Tosa's Yards of Distinction winners named

Nearly 30 properties caught the attention of the Wauwatosa Beautification Committee this summer. Their landscaping work earned them a spot on the list of 2011 Yard of Distinction award winners.

"We recognize these gardens in order to foster beautiful, well-kept yards throughout the community," said Kathy Lichter, contest chairwoman. "We feel it adds to the community sense of Wauwatosa, as well as making it a more desirable place to live."

Nominations come in by phone and email, and also are made by people who stop by the committee's booth at the Tosa Farmers Market. Committee members also drive the city looking for standout yards.

Winning properties showcased a combination of colors and textures; a mix of annuals, perennials and shrubs; and a tasteful use of yard art.

"We pay attention to yards that have been recently improved, whether they have been homeowner or professionally installed," Lichter said.

In fact, it has a catalytic power, sometimes inspiring neighbors to perk up their yards and perhaps becoming award winners in future years, she added.

The following are the 2011 Yards of Distinction award winners:

Nancy Robjohns, 2155 N. 68th St.

Allison and Steve Nickle, 6624 W. Garfield Ave.

Michael and Susan Schall, 6630 Vista Ave.

Larry and Judi Parmeter, 8143 Richmond Court

Diane and Jim Dooley, 7825 Stickney Ave.

Dan and Annette Kirchen, 7819 Stickney Ave.

Gayle and Tim Brown, 144 N. 88th St.

Vilas J. Kraut, 322 N. 116th St.

Bonnie and Robert Goldstein, 8607 Glencoe Court

Patricia and Jerry Styberg, 6804 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Mary Ann Spakowicz, 7305 Blanchard St.

Sandra Greenfield, 668 N. 77th St.

David and Vanessa Cefalu, 2446 N. 66th St.

Rick and Peg Raabe, 2420 Lefeber Ave.

Kim and Christopher Meidl, 2515 Lefeber Ave.

Jason and Rhianon Bott, 2403 N. 91st St.

Adam and Jennifer Blissitt, 2624 N. 90th St.

David and Genni Fassbender, 2325 N. Pasadena Blvd.

Ann Griswold, 1257 N. 121st St.

Sharon Randolph, 1321 N. 118th St.

Jack Bothwell and Rob Krohlow, 2406 N. 117th St.

Alpha Wetenkamp, 3642 Menomonee River Parkway

Jim and Donna Doucette, 3816 N. 101st St.

Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Services, 10121 W. North Ave.

Dental Arts, 11600 W. North Ave.

Tracy Spoerl, 9407 W. North Ave.

Children's Hospital Foundation, 10361 Innovation Drive

The Cheesecake Factory, 2350 N. Mayfair Road.

For the first time, the committee added an Eye Popping Container awards category to recognize the efforts of residents who garden on a smaller scale.

The following is a list of homeowners and businesses that displayed extraordinary containers of plants or flowers:

Marie Cunningham, 1512 N. 65th St.

Todd O'Leary and Mark O'Neil, 2233-35 N. 72nd St.

Alberta Dhillon, 2263-65 N. 61st St.

Lana Olm, 7229 W. Center St.

Ray and Lisa Erspamer, 2202 N. 115th St.

Susanne Schroeter, 4435 N. 100th St.

Alfa Flowers, 7001 W. North Ave.

Balistreri's Bluemound Inn, 6501 W. Bluemound Ave.

Café Hollander, 7677 W. State St.