Jim Dailey

For several weeks, my wife has been unsuccessfully attempting to contact the owners of this home seeking permission to take a photo.  Well, not just any photo but a photo with her 106 years young aunt standing out front. It all comes together once told that Marguerite Alford was born in this house June 16, 1906 … yes, one hundred and six years ago and this still sharp little lady wants an updated picture of herself in front of her birthplace.

After two attempts seeking permission by mail resulted in returned letters, my wife persuaded me yesterday to accompany her hoping to present her aunt’s request in person.  This is where the local hero enters.  Not only were we warmly greeted by the owners we were invited inside for a personal tour.  Shannon and Don ( I’ll stick with first names) have completely renovated, expanded and updated this home and made it available for rent.  Unfortunately, the immediate past renters did not respect their efforts as can be seen by the damaged blinds, so Don and Shannon were back in the house repainting and preparing this old piece of history for the next family to occupy. This brought back treasured memories to Patti as she remembered she and her sisters visiting grandparents , sitting in the front porch swing, watching the men clean the fresh fish catch on the lower level and so many more reasons to feel something special about our visit.  Don showed her the renovations, the addition made to the upstairs attic space.  He shared with us his long time job as fleet manager for a local beverage company and his passion for making a few extra dollars restoring old homes.

Now that Patti has gotten the permission to bring her Aunt over for the picture (note the picture above is Patti not Marguerite … as if you haven’t figured that out) and now that we have met a delightful couple working against the odds but making a difference preserving the history and heritage of Little Rock,  I proudly declare: