Boston Flora

Tag: Comcast

  • Friday, July 12, 5:00 pm – Deadline for Application: Mayor Menino’s 2013 Garden Contest

    Amateur gardeners who are Boston residents, operate a Boston business, or who design and maintain an organization garden, join the citywide celebration of urban gardening with Mayor Menino’s 2013 Garden Contest, generously sponsored by Comcast.  The Grand Prize is provided by jetBlue.  Photographs or images submitted to the Boston Parks & Recreation Department become City of Boston property and may be used for press or marketing purposes.  The Department has the right to choose the appropriate garden category for entrants, if one has not been chosen, or if management believes the garden should be placed in a different category.  Gardeners may only win one category.

    Categories are: Porch, Balcony, Deck, or Window Box Garden; Shade Garden; Small Yard Garden (250 square feet or less); Medium Yard Garden (250 to 500 square feet); Large Yard Garden (larger than 500 square feet); Community Garden; Vegetable or Herb Garden; Senior Garden Category (65+); and Storefront, Organization, or Main Street District Garden.  The judging criteria are general appeal, use of color, neatness, variety, quality, sustainability, and art.  Participants who have won three or more times in the last ten years will automatically be entered in the second annual Mayor’s Garden Contest Hall of Fame.  These distinguished garden hall-of-famers are able to participate as an honorary judge during the 2013 contest, but will not be eligible to participate as a contestant.  The winner of the grand prize will be awarded roundtrip flights for four to any nonstop destination from Boston.  Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply.  Applications with photos may be mailed to Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest, Boston Parks & Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02118, or apply online at www.cityofboston.gov/parks/gardencontest. Thank you, boston.com, for the image of a past winner’s garden, below:

    http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/assets_c/2012/08/Linh%27s%20Garden%201-thumb-520x333-80200.jpg

  • Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest 2011

    The July 15 entry deadline is almost upon us – enter Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest 2011, a citywide celebration of urban gardening, generously sponsored by Comcast and the Boston Herald.  All Boston residents, businesses, or organizational gardens are eligible, as long as the gardener is an amateur.  Gardens will be judged on the basis of general appeal (natural or formal), use of color, definition, neatness, the variety and quality of plant material, and garden hardware, furnishings, and art.  Submit photo of the nominated garden to Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, along with your name, address, telephone number and email address, or apply online at www.cityofboston,gov/parks/gardencontest.  Categories:  Porch, Balcony, Deck or Window Box Garden; Shade Garden; Small Yard Garden (250 square feet or less); Medium Yard Garden (250 square feet – 500 square feet); Large Yard Garden (larger than 500 square feet); Community Garden; Vegetable or Herb Garden; Storefront, Business or Organization Garden.  Photographs or images submitted to the Boston Parks & Recreation Department become City of Boston property and may be used for press or marketing purposes.  Gardeners may only win one category per year.  For more information, call 617-961-3051.  Chitose Suzuki’s photo of South End garden below courtesy of www.townhousecenter.org.

  • Friday – Saturday, July 9 and 10, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Coastal Gardens Tour

    The Rockport Garden Club presents its Coastal Gardens Tour, a tour of sixteen  private Rockport seaside gardens (ten stops), on Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ten stops provide access, and each garden offers unique plantings and styles.  Most of the gardens are on the waterfront along Rockport’s spectacular coastline, while others feature ocean views.  Perennials, refreshments, and original art will be offered for sale at designated tour sites.  All proceeds will be used to maintain Rockport’s town gardens and to fund civic projects and scholarships.  This is a rain or shine event.  Admission is $25 in advance (call 978-546-5949).  Tickets may be purchased after June 1 at Toad Hall Bookstore, 51 Main Street, Rockport, at Pier & Main Gifts, 1 Main Street in Rockport, and on the week of the tour at the Visitor Information Booth, Main Street (Rte. 127).  For further information,  you may email Gretchen Anderson at ganderson8945@comcast.net, or log on to www.rockportgardenclub.org.  The picture below was taken by Francine Crawford at last summer’s tour, which she and Jolinda Taylor attended.

  • Sunday, December 20, 1:00 – 5:00 pm – Alfalfa Farm Winery Event

    Take a winter’s day drive to Alfalfa Farm Winery in Topsfield for their annual Customer Appreciation Event, with free wine, cheese, live music, and, here’s the best, the Worst Holiday Sweater Contest. Alfalfa Farm Winery is a family owned and operated vineyard which produces a variety of hand crafted wines and hosts functions and events for many local nonprofit organizations.  For directions and more information, call 978-774-0014, or email alfalfafarm@comcast.net.  You may also visit the web site at www.alfalfafarmwinery.com.

    http://blstb.msn.com/i/CB/424B63A94FD8EFA4F3EA7F6389BF.jpg

  • Holiday Wreath On-Line Ordering – A Revised Method

    We’ve been having some problems with our on-line wreath store – checking out is hard to do.  Since this is the final week before we begin making our beautiful holiday wreaths, we have scrambled for a solution, and have one.  You may still click on to On-Line Wreath Store on the menu above and print the order form.  Then simply fill it out and fax it to Francine Crawford at 617-249-1762.  Payment can be made directly through PayPal, www.paypal.com, if you wish.  Log in (or create an account if you don’t already have one – it’s safe and secure) and click Send Money, then fill in elisabethlay@comcast.net as the Payee.  (Your receipt will show the payment goes to The Garden Club of the Back Bay).  Put in the amount due, designate it is for Goods, and you’re all set.  Or, you may mail a check made out to The Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc. to Francine Crawford, 421 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02115.  You may also email your order information (for instance, one fully decorated standard indoor wreath with red bow & gold accents) to info@bostonflora.com, and we’ll quickly confirm your order and get back to you with delivery or pick up information.  You may mail a check, pay with PayPal, or bring your payment with you if you are picking up your wreath at The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street, Boston.  Thank you for your understanding and patience!

  • Saturday, December 12 – Weston Holiday House Tour

    The Women’s Community League of Weston is pleased to announce Holiday House Tour ’09.  On Saturday, December 12, six stunning pre-civil war homes decorated for the holidays will be featured.  Over the summer the committee designed a fabulous day, chock full of Holiday Cheer, American history, and innovative combinations of the past, present, and future, bound to thrill all of those in attendance.  They  are especially pleased to debut their new Platinum Corporate Sponsors:  Boston Properties, Biogen Idec, Highland Meadows and Weston Landscaping. These corporations are proud to support the Women’s Community League Services and Scholarship Fund and give back to their local community.  Contact Nancy Hughes at nancy.hughes@comcast.net, or log on to www.wclweston.org for directions, hours, and pricing information.  The beautiful wreath below was created by Susan Snow Summerside of Moving Designz (sic) Interior Decorating.

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fEUNAJTQaVc/ST8YkNw7XGI/AAAAAAAACOU/4XPNiCX4PfQ/s400/christmas-wreath-7-l.jpg

  • Sunday, December 13, 12:00 – 4:00 pm – Falmouth Annual Holiday House Tour

    The 33rd Annual Falmouth Holiday House Tour will take place Sunday, December 13, from 12 – 4 pm.  There will also be a holiday boutique. This benefit is held by the West Falmouth Library, and more information may be obtained by logging on to www.westfalmouthlibrary.org, You may also email WestFalLib@comcast.net.

    http://staidensmonastery.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/gb_christmas_wreath.gif

  • Monday, December 7 – Thursday, December 10, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm – Wreath Making

    Pastor Ingo R. Dutzmann and his parish will again host our Club for wreath making on the lower level of The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street (on the corner of Berkeley and Marlborough Streets). We are very, very grateful.  The hours are as follows:

    Monday, December 7 – 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (set up, training, + decoration)
    Tuesday, December 8 – 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating)
    Wednesday, December 9- 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating, delivery)
    Thursday, December 10- 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (decorating, delivery, clean    up)

    Please come to the side door on Berkeley Street.  We’ll post a sign.   Dried materials and fresh greens can be delivered to the Church no earlier than Monday, December 7.  Please have all decorations “cleaned down” – branches cut down, dead leaves removed – so we can contain the mess we inevitably make.  Delicate materials can be laid flat in sweater boxes or gently stacked in cardboard containers.  We are going to need as many dried items, especially flowers, as we can collect.

    Bring clippers and scissors if you have them, labeled with masking tape for ease of identification.  Aprons are also a good idea.  Dress comfortably!  We need everyone’s help, whether you decorate, deliver, organize, make telephone calls confirming delivery, or sweep.  Contact Francine Crawford at 617-859-8865 (francine.crawford@verizon.net) or Margaret Pokorny at 617-536-2920 (MPok384@verizon.net) if you have specific questions.  Otherwise, we’ll see you on Monday.  If you still plan to order wreaths, send the order forms along as soon as you can.   Please try to come for as many hours as possible, on as many days as you can spare – we need you, and you’ll have a great time!  Thank you.  If you can take a delivery shift, and have not already been contacted, email Elisabeth Lay at elisabethlay@comcast.net, or call her at 617-536-6633.

  • Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 6 – Country Roads Christmas

    On December 5th and 6th 2009, a number of local country stores in the Quabbin Reservoir area are teaming again for the annual Christmas in the Country Weekend. Each offer the area’s seasonal products and flavors in an authentic, friendly, and relaxing atmosphere.  Feel the holiday warmth and charm of local shops where folks are truly glad you came by!  Complimentary light refreshments are available at each stop.

    Local participants with a horticultural bent include The Kitchen Garden, 268 Baldwinville Road in Templeton, Whiting Farm on Route 2A in Phillipston, Down to Earth Nursery, 450 Royalston Road in Phillipston, Popple Camp Alpacas, Route 101, Phillipston, Carter & Stevens Farm, 500 West Street, Route 122 in Barre, and Hartman’s Herb Farm, 1026 Old Dana Road in Barre.  If you are not familiar with this historic part of central Massachusetts, you are in for a treat.

    For complete information, email Jessie at jjdcdug@comcast.net, or log on to www.countryroadschristmas.com.

  • Sunday, October 25, 10 – 4 – Come See Our Bloomers!

    Beautiful orchids from all over the world will be displayed by hobbyists, commercial growers and orchid societies on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the “Come See Our Bloomers!” Show and Sale.  The event will take place at The Pond House at Elizabeth Park, 1555 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut, and admission is free.  See exhibits by orchid and orchid supply vendors, enjoy related arts and crafts, and participate in a teacup raffle.  For further information, contact Jeanne McDermott, President of the Nutmeg State Orchid Society, Inc., at PO Box 131, Farmington, CT 06034-0131, 860-677-5381, or email NSOScontact@comcast.net.  For more information, log on to www.nutmegorchids.org.