By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
KENNEBUNK —
English Cottage? Fruits and vegetables? Or maybe a Japanese Zen Garden?
If you need ideas or just inspiration for growing your own lush garden, plan to attend the Saturday, July 17th “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour. The annual event, now in its 16th year, is a fundraiser for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County.
For one day only a $20 donation to support the Council’s vital programs and services will gain you access to nine private gardens at homes throughout Kennebunk, West Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. The self-guided tour, spanning 22 miles, will allow you to meander and view the gardens at your own pace, while gaining landscaping and gardening ideas.
Special guest Paul Parent, host of the popular Sunday morning syndicated radio show “The Paul Parent Garden Club”, has been helping to promote the benefit and will make his gardens available for viewing again this year. Parent, a nationally recognized gardening guru, will offer tips and answer questions about gardening in New England, including landscaping options, plant varieties, pest control, watering techniques and more.
The Garden Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Selected gardens to be featured on the annual tour change each year, with the exception of Parent’s who has new surprises this summer, and are kept secret until the day of the event.
On July 17th participants will need to purchase a brochure that describes each garden along the tour and includes a map with driving directions. Brochures can be purchased at one of these area businesses beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the event: in the parking lot behind Marlows on Main Street in Kennebunk, at Kennebunk High School on Fletcher Street in Kennebunk, Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center on Route 1 South in Kennebunk, Blooms & Heirlooms on Route 1 North in Kennebunk and Carrots & Company on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport. Those who have already purchased advanced discount tickets must exchange their tickets for a brochure and map on the day of the tour at one of the above locations.
While on the tour, participants can stop to enjoy light refreshments at Lucas on 9, which is located at 62 Mills Road (Route 9) in Cape Porpoise.
The Garden Tour began in 1995, when Shari Lewchanin, a past board member, fulfilled her obligation to raise money for the Council by creating the idea for a garden tour. In the 90’s each board member was responsible for raising $200 each year. This year’s Garden Tour goal is to see 800 participants and raise $18,000 to fund the Council’s critical outreach, education and prevention programs.
“The Council is very fortunate to be located in a very generous community that provides such strong support for children and families in York County,” said Laurie DuPaul, the Council’s Executive Director. The Garden Tour is one of two major annual fundraisers for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County. All proceeds from the tour directly support the non-profit organization’s works to raise awareness, provide education and prevent child abuse and neglect right here in York County.
The 2010 “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour is sponsored in part by Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center; Digital Research, Inc.; the law office of Libby O’Brien Kingsley and Champion, LLC and Genest. Tour details can be found at www.kidsgreetogrow.org. For questions or more information, call the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County at (207) 985-5975 or email events@kidsgreetogrow.org.
Photo caption: Paul Parent in the garden (Courtesy photos)
Staff Columnist
KENNEBUNK —
English Cottage? Fruits and vegetables? Or maybe a Japanese Zen Garden?
If you need ideas or just inspiration for growing your own lush garden, plan to attend the Saturday, July 17th “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour. The annual event, now in its 16th year, is a fundraiser for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County.
For one day only a $20 donation to support the Council’s vital programs and services will gain you access to nine private gardens at homes throughout Kennebunk, West Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. The self-guided tour, spanning 22 miles, will allow you to meander and view the gardens at your own pace, while gaining landscaping and gardening ideas.
Special guest Paul Parent, host of the popular Sunday morning syndicated radio show “The Paul Parent Garden Club”, has been helping to promote the benefit and will make his gardens available for viewing again this year. Parent, a nationally recognized gardening guru, will offer tips and answer questions about gardening in New England, including landscaping options, plant varieties, pest control, watering techniques and more.
The Garden Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Selected gardens to be featured on the annual tour change each year, with the exception of Parent’s who has new surprises this summer, and are kept secret until the day of the event.
On July 17th participants will need to purchase a brochure that describes each garden along the tour and includes a map with driving directions. Brochures can be purchased at one of these area businesses beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the event: in the parking lot behind Marlows on Main Street in Kennebunk, at Kennebunk High School on Fletcher Street in Kennebunk, Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center on Route 1 South in Kennebunk, Blooms & Heirlooms on Route 1 North in Kennebunk and Carrots & Company on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport. Those who have already purchased advanced discount tickets must exchange their tickets for a brochure and map on the day of the tour at one of the above locations.
While on the tour, participants can stop to enjoy light refreshments at Lucas on 9, which is located at 62 Mills Road (Route 9) in Cape Porpoise.
The Garden Tour began in 1995, when Shari Lewchanin, a past board member, fulfilled her obligation to raise money for the Council by creating the idea for a garden tour. In the 90’s each board member was responsible for raising $200 each year. This year’s Garden Tour goal is to see 800 participants and raise $18,000 to fund the Council’s critical outreach, education and prevention programs.
“The Council is very fortunate to be located in a very generous community that provides such strong support for children and families in York County,” said Laurie DuPaul, the Council’s Executive Director. The Garden Tour is one of two major annual fundraisers for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County. All proceeds from the tour directly support the non-profit organization’s works to raise awareness, provide education and prevent child abuse and neglect right here in York County.
The 2010 “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour is sponsored in part by Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center; Digital Research, Inc.; the law office of Libby O’Brien Kingsley and Champion, LLC and Genest. Tour details can be found at www.kidsgreetogrow.org. For questions or more information, call the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County at (207) 985-5975 or email events@kidsgreetogrow.org.
Photo caption: Paul Parent in the garden (Courtesy photos)
