"The Legacy Continues" in Bed-Stuy

"Come on Home to Bed-Stuy" they beckoned. And on a recent gorgeous fall day, 1,300 people heeded the call. They weren't disappointed either. The 25^th Annual House Tour held by the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant Inc. was enough to bring ecstasy to the heart of any person who loves old brownstones.

With the theme "The Legacy Continues" a dozen homeowners generously opened their doors to an agog public who came from far and wide to view the gorgeous architecture and exquisite furnishings. Some came simply for the joy of feasting their eyes on such things as the stained glass windows, the carved wood-burning fireplaces and the intricate woodwork that are the earmarks of these Victorian Era houses. As one tour-goer said, "You feel like you've gone back into a different century. I'm fascinated with the woodwork and the architecture."

Other persons, such as actress Pamela Harrison, who owns a home on President Street, and Dave Peterson, who's getting ready to close on a house in about 2 weeks, were gathering ideas for decorating their own homes. Marie-Monique Marthol, who's interested in a second career in interior design, was also soaking up ideas.

And there were plenty of ideas to soak up, for there was an astonishing array of styles and approaches bringing the old and the new together in stunning and original combinations, often with an Afrocentric flavor. There were magnificent state-of-the art kitchens as well as a circa 1950 gas stove under a rustic exposed beam ceiling. The bathrooms were just as likely to sport a jucuzzi, an antique French shower, or a clawfoot tub bought from a junkyard for only $15.

Said Marcus Allen, a local homeowner, "I like seeing the variety of the houses and how people have restored their homes, bringing them back to life. It shows the vitality that's coming back into the community."

Along with the tremendous pleasure of viewing the homes, there is the added satisfaction of knowing that the $15 ticket price is exceedingly well spent by the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Inc., a not-for-profit, volunteer civic organization dedicated to the revitalization of the Bed-Stuy community. Over the 25 years they've been holding the tour, the Brownstoners have provided more than $100,000 in scholarship money to college-bound seniors from Boys and Girls High School.

They also use what they raise to carry out their voter registration drive, their literacy project and their Tax Lien Outreach Project. As to the latter, the Brownstoners president, Brenda Fryson, explained that there are people in danger of losing their homes because they are in arrears with taxes or water bills. Their names go onto the tax lien list that's issued by the Department of Finance. "We visit every home in Bed-Stuy on that list," she said, "and leave them a package of information about what they can do to take care of it and pay those taxes." And Fryson declared with pride, "We've been able to help save at least 200 homes within the last 2 or 3 years. It gives me chills when I think about it."

The House Tour has also been responsible for bringing 100s of new residents into the neighborhood and encouraging scores of others to remain. But they're not looking for just any homebuyer - those just wanting to invest in a piece of property. They're looking for people with a commitment to making Bed-Stuy a better place. "It's not really about the houses," Fryson stated. "It's about how you feel about your community and the kind of neighbor you're going to be when you move here."

Perfect examples of the kind of homebuyers they're looking for are Dr. Rondai Evans, an ophthalmologist, and his wife Cora Daniels, a writer for Fortune magazine, owners of one of the houses showcased this year. When they began searching for a home, the Evanses were adamant about living in an African American neighborhood with a strong sense of community. He was also passionate about bringing his education and experience home and provide quality eye care to his community, which is woefully underserved in this field.

They have now owned their house for a year, and Dr. Evans' office on the garden level has been open for 2 months. "When designing my office, I wanted to make it a comfortable place for people to come and get their medical services," he said. "That's a big barrier for a lot of people, so the goal was to create a welcoming feeling so that patients could literally feel at home." He can be reached at (877) 548-4246.

Making people feel at home is what the Brownstoners have worked for, and they are succeeding brilliantly. Maybe you, too, should "Come on Home to Bed-Stuy."