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Gardeners invited to dig into book sale
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Books on health are among the topics that customers will find at the Twice-Loved Book Sale.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Experienced to novice gardeners can dig through a treasure trove of “twiced-loved” books during a sale at Antonucci Horticulture Library of Mill Creek MetroParks.
Staff and volunteers have combed through books and magazines and organized them in categories in the library in the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
The sale began over the weekend, coinciding with the Men’s Garden Club annual winter seminar. Book sale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The center is closed Mondays.
“The books and magazines are all donated by community residents,” said Mandy Smith, horticulture education manager. General topics are gardening, nature, crafts and cooking. “We have books for all kinds of interests,” she said.
Last year’s sale netted a profit of $1,700, which helps buy new books for the Antonucci library and pay for magazine subscriptions.
On Friday, Miles Johnson and his sister, Eva, were putting a snow day to good use. They sorted through books, moving them into various categories.
The siblings are involved in Green Thumbs, a youth volunteer program at Mill Creek MetroParks. Green Thumbs has participated in the children’s gardening program and helps new students. Participants who are in fourth grade and up also may volunteer at the park.
Their mother, volunteer coordinator Bridget Beck, said children who complete the two-year vegetable gardening activity may become Green Thumbs. The gardening program is open to second-graders and older.
Miles said volunteering is a good way to spend free time. “It’s a positive thing and a nice place to be,” the 12-year-old said. “It’s a lot of fun and you meet nice people.”
His 10-year old sister said, “I like the surroundings ... it’s nice outside and quiet in here.”
The books, which range from vintage to almost new, cover a wide range of topics including landscaping, herbs, flowers, shrubs, trees, ground covers, perennials, annuals, birds, crafts, decorating, cooking and well-being.
For the simplistic gardener, there are “60-Minute Flower Garden” and “Low Maintenance Gardening,” and for the inquisitive, “10,000 Garden Questions.”
If you live in an apartment, “Apartment Green — Growing Plants in Unpromising Places,” is sure to help as would Rodale’s “Encylopedia of Indoor Gardening.”
For those into collections, a 21-edition set of Time/Life Encyclopedia of Gardening with such topics as roses, winter gardens and pests and disease will fit the bill.
Special-interest gardeners will enjoy “Japanese Gardens,” “White House Gardens” and “Early American Gardens.”
There are books to identify garden bugs, insects and birds that are attracted to a wide range of plants. “Garden Bird Facts” and “Bird Feeder Book” will intrigue bird-watchers.
The cookbook table is a cache of editions from picnics to fine dining. The themes include grilling, pies, teas, buffet foods, sorbets, cheese, soups and salads. A few are the ever-popular cookbooks produced by churches and community groups.
For the artistic, “Flair with Flowers” and “The Wreath Book” will be motivating while home decorators will find ideas in “American Country” and “Martha Stewart’s Christmas.”
The magazine stacks include titles as Cooks, Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart Living, Heirloom Gardening, Ohio Gardener and American Gardener.