Strolling through a tucked away central Casper neighborhood, attendees at Friday's annual Garden Walk fund-raiser from 2-7 p.m., for the Casper College Tate Geological Museum will officially visit gardens, charming porches and other outdoor "relaxing spaces" at eight different homes within easy walking distance.

But it's the unofficial part that Scott Sissman thinks they'll also notice.

"This neighborhood is just on the edge of the Weed & Seed project," Sissman said. "The city has been highly involved in this event. They have really done a good job of pushing people to clean up. We had a big alley cleanup, and there are houses in the neighborhood that have really spruced up, even though they're not on the walk."

Sissman and his wife, Kate Sarosy, have owned their home that is one of the eight featured since the late 1990's.

Their front and back gardens have been created since then, as well as amenities such as the pergola in the back, large vegetable garden and bricked path.

"This was all grass," Sissman said. "There was an old house back here at the alley that we tore down and built the garage."

Sarosy grew up in Ohio, where her mother loved to garden.

"I was inspired by her. But you didn't have to worry so much about water back there. It's a real adjustment to try to do gardening in Wyoming," she said.

So when she arrived in Casper, she took the Master Gardener course and really enjoyed it.

Now, their vegetables have a drip system, while much of the front perennial garden is xeriscaped, meaning it doesn't need much moisture.

While they were grateful for recent rains, Sarosy said the amount rotted some early vegetable plants, which were easy to replace.

"This is really a joint effort and we enjoy working on it together," Sarosy said. "He's the builder, I'm the planter."

Sissman "borrowed" the plans for the newer pergola from Walt Merschat, who built a similar one at his wife Sharon's boutique, Fields Creek 104.

"He let me take pictures of it and then I built this," Sissman said.

After Friday's event, Sarosy and Sissman will take a break and enjoy reading and "relaxing" at their outdoor space.

"We're pretty much ready," Sarosy said Wednesday. "We're looking at every weed now. We didn't used to. Our summer's work has been compressed because of the event, so when it's over, we'll have more time to enjoy it."

"This got our neighborhood perked up a little bit," Sarosy said. "The college and this event have really done a wonderful thing for this neighborhood, much like they have done for other neighborhoods. After the walk is over on Friday, we're having a big neighborhood block party and potluck, and everyone who lives here is invited, not just those whose homes are on the walk."

Sissman and Sarosy made cards that they gave to neighbors, explaining Friday's event and asking that they help by keeping sidewalks clear, allow for as much street parking space as possible and keep pets safe and away from participants.

Lemonade will be available along the route, and Master Gardeners will be at each home to answer questions. The city forester is labeling trees in the boulevards along some of the streets as well.

Tickets for the entire walk are just $20 and contain specific addresses of participating homes on Lincoln, Milton and Oakcrest. Headquarters is Grant Street Grocery, 815 S. Grant, which will also host a cheese tasting and where raffle items are on display.

Tickets for the walk are available at Grant Street Grocery, Fields Creek 101, Blue Heron Books and Espresso, Wind City Books, Galles Greenhouse, Herbadashery, Johnny Appleseed, Meadow Acres, The Nic and Metro Coffee Co.

All proceeds go into the Tate Geological Museum Endowment Fund.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog.