Then and Now: Schulz’ yard is still maintained to perfection

(July 2005 – Grygla Eagle article) 

This year the Marshall-Beltrami SWCD is proud to announce Eunice Schulz as the 2005 Beautification Award winner! Eunice is a resident of Northwood Township in Beltrami County. Eunice and her late husband, Harold, farmed in Euclid, MN, with Harold’s brother Martin before deciding to move to the Grygla area. Harold would come up hunting in the Northwood area, and would stay at the Theodore Anderson home, which would later become the site that Harold and Eunice would build their home. Harold had told Eunice that he would like to move up to the area, and in 1977, they did just that. They moved with their four children, Dan, Doug, Tim and Tami, to a farm just north of the current residence, where Tim and Kim Schulz, and their family, now reside. Eunice speaks fondly of her family and it is evident that they are very dear to her. Dan and Jean, Doug and Jodi, Tim and Kim, and Tami and Daron Morey, all reside in the area. Eunice loves spending time with all ten of her grandchildren and is proud of all of them. She also is grateful that she has her dog Gizmo, as she keeps the deer out of the yard and away from her gardens and apple trees.

Harold and Eunice lived in a trailer house on their farm until they decided to build a home, and in 1993, Harold’s dream of building a log home was complete and they moved in. Eunice said her favorite features of the house are the bay window and the fireplace. The stone fireplace was constructed by Larry Mugaas and Harold, which makes it all the more special. The house is warm and inviting from the inside out. The front porch is a good place to kick back and relax on a warm summer’s day. The inside, with it slog walls, rich color and stone fireplace, make it a cozy winter haven. The small log shed in the backyard was originally built and located at the farm. It was built by Harold and the boys, and was used by Harold as a reloading shop. The house and shed are washed and stained every three years with the help of the boys.

Eunice said that she takes care of the gardens, but Harold planted the trees and shrubs. Harold loved trees, specifically evergreens, and the evergreens that surround the yard were all planted by Harold. Some of the trees growing in the yard are Blue Spruce, Box Elder, Paper Birch, Green Ash, Flowering Crab, Apple trees and a big White Cedar that was recently damaged in a storm. Some of the Blue Spruce planted by Harold was also damaged, and Eunice is hoping they will be alright, as she would hate to see them cut down. They is also a shrub garden that contains spruce, juniper and a shrub with red leaves. Eunice has also added some potted flowers to the garden for a splash of color.

The yard is a lot of work, and Harold meticulously cares for the lawn. Eunice said that when Harold would mow, it would look like a golf course when he was done. Eunice has taken over the mowing since Harold’s passing in 2001, and the golf course tradition continues. 

Eunice loves to be outside working in her yard, which is evident. The beautiful log home is a wonderful backdrop for the gardens planted around it. A large flower garden catches the eye as you drive up the driveway. A large vegetable and perennial garden sits north of the house, and several small flower gardens are little island of color in a sea of green. Some of the flowers you will find are clematis, lavatera, coneflower, stonecrop, phlox, catnip, petunias, hosta, Bee Balm, strawflowers, lamb’s ear, Canadian roses and many others. One rose bush, which is planted in the gardens around the home, was given to Eunice in memory of Harold. Hanging baskets create cascades of color on the porch, an old wheelbarrow recycled as a planter, figurines, antlers, wagon wheels and an old hand pump are added decorations to the gardens. Eunice has more plans for her gardens and is busy adding onto them, and with the help of her family, will be putting up a decorative cedar fence as the backdrop for the perennials in the vegetable garden.

The Schulz homestead is nestled in amongst the forests and fields of Northwood Township, and if you’re ever up that way, be sure to take a look; it’s worth it. Congratulations, Eunice, and thank you for sharing your beautiful homestead and memories with us. 

 

More “then and now” photos are shared on the back page for your enjoyment. We also take a look at other “pieces of the past” from the year 2005!