When Stan and Dana Fisher moved seven years ago from the American southeast, the move was driven by a desire to initiate new adventures in their lives; and, to them, Portland offered that opportunity.
After moving into their home in Beaumont-Wilshire on NE 44th near Fremont Street, they had problems with an existing magnolia tree, eventually making the decision to cut it down.
Stan admitted that laziness played a part in not having the remaining stump removed, prompting the couple to get creative about what to do with it. Luckily for the neighborhood, a custom-made chessboard table crafted by Stan won over a birdbath idea.
The Fishers have since added bench seating and a small library to the parking strip area, much to the delight of nearby neighbors. The chessboard typically gets two to three visits per day, and the bench seating often offers an overflow spot for customers of Grand Central Bakery to enjoy their treats.