Barns and Blooms – May 3, 2019

Celebrating the family farm, old barns, and the blooms that brighten our days.

Schedule of Events

4-6 p.m. — Fair Oaks Farms Traveling Exhibit

5 p.m. — Opening of Art Exhibit, Vendor Booths, Garden Reception

Book signings by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Carol Michel, and Marsha Williamson Mohr

5:30 p.m. — Spring planter demonstration by The Hoosier Gardener, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

6:30 p.m. Friends of the Frankfort Library Annual Meeting

6:45 p.m. Presentation by Gardener and Author Carol Michel

All events are free and open to the public.

The Friends Annual Meeting

    I know most of us are looking forward to better weather and warmer temperatures.  If you need a little motivation to help plan your gardens, or just surround yourself with beautiful things, then the 2019 Friends Annual Meeting program is just for you.  On Friday, May 3 we have a fun evening planned that is free and open to the public.  We begin at 4 p.m. when Fair Oaks Farms arrives with their traveling exhibit.  This exhibit is enclosed, and will be outside in front of the library until 6 p.m.  Fair Oaks is known for their famous dairy, swine, and crop adventures.  Patrons young and old can tour the exhibit while learning about this world-class farming operation.

The Anna & Harlan Hubbard Gallery, a Gardener’s Paradise

     Please join us inside the library as we plan to transform the Anna and Harlan Hubbard Gallery, and the majority of the 2nd floor into a gardener’s paradise.  With the help of area greenhouses, farmers, and artists with their floral and rural landscape artwork, it will be a beautiful evening.  Beginning at 5 p.m., we open the art exhibit and vendor booths, along with a garden reception.  The art exhibit is comprised of photographers Marsha Williamson Mohr and Cherri Flora, and paintings by Rena Brouwer and the adult students from her painting class.    Marsha has had several books published, including Indiana Barns and is known for photographing rural scenes and structures.  Many area residents may be familiar with Cherri and Rena from the Friends Annual Art Show and surrounding exhibits.  These talented artists will have a variety of their work for sale from May 3 through May 30.  We anticipate 20 participating vendors selling reclaimed barn wood items and greenhouse flowers to ice cream and preserves.  There truly is something for everyone!  Below is a complete list of vendors.  Please visit their links to view their products and services.   

The Hoosier Gardener

     We are excited to have the Hoosier Gardener, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, demonstrating how to plant spring containers.  Jo Ellen will give ideas and tips, and answer your gardening questions.  A former newspaper reporter, she now works as a freelance writer, editor, and photographer.  Her work has appeared in several national and local publications, including the American Gardener and Indiana Gardening.  Her weekly Hoosier Gardener column has been running in the Indianapolis Star since 1989 and she blogs at hoosiergardener.com.  In addition to contributing on several publications, Jo Ellen co-authored The Indiana Gardener’s Guide and wrote the Visitor’s Guide to American Gardens, which includes more than 400 gardens in the United States and Canada.

The Secrets to Happiness in Your Garden

     Indianapolis gardener and author, Carol Michel, will present “The Secrets to Happiness in Your Garden.”  Carol mixes horticulture and humor in her presentations on a wide variety of gardening topics.  She is also the author of two books:  Potted and Pruned:  Living a Gardening Life (2017) and Homegrown and Handpicked:  A Year in a Gardening Life  (2018).  Carol is a lifelong gardener and a popular speaker.  She regularly writes for her award-winning garden blog, www.maydreamsgardens.com. Patrons will be able to ask questions and obtain information about these exhibiting businesses and artists.  In addition to purchasing items from the participating vendors, the photography and gardening books by Mohr, Sharp, and Michel will be available for sale that evening.  Book signings will be conducted throughout the evening. 

Participating Vendors

A & J’s Lawn and Landscape

BCS Landscape Design

Bittersweet Nurserys

Farmhouse Flowers

Cherri Flora Photography

The Frankfort Garden Club

Chloe Harshman Stained Glass

High Hopes Farms

Hoosier Wood

Hoosier Candle Company (formerly Walnut Street Traditions)

Lyndsay’s Flowers

Matz Honey

Red Barn Summer Theatre

Vickie Ritter – Images by VLR Photography

Round Barn Creamery

Smith Farms

Timeless Barn Company

Wea Creek Orchard

Wild Bird Shoppe

Marsha Williamson Mohr Photography

The Willow Creek Barn

Windy Hill Farms

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

This event is generously produced in cooperation with the Clinton County Visitor and Tourism Commission – We Support Local Hospitality!

Clinton County Farm Bureau Insurance
Industrial Federal Credit Union
Encompass Credit Union
Frankfort Garden Club
Gangwer Powers Insurance Agency
Patrick’s Office Supply & Furniture
Skiles Electric

There will be a raffle of items prepared and donated by the Hoosier Gardener, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, and Knox Weddings & Events.

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