2014 Great Garden Contest Small Garden Winner: Edgewood Garden Created On A Shoestring

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Allegheny County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you think you need lots of time and money to have a great garden, think again.

Eric D’Ambrogi’s garden in Edgewood, which he entered “on a lark,” won first place in the small garden category of the Great Gardens Contest, early summer judging period.

The retired Deer Lakes school teacher has managed to construct a winning landscape on a shoestring using re-purposed building materials and plants that he’s found or received as gifts from other gardeners. The contest is co-sponsored and judged by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.

“My garden has been a work in progress for the past 10 years,” he said in his entry essay. “When I bought my home, the backyard was a blank space with three very large pine trees, an overgrown holly tree and a falling apart carport.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/life/garden/2014/08/09/Edgewood-garden-created-on-a-shoestring/stories/201408090007#ixzz39uaET62I

Washington/Chestnut St. Park Garden Party‏ In Pottstown

Hi All, 

Hope this note finds each of you in good health and spirits!  Spring is officially here, I’d I like to invite you to the  5th Annual Garden Party held at the Washington/Chestnut Sts. Park this Sunday, May 18. 
 
It will be a morning of beautifying the park with annuals and mulch donated by Colonial Gardens and light refreshments courtesy of Genesis Housing Corp.  Details are below and don’t forget your gardening tools! SHOVELS, RAKES and GLOVES!
 
WHAT: 5TH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY
WHERE: WASHINGTON/CHESTNUT STS. PARK
DATE: Sunday MAY 18,2014
TIME: 10:00am – 12:00pm
 
Hope to See you there! 
Anna, Citizens for Pottstown CPR

Container Gardens Spring Up In Pottstown, Great Alternative For Beginners

POTTSTOWN — The sun is shining on some days and the rain is pouring on others, which makes it the season of gardening.

Although it’s the season to grow, gardening can seem intimidating for people who’ve never done it before.

Garden manager Laura Washington of the MOSAIC Pottstown Community Gardens said container gardening is a great option for beginners.

“It allows for gardeners to contain their garden in a small space,” she said.

Container gardening is also preferable for people with limitations such as arthritis in their knees, Washington said. People can place their carton on a stool or tabletop and work sitting down, she said.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20140429/container-gardens-spring-up-in-pottstown-great-alternative-for-beginners

Tastykake Looking Fresh At 100

As an independent company, Tasty Baking Co. didn’t quite make it to Tuesday’s 100th anniversary, selling out to Flowers Foods Inc. in 2011 for $141 million to avoid bankruptcy.

But nearly three years after the rescue, the Tastykake brand – which drips nostalgia in the Philadelphia region, but had failed to break through nationally – has renewed strength.

The Flowers bailout has given workers at Tasty’s bakery in South Philadelphia and delivery-route owners throughout the Mid-Atlantic the chance to celebrate the brand’s centennial.

“Couldn’t be better,” is how Dom Rosa, who has owned a Tastykake delivery route in South Jersey since 2000, described life under Flowers Foods.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20140225_Taskykake_looking_fresh_at_100.html#qDDZokmzwt3ebC40.99

Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market Is Back, And With It Comes The Sights And Smells Of Summer

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE — Three young men were walking around the Farmers’ Market on Thursday around noon and one of them said, “Wow, there sure are a lot of good smells here.”

An accurate assessment of the opening of the 40th Farmers’ Market on Public Square. But the smells weren’t the only things for the senses to enjoy — there were tastes, bargains, music, sunshine and fun.

“There’s lots of stuff here,” said Debbie Rutkoski of Larksville, who was on her lunch break from her job at Wilkes University.  “This is so good for the downtown.

I wish there were more events on Public Square.”

Larry Newman, executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, the key downtown management organization in the city, said there will be more events downtown.  He said the Farmers’ Market is the embodiment of a city’s downtown.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/615828/W-Bs-roots-return-to-city

4th Annual Citizens For Pottstown Revitalization Garden Party

Hi All,

Spring is officially here, I’d I like to invite you to the 4th Annual Garden Party held at the Washington/Chestnut Street Park this Saturday, May 18.

It will be a morning of beautifying the park with annuals and mulch donated by Colonial Gardens and light refreshments courtesy of Genesis Housing Corp.  Details are below and don’t forget you gardening tools! SHOVELS, RAKES and GLOVES!

WHAT:  4TH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY
WHERE:  WASHINGTON/CHESTNUT STS. PARK
DATE:  SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013
TIME:  9AM – 11AM

Hope to See you there!

Anna

Pottstown’s Mosaic Community Land Trust Sponsors Garden Contest

 

To visit their website, click here:  http://pottstownclt.wordpress.com/  You can print out a full-sized application found under the Gardens page.  The link is under the flyer.

Philadelphia Flower Show Opens Tomorrow

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You may not have even noticed, but after just three years, the Philadelphia International Flower Show is back to being the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The global moniker was always a stretch, but its quick demise was surprising, given the fanfare surrounding its debut.

“Calling something international doesn’t really mean anything, and ‘Philadelphia International Flower Show’ was a mouthful,” said Drew Becher, who became president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in mid-2010, after the new name had gone into effect.

Produced by PHS, the show runs Saturday through March 10, at the Convention Center, following sneak peeks this afternoon and Saturday morning for members. [Tickets run from $15 in advance for children to $32 for adults at the door.]

Officially, the new name is PHS Philadelphia Flower Show – and it’s all about branding.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/home/gardening/20130301_Flora_Fantastic.html

Reading’s Penn Square Beautifiers Looking For A Few Rooters

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Penn Street Posse’s Plan A to pretty up the planters on Penn Square didn’t work out.

So Plan B commences Saturday, thanks to a lot of volunteers.

Among them is Diane Salks, owner of Riverview Tree & Landscaping on Pricetown Road in Alsace Township.

She and a crew – most of her 27 employees wanted to volunteer, but she ordered some to stay behind and work – will be planting 95 liriopes with a bluish hue and 45 knockout rose bushes in hot pink and red.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=404689

Taking Refuge In The City – Urban Wildlife Refuges

Philadelphia is easily visible from the refuge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is cool, Philly gets a shout-out!

Denver’s Bluff Lake Nature Center may be situated beside an abandoned airfield, but the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge’s neighbor, Philadelphia International Airport, is very much in use today. Still, Tinicum Marsh, Pennsylvania’s largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland, provides essential habitat for more than 300 bird species, almost one-quarter of which nest here. Established in 1972, the refuge continues to grow and will eventually reach 1,200 acres. Paddlers can tour a 4.5-mile section of Darby Creek, a perfect vantage point for spying elusive least bitterns, the state-endangered red-bellied turtle and the rare coastal leopard frog. Bird and flower walks, family programs and even story times occur every weekend.

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Read the entire article: https://roysrants.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post

 

Pottstown Middle School Poinsettia Sale

Image via Wikipedia

The 6^th Grade Pottstown Middle School White Team will be taking several field trips this winter and spring. 

• Camp Conrad Weiser at a cost of $30
• PA State Farm Show at a cost of $10
• Eureka, a math show at a cost of $20

The costs listed above cover transportation, tickets and fees.  This poinsettia sale is to help defray the cost of these trips for Pottstown Middle School students and their families.                      

All orders and payment are due by Tuesday, November 22nd.  The plants have 4 blooms, come in varying colors and cost $5 each with $2 of that going towards the trips!  Flowers will be picked up after school on Friday December 9^th.  

To order your plants, email Kristi Moyer @ alsgalkiki@comcast.net with your name, phone number and how many plants you would like to order.

Urban Gardens In York City

Here’s an awesome article from York City Limits blog about urban gardening. 

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2011/04/urban-gardens-sprout-in-york.html

Bridal Expo At Sunnybrook This Sunday, February 27, 2011

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The Third Annual Bridal Expo will be held at Sunnybrook Ballroom from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. this Sunday, February 27th.  Admission is a low $3.00 charity donation.  Thirty-five vendors will be on hand to showcase the latest and greatest the Pottstown region has to offer for your special day!

Come out and see displays of gowns, tuxedos, photography, catering, cakes, flowers, honeymoon spots and accommodations, decorations, music and more.  Door prizes will be given out as well!

Come on down to Sunnybrook Ballroom for a great afternoon this Sunday!

For more information and directions:

http://www.sunnybrookballroom.net/