Northfield Garden Club's annual Garden Tour

Description

To: Area papers From: Richard Collman, Northfield Garden Club, 507-645-1357 For: Release by June 30, 2014 NORTHFIELD GARDEN TOUR FEATURES "FLOWERS & FINE ART" Northfield Garden Club will sponsor their annual Garden Tour on Saturday, July 12, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m., and on Sunday, July 13, 11 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. The gardens chosen blend art and nature with six resident artists using varied mediums. The theme this year could easily be "no grass" as yards feature creative ways by which to reduce grass. While the tour could begin at any garden, "Pathways of Faith Park" is a great place to begin on 912 Cannon Valley Drive West off Cedar Ave. N. to see what Karen Lundquist, Northfield Retirement Community master gardener has done to create a pilgrimage of flowers and faith. James Wilson, Australian born MN artist, is working with Professor Emeritus Mac Gimse to create a wood and steel cross for this garden that is supported by companies and individuals donating gifts to make it all possible. Barry and Kerry Cipra, 305 Oxford, maintain a "house in the woods up north" with no grass, all shade, and boulders and rocks. Switzers Landscaping redid their front yard, and Wolcott sculptures dot the place alongside other outdoor sculptures awaiting visitors at every turn. Six beautiful old white pine trees beckon visitors in. Artist Dick Zawacki carves animals and faces from native MN butternut and basswood, and he will be exhibiting in this yard. Jean Wakely at the Lockwood Opera House Association, 418 Grastvedt Lane downtown, has done wonders in a 200 square foot garden with the help of Leif Knecht. This tiny yard is an oasis in the middle of downtown, like a French Quarter piece transplanted up north. Judy Sayle-Willis, visual artist, does fiber,jewelry, books, and installation art with color and texture in this yard. Derrin and Paul O'Connell at 402 Fourth St. E. live in a beautiful yellow "gingerbread house" built in 1879. Their large yard has many garden "rooms" and features plus 100 year old spruce trees and a pergola. Derrin O'Connell has a background in graphic design and describes herself as a "creative adventurer dabbling in anything inspired by texture, color in nature, fabric, paper, and more..."Her "old school" techniques undergird her creations that will be available in this yard. Elizabeth Olson, chair of this year's garden tour, lives at 2412 Pepper Ridge Ct. Her yard shows signs of increasing maturity with a great variety of trees and landscaping interest. She has reduced her lawn with accent gardens and a raised vegetable garden by the house. Artist Marsha Kitchel has immersed herself in this yard's summer palette to paint out of doors and display her small paintings. Susan and Dale Kulsrud at 2009 Lincoln St. S. near Target have a garden with a dramatic wood sculpture trellis created by Dale. The lovely garden shed named "Valhalla" will be open for view also along with many items of interest in this small yard. Potter Tom Willis applies his skill and craftsmanship to unlimited possibilities of the clay form with works made to be used and enjoyed. The cost of the tour is $10, and tickets (in the form of a small poster with marked directions) are available at Knecht's Landscaping on Hwy 19 across from the St. Olaf entrance and Eco Gardens (across from Econo Foods.) Tickets are also available at each home on the days of the tour. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Olson, tour chairperson, at 507-301-3396 or visit the Northfield Garden Club website: www.thenorthfieldgardenclub.org/sponsored-