The Perfect Hostess
I was able to walk the last “V” street (my penultimate letter) with none other than the current President of the Lakewood Alive Board, Julie Warren. She has lived on Virginia for 19 years and was a perfect hostess. I guess she takes after the namesake of her street.
According to Margaret Manor Butler in Romance in Lakewood Streets, “Rosetta and Collins French had no children of their own but they showered their affection on their adopted daughter, Virginia, Rosetta’s niece, who had lost her own mother when she was nine months old. The love they gave Virginia was reflected in her concern for all those with whom she came in contact. In later years she had the reputation of being the perfect hostess. No guest ever left her home without a short chat over the teacups, a basket of fruit or a bouquet of flowers.”
Julie followed this lead, inviting me back to her front porch after walking her street for a pleasant chat over banana nut muffins. Her dog Darla even cooperated by looking toward the camera when I snapped a selfie in their front yard.
While I was riding my tandem bike back home I passed a peace lily in need of a rescue. Inspired by Virginia, I decided to revive this plant and place it in my office for all to enjoy. Take a look at the before and after photos – quite a transformation.
As a tribute to Julie Warren’s leadership at Lakewood Alive, I also want to offer to match any contributions made to Lakewood Alive using my GoFundMe link through Labor Day (up to a $1,000 Max). I hope this encourages a few of my readers to make a donation.
