818—Lancaster Farming, Thursday, December 24,1981
KENNETT SQUARES -
Festive “Trees from Storybook
Land’’ are now on display through
January 2 at Longwood Gardens,
Kennett Square, PA. Six garden
clubs from three states have
decorated diminutive trees on
themes chosen from classic
children’s literature.
The Gardeners Garden Club of
Radnor, PA, was presented the
“Best in Show’’ award for their
tree, “The Wind in the Willows.”
Christmas spirit
(Continued from Page B 16)
“Look, I gota slinky.”
While the new toys received their
proper due, the children were
equally impressed by some of the
used toys and played with them
with great enthusiasm.
According to Jean Spahn, the
mother of a Boots and Saddles 4-ti
Club member, the idea originated
four years ago as a community
service project. Christ Home was
selected because it relies strictly
on donations for its operation.
She said the first year each 4-
H’er donated a can of food. The
next year they expanded it to in
clude used clothing and food, and
the third year they collected
money to purchase an air hockey
game for the Home.
All in all, it has been a satisfying
relationship on both sides. About 15
of the club’s 48 members were
along to help with the Christmas
Longwood Gardens offers Christmas treats
The public can view the trees,
along with many other holiday
attractions including outdoor
lighted trees, daily through
January 2, W a.m. until Bp.m.
The “Trees from Storybook
Land” are arranged around
Longwood’s fem-filled Exhibition
Hall ajoining the main con
servatory. Greeting visitors is
“The Wizard of Oz” tree decorated
by the Penn Cumberland Garden
Club of New Cumberland, PA.
party, and many of them renewed
acquaintances among the children
whom they had learned to know the
previous year. It was heart
' warming to see them chat easily
with the children.
Not even a party with Santa can
be a success without refreshments,
and the 4-H’ers had provided for
that too. There was beautifully
decorated Christmas cakes,
cookies, pretzels and drinks for the
children.
Jean explained that the Club has
become more involved every year,
and the conclusion of this year’s
party, there was a discussion of
keeping in touch with the children
throughout the year by remem
bering them with birthday cards.
Thanks to the Boots and Saddles
4-H Club, Christmas for those 22
youngsters will last througout the
year - for both the giver and the
recipients.
Fans will find all their favorite
characters, including the Tin Man,
Scarecrow, and Lion as well as
witches and munchkins. Winding
through the tree is the Yellow
Brick Road made of dried
goldenrod. Along the way, the
adventures of Dorothy and her
friends are depicted including
their encounter with mice (cor
nhusks) and red poppies (silk). At
the top sits the Emerald Citv
crowned with a multi-colored
rainbow. The “ruby” slippers of
the movie version are here shown
in their original silver color.
One of the best known tales by
the Brothers Grimmis “Hansel
and Gretel.” Kennett Square’s
Seedlings Garden Club has
decorated this tree with ginger
bread men and frosted gumdrops.
Also featured are the birds that
picked up the crumbs along the
forest path; miniature fruit
baskets; and the treasure chests
found in the witch's house. Un
derneath the tree sits a ginger
bread abode and three German
dolls representing the witch,
Hansel, and Gretel.
Fifty-one rag dolls fill the tree
entered by the Pottstown (PA)
Garden Club. Each was hand
made from cotton, various calico
materials and yarn hair.
fi
zp-'
What is this season? Atime forfamily
gatherings. Atime for fond remembrance, happy
anticipation. Atime for reflection, rededioation.
Atime for reaching outto others. Atime for
joy. Atime for kindness. Atime for tove. Atime
for wishes forthis holiday season.
Commonwealth
National Bank
i
p
7 ><
The Middletown-Odessa Garden
Club from Townsend, Del., has
chosen the literary classic
“Bambi” for its tree. Nearly 200
natural ornaments fill the tree with
the creatures of the forest.
The amusing adventures of one
of the best known rabbits provide
the inspiration for the Moorestown
v.l' harder club. Hand-made
uuic.me..ti, memorable
moments from the story: the cat
peering into the fish pond, the
mouse holding a pea, the window
through which Peter jumps, and
Peter in bed taking tea.
Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger are
all portrayed on the tree presented
by the Gardeners Garden Club
from Radnor, PA. The characters,
created from pine cones, teasel,
poppy pods, and chestnut hills, are
dressed with colorful hand-made
garments. Each main character is
also portrayed on a hand-painted,
blown egg. A broad blue river
ribbon threads up and around the
tree carrying milkweed pod boats.
Longwood’s 16-foot non
competition Christmas tree stands
in the center of the Music Room
and portrays Hans Christian
Andersen’s “The Snow Queen”.
This regent was a powerful sor
ceress made of feathery ice, with
eyes like stars and gowned in
Commonwealth National Agri-Loan Corp.
Serving The Agricultural Community of South Central Pennsylvania
millions of snowflakes. Hundreds
of crystal ornaments, white fabric
covered balls, glassy globes, and
faceted prisms drape the slowly
revolving Douglas fir in frosty
grandeur.
Other attractions during the
holiday season include 2,300
poinsettias surrounding emerald
green lawns, holiday decorations
for the home, fragrant spring bulbs
forced for Christmas, Christmas
Tree Lane outdoors, and 65
programs of holiday music.
Longwood is located on U.S.
route 1, three miles northeast of
Kennett Square, 30 miles south
west of Phi'.adelpliia, and 72 miles
northeast of Baltimore.
Admission is S 3 for adults, $1 for
children 6-14, and free for children
under 6.
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