ASHLAND — A top “Yard of the Month” contender from last year became this year’s frontrunner for June “Yard of the Month” recognition by the Art of Gardening Club.
Jim and Connie Nordstrom, of 1625 Center Lane Dr., Ashland, were awarded $50 gift certificates, $25 each from the Art of Gardening Club and Farm and Home Hardware.
Art of Gardening scouts Sally Ahlers, Cathy Siwek and Claudia Dunn decided on the winning yard. Gift certificates were given to the Nordstroms by club members Ahlers, Chris Gerberick, and Kim Tanner along with a “Yard of the Month” sign to display in their sprawling award-worthy yard.
Different varieties of hosta thrive. Besides being easy maintenance, Mrs. Nordstrom likes the many varieties and different and unique colors.
The Nordstroms moved into their home in 1981. On the topic of building up the landscape,
“We add a little each year,” said Connie Nordstrom, who credits her husband with maintaining the yard.
Grandson Grayson Steury, of Ashland, has helped with the mulching for many years. He is a junior at Ohio State majoring in Communication.
Alyssa Steury, Grayson’s sister, also deserves credit, according to Mrs. Nordstrom, because she was involved in the mulching prior to her brother. She is an OSU graduate and is currently a software engineer at Ewing Aerospace, Ashland.
The couple, graduates of Ashland High School, he in ’63 and she in ’68, enjoyed golf and tennis for years.
Connie Nordstrom began her teaching career in Oxford, Ohio before moving to Ashland where she worked a short time for Ashland City Schools. Retiring in 2015, Nordstrom worked in Mansfield for an investment business.
With four children and 11 grandchildren (four in Ashland), the Nordstroms were no strangers at sporting events. They still keep busy watching their grandchildren participate in basketball, football, soccer and golf.
In addition to Grayson and Alyssa who live locally, granddaughter Mariah is an aide at Hillsdale Elementary School and the youngest, Cici, is a senior and is on the AHS girls’ basketball team.
Connie Nordstrom made reference to their flowering dogwood. She also takes pride in the dark purple rhododendrons and at the end of the drive, a Siberian Cypress.
The Nordstroms just returned from their favorite vacation spot, Hilton Head, S.C. They love the beach and the many bike paths through the beautiful island.