Rusty and Claudia Shearer's home in the Foxhall neighborhood of Martinez has seen its share of changes, and it all started with a small pond.
Mr. Shearer bought the pond for his wife as an anniversary present many years ago. After they put in the pond, they didn't have a place to sit and enjoy it, so they added a deck, Mrs. Shearer said.
"After that, we decided to add another fishpond, and decided that we needed a sunroom, too," she said. "Last year, when we had those strong winds that knocked down all the trees, we decided that we needed a larger room. So, we built the family room."
"It's funny to think that the little pond in our backyard has evolved into creating an entire family room," she said.
The home is still evolving, Mr. Shearer added. "We keep doing stuff. When you finish one thing, you start thinking about what else you can do. It's like a project that never really ends. I guess you can say our home is always a work in progress."
The Shearers' home is known in the neighborhood for its natural landscaping. Their yard was recognized by the neighborhood as a Yard of the Month several years ago.
"We don't use pesticides or fertilizer," Mrs. Shearer said. "It's amazing what will grow if you let it grow."
The couple moved into their home in 1986.
"We had bought our first house not too far from here and we used to go on Sunday drives through different neighborhoods and would come through here," she said. "One day, it was up for sale. We came in, took a look around and decided that we wanted to buy it. We've been here ever since."
The way Foxhall was developed helps neighbors create a close bond, said Matt Maryak, the president of the Foxhall Homeowner's Association.
"It's a heavily treed neighborhood that has one way in and one way out. It's well-protected. Anyone who comes in is either a friend or a neighbor," he said.
Mrs. Shearer agreed.
"The neighborhood is a lot of the original residents, and when new people move in, there is very little turnover. You really get to know your neighbors well," she said.
"We feel very blessed to be in this neighborhood," Mr. Shearer added. "It's a great place to live."
Around the block
Neighborhood: Foxhall
Location: Off Pleasant Home Road
Years developed: Late 1970s through 1985
Number of homes: About 100
Average price: $156,000
Average home size: 2,042 square feet
Schools zoned for: Warren Road Elementary; Tutt Middle; and Westside High schools
Nearby shopping areas: Augusta Exchange (Target, hhgregg, Best Buy), Anderson's Plaza, strip next to Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam's Club and West Town Market Square (Big Kmart)
Nearby major roadways: Washington Road, Interstate 20, Bobby Jones Expressway and Riverwatch Parkway
Convenient to: All of Augusta's hospitals, Augusta State and several private and public schools, Warren Road Community Center and park with track and tennis courts
Amenities: Foxhall Homeowners Association has a dinner meeting twice a year; neighborhood hospitality committee welcomes new neighbors to the neighborhood and helps them get familiar with the community; Foxhall Facade Squad helps keep properties in the neighborhood looking nice
Neighborhood activities: There is a neighborhood garage sale twice a year
Sources: Matt Maryak, the president of the Foxhall Homeowners Association and Ann McRae, Realtor with Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate
At home with...
THE FAMILY: Rusty and Claudia Shearer; 7-year-old Australian terrier, Wally; and 14-year-old Shih Tzu terrier, Buttons
THE HOME: 2,600 square feet, two-story with four bedrooms and 21/2 baths
IT'S A FACT: The home was built in 1978. The Shearers have lived in the home since 1986.
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