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Beautifying the library corner gardens weekly

NILES — Each Monday morning in the spring, summer and fall, Niles residents Shirley Benedict and Ellen Sheldon and others can be seen tending to the flower gardens at the corner of the McKinley Memorial Library grounds off Main Street.

The women remove weeds, plant flowers and decorate the area at the corner gardens, which include a flag pole.

Benedict and Sheldon also plant flowers around the Ward-Thomas Museum sign located at Third and Main streets.

Benedict said the volunteer group weeds along the sidewalk on Third Street leading to the Ward-Thomas Museum main entrance and also trims the around the sign.

”As one thing led to another, Ellen and myself plant the summer flowers and then fall flowers. When spring comes again, we will start over again,” she said.

The two have been watering, planting and weeding for the past five years.

Benedict said the group also works with the library staff, which she said deserves much credit for the work it has done beautifying the property.

Benedict said the volunteers plan to help with holiday Christmas lights and decorations.

She said following the dedication of a flag pole at the Veterans Memorial Bridge at the corner of Federal Street and Dragon Drive, the women now plant flowers at the flag pole’s base.

”We planted tulip bulbs there to beautify the area and honor the veterans,” Benedict said.

For the past three years, Sheldon and Benedict have carried four gallons of water to the site and weeded around the base each Monday, and the women plan to continue the service for years to come.

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