To: My new forever people,
Dear Potential New Family:
Well, I guess they have decided that I need a new family to
take care of me. I am a big
one and I love giving parties an having kids sleeping in my
bedrooms.
I know I have been loved, so I’m okay with their decision to
move on to a smaller place.
I also know that my people love projects and I am about out
of that need. I was built in 1926 to a family named Evans. They had a maid and
she had her own room
at the top of the back staircase. She even had a buzzer to
call: my' then people to serve
them". One of their children was Jean who married a
fella named Wergin who had a
thriving construction business in Wausau. After the Evans family moved on, they
sold me to Sam Winkelman. This name might be familiar to you as he was owner of
Winkelman’s Department store where Washington
Square is currently located. I remember Sam sitting
in my Den which is now my grand entry. He would sit for hours and watch the
action
on Franklin St.
After Sam left me, The Roy Larsen family moved in.
The family was raised within my walls for quite some time.
Dr. Larsen was the
Wausau Insurance Physician for many years. Again...my walls
called for a new occupant.
His name was George Luccow. As I remember, He has two kids
(teenagers I believe).
Well, George’s family split an therefore I wasn’t suited for
just George.
This brings me to my current people, Brian and Sandy. They
found me in 1989. Wow,
was I in for some changes. I didn’t realize that I was in
need of upgrades and repairs but they convinced me to cooperate with their
plans. My wallpaper came down, my 1960’s kitchen went out the door. My walls
and woodwork were given a fresh new coat of paint. I had a few leaks and
wrinkles but who
wouldn’t at my age. My garden was made new
again and even on the tour o
f gardens one year. My Gumness’s did awesome with my Garden
and mostly by
themselves. A few years went by and I heard them planning
once again. Seemed to be a hobby of my lady. The next thing I new...a dumpster
arrived...construction crew moved in...plans were laid out and I was stripped
of my walls and pipes and wires and cabinets. I didn’t know what hit me but by this
time I had learned to trust
the people who loved me. I was added on
to...re-plumbed....rewired...new dry
wall...new cabinets...new bathroom fixtures...new kitchen.
Even my garage was taken
down and rebuilt as a 3 stall with a cozy studio upstairs. Who
knew I could be all that
. My basement became a family room with fine trimmings,
including a wine cellar and even a caterers kitchen and sauna. The light
streamed in from my new doors leading to a lower level stone patio. My kitchen
was also a family plan. Designed by Brian’s sister, Kristin Breitzman, I now have
Marble countertops, Chefs cook top, double ovens, twin Fridges, two
dishwashers, pot filler, prep sink. I will be in style forever.
In addition to my smoke-in’ hot kitchen, she gave me an
office for my Masters to come
up with more ideas or perhaps for some new kids coming to do
their homework in style.
My woodwork was new but they found a way to copy molding. I’ll
bet you can’t see the
difference. Floors were shinned to their original glow and
new wood floor were added
where there had been none. Did I mention that I now have 4
fireplaces? I can
warm my masters in their bedroom, their living and lower
level party room. I also have one in the upstairs of the garage. I am a heating Queen.
My radiant in floor heat is something to behold. My mechanical room like a submarine. I
now have a most unique beautiful master bath where my ‘lady’ can soak in a
whirlpool tub. She has tons of beautiful mirrored closets, two vanities and get
this....I serve them with ‘his’ and ‘hers’ water closets. How cool am I??? My
first guest room has a jetted tub as well and is a joy to hang in. The second
guest room has it own bath as also. My fourth guest room is one of my favors.
It’s like a tree house and easily accessible to the Masters and the upstairs
laundry room which by the way used to keep maid. For that reason, I would be a
wonderful nursery or sitting room for my people to enjoy a glass of wine and
talk over the day. Now...I must tell you about my new facelift. I have a new
cedar shake roof and real cedar shingles that dress me for all to see. My pride
wells up inside when I see people slow down and admire or stop and take a
picture. It took four years to do this and all the while my people stayed with
me and held my hand through the process.
There have been a few bumps in the road but my
people care enough to always see that they are corrected. Here is what I feel
inside of me: I have happy people who’s love for each other makes me feel good.
I give them good energy and my walls keeps them safe and warm and cool when
it’s hot outside. I let in
the sunlight on the cloudiest days. I love feeling their
hand on my staircase hand rail or
when I hear music from my walls. I love when their kids and
grandkids come to fill my house with even more love and energy. Did I tell you
that I can hold a lot of people at one time. They let me have a party and I
took in over 100 people with great ease. Most
of them would wander my hallways and staircases to see what
was around each corner.
My people liked that. They were very proud of me. I heard my
lady say that she feel so
warm and safe within my walls. How wonderful am Ito be able
to do that. I am big in
size for sure but best yet, I am of big heart. Another
thing....my people have 3 large Golden Retrievers (Sam, Gus and Abby) who live
within my walls as well. They have a beautiful kennel which they think is only
for guests. But they also have an underground fence to keep them out of harms
way. So, why? .... do you ask, are my people moving ? Well...they’ve told me
that I need a big family again and Masters that love to party and live close to
our wonderful downtown. Franklin
Street, is a street of energy and fall and
winter beauty. I have a world class Art Museum right across
the street which brings everything from world visitors to people with hometown
pride as well as many groups of children walking like a string of beads to view
a new exhibit. Imagine, this is right in my hood. My current family wants to
create again. A smaller house to take care of. Much of their free time is spent
at the lake so I guess, though they love me, they are ready to make the change.
I will miss their tender loving care and hope they choose the right people for
me. Sincerely yours, 1010 Franklin
Street
By Owners: Brian & Sandy Gumness 1990-Present
