‘Act locally’

Larry Cohen and Marla Hexter’s Schwenksville neighbors often stop by to admire the wildflower meadow in front of their home.

Some admirers, Larry said, ask for advice. They are considering replacing their front lawns with a meadow as he did.

They crave the profusion of blue cornflowers, red poppies, yellow black-eyed Susans, purple larkspur, a variety of bee balm and more. The flowers attract 17 bird species including bluebirds and gold finch, as well as pollinating insects. The meadow now extends from the frog pond in front of the house to the curb where wisteria entwines the mailbox.

Set among the blossoms is a metal sculpture of a woman holding the female symbol of a circle over a cross. It was fashioned by the late Zieglerville artist Phillip Smith.

The meadow project began in 2023 when Cohen and Hexter enlisted the services of S. Edgar David of SED Design in Blue Bell. David Brothers Landscape Services in Collegeville removed the grass, seeded wildflowers, and continues to cultivate the meadow.

When Cohen and Hexter purchased the property of more than an acre in 2015, Callery pear trees flanked the driveway. The invasive species has been replaced with yellowwood, larch, maple, and swamp oak and smoke trees. Cohen protects the bark of the young trees with chicken wire to deter deer.

The backyard, where rescue dogs Barkley and Caleb romp, has an azalea-shaded swimming pool and a vegetable garden fenced in to keep out rabbits and other marauders.

In raised beds, Hexter grows beets, carrots, cabbage, green beans, English peas, garlic, blackberries, and raspberries — which birds eat — and onions, a deterrent to slugs and snails. Strong scented marigolds also repel pests.

There are five rain barrels around the house as well as several bird feeders, a blue bird house, and a bat house — as yet unoccupied.

By the front door is a sign designating the property as a “Wildlife Habitat.” Another says “Welcome” in English and Farsi. Cohen spent time in Afghanistan.

His and Hexter’s careers sent them all over the world. He worked in the foreign service for the U.S. State Department and she was with the CIA.

The couple live by the motto “Think globally act locally,” considering the broader health of the entire planet while focusing on practical, hands-on solutions to protect habitats and help the environment.

They have solar paneling on the south-facing roof of their two-story home; a geothermal heating and cooling system; energy-efficient insulation, doors, and windows; and two electric vehicles.

Cohen and Hexter met on a blind date in Washington, D.C., and married in 2000. After postings in Africa and Brazil they lived in Virginia.

When they retired they wanted a home where Hexter would have space to garden, and where they could age in place. They were familiar with Montgomery County because Cohen grew up in Pottstown, where his great-grandfather emigrated from what is now Slovakia in the late 1880s.

The home Cohen and Hexter bought was built in 1986 as a one-story with two bedrooms and a bath. In the 1990s a second floor with three bedrooms and two baths was added as well as a two-car garage.

The couple liked the downstairs sleeping area and walk-in shower and rooms upstairs to host family. They each have a son and daughter from previous marriages, and three grandchildren.

The house has a ramp to the backyard deck and a ramp from the house to the garage, built by prior owners.

But the wooden deck was rotting. The couple replaced it with Trex, a sturdy wood composite. They furnished the deck with an attractive table and chairs made of recycled plastic and decorated it with containers of flowers and potted fig trees.

Growing the fruit has been a challenge for Hexter who gathered tips from local growers and from the annual fig festival in Lower Pottsgrove.

She and her husband are active in the community. “It is our plan to stay here forever,” Hexter said.

Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com.