I'm a Rock Star!
At the 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show I had the privilege
of meeting quite a few people who became “Friends of the Gallery”.
It is fun staying in touch, and some times I get to see our friends
on their own turf!
Beth MacMillan attended the Flower Show and became a “Friend
of the Gallery”. Before long I received an invitation through
Beth to be a guest lecturer at the Four Seasons Garden Club in Kennett
Square, PA.
On November 3, 2011 I loaded up my cement mixer, two bags of concrete,
five andesite fountain columns, a tarp, a manifold, tubing -- all
the stuff we would need for a “Design a Fountain” workshop.
I set my GPS for the Church of the Advent, where the garden club
meetings are held, and arrived well ahead of time.
We started off inside where the gracious hostesses had provided
food and drinks. When the socializing ended I was introduced to
the group and offered a few comments about Igneous Rock Gallery
and the Okanagan andesite rock we love to work with.
We wasted no time going outside to where the concrete had been mixing
for over half an hour. They have a nice “U” shaped courtyard
that sheltered thirty or more of us fountain designers as we huddled
together on this chilly November evening.
I had built the form ahead of time, chosen the columns,
sort of got prepared like the Food Network folks have to before
they make a “thirty minute meal” that in truth takes
at least a couple hours.
We had a lot of fun creating that fountain together! I offered the
short version of the creative process that went into the choice
of these five columns. We arranged them in the form and hooked up
the plumbing. Cheerful volunteers troweled concrete into the form.
Others held on to the tops of columns so they would not tip over.
Lots of questions were asked and answered. Personalities emerged.
We laughed and learned. It was a good time!
Several Four Seasons Garden Club members offered that this was the
most fun they ever had with a guest presenter. I am waiting for
official word from the club that this is so! Otherwise it is just
the personal opinions of a couple friendly members.
But I did hear from Beth MacMillan, who seems to speak for the group,
that I am now their “Rock Star”! I hope this means that
I will be invited back next year!
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