Aquebogue-Jamesport: Horticulture to save The Grange

My good neighbor Bill Van Helmond called me and asked me to include the following announcement for his mom, who will be celebrating her birthday on Feb. 9. Best wishes for a happy birthday to Carolyn Van Helmond, with love from your son, Bill, and friends, Linda, Scott, Gino and Lisa. Thanks again for the news, Bill, and happy birthday, Carolyn.

My husband and I went to the first talk in the horticulture series at The Grange in Northville. It was given by Jeff Frank, instructor and founder of The Nature Lyceum. The turnout was a success. All the proceeds from the evening went to the “Save the Grange” fund.

Beginning this week, “Organic Horticulture Made Simple: For Beginners and Established Gardeners” will be offered as part of this series to save The Grange. This week’s lectures are as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 2, “Organics in the Garden,” given by Florence Rewinski; Friday, Feb. 4, “How to Create a Farm, Raising Food and Preservation,” given by Thea Fry; Wednesday, Feb. 9, “Native Habitat Landscaping” given by Suzanne Ruggles. For more information about the series or The Grange, visit spirit-renewal.com.

I must confess — I love chocolate! That is why I think that Our Redeemer Lutheran School has come up with a great idea for their Valentine’s Day school fundraiser. You can order a box (or two or three, etc.) of chocolate-covered strawberries for your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. Sweethearts are not just those with whom we are romantically involved. Moms have sweet hearts, so do kids and grandparents and friends and neighbors. So support a neighborhood school and purchase a box of chocolate-covered strawberries. Each one-dozen box costs $20. The boxes need to be picked up on Monday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran School, 269 Main Road, Aquebogue. For more information or to place your order, call 722-4000, ext. 10, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Checks should be made payable to Our Redeemer Lutheran School.
Speaking of sweet, Winterfest Jazz on the Vine begins Valentine’s Day weekend. Plan ahead to participate and support our local wine industry and artists from all over Long Island by visiting liwinterfest.com for schedules and information on this great, local five-week event.

I speak with my mom, who resides in Florida, every weekend. This weekend, she insisted I must be sick of all the snow. I assured her that as long as there is winter, I would rather have snow. I love the white blanket covering the fields and trees and I love the silence of the snow. I love that the snow slows life down because “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep” (“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost).

Have a beautiful week!