Kerby Thompson and Will Gara –along with Stella, an 8-year old dachshund/beagle mix and Rizzo, a 10-year old tuxedo cat – cordially invite you to their home this holiday season, as does the seldom seen but always present Miss Effie Mae, Kerby’s mother who lived with him in the house until she died in 1989.

As members of Zoo Atlanta and fans of the Cyclorama, Kerby and Will had always enjoyed Grant Park. The close proximity to the Braves stadium and various venues in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta made buying a home here a no brainer in 1983.

Originally constructed in 1907 as a “shotgun” or New Orleans style row house, the home was built with four fireplaces and 14-foot ceilings. When the couple bought the home, it was divided into three apartments and renovations began immediately to convert it back to a single family dwelling.

Crown moldings were added by the owners during renovations. In the early 1990s, the master bedroom, two baths, kitchen and laundry room were added, as was the den off the kitchen (the doorway leading out of the kitchen to the den is the original back door). Today the home features three bedrooms and two baths. The four fireplaces are all working again, and there’s still a one-bedroom/one-bath apartment downstairs. One of the couple’s favorite features this time of the year is the ability to see the downtown skyline after the leaves have fallen.

As you walk up to Kerby and Will’s home tonight, notice the house to the left is a mirror image of their home. The black and white lithograph hanging by the front door is a signed and hand-printed piece by the artist Clyde Butcher, circa 1986, titled "Moonrise." “Over the years the homeowners have collected numerous autographs and pictures of celebrities -- see how many you can recognize in the front office!

Continuing through the house, note the elegant empire chest in the living room which dates back to the 1860s. In the dining room, the post-depression China is a vintage set from Will's great grandmother Lola May Carmean Gustin called “Canton” by Colport. Notable finds in the master bath are the original claw foot tub and the print signed by the artist P. Buckley Moss, circa 1986, titled "Brower Homestead.” The imported Fontanini Nativity scene was a gift from Will’s mother, Virginia Elizabeth Moffett Gara Schlosser Gioia.

Now, Miss Effie Mae makes occasional visits to the middle bedroom where she had passed away. If you’re lucky – or clairvoyant – you may just catch a glimpse of her this evening. Atlanta Ghost Hunters spent an entire night in her room and eventually walked away with a recording of her saying "I love you."