ALTON — From flower beds to monuments to backyard chicken coops, this year’s Pride Inc. Garden Tour is truly a celebration of how landscaping beautifies both private and public spaces.
The 25th annual Garden Tour will be held from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, showcasing nine home gardens, established gardens at Gordon Moore Park and the newly unveiled Western Military Academy Memorial, along with the second annual Art in the Garden Fair.
“We have a wonderful variety of garden styles this year that are really captivating,” said Debra Kannel, event chair. “I encourage everyone to come out, visit each garden and take some time to ‘smell the roses.’ Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, this year’s Garden Tour is sure to inspire our visitors to create some beauty in their own back yards.”
The variety of showcased gardens highlights the wide diversity of horticultural styles, which reflect homeowners’ individual tastes, as well as different growing conditions, ranging from shade to full sun.
One of the featured homes dramatically highlights the transformative effect of landscape design.
Building their home at 925 Rozier St. in 1985, Stephanie and Doug Mendenhall recently renovated their kitchen so it would serve as a more cohesive connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The expansive windows provide ample views of their backyard oasis, which includes two patio areas edged with hostas, evening primrose, Shasta daisies, daylilies and liriope.
Although the couple enjoy looking out into the garden, they prefer spending time outside, whether it’s planting, weeding, mowing or taking time to savor the view.
“I love gardening, so it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Stephanie Mendenhall, who spends at least an hour a day tending her plants. “That’s how we ended up with the hostas lining our driveway. Our lower garden at the back of our property is nice, because we can take plants from there and put them in other places.”
Mendenhall also uses decorative touches, such as placing pillows in turquoise and lime green to complement their gardenscape. Her love of vibrant color pays homage to her Mediterranean heritage.
However, Mendenhall describes her taste as “eclectic,” mixing contemporary design with vintage pottery, traditional wrought iron furniture, romantic candles and whimsical sculpture.
“We enjoy being out in the garden when the weather permits, and we eat dinner outside on most nights,” she said.
For Doug Mendenhall, “a cup of coffee and a newspaper in the morning” on the patio is a great way to start his day.
The other stops on this year’s tour include:
- Jim and Patricia Belk, 1207 White Oak Trail, Godfrey
- Felicia Breen and Chad Nelson, 2040 Alby St., Alton
- Jean Cousley, 726 Belle St., Alton (Art in the Garden location)
- Kent Hake, 1603 Liberty, Alton
- Hank and Terri Hart, 4746 West Hill Drive, Godfrey
- Christine and Gary Ilewski-Huelsmann, 436 Bluff St., Alton
- Amy Meyer, 423 Bluff St., Alton
- Gene and Sarah Ursprung, 19 Pond Way, Alton
- Gordon Moore Park — Oriental and Rose Gardens and Heartland Prairie
- Western Military Academy Memorial, 2009 Seminary, Alton
For the first time on the Pride Garden Tour, two of the showcased homes, Breen and Nelson’s and the Harts’, have chicken coops. The Breen and Nelson home also will be featured on Sierra Club’s Urban Farm Tour scheduled for the same day from 5 until 7 p.m.
Members of the Rose Society and Alton Park and Recreation Department will be available at Gordon Moore Park to share gardening tips and guide guests through the park’s Oriental and Rose gardens and Heartland Prairie.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about our community treasures from local professionals,” Kannel said. “In the Rose Garden, rose experts will be on site, and ticket holders may enter into a drawing for a free rose bush.
“Also, at the Western Military Academy Memorial, people can visit the newly dedicated historical site that commemorates our rich history and reminisce to the sounds of the Alton Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestra.”
Complimentary cookies from Duke Bakery will be available for sampling.
For the second year, garden-themed artwork will be on display at the Art in the Garden Fair, located this year at 726 Belle St.
“Art in the Garden will feature at least 10 artists set up in tents throughout in Jeanie Cousley’s garden,” Pride Inc. Executive Director Sarah Ansell said. “Visitors can expect to find unique works by local and regional artists in a variety of mediums: painting, glass work, jewelry, fiber and mixed media.”
A longtime member of the Bucket Brigade committee, Julie Fraser, is a featured artist.
“Julie makes cupcake-style potholders from a variety of fabric designs, which will be specifically garden- and nature-themed for Art in the Garden,” Ansell said. “The proceeds from her sales support ‘Working Towards a Cure’ — a breast cancer charity that helps breast cancer patients with unexpected expenses that occur during treatment.”
Students from Marquette Catholic High School, ceramic students at Jacoby Arts Center and other local artists also will participate.
“It’s going to be a great tour this year. There are so many lovely gardens in our communities,” Pride Inc. President Karen Wilson said. “The Garden Tour is always a great way to kick off the start of summer and get some new ideas for your own garden.”
Tickets for the tour cost $12 and are available at the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Liberty Bank (all locations), Dick’s Flowers, Seasons Garden Center, Karen Wilson State Farm Agency, JMC Design Gallery Co-op, CNB Bank and Trust (Alton), Mississippi Mud Pottery or at the Pride office. A map with directions will be provided.
Tickets also will be available at each of the homes on the day of the tour.
Pride Inc. is a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to community beautification. Proceeds from the Home and Garden Tour will be used to support programs such as the Bucket Brigade, Student Pride, neighborhood improvement, and other beautification and service projects.
For additional information, visit the Pride website at www.prideincorporated.org. If interested in being on the Garden Tour next year, please contact the Pride Office at (618) 467-2375 or email a photo of your garden to pride@prideincorporated.org.
kbassett@thetelegraph.com
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