Local youth Matt Jefferson isn't much of a talker. In fact, his general reticence has earned him the nickname "Quiet Matt," a moniker that nearly everyone refers to him by.

But Jefferson doesn't need words to express himself. He's doing just fine letting his strong arms and back talk for him. The fact that his landscaping talents are helping to beautify Nesquehoning is just an added bonus.For the past month, Jefferson has been busy converting the empty alleyway next to Meed's United Methodist Church in Nesquehoning into a memorial prayer garden. The project is being undertaken as part of Jefferson's quest to attain the rank of Eagle Scout."I've been involved with scouting for 15 years, and I always love it when scouts come up with their own projects," Ray Attewel, Jefferson's troopmaster said. "When Quiet Matt first came to me with his idea, it sounded great. He's really done a tremendous amount of work."Jefferson, a member of Penn Forest Township's Troop 555, was inspired to spruce up the church's property after consulting with its pastor, Mike Netznik."Before, the area was just grass and ash," Jefferson said. "I wanted to turn it into a place where people could go and pray."Per the requirements of the Eagle Scout program, all participating scouts must complete their projects alone, with minimal help from outside sources. Jefferson took this to heart, coordinating the purchasing and delivery of the various supplies needed. In the months leading up to the beginning of the renovation, he visited a score of area hardware stores in search of plants, soil and stone.The latter material has become particularly useful for Jefferson, as it has funded a large chunk of the garden project. Rather than utilize the traditional avenues of fundraising (pizza kits, candybars, etc.), Jefferson sold memorial stones, handmade markers that members of the community can purchase to honor their loved ones.According to Pastor Netzik, the church's congregation has expressed nothing but enthusiasm toward Jefferson's endeavor."We live in an age where churches are locked, and people don't always have a place to sit and pray," Netzik said. "This garden gives people a place to come and pray 24/7, and know that God will be there to meet them."With the help of some volunteer labor, Jefferson has already completed a large chunck of the transformation. Dead grass and weeds have given way to a trim concrete path lined with blooming flowers and freshly painted memorial stones. In the weeks to come, Jefferson plans on adding a small fountain and laying the remaining stones."I'm really glad I did this, because it helps the community," Jefferson said. "If people in the area don't want to stay inside during the summer, the garden gives them somewhere to go to see something beautiful."More importantly, the project has given Jefferson the confidence he needs to earn the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout."I feel like I've accomplished something," he said. "I've reached a goal that I've been working really hard towards."