ASHLAND — The August award for “Yard of the Month” goes to a couple whose yard and home enticed Art of Gardening scouts with a welcoming vibe.
Richard and Pam Crist of 110 E. 12th St., Ashland, were awarded $50 gift certificates from the club and Farm and Home Hardware Aug. 1.
In addition, as winners, they received a “Yard of the Month” sign which Crist placed in front of the flagpole located in the middle of their front yard garden.
Scouts Sally Ahlers, who launched the “Yard of the Month” summer program five years ago, June through September, and Claudia Dunn awarded the Crists. August scouts also included Pat Edwards and Cathy Siwek.
By the front end of the porch steps is a tiger lily. The front garden overflows with charm with a display of butterfly bushes, tall canna lilies, black-eyed Susans and Snow-in-the- Mountain which, when in bloom, is a white blanket, Pam Crist said.
Next to the Naked Lady Lilies is a magnificent red chrysanthemum. Clove bushes which bloom in the Spring produce little yellow flowers. A turtle bird bath also sits in the front garden.
Rose bushes adorn the side along with a roughly 15-year-old iris which keeps expanding.
“I just plant and make everything nice,” she said. Mrs. Crist also mentioned red and white peonies and geraniums.
On the inviting front porch with ample seating signs of Christmas are found year-round with a handmade Christmas tree, snowmen and an angel.
Richard Crist also revealed he had holiday cacti inside the home – Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter.
He retired from Hydromatic Pump Co. and grew up having always known farming. His mom and dad’s families were all farmers. Currently Crist builds and remodels homes in Loudonville.
Pam Crist was employed for 39 years at Archway Cookies.
They attend Calvary Baptist Church where Crist is an usher. The couple, both Crestview graduates, met 22 years ago through a mutual friend.
Daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Christopher Rutherford of Loudonville, have one son and a grandson due in December. Daughter Wendy of Millersburg has two daughters and one granddaughter.
Richard Crist said that he and Connie Nordstrom are cousins. The Nordstroms, Jim and Connie, were “Yard of the Month” winners for June.