After 44 years David Spearing retired as a Technical Specialist and found he had time on his hands. Tessi encouraged him to add a water feature to the backyard that would include his mother’s cook stove that was stored in their barn.  Dave set out moving all the existing plants to accommodate the stove(which took him 3 months to rebuild) creating two waterfalls, one using the stove with a rock grotto, both wrapping around the back of the house, affectionately naming the water feature, “The Iron Stove Mine.” Dave even has Fools Gold playfully running down the stream.  In two short years, their backyard was transformed into a magical place.  With the help of Colleen Plimpton, the Spearing’s chose unusual plants(from the Creamery Museum plant sale), to enhance the stream bed and barn such as bittersweet, electric flash dahlia, and angel trumpet vine to name a few.  Dave even found a plant for the teapot on the stove to simulate steam.  The side of their barn in the backyard is covered with interesting farm tools and artifacts.  David built a mini replica of his barn(birdhouse), including mini tools, which received a first-place award in the Senior Division at the New York State Fair.

The Skaneateles Garden Club is pleased to award the Spearing’s the Summer Streetscape Award for their vision of beauty and their hard work.  While their front yard is bursting with color, it is the backyard that gives a visual delight for all to see. They invite you to wander through their backyard and enjoy the lovely spot they lovingly created. Thank you to Tessi and David for enhancing our beautiful little village.