Gil and Maxine White Home Named Yard of the Week

It is hard not to notice the White house.  Blossoms in a multitude of styles and hues, surrounded by a well-manicured lawn, trees, and shrubs have become the norm overtime.  Homeowner Gil and Maxine White have spent fifty-six years living in the home and maintaining it to perfection.

A birdbath adjacent to the patio behind the White home.

Stone by stone, the Whites built a patio for family and friends to enjoy together.

A peaceful view behind the White home.

A sundial marks the time.

Flowers in bloom near the sidewalk on the east side.

A highlight among the homes along Utah Avenue is the yard maintained by Gilbert and Maxine White. As such, the corner-lot home is honored as this week's Yard of the Week.

The Whites purchased the home fifty-six years ago, when it was under the ownership of the Arthur Peay family. A yard-transformation commenced immediately after, albeit gradually over time, according to Maxine. Trees planted, pine, sycamore, walnut, and almond among them, charm in their mature state; a few of them have long since been removed.

A cozy patio was constructed by Gil and Maxine in the backyard, with stones from the Strawberry Valley. It sits beneath luscious shade trees, providing space for relaxation and social gatherings, not far from fruit trees and grapevines that will begin to climb soon.

The home was built by Joseph Reece, who, according to Maxine, was instrumental in the construction of both the Peteetneet schoolhouse and Payson Fourth Ward LDS chapel. “The Reece family raised show ponies here,” said Maxine of her home on Utah Avenue. The shed that kept these ponies still stands, with some additions by Gil. A long, deep gravel path which led to it from Utah Avenue was removed soon after the Whites moved in to stay.

The couple raised their seven children in the home and have used it as a frequent spot for special Sunday dinners and family gatherings. Their fare, no doubt, included crops from the White family garden, a mainstay that continues to this day, though its size has reduced as the home's occupants moved on to raise families of their own. And the family has grown; Gil and Maxine today have forty-two grandchildren and thirty-eight great-grandchildren who share in the joy they have created on their property.

As spring turns to summer, the yard is now in a state of transition. The yellow daffodils and hearty hyacinths have bloomed and gone. The scarlet blossoms that hang in the spring from the red horse chestnut captivating passersby on Utah Avenue have ceased for the season. But there are now summer blooms in line to take their place. Vibrant pink petunias, annuals which have been freshly planted on the property's outskirts, are taking root, and the roses, begonias, devil's weed, forget-me-nots, bishop's grass, columbine, and array of perennials are waking up.

Maxine and Gil, now in their eighties, continue to maintain a yard that has become a showcase on Utah Avenue. It is truly a sight to see. “There's so much to be learned,” said Maxine concerning a life spent gardening, “and it's a joy to work and learn and grow.”

The White property is one of Payson's treasures. “It is home,” said Maxine.

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Thanks to the following Yard of the Week sponsors:

Behling Insurance: www.behlingins.cc
Hanks Signs: HanksSigns.com

Nominate your pick for 
Yard of the Week at
paysonchronicle@gmail.com