Down to earth

By MARGARET NERY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
TAKING A REALISTIC APproach to one of today's popular phrases, "getting down and dirty," are members of the Men's Garden Club of Youngstown.
With dirt under their fingernails and the grass stains on their knees, they are a group of men who appreciate the good earth, and plan and plant in order to keep it that way.
As a result, many sections of Youngstown have become beautiful places in which to work, play and relax, and many areas around the city have become colorful sanctuaries where birds find homes and food, and where human tensions are eased.
Organized by 10 men in 1930 as The Steel City Men's Garden Club and renamed during the 1940s, the organization, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary June 30, 2005, is reportedly the fifth oldest men's garden club in the country.
Well-rewarded
The 67 men who now form the nucleus of the club seek no monetary compensation for the hours they devote to beautification projects. They feel they are well-rewarded for their services when they see smiles on the faces and hear words of admiration from those who enjoy the beauty they have created.
These avid volunteers are responsible for the landscaping at such places as Hospice of the Valley on Market Street and near the Red Cross headquarters in Austintown. They have been instrumental in securing grants for the Paul C. Bunn School, where they assist with the planting and help the students. They have devoted hours to helping disabled students to develop an interest in planting and gardening, and have helped establish a greenhouse at the MASCO Plant on South Avenue.
Taking a cue from Joe Alessi of Cornersburg, their current president, the men begin in early spring and continue the many civic beautification projects well into winter when Mother Nature puts an end to outdoor work.
One of the club's older and most enthusiastic members, Leno L. Laner of New Middletown, is quick to point out the club's workers have a vested interest in Fellows Riverside Gardens. He says, "Not only does the organization purchase seedlings that are grown and eventually sold to make money for the gardens, but on a voluntary basis, members conduct tours of the area and teach classes on horticulture."
Fifteen years ago, the club created the Mary Laner Scholarship Fund, which awards $600 to an area student each year. Because of its affiliation with the men's club, the national organization also contributes five $1,000 scholarships each year.
Kids' stuff
Alessi says the club has a youth committee that teaches Mahoning County youths how to garden, and he adds, "It is amazing that we always have a waiting list of young people who want to be involved."
The horticulture classes are taught by the volunteers at the Mill Creek Experimental Farm in Canfield, where the youngsters also learn how to enter items they grow in flower shows, and learn to enjoy and protect their environment. These young people not only develop green thumbs but eventually "become Green Thumbs and serve as instructors for others," says Alessi.
The nonprofit organization raises funds for its many projects through an annual plant sale. Seedlings for the sale are purchased, then transplanted, fertilized and nurtured at the greenhouse the club has operated for 10 years at 8484 Market St.
Leno and Alessi are especially proud of the men in the club who have over the years gained stature as Master Gardeners, a title they earn during hands-on classes and by passing tests at Ohio State University Extension in Canfield and at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Among those members who have attained the prestigious designation are Rodney Toth of Youngstown, who is also a dahlia expert and photographer; Warren Knopp of Columbiana, who has become a hybridizer and actually creates new varieties of plants; and Ray Carroll of Diamond, a rosarian.
Sage advise
Most of the club members maintain gardens at their own homes, where they specialize in plants of their choice. Alessi prefers to raise perennials. Hampered by a recent knee operation, he advises would-be gardeners to "Build raised flower beds with railroad ties." He notes that additional tiers can be added by piling on ties and soil each year, then, when knees and backs give out, the gardeners won't have to bend to do the work."
The two men are quick to point out that membership in the club is something that can be enjoyed by men of all ages who are interested in gardening, the beautification of the community and protecting the environment.
nery@vindy.com