City Personals

An era on College Avenue ended Monday with Robin McNeill moving out of her family home. Prior to Robin, May Hill lived there with no children. Robin and her brood moved in and completely turned that house from museum-like to entertaining. For decades, the home, porch and yard were filled with laughing children frolicking hither and yon. One could only imagine the revelry going on inside those walls. As one chapter closes, another begins. Cheers to my friend and neighbor in her new adventure! Welcome to Coach Ben Durham and his family who are moving into Robin’s old home. They are from Arkansas and Coach Durham has taken the football coaching position at Marshall Academy. Not only will the Durhams be a valuable asset to the school, they will also make incredible neighbors. If you see them out in town, be sure to give them a big hello as I know our townsfolk are more than welcoming to new faces.

On the subject of neighborhoods, I cannot help but mention the old Nickle home on Van Dorn Avenue. That home has not been occupied for years. A family has moved in that has children. One afternoon after a long day, I pulled into the street and there was a bouncy castle in the yard. I could hear the giggling of children and my windows were not even down. The best thing ever is the cutest little pink ride on vehicle which has its own parking spot right outside the glassed in porch. Time and time again I have forgotten to snap a picture of it parked there, as it just shows that the home is well loved and the children there are happy as larks. It just warms my heart to see homes once lived in by people I fondly remember being filled with love and laughter.

There is never a day I do not turn on Walthall Street and smile thanks to the owners of that home.