Garden Expo 2007

It is my pleasure to report that the 2007 Garden Expo booth was the most successful to date.  We sold nearly $2100 worth of plants, a few bags of plant fertilizer tabs and even a couple of windsocks. 

This would not have been possible without the help of some very special people.  I would like to have all members show their appreciation to Margie Luce of Something Fishy for once again ordering in plants, dividing them and preparing them for the sale.  She has done this for four years taking little or no money for herself other than to pay for the plants she ordered in.  Her efforts on the Garden Expo and Manito project are major contributions to the club.

I would also like to thank Courtney Battermann for letting us piggyback our order onto the Greenacres Ponds and Plants order to save postage.  As you all know, nonprofit clubs such as ours need to save every penny.   This contribution is also appreciated.

The set up crew did a remarkable job in record time.  Thanks to the “out of the box” thinking of this crew, our booth had a great uncluttered, feel to it.  The Banner hangers did an especially great job.

Those on the set up crew were Jim Walsh, Scott Rollins, John Seifert, Mary Bates, Grant Rodkey and Alan McCalip.  Alan made the trip to Margie’s home in Greenacres to pick up the plants.  Everyone helped unload and we were ready for Business.

Saturday morning I had the best sales team I could ask for.  No one was afraid to approach potential customers and the money started coming in.

Jim Elms was once again in charge of the Hyacinth sales.  He explained to anyone and everyone who would listen that the plants gave off shoots and had babies.  He held on to the one blooming plant to show as an example.  “How many do you want?” was his constant inquiry.  He sold out of the hyacinths in record time and said his job was done and he was going home. 

Early bird sales people other than Jim were Steve and Sue Devaney, Jim Walsh and Kathy Kelley, Mary Bates and Ralph McGowen.  We were joined soon after by Jackie Kabrell, Scott and Kathy Rollins and John Seifert. 

Some came early, left and came back for clean up.  The booth kept shrinking as we sold more plants.  This is the first time we have been out of the college by 5:10 PM.  Tim Clune helped unpack the leftover plants when we arrived at Margies. Thanks so much to all who have helped with this project.

Claudia