West Rowan Home and Garden recognizes real-life Wonder Woman during Mother’s Day Festival – Salisbury Post

West Rowan Home and Garden recognizes real-life Wonder Woman during Mother’s Day Festival – Salisbury Post

by Home And Garden

MOUNT ULLA — As an only kid, Brandy Smith usually dreamed of getting a residence total of young children when she grew up.

“I received it,” Smith stated.

Smith is the biological mother of one son and is at present fostering 3 other small children, with options to undertake the oldest. Her passion for increasing young children and means to “thrive in chaos” is why Smith was acknowledged on Saturday as Wonder Lady of the Yr by West Rowan Property and Garden.

The Mount Ulla retailer and community hub hosted a Mother’s Day Festival entire with a bouncy property, distributors and a performance by the West Rowan Elementary Faculty Ukulele Club. A costumed Wonder Girl snapped images with youngsters.

“It’s our way to give back to the group,” explained Elsie Bennett, owner of West Rowan Residence and Garden.

Bennett solicited nominations for the Question Female of the Calendar year on the store’s Fb website page and lots arrived in. What separated Smith from other fantastic nominees, Bennett stated, was the reality that she was nominated by numerous people today independently of each and every other.

“(Smith) was nominated by two unique folks who did not know the other had nominated her,” Bennett claimed.

Smith was place up for the award by the two her childhood friend and her mother, Linda Layok. Layok is a very pleased mother.

“The detail about Brandy is, I elevated her as a solitary mom and now right here she is with all of these young ones performing so great,” Layok explained. “I look at her and she just amazes me. She just proves it can be done. She’s obtained so a great deal patience and love for these youngsters it’s wonderful. And they enjoy her way too.”

Smith and her husband, Evan, commenced fostering young children above a calendar year back immediately after the initial wave of the pandemic. She claimed the system of remaining a foster guardian wasn’t as grueling as some assert it to be.

“If you open up to them, it is a incredibly easy procedure,” Smith stated.

The family enjoys excursions, such as picnics at local parks and tenting trips. Smith and her loved ones stopped by West Rowan House and Backyard garden just before heading to the mountains for the working day.

Previously mentioned all else, Smith claimed the children just want to be handled like kids.

For successful the Speculate Girl of the 12 months title, Smith will acquire a $50 shopping spree at the store.

There ended up loads of other festivities having put at the keep. Inside the antique barn, about two dozen pupils from West Rowan Elementary Faculty executed a range of music applying their ukuleles and voices. Alex Day, the tunes instructor who runs the ukulele club, stated his pupils have been practising alongside one another since the start out of the year. In entrance of their people, together with several moms, learners performed tracks together with “Can’t Assist Slipping in Love” and “Don’t Fret Be Pleased.”

The club will complete together once more at Earth Working day Jam at Bell Tower Inexperienced on Saturday.

Also in the antique barn, showcased artisan Joe Owen showed off his handcrafted home furnishings. The retired woodworking trainer specializes in functional reproductions of home furniture that would have been generally applied in the 1800s and 1700s. Owen’s cupboards, benches and more can be observed anytime at the retailer.

Inside the retailer, Linda Holshouser and Darcy Ward battled for the title of finest baker with two scrumptious cakes. Under a gentle rain outdoors, distributors offered food items and items and a bouncy home gave kids a area to engage in.

West Rowan Household and Backyard garden will host a very similar competition for Father’s Working day on June 11.

Chestnut Hill prepares for sun and fun at their Home And Garden Festival | Lifestyle

Chestnut Hill prepares for sun and fun at their Home And Garden Festival | Lifestyle

by Home And Garden

Chestnut Hill’s House and Yard Festival is again delivering exciting and purchasing for all. On Sunday, Might 1st, one particular hundred and fifty suppliers will set up together the 7700 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue to deliver the community alongside one another and supports the nearby companies in just the Chestnut Hill Small business District.

This just one working day competition operates from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a relatives-pleasant celebration that has a thing for everyone including property décor, out of doors demonstrations, plants and bouquets, jewellery, lawn and tree treatment, landscaping, soaps, home furnishings, handcrafted components, artwork, outfits and more.

Amid the quite a few vendors that will be on site at Chestnut Hill’s Residence and Garden Competition, are plant vendor Foliage and fashionable soap and bath company Gold and Water Co.

