Community Corner
Fall Plant Sale and Auction to Support Horticulture Students
The doors will open Friday at 6 p.m. at the Tolland County Agricultural Center.
If you're looking for a fun and informative evening, the Connecticut Horticultural Society will be held Friday night, September 23, at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon.
Contributions to the auction come from the Connecticut nurserymen and women who donate healthy, beautiful and, in some cases, rare plants, and who also serve as auctioneers. According to auction co-chair, Fran Schoell, the group of contributors just may provide attendees with a bit of entertainment, as well as knowledge.
"They've all know each other for many years, so there are always stories about each other... It is fun, and we have sandwiches, soda, juices and dessert," said Schoell. In addition, "The auctioneers are full of information about the plants they auction off."
Approximately 165 people attended the group's Spring Sale and Auction, which netted over $5,000 from 88 registered bidders.
"Money from the auction goes for scholarships for UConn [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students] and Naugatuck Valley Community College [horticultural students,]" added Schoell.
According to Schoell, this fall's sale and auction will feature plants from Bill Turull from Garden Sales, John O'Brien from O'Brien Nursery, Kevin Wilcox from Farmington Valley Nursery and Adam Wheeler from Broken Arrow, as well as CHS member David Smith, who is retired head horticulturist for White Flower Farm.
In addition to the auction, which starts at 7:15 p.m., plants will be for sale at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
"Plants on the side tables will be mostly perrennials from members' gardens, priced from $.50 to $7," said Schoell, who added, "It's on Friday night, and where could you go on a Friday night and have so much fun for free admission, food and non-alcoholic drinks?"
For more information about the plant auctions, email Auction Committee co-chairs Fran Schoell or Leslie Shields at connhort@aol.com. For more information about the Connecticut Horticultural Society, visit them online at http://www.cthort.org.
