Spade and Trowel

My belated congratulations to my friends in Kennett Square's Spade and Trowel Club for their prize-winning exhibit at this year's Philadelphia International Flower Show. Not only do the dedicated club members have to design, create and install the exhibit, but they also have to maintain it in perfect condition throughout the show -- which entails daily predawn trips into the Philadelphia Convention Center.
"Unionville in the News" reader Marcia H. wrote to me recently and said she wanted to pay special tribute to her fellow Spade and Trowel member Alice Bucher, who lives in Kennett Township. She describes Mrs. Bucher as "fun loving, creative, organized, dedicated, energetic, enthusiastic, and well known and respected in Garden Club circles... She has been a master judge with the Federated Garden Clubs of Pennsylvania for 35 years.  The Philadelphia Horticulture Society is lucky to have her as the chairperson of Competitive Classes Committee for the Philadelphia Flower Show.   

"Each flower show requires a full year of planning.  As Chair, Alice has the responsibility of all amateur classes, which include horticulture plus nine design classes.  Her committee recruits exhibitors and helps to guide them in the planning and executing of their entries.  The rewarding part of the process is being on the show floor seeing the Philadelphia Convention Center being converted into an oasis of creative horticultural interpretations and design.  Alice enjoys the challenge of assisting with the set-up, troubleshooting and supporting all exhibitors as they prepare their exhibits. Her job is key to the success of the show, her enthusiasm is contagious as she delights in ways to keep, attract and inspire exhibitors."

Marcia summed up her friend with the lovely words, "Where you find flowers, you may find Alice."