Changes call for Pride

Reading the Star for the week of June 15th filled me with a sense of pride for the city I chose to be my home. Reflecting on the reasons I picked North Augusta, it is no wonder we were in the running for such a prestigious award. My original home was a small town but nothing like North Augusta. It took me a while to get used to the friendliness of its citizens without questioning motives but I soon realized this was all genuine.
It all started with North Augusta Department of Public Safety when I chose to do my college internship with them. Never have I met such a great group of people. Then Chief William Heim was an integral part in my choice as he taught a class at Augusta State where I was enrolled. However, I never expected the welcome I received from everyone else in the department. The present Chief, Lee Wetherington has continued that tradition. Some of the people in the department have remained good friends although it has been close to ten years since my stint with them. Linda Pitcher, head dispatcher, is one of those, as is Judy Dooley, the chief’s right hand person and Ronnie Delaughter and Claude Edwards and many more. D. P. Smith, who has since taken a position as Chief in Burnettown, was my ride-along partner. He was and is a dedicated police person and made my internship enjoyable. There are so many great people down there that there is just not room to name them all but for them and the wonderful people they introduced me to, the choice to move here was easy.
Now I take such pride in my city that I generally notice all the improvements going on in my neighborhood. At the corner of Lake and Forest, I have observed those folks working to give their yard more curb appeal. Through hard work they have landscaped and built and produce a lovely yard. Iris, Daylilies, Whirling Butterflies, new shrubs, and Azaleas fill manicured beds and a new huge workshop was added to the backyard. Further up the street at the corner of Lake and Woodlawn, another metamorphosis has taken place. New pergola, new lawn, new plants, new retaining wall and a new patio have turned what I thought was a lovely yard to begin with into an even more lovely yard. It seems more homeowners are paying more attention to curb appeal in my area.
Old run down houses are being refurbished on West Avenue improving the eye appeal of that area. The entrances to our city have gone from eyesore to beautiful; so much so that some folks across the river have told me how much of a pleasure it is to drive into North Augusta each day. The grounds crew and landscapers surprise me every year with their choice of plant combinations and the meticulous grooming of the beds. The only “eye-sore” that has been mentioned is the new construction off the 13th Street Bridge, but hopefully when that is completed it won’t appear so out of place.
Off Alta Vista where the new bike and walking path overpass was constructed, new homes are being built. Large new homes, multi-storied new homes being constructed with such attention to detail one wonders what they will eventually cost prospective home owners. I’m sure the landscaping will be beautiful once finished but again one wonders why all the trees were clear cut especially in this time of rising heating and cooling cost.
The old Winn Dixie store a few blocks up the hill from me is now a Fred’s Discount Store. Down Martintown Road the old Sizzlin building is being worked on as well. I was told it was Monterey’s new building; they have out grown the one they have. It pleases me no end to see emptied buildings being put to good use.
We are growing and as we are growing my neighbors are taking more pride in their yards, the city is taking more pride in its appearance and everyone’s neighborhood benefits.