[StBernard] Old Arabi Neighborhood Association preserves its beauty: Around Arabi

[Westley Annis]

Old Arabi Neighborhood Association preserves its beauty: Around Arabi
Print By Barry Lemoine 

The Old Arabi Neighborhood Association is committed to celebrating the
history of St. Bernard and preserving its beauty. With that in mind, the
OANA recently presented Hector and Ingrid Wehmeyer Torunos of Friscoville
Avenue with its Yard of the Month Award for May.

Hector is quick to credit his wife for the beautiful and lush gardens that
surround their Arabi home.

"One hundred percent of the credit goes to her, "he said. "It's all her
vision and effort."

Ingrid said her roots in gardening took hold when she was a child, watching
her grandmother work in the garden. Ingrid's observation and hard work have
paid off as friends and neighbors often compliment her yard. Ingrid said
it's all a labor of love. And patience.

"It may be easier to start a garden with small plants, but I enjoy starting
plants from the seed. It gives me more pleasure to watch them grow," she
said.

Ingrid, a native of Nicaragua, said it is color and balance that inspire her
and shape her to designs. She says that her garden layout starts with a
vision - one of complimentary colors and plants of varied heights to create
contrast in her yard. She never uses magazines or books to duplicate a
design. It's all 100 percent Ingrid.

Hector says that his wife's gardening is "truly a gift."

And it's one that she is sharing with her 11-year-old grandson who has
already started a butterfly garden. Ingrid said she enjoys working with him
and shares advice and gardening tips with him and with neighbors. She said
the key to a good garden is to water each day and use good fertilizer.

The Torunos' backyard is also an oasis. It's also a view Ingrid and Hector
enjoy often. As they look out the back window, they see the beauty and color
that make this house truly a home.

Congratulations on being named Old Arabi's first Yard of the Month. And
kudos to Karen Dauterive of The Ladybug Garden for designing the beautiful
yard sign.