October 28, 2004

STREET SCENEMcAbee Estates Place

Homes on McAbee Estates Place range in size from 3,500 to 3,700 square feet, with the largest lot almost a quarter acre in size. They sell for $1.1 to $1.5 million.

Off of McAbee Road lies a quiet cul-de-sac, named McAbee Estates Place. As one resident says, McAbee Estates Place is a big name for a little street, graced with big homes. Being situated on a cul-de-sac has also brought the families closer, creating a caring neighborhood.

Nikki and David Pulling moved here about seven years ago. “The neighbors are very friendly,” says Nikki. “We have a neighborhood block party around Labor Day and everybody wheels over their barbecue grills and brings salads and desserts to share, and we all sit and look at pictures. Our neighbor, Mary Clarke, has pictures of our kids trick or treating the first year we were here. They have pictures of my children and all the neighborhood children from Halloween over the years. It’s really neat to go look through old pictures and see how everyone’s changed and grown.”

Besides celebrating Labor Day and Halloween together, the residents also share in Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, and several of the women meet regularly for breakfast. “There are a lot of kids, and people of all ages and nationalities here, including Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and British,” shares Nikki.

The Pulling family also enjoys belonging to the Crossgates Cabana Club, located across the street from their home. Their daughter, Christa, considers it the heart of the neighborhood. “That’s how I met people who live on other streets in this little area,” she says. “It’s nice, because we all get together in the summertime, and we can also hang out at other times of the year even though the pool’s closed, because we all live so close. The cabana club has a huge party on July Fourth—there are games to play, and a barbecue.” Club members also parade around the street joined by a fire truck. “We know all the people on our street and a few on the streets around us,” says Christa.

Original owners Dan and Alena Giannini, have lived on McAbee Estates Place for almost 14 years. Dan enjoys the peacefulness of living on a cul-de-sac and knowing his neighbors. “It’s just us—13 little houses in our neighborhood,” he says, “and eight out of 13 homes are owned by original owners.” Alena likes their neighbors and appreciates not only knowing, but also spending time with them. She looks forward to meeting for coffee with the women and catching up on each other’s lives. “I’ve lived in this valley all of my life, and I can remember as a little kid, knowing my neighbors and going over to their homes,” she shares. “It seems like we’re getting away from that. We’re busy, and the children are busy, too. Then we come home, drive into the driveway, and close the garage door, and you hardly see anyone, so it’s fun getting together.” Alena, who makes it a point to meet new neighborhood families, especially enjoys the neighborhood children. “When they were younger, they’d ring my doorbell and ask if I could come out and play,” she says. Today, some of those neighborhood children have grown and now have children of their own.

Mike and Mary Clarke, who have lived here since 1991, watched these homes being built. “We saw the orchard come down, and the buildings go up,” recalls Mary. “We watched them every step of the way. The bank foreclosed on the property when the builder went under, and that’s when all of the original owners came in.” At that time, these five-bedroom homes, which include a master suite and sunken tub, went for about $535,000. Mary says she appreciates the size, quality, design and openness of her home. “They’re large entertaining homes with a great room (encompassing the kitchen and family room) and that’s what sold us on it,” she contends.

Jerry and Paula Schmidt moved here in 1992 with three teenagers; two attended Castillero Middle School, and one went to Leland High School. “They made a lot of wonderful friends there,” comments Paula. “It’s been a wonderful family town to live in. Ever since we moved here, we’ve been thrilled with the neighborhood and the neighbors.”

Paula Schmidt, along with Alena and Mary, hosts the annual block party. “Mike and Mary will invite us to Sharks’ games with them,” says Paula, “and Alena is so fun. She’s always out talking with the neighbors and meeting and greeting new neighbors on the block. When we moved in, her two kids came over and introduced themselves; they were so excited more kids their age were moving in.”

Besides meeting for breakfast, the women also attend each others’ Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, and jewelry parties.

“Nikki just had a Southern Living Party, and we were all excited to go because they just remodeled their house,” laughs Paula. “They did a fabulous job. It’s a wonderful neighborhood and a wonderful block.”

Halloween is a favorite holiday for the residents on McAbee Estates Place, and especially so for the Sparks family.

“Allen Sparks goes all out and does great things with his home for Halloween,” says Alena. “I try to keep up, but it’s hard,” she laughs. “The Sparks put on quite a display at Halloween,” agrees Mary. “Outside they show a Halloween movie and have a haunted front yard. Every year, he adds something new. They have a whole country Halloween inside as well. It’s beautiful.” Allen and his daughter have turned their home into ‘Haunted McAbee Manor’ since 1990. “We enjoy it a lot,” says Allen. “We make a graveyard out front with lights and sound effects and rig up bats to fly around. We also create props for the upstairs windows. We have a lot of fun doing it every year.”

The residents of McAbee Estates Place are delighted with their spacious homes, as well as their neighborhood.

“We all got to know each other and they’ve just been wonderful neighbors,” says Mary. “As my husband, Mike, says, ‘McAbee Estates Place is made up of the big houses in the neighborhood that don’t quite fit here, but one of them is ours, and that’s all that matters.’”

—By Lorraine Gabbert