Among the houses on this year's Candler Park Tour of Homes (Sunday, October 24 on Fall Fest weekend) is 1192 McLendon Ave, the home of Jeff and Victoria Wuesthoff. Here's a sneak preview of what you will find in this Victorian masterpiece, as written by Victoria Wuesthoff. Many thanks to the Wuesthoffs for showcasing their home on the tour!

Find out more about the 2010 Tour of Homes and buy advance tickets here.

1192 McLendon Avenue

Jeff and Victoria Wuesthoff

Style:  Queen Anne Victorian
Don’t Miss:  Stained glass windows, ceiling mural in parlor, original wood trim and fireplaces

Our house at 1192 McLendon Avenue is a historic Victorian house built before the turn of the century and designed by architect Willis F. Denny.  In 1898, Col. Asbury Moreland transferred ownership of the property to his daughter Clara Maddox and her husband Cicero for one dollar.

Prior to our purchase of the house, however, this historical structure was allowed to deteriorate by its owners and occupants.  For decades, the house was occupied as a boarding house.  The address was known as a party house, and illegal drugs were openly used and sold.  Vagrants slept on the front porch, and thieves hid out in the basement.

When my husband and I moved in the day after Christmas in 1993, our house had no working heating system.  It was so cold, the dogs wore sweaters inside, and their water bowl froze. The floor of the downstairs bathroom was rotted, and the tub in the bathroom was propped up by a mattress in the basement.  The kitchen had no hot water. The tallest chimney was falling down; its stack swayed in the wind.  Many windows were broken.  Splattered paint and graffiti were throughout the house. 

Still a work in progress, the house is being restored to its former grandeur by Jeff Wuesthoff.  Featured on the tour will be the spacious front porch, the drawing room with two sets of pocket doors, the immense dining room and the front round parlor. Look for clouds and a dove painted in the parlor, and look for ribbons and circles in the stained glass windows in the foyer that echo the rails of the stairs. Count the several different woods used by the original craftsmen in the fireplaces, doors and trim of the house. Ponder the question of whether the tale is true that the house was once turned from Moreland Avenue to face McLendon?

From Mark Clement: A reminder to come out on Saturday night for a fun time with your neighbors!

The Princess and the Frog

Saturday, August 28

Festivities begin at 8:00 pm (Sunset at 8:17 pm) in Candler Park

Free admission!

Popcorn and soft drinks provided by Epworth Church

The 11th Annual Tree Sale is on October 9!  The sale, located at Trees Atlanta’s headquarters (225 Chester Avenue, 30316, in Reynoldstown), will feature more than 1,000 native and unusual trees plants. 

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Trees Atlanta, we will offer 25 species and varieties of trees, shrubs, and forest-safe vines never offered before at any of our other Tree Sales!  A few of these trees include bladdernut, butternut, Weeping Forest Pansy redbud, Emerald Knight fringe tree, Invincible Spirit hydrangea, and Devil’s Walkingstick.  Non-invasive, unusual/exotic tree and plant varieties include Henry’s Dwarf, Parrotia, Colossus Oyama magnolia, Halka Ginkgo and Arnold’s Promise witch hazel. 

Trees Atlanta donors of $500 or more are invited to attend a preview shopping Friday night the evening before the Tree Sale (4pm to 6pm).  And EVERYONE is invited to the new Trees Atlanta headquarters on October 9th for the best Tree Sale in the south! 

Contact Greg Levine at 404-681-4903 with any questions.  http://treesatlanta.org/

From Mark Clement:

The Princess and the Frog

Saturday, August 28

Festivities begin @ 8:00 (Sunset @ 8:17) in Candler Park

Free admission!

Rated G; 97 minutes. Set in New Orleans’ French Quarter, this return to hand-drawn animation is a modern twist on a classic tale. A beautiful girl named Tina finds a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again and with a fateful kiss, leads them on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.

Many thanks to the event sponsors! Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, Epworth United Methodist Church, Park Pride, Front Page News, Tijuana Garage, Corner Tavern, Sweetwater, BOND Credit Union and Candler Park Market.

Epworth will be providing popcorn and soft drinks.

It's going to be a great time, so come on out!

           “Strengthening City Services in Poor Economic Times”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Adamsville Recreation Center
3201 M. L King Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30311

The Coffee Table Talk with the Mayor will include a discussion with questions and answers from the audience on the impact of City Services on the Quality of life in our Communities; how diminished City Services impact Community Development; Community & City Partnerships to improve living conditions for residents; and StrategicallyPlanning for NeighborhoodRecovery. For more information, call NPU-H at 404-591-4458, Ext.2

If you have been coming to the Candler Park Festival for a while, it is hard to miss Emma Jane Antiques, with their beautiful stained glass windows glistening in the sun. Owners, Ed and Jane Vogel, entered the stained glass business in 2000, while they were winding down their first careers and looking for something to do during "retirement." They loved stained glass windows and began adorning their home.

They then decided they wanted to share the beautiful artwork with others. Shortly after, Ed made a trip to Manchester, England and hand picked his first shipment of windows. Each window is an authentic piece of England's history - most saved from churches and homes as they are being renovated or demolished.

One of Ed and Jane's four children, Melissa, lives in Candler Park with her husband, Mischa, and children Emma (7) and Max (3). After residing in Candler Park for a few years, Melissa and Mischa, enjoying their stained glass window on their porch on Hooper Ave, thought that others in Candler Park might as well. Melissa encouraged her parents to start selling their windows at the Candler Park Fest. They have been enjoying their shady spot at the festival ever since. Meeting all of Melissa and Mischa's friends and neighbors as they stop by their booth is an added bonus!

From Rukiya S. Eaddy, Beltline External Affairs Manager:

Once every three months, the Atlanta BeltLine Team hosts a city-wide meeting to provide a detailed update on Atlanta BeltLine-wide progress.  Our next briefing is on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Atlanta Public Schools, Auditorium (130 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, GA) from 6-8 p.m.

As part of our community outreach, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. has shared the attached flyer with community stakeholders and partners throughout the City of Atlanta.  We are asking you to share this notice with your constituency as well.

We very much appreciate your willingness to assist with this effort.  If you have any questions, please contact me at 404.614.8285 or readdy@beltline.org.  Thank you for sharing this information with members of the community.  We look forward to the active involvement of the community in furthering the planning and implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine.

From Alex Wan's Newsletter:

I will be hosting a District 6 Town Hall meeting on September 21, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grady High School auditorium, which is located at 929 Charles Allen Drive.  The Mayor's office and all commissioners have been invited to attend to provide updates on their Departments and to be on hand to answer questions you may have.  Each Department will also have a table at the forum with representatives available to address your concerns or answer questions.  Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Here are some photos from the block party on Josephine St this past Saturday.  It was a huge success!