A big wraparound porch addition gives an old family place a new spirit. Susan and Fred Helmsing bought their cottage on the Point Clear boardwalk in 1990, but Susan's history with the house runs much deeper. "Years ago, my great-grandfather, J.J. Blacksher, owned a big house there," she says. "He had four daughters, and he bought the house next door for his oldest. Much later, in the 1950s, the sisters tore down the big house, divided the property, and built their own cottages. What is our house now belonged to my great-aunt, Mrs. Ashton Hill. I spent summers here all the time as a child." When the Blacksher sisters divided the property, Susan's great-aunt built her house sideways to the Bay, to fit the available space. "Originally, the front entrance was on the side of the house, and the porch did not face the Bay, which is unusual," she says. "We added a big screen porch on the Bay side that wraps around to the south side of the house. That, of course, is everyone's favorite place to be." Image information: Main: Life on the Bay offers unique opportunities. When there's a jubilee, the whole neighborhood takes part. "That's one of the times it's really fun to live here," Susan says. "People used to ring the bell or just call out. Now we use our cell phones to alert each other. That's definitely different." Left: Beadboard paneling and antique-looking floor lamps help draw the connection between the new addition and the old porch. The child-size table and chairs are a welcoming note for the Helmsings' five grandchildren. Center: The home's coastal colors - blues, greens and bright yellows - are cheerful and comforting. Susan uses these colors throughout to unify the cottage and make it feel even more spacious. Right: Once a screened-in dining porch, the kitchen was updated just before Hurricane Katrina. "It was disheartening, but the floors and cabinets survived. We were glad it was not worse," Susan says. Some of the old cottages were unsalvageable. Photos by Jean Allsopp. For more images and information, pick up the March 2010 edition of Mobile Bay today.