Sweet story behind ice cream shop's bench

PHOENIX -- She squeezed her eyes shut and imagined the people who would sit on this small wooden bench.

Would it be a place for a grandmother and her grandchild to tell stories about fairies and gnomes? A space for lovers to share secrets? Or a spot for a tired papa to sing lullabies to his napping baby?

In the hands of someone like Lisa Ferris-Terzich, 55, the simple bench would soon be decked in paint and ready for a home.

But for a little while last spring, this bench belonged only to Lisa. She liked sitting, watching an Arizona sunset fade into shades of purple and gold and daydreaming about the person who would one day call the bench his or her own.

It’s easy to picture Lisa painting, her hands moving the brush in deliberate strokes and her long, black curls swept up in a bun. But Lisa’s not an artist by trade.

By day, as a dental assistant, she cleans teeth and reminds people to floss. When she’s not working, she steals away hours to make art.

The bench, with its wide slats and sturdy lines, would be Lisa’s latest project. A woman she had worked with on a Phoenix charity art show had called her. She hoped Lisa would help, again.

This time, she told Lisa, they were looking for artists to design a dozen “Good Neighbor” benches. Lisa was curious about the funny name for a piece of furniture.

Good Neighbor benches, Lisa asked? Yes, that's the name, the woman said.

Twelve Arizona artists would each be given one bench to design. They could decorate it any way they wanted. There were really only two rules: Make the bench beautiful and incorporate a theme that celebrates community.

Once each bench was designed, people would be invited to send in nominations. Each nomination would be reviewed, and every bench would be placed with someone who had done something good for others.

Lisa worked for days, thinking about the best design for the bench. Finally, a memory from her past would spark an idea. It also would make it hard for her to let go of the bench, even though she knew it was always meant for a stranger.

Looking back, Lisa still wondered. Maybe, she thought, the bench was always destined for a woman who had found a way to give back, even after losing the love of her life.

'The spirit of good community'

The idea for the "Good Neighbor Initiative" came from Trellis, a Phoenix non-profit that helps local families fulfill the dream of purchasing their own home.

Last April, Trellis launched the initiative to celebrate "NeighborWorks Week," a national project involving groups and cities across the country. Each year, thousands of volunteers join civic, community and business leaders in different states. Each city finds its own way to help. The coalition has spurred efforts to fix dilapidated homes, clean up neighborhoods and host community gatherings.

In Maricopa County, Trellis leaders had an idea: They would give Phoenix-area families the chance to recognize an underappreciated neighbor.

“We wanted to encourage people to nominate a good neighbor in the spirit of good community,” said Patricia Garcia Duarte, president and CEO of Trellis.

It could be someone who brings a neighborhood closer. It could be a neighbor who always lends a hand with a home repair or a business leader who year after year sponsors the local Little League team.

At first, Trellis had only enough funding to decorate and give away a few benches. But the idea of surprising someone with a special bench was a hit with NeighborWorks America, the national group sponsoring the annual community-service project.

It gifted Trellis with a small grant. The money was enough to design a dozen benches.

“They felt it was such a great community symbol, a place to sit on your front porch and visit with your neighbors,” Patricia said.

Patricia said they scrambled to find 12 artists who would volunteer their time to turn the benches into a piece of art with a twist. Their craft work wouldn’t sit untouched in a gallery.

Good Neighbor benches were meant to become worn, weathered and loved, she said.

But first, each bench had to find the right home.

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