Yolanda Palmer owns Foliage, which is positioned at 6039 Passyunk Avenue and this is her next yr collaborating in the competition. Palmer sells plants, pots and even helps make her very own dirt. She is very passionate about crops and enjoys educating persons on how to thoroughly treatment for the vegetation. She says she’s keen to aid everyone from the plant-curious to the seasoned gardener.

“Novice plant fans, newbie and professional plant enthusiasts will occur, persons that want to get into vegetation will come,” Palmer said.

Palmer claims she has been caring for vegetation due to the fact she was a minor girl.

“Every Friday, when I was carried out with my chores, I would get a gift. My mother would acquire me a plant and that traveled with me as I received more mature. All through the many years, I obtained into various species and care. I’m into the treatment of the plant and the dust and fertilizing,” she reported.

In addition to the property and garden offerings, there is amusement for young ones young and old. Head to Jenks Elementary to check out actions for young children under 10. There will be confront portray, arts & crafts and other enjoyable functions, together with food alternatives, for households. In addition, Stagecrafters Theater Occasions will present issues for small children of all ages such as stilt walkers from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., jugglers from 12-2 p.m. courtesy of the Philadelphia School of the Circus Arts, a balloon artist from 12:30 — 2:30p.m. and children’s theatre performances at 1p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Since of the pandemic, quite a few things were scaled down or cancelled previous 12 months. This festival was condensed to a stroll.

Palmer is fired up for this year’s enlargement, “I’m super thrilled! I’m sitting down below acquiring my orders jointly and issues I want to display outside the house. I require anything to glance exceptionally pleasant. It is going to be completely diverse from what I seasoned last year. It is going to be greater!”

Gold and H2o Co. is another seller that will be on internet site. This is Operator Chartel Findlater’s very first yr taking part in the competition.

“I am really energized about acquiring to place faces to the names of the companies that I’ve communicated with on social media since my small business is primarily an on the net retailer. I am grateful to meet folks and be a component of that working experience,” states Findlater.

Findlater’s enterprise provides hand crafted soaps and bathtub and human body items. She has a studio in Kensington and sells on the net as effectively as through community suppliers and companies. Some of her suppliers are in Chestnut Hill.

Gold and H2o Co. was developed after Findlater craved to find peace throughout a seeking time in her daily life. Her business enterprise has afforded her the chance to “help many others uncover those very same moments of relaxation and peace as perfectly. I really don’t feel healing will come by means of a bubble bathtub for every say, but I consider the intention driving it is what is important. Did you pause? Are you present in this second? Are you getting treatment of oneself?”

This year Chestnut Hill’s Dwelling and Backyard garden Pageant was expanded to include things like many blocks and of study course there will be food! Regional Chestnut Hill eateries as well as some meals vehicles will be on the scene. Seem for festival foodstuff favorites like popcorn, cotton sweet, ice cream, baked items, delicate pretzels and more. Puppies are also welcomed!

National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., to return in person March 20

National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., to return in person March 20

by Home Decoration

The Park Company predicted peak bloom to come about in between March 22 and 25. The Washington Post’s Capital Temperature Gang has predicted peak bloom for March 24, or within just a five-working day window of March 22 and 26.

The festival is a single of Washington’s most cherished traditions as the pink flowers sign the changeover to spring and mark the get started of the city’s tourism time. The competition — like other significant gatherings all over the world — was shuttered by the pandemic and compelled to uncover alternative approaches to celebrate.

But as coronavirus instances in the Washington region development down and leaders elevate limitations, the competition will be again this yr with the topic “Rediscover Spring” and dozens of occasions and performances, including the opening ceremony, kite competition and parade.

Organizers and leaders collected Tuesday early morning in the sky lounge of an apartment elaborate overlooking the Tidal Basin, some dressed in vivid pink attire and enjoying refreshments — like cherry blossom-flavored glowing water — to announce the peak blossom dates and festival ideas.

“This year’s pageant is about uniting the neighborhood as effectively as rediscovering well-beloved traditions and exploring new approaches to celebrate springtime through Washington, D.C., and the bordering spots,” Diana Mayhew, president of the Nationwide Cherry Blossom Festival, stated.

The region’s leaders have been seeking to return the region’s tourism, foodstuff and amusement industries back again to ordinary following about two years of the pandemic. Last month, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) introduced that the city’s proof-of-vaccination requirement and mask mandate would be lifted, citing declining coronavirus instances in the metropolis. And past 7 days the Facilities for Disorder Command and Prevention eased indoor masking steering for much of the place.

“One matter I know about our vacation spot,” Bowser mentioned, “is that persons will be flocking again to it. So allow me say without equivocation, that D.C. is open.”

The city marked a file 12 months in tourism that yr, with 24.6 million guests making $896 million in tax income, according to the city’s tourism arm, Desired destination DC. In 2020, with shutdowns, dread and minimal travel, these numbers plummeted, chopping the variety of domestic site visitors practically in 50 {d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}.

This year the city is ready to welcome the crowds again with entire programming. Activities will involve traditions such as the Countrywide Cherry Blossom Pageant Parade that runs for operates for 10 blocks along Structure Avenue Northwest the Blossom Kite Pageant, which captivated a lot more than 50,000 attendees on the Countrywide Shopping mall in 2019 and Petalpalooza, a dwell audio pageant along the financial institutions of the Anacostia River.

Other features that started out through the pandemic are also again, like Petal Porches, a home decoration competitors, and the BloomCam that will allow flower enthusiasts to look at the blooming from anywhere.

“We’re thrilled to welcome so quite a few of these occasions in this article nowadays. I now sensed these a big difference driving to operate now, there was website traffic, and people were being honking. It reminded me of 2019 times,” D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) said. “People are again to do the job and ready to celebrate.”

What to expect at the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City

What to expect at the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City

by Home Decoration

The small town of Plant City in northeast Hillsborough County will once again turn on its Southern charm when the Florida Strawberry Festival opens on Thursday for an 11-day run of one of the most-attended fairs in the state.

The pandemic clouded last year’s festival, causing organizers to cancel its usually stellar music lineup. They also spent $600,000 on air scrubbers, acrylic shields and sanitizing walk-through tunnels, and widened the midway to allow more space for the masked crowds.

This year, the music lineup is back with country stars Lady A and Sam Hunt and classic rocker Sammy Hagar, among many other popular acts. And the COVID-19 protocols have eased.

Paul Davis, president of the Florida Strawberry Festival, said they plan to be flexible as new public health guidelines come out almost every week, “but I think our country is learning to live with COVID.”

At the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival, a popular fair food was the Mega Dog. That's a corndog that is 18 inches long.
At the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival, a popular fair food was the Mega Dog. That’s a corndog that is 18 inches long. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times (2021) ]

The mask mandates are gone, though they will have masks on hand to give out freely, Davis said. The festival will once again have more than 100 hand-sanitizing stations throughout the grounds. They will request that guests keep their distance and wear a mask when indoors.

Related: How the Strawberry Festival used shrewd Southern charm to become one of Florida’s biggest events

The Strawberry Festival is renowned for its Southern hospitality, which made it the No. 4 most-attended fair in the nation in 2020 with more than 525,000 visitors, according to industry tracker Carnival Warehouse.

In 2021, without its big music lineup and with the pandemic lingering, attendance dipped to 402,000, Davis said. That still surpassed big events like the Florida State Fair, which drew 292,000 visitors in 2021.

The festival was founded in 1930 and it retains its old-fashioned appeal with a midway of more than 80 rides and games, farm animals, funny competitions and lots of food on a stick. And of course, strawberries can be found in every form, from shortcakes and funnel cakes to pickles and strawberry pizzas in the town that calls itself the winter strawberry capital of the world.

At the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival, the Oak Ridge Boys performed at the Wish Farms stage. The festival is known for its strong music lineup, luring more than 400,000 to Plant City during its 11-day run.
At the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival, the Oak Ridge Boys performed at the Wish Farms stage. The festival is known for its strong music lineup, luring more than 400,000 to Plant City during its 11-day run. [ DA PRA, ALESSANDRA | Tampa Bay Times (2018) ]
Planning your weekend?

Planning your weekend?

Subscribe to our free Top 5 things to do newsletter

We’ll deliver ideas every Thursday for going out, staying home or spending time outdoors.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

With no booze, tobacco or other vices, it remains a quaint piece of Americana that offers friendly “roving ambassadors” wearing bright red visors and red vests who walk the grounds and seek out the lost or bewildered with maps and advice.

Here are some highlights to look for.

The music

One of the reasons this festival has such a stellar music lineup every year is organizers discovered that if they can attract young people with a hot music act like Taylor Swift in 2009, Demi Lovato in 2012 or the Band Perry in 2016, they will stick around and spend more money on food and on the midway.

Musical acts performing this year include Nelly, Lady A, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, Lauren Daigle, Zach Williams, Jake Owen, Tesla, Cole Swindell, the Bellamy Brothers and Sam Hunt.

Tickets are in addition to admission and range from $20 to $55, depending on the headliner. You can find the full lineup and buy tickets at the festival’s website, flstrawberryfestival.com.

The strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City comes with generous amounts of strawberries and whipped cream. But first the customer has to choose: cake or biscuit?
The strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City comes with generous amounts of strawberries and whipped cream. But first the customer has to choose: cake or biscuit? [ OCTAVIO JONES | Times (2018) ]

The strawberries

Plant City is splattered in red everywhere you turn because it’s the color of the berry that fuels it.

Many visitors make sure to pick up a flat of strawberries before heading home. You’ll find the cream of the crop from Parkesdale Farms on the south side of Parke Exhibit Building and from Wish Farms on the northeast corner of Parke Exhibit Building and just outside Gate 1.

But it’s the strawberry shortcake that is most famous. It’s a hotly debated topic: Do you choose to top a biscuit or a cake with your gooey strawberry mix before a dollop of whipped cream? St. Clements has a “Make Your Own” shortcake booth in the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building and there are many other booths around the grounds to make your cake versus biscuit decision.

Related: Heavy is the crown for the Strawberry Queen

The milkshakes are legendary, studded with chunks of fresh strawberries and cream. There’s even one at Polar Bear Ice Cream called a Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake that will line your cup with Fruity Pebbles and top the creamy strawberry milkshake with a cupcake, sponge cake, whipped cream, more strawberries and a strawberry lollipop.

You can also buy strawberry plants and find gifts such as strawberry-themed clothing and home decor.

A bowl of strawberries is seen at the St. Clement Catholic Church booth in 2018 where people can make their own strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
A bowl of strawberries is seen at the St. Clement Catholic Church booth in 2018 where people can make their own strawberry shortcake at the Florida Strawberry Festival. [ “ALESSANDRA DA PRA | TIMES” | Times (2018) ]

Contests

The festival keeps the pressure on with an array of contests that are free to enter.

Strawberry Stemming Contest: There’s a youth version at 2 p.m. Saturday, where youngsters of all ages compete to see who can remove the stems from 20 berries the fastest. The adults get a shot at 2 p.m. March 8. All of the green stems must be taken off the strawberry.

Crafts and baking: For less adrenaline-fueled fun, the Neighborhood Village showcases award-winning homemade and handcrafted items in categories such as cake decorating, apparel, food preservation, home decoration items, jewelry, needlework, toys and baking.

Strawberry Mashed Potato Pie Eating Contest: Competitors are challenged with eating one plate of garlic mashed potatoes (topped with strawberry glaze and a fresh strawberry, of course) in under 10 minutes. 3 p.m. March 11.

Super Dog Mega Corndog Eating Contest: Each contestant will be given two corn dogs that are 18 inches long. The first contestant who finishes the two corn dogs and has a clean plate will be the winner of bragging rights. 1 p.m. March 9.

Strawberry Shortcake: Who can eat 4 pounds of strawberry shortcake in 10 minutes? Once they hit the 8-minute mark, their spoons are taken away just to make things a little more interesting. 2 p.m. March 10.

If you go

Florida Strawberry Festival: The Plant City festival celebrates the strawberry harvest with a midway, animal shows and a lineup of top country, pop and rock artists.

When: Opens Thursday and runs through March 13 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily at 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City. 813-752-9194.

Admission: $10, $5 ages 6-12, 5 and younger free. Concert tickets are $20-$55 in addition to gate admission. There are numerous days with special discounts on admission or the $20-$30 ride armbands. Find them at flstrawberryfestival.com.