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| Issue No. 33 | December 2010 |
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| Happy Holidays from Otten Bros. Garden Center! |
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Holiday Greetings!
The countdown is on -ONLY 14 MORE DAYS! Have you finished your shopping, decorating, wrapping, baking, etc?
Don't you wish you had more time? Otten Bros. can help. We have incredible services that will save you time and our great selection of gifts allows you one-stop-holiday shopping for everyone
 | | Mr. & Mrs. B.'s 14ft Fraser Christmas Tree |
on your list. The only thing we can't help with is the baking...I recommend stopping in at The Country Cake Cupboard just across the street from us for help with that...yummmmmmy!
The elves at Otten Bros. have been setting up, lighting and delivering trees, decorating wreaths, making beautiful spruce tip containers and holiday centerpieces; all to make your life easier and save you time this holiday season. There is still time left to take advantage of all Otten Bros. has to offer.
We recently set up and delivered this gorgeous monster of a fraser fir Christmas tree (all 14+ feet of it) to one of our much beloved customers. It's proof positive that Otten Bros. can deliver any size tree and get it through any size doorway. Check out the video we made of the delivery.
A big thanks to Mr. & Mrs. B. for letting us show off your beautiful tree. We hope you enjoy your Christmas tree and have a wonderful holiday season with all your family and friends. |
| A Caravan of Ambulances
*A press release from Free Bikes 4 Kidz*
It's not often you see a caravan of ambulances arrive-and when you do, it's generally not a good thing. But this caravan has nothing to do with mayhem.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz, the non-profit that takes in used bicycles, repairs them, and gives them away to needy kids, has been informed that Health East Medical Transport and Allina Medical Transport are going to be picking up used bicycles with a few 'owies.' These bikes aren't in critical condition, but some will be in need of CPR (Clean, Patch, and Repair), EKGs (Extra Koating of Grease), and a little TLC. They will then deliver them to the western metro work site where 1,000 bikes are already in process of being restored.
Health East and Allina have been collecting used bikes (along with Otten Bros. & Bachman's Garden Centers) for the past week and purchasing helmets to support the Free Bikes 4 Kidz program-"Good Wheel to All, and to All a Good Bike."
"This year, the third year of our program, we intend to collect and give away 1500 bikes to kids who otherwise may never have a bike," said Terry Esau, director of the program. "We can't allow that to happen...it's just wrong."
When the ambulances show up at the work site on Wednesday, dozens of Bike Medics will receive the injured and take whatever measures are necessary to resuscitate these bikes. When they are shiny, lubed, and working like new, they will be sent to the waiting room where they eagerly await adoption by a smiling child. That adoption, the give-away event, will take place on December 11th and 12th at 1605 Hwy 101 North, Plymouth, MN 55447. (On the NW corner of Hwy 101 North and Cty Rd 6 in Plymouth across the street west of Oakwood Elementary school.) The hours of the give-away will be from 9am to 6pm on Saturday the 11th, and noon to 6pm on Sunday the 12th.
"But we can't give away what we haven't received," said Terry, "You too can be an ambulance that delivers a bike. Everybody, please go out in your garages and take any bike that isn't getting used and bring it in to Otten Bros. Garden Center or your nearest Bachman's Flower and Garden Center. We'll pick 'em up; we'll fix 'em up. Help our