way that he maintains his yard, picks up trash on his street and watches out for his neighbors.
Perhaps it is the result of being raised a “military brat,” as he calls himself. But there is nothing “brattish” about him. He takes pride in working in his yard every Saturday, with routine trips to the local gardening center, as well as habitually cleaning up any trash he may find on his street. He manages to do all of this while also enjoying time with his three grandchildren. Recycling also is important to him.
The monkey grass and azaleas in his yard are from his previous residence. The stones lining the flower beds, which contain begonias and impatiens, are from an old hotel that was torn down. He picked up the two chairs on his front porch off the curb but you would never know it, because Joe painted them and added matching seat cushions.
“Working in my yard is a relaxing labor of love,” Calhoun said. “I want to help beautify the neighborhood.”
He moved to Cooper Young five years ago from downtown because of “the affordability and walkability to shops, restaurants and the Liberty Bowl.” He also says he likes how active the CY Community Associations is. Congratulate Joe on earning August Yard of the Month and for being an exemplary neighbor.