By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

NEWPORT - The East Row Garden Club has been recognized for its work by Garden Design magazine, the Cincinnati Flower Show and the Cincinnati Horticultural Society.

Not bad considering the club's simple beginning.

"It was started in the mid-'90s by a group of neighbors who wanted an excuse to socialize and do something for the community," said club president Rene McPhedran.

Today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., some of the club's 40 household members will showcase their gardens in the eighth annual Garden Walk. Ten gardens in an eight-block area in the city's East Row Historic District will be featured.

The gardens include annuals, perennials, herbs and decorative pieces such as iron fencing and waterfalls. Homeowners will be on hand to identify plants in their gardens and give a brief history of their homes.

Mike and Debby Dutle have lived in their Fourth Street home for 25 years and are part of the tour for the first time.

"We've got quite a few herbs in the garden, a Japanese maple, ficus tree and daylilies," said Mike. "In all, we've got about 40 different kinds of plants."

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Newport. The rest will go to the club to use for beautification projects in the city.

Club projects include designing the landscape for the new library, beautifying the exit ramp off Interstate 471 and creating the planters that line the Purple People Bridge.

---

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com

Tickets

Available at Watertower Square at Washington and Sixth streets (across from Pompilios Italian Restaurant), or by phone at 1-866-EASTROW. Tickets are $15. Children 12 and younger are free.