CINCINNATI -- If you're planning a fund-raiser these days, you'd better choose something that's an attention getter, and a local gardening group has done just that.

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Nude Gardening Calendar Raises Money For Local Group

WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Tony Gnau reported Monday that while some organizations depend on grassroots efforts, one has initiated a bare-roots effort.

Cincinnati's Civic Garden Center has released its 2003 calendar, complete with its board members posing nude. It's not all dirty, though, as each of the gardening photography subjects is positioned strategically behind a plant or something to prevent a potential 'R' rating.

In addition to raising money for the club, Mr. September said that there is another pleasant side effect to posing nude.

"Just getting out there and being free," Peter Clarke said.

Clarke sounded like he liked the liberating effect more than the actual photograph of himself.

"Looks to me like a furry beer barrel," said the portly poser.

Judy Mitchell, who plays Ms. April in the calendar, seemed satisfied about her picture.

"I think it looks pretty good," she told Gnau. But that doesn't mean to expect calls from Larry Flynt.

"I sincerely doubt that," Clarke said. "I look at myself as being maybe frisky, but not that frisky."

The group copied the idea from some New England-area gardening clubs, Gnau reported. The calendar costs about $15 and can be found all over town.

Calendar Available Monday

Looking for the Civic Garden Center's 2003 Calendar? Below is a list of locations where you can purchase Bare Roots Gardening.

• A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
• Delhi Flower and Garden Center

Kenwood Towne Centre Christmas Shoppe
Tri-County Garden Center

• Funke's
• H.J. Benken
• Joseph-Beth Booksellers
• M. Hopple

Kenwood
Downtown in the Westin Center

• Madison's

Findlay Market
Pleasure Ridge Farm Market

• Mountain Laurel Nursery
• Natorp's Garden Center

Mason Store
Florence, Ky., Store

• Sharon Nursery