During Neville Green's 17th year in the township, members once again will do what they do best -- beautify the township with flowers and trees.

But this year also marks the start of a new adventure.

The organization, with help from Gia Tatone, author of "Images of America: Coraopolis," and Dan Holland, founder and CEO of Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, is working on a Neville Island pictorial history book.

The Coraopolis book has sold more than 2,100 copies in less than six months. Dorothy Antonelli, Neville Green president, says it is hoped that the Neville book will be available in November, and the group is beginning to take orders.

The organization is in need of photographs, preferably originals, from the early 1900s, particularly of farmlands, nurseries, retail businesses and the original old church on the island.

Tatone, who is also deputy director of Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, says pictures will be accepted until May 15. The book will show how the river influenced the island's development and will be titled, "Neville Island, a River Community."

One of the reasons Tatone accepted the challenge of creating the island's pictorial history, she says, is that she has always been compelled by areas that don't seem to have an historical past, and finds it amazing when she discovers the stories that lay under the "sands of time.

"And to communicate that history to the community and surrounding area brings joy to me," Tatone says

She spoke to many members of the community about the project at the island's only church, Neville Island Presbyterian, earlier this month. She told those attending the services that the pictures of the cups of wines on the church's stained glass windows reminded her of how Jesus turned water into wine.

"I told them I feel things can be just as miraculous for Neville Island if we continue to believe despite the challenges that exist.

"My goal is to fulfill the vision of Neville, to communicate the history of the island as accurately and precisely as I can as an author."

Helping her do so will be co-author Holland, who is helping with research, validating the history and taking on some of the writing. He also will help with lay out and design. Tatone is working on chapter development, writing and organizing the book.

Once known for its large asparagus fields before the war, the island was once known as the "Market Basket of Pittsburgh" because of its fertile soil.

Antonelli is trying to locate a copy of a Waldorf Astoria menu on which Neville's asparagus is featured. The menu states that the asparagus was from the island. So far, a copy or an original has not made an appearance.

In addition, pictures of the farms and nurseries are proving hard to find. She points out that, in the 1900s, not a lot of people had cameras. The farms and nurseries all prospered before the war, and although family members are still around, few seem to have any pictures.

Antonelli also is hoping to get photos of former retail shops. Neville Island used to be home to a grocery store, drug store and a beauty shop.

Antonelli says she wants to make sure the history book makes readers aware of what Neville Island once was, that it is still a good place to live, despite the industry there, and that future development is right around the corner.

With a laugh, she says when she and her husband first moved to the island in 1991, people thought they were "a little goofy. But, it's a nice place to live, and the residents are nice."

Amelia Horak, Neville's unofficial historian and Neville Green board member, is providing a lot of material for the book.

More and more people are coming to the island, Antonelli says, mostly because of Robert Morris University's Neville Island Sports Center. More still will visit when the new hotel and King's restaurant are completed.

"I think it's important for these people to know the history of the island."

She mentions how the government came in to take over the farm lands by eminent domain during World War I to build a munition plant that was never constructed.

Afterwards, farmers did not get their land back. That is when the industry started coming to town.

Antonelli points out the former Dravo Corp. that manufactured the LST ships during World War II, and how that company also built a pool for its employees and residents.

"It was very popular. Lots of residents in their 80s remember it, and we have pictures of it," Antonelli says.

Another popular attraction on Neville was Coney Island, which only lasted a year because it was underfunded. The park featured rides, a dance hall and big boardwalk.

One of the Coney Island benches, dated about 1906, was found in an antique shop and donated to the township. It now sits in the municipal, building hallway.

As far as getting a resident to tell a story about Coney Island, Antonelli said it would be impossible to talk to anyone who went there.

"They would have to be more than 100 years old. That's one of the reasons we wanted to do this book now. We are losing the people who can provide insight into the history, and we are realizing there is a story to be told."

Also helping with the book are Jim and Vickie Fiedler, Sandy and Tony Martin, Sue McCoy, Sandy Lang and June Withrow.

Those who have photographs to share are asked to contact one of these volunteers, who will pick up the pictures.

Antonelli and other Neville Green members meet with Tatone each week, and a resident has donated space in a township home where pictures and other historical items are being stored.

All photographs will be documented and returned to owners.

"Everyone knows about the industry on the island. We want to put things in the book that people don't know about."

Proceeds from the book will help Neville Green enhance the environment on the island.

To help with the book, to donate pictures or for more information and ordering, call Tatone at 412-983-8541, e-mail gia.tatone@comcast.net or call Antonelli at 412-262-3620.