Congratulations to Daly and Cecilia at 5020 Unaka Avenue!
They are the 1st Place Winners of the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Halloween Decorations Contest!
They received a $50 gift card to Walmart.
The AG Halloween Sign is currently MIA, so the Yard of the Month was placed in their yard.
“My name is Daly. I have lived in Amity Gardens for a little over 2 years with my sister, Cecilia, and our dog, Ro. Halloween is Cecilia’s favorite holiday, and she loves decorating. If she had it her way, the decorations would be up August 1st and stay up through December. That said, we are beyond excited to have won the decorating contest! We have been so fortunate to live here with such amazing neighbors! Thank you!
P.S. If you miss the cactus that used to dominate our front yard, take a closer look at the gravestones.”
I was just informed that the judges will be in the neighborhood TONIGHT sometime after dark. So if you have any Halloween decorations that need to be turned on – have them on by 6 p.m.
The winner will get this adorable sign placed in their yard and receive a $50 gift card to Walmart, the runner up will receive a $25 Walmart gift card.
Congratulations to The Thomas family at 5362 Buena Vista Avenue for winning 1st place in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Holiday Decorations contest. They received a $75 Walmart gift card and have the Holiday Decorations winner sign in their yard.
“Christmas cheer is a family tradition at the home of the Thomas Family, 5362 Buena Vista Avenue. Donna and Alan Thomas chose to purchase the home from Alan’s grandmother when they were married in 1995, choosing to ultimately raise their family in their heirloom of a home which they have added their own personal touch to over the years.
“I love that we chose to raise our two boys in Amity Gardens,” Donna explains, “we all have shared great memories here. Although we have expanded and refurbished MawMaw Thomas’ original home to make it our own, we know she would be so proud. My most favorite addition is our front porch. It is more than a structure, to me it is a part of my life and my own family traditions.” Growing up in North Carolina and visiting her family in Florida and South Georgia, the front porch was where it all happened. Family gatherings, celebrations, reunions…all involved front porch sitting – something that is even more special during the holidays.
Donna is a second generation honorary “Griswold”, a nod to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Alan and Donna enjoy lighting up the night and sharing their festive, cozy atmosphere with all who travel down Buena Vista Avenue. Donna gets it from her father (Retired CMPD Deputy Chief Glen Mowrey), you should see his yard at Christmas!
Alan, the introverted yang to Donna’s outgoing yin, is happy that home has always been a focal point for neighborhood and family gatherings (just like it was when his grandmother lived in the home) – much of which is thanks to Donna’s involvement in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Association, her support of CMPD Community Policing efforts, and more.
Many a potluck, neighborhood gathering, front porch chatter, family meals and more will happily continue to happen at the Thomas home; but for now, much of it is currently on pause due to COVID-19. Stop by and give a wave if you can. They will be happy to see you this holiday season.
Congratulations to Jess and Bryce at 2027 Lanier Avenue for winning 3rd palace in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Holiday Lights contest. They received a $25 gift card to Walmart.
“We are Jess and Bryce Blair. We are originally from West Virginia and moved to Charlotte in 2014. We moved to our house on Lanier in July 2020. We just welcomed our first child, a baby girl named Maisie on Sept 29. We have a 7 year old border collie mix named Boone. We love living in Amity Gardens and appreciate the history of the neighborhood. We have amazing neighbors and love how friendly everyone is. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!
Congratulations to Victoria and Taylor of 2127 Lanier Avenue, our 2nd place winners in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Holiday Decorations contest. Victoria and Taylor received a $50 gift card to Walmart.
“We are Victoria and Taylor. We moved into the neighborhood in September 2020 with our dog Sailor. We love the neighborhood and it is the perfect place for us. We love meeting new neighbors at the community events. Christmas is our favorite holiday and we are thrilled to place in the lights competition and enjoyed seeing everyone’s lights this year.”
We have the winners for the Amity Gardens Holiday Decorations contest winners. A big thank you to the judges (that don’t know where anyone lives) for judging the decorations this year.
We have been waiting to post because we are still waiting to hear from the third-place winner. We going to list the winners here and have separate posts with a little bio and photos of each home.
1st Place – 5362 Buena Vista Avenue 2nd Place – 2127 Lanier Avenue 3rd Place – 2027 Lanier Avenue
Congratulations to The Thomas family at 5362 Buena Vista Avenue for being chosen for Third Place in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Holiday Decorations contest. They received a $25 Walmart gift card.
“Christmas cheer is a family tradition at the home of the Thomas Family, 5362 Buena Vista Avenue. Donna and Alan Thomas chose to purchase the home from Alan’s grandmother when they were married in 1995, choosing to ultimately raise their family in their heirloom of a home which they have added their own personal touch to over the years.
“I love that we chose to raise our two boys in Amity Gardens,” Donna explains, “we all have shared great memories here. Although we have expanded and refurbished MawMaw Thomas’ original home to make it our own, we know she would be so proud. My most favorite addition is our front porch. It is more than a structure, to me it is a part of my life and my own family traditions.” Growing up in North Carolina and visiting her family in Florida and South Georgia, the front porch was where it all happened. Family gatherings, celebrations, reunions…all involved front porch sitting – something that is even more special during the holidays.
Donna is a second generation honorary “Griswold”, a nod to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. With assistance from Alan and her two adult sons, Taylor and David, they light up the night sharing their festive, cozy atmosphere with all who travel down Buena Vista Avenue. (Donna gets it from her father, Retired CMPD Deputy Chief Glen Mowrey.)
Alan, the introverted yang to Donna’s outgoing yin, is happy that home has always been a focal point for neighborhood and family gatherings (just like it was when his grandmother lived in the home) – much of which is thanks to Donna’s involvement in the Amity Gardens Neighborhood Association, her support of CMPD Community Policing efforts, and more.
Many a potluck, neighborhood gathering, front porch chatter, family meals and more will happily continue to happen at the Thomas home; but for now, much of it is currently on pause due to COVID-19. Stop by and give a wave if you can. They will be happy to see you this holiday season.”
“The Carter’s moved into this neighborhood in the early 1960s and have remained in this home since that time. Christmas has historically been a big celebration and many traditions were started and have been continued.
Our home has always been decorated both inside and out to sing praises, welcome others, and to show our spirit. The Carter home has always been open and welcoming to anyone.
Many of the decorations are those that were used by our parents, who loved the opportunity to shine bright for the season and we have, with great love in remembrance of our parents, and honor to continue those traditions.
Our family has been blessed in many ways and we are happy to share those blessings.
We are honored to have been chosen and blessed to be part of such a wonderful community.
Congratulations to Mary Tucker at 2238 Lanier Avenue for winning FIRST PLACE in the Amity Gardens Holiday Decorations contest. Mary received a $75 gift card to Walmart and the WINNER sign for her yard.
“I moved here in 1989, the year Hugo blew through, the best neighborhood in Charlotte.
A few years later Anne Barnett (corner of Unaka & Dudley) gave me this tree for Christmas (just a little sprig) who thought it would get this big. She and Hans Christiansen (deceased) planted it.
Several years ago Terry Greene (Bernie Helms) nephew brought a crew and installed 13,000 lights on the tree. Squirrels love to chew on them. If you have any extra string lights you are willing to sell cheap, let me know. 
My son worked on the lights on Thanksgiving day and got them working and put the rest of the lights in the yard. Bonnie install the lights around the house.
Amity Gardens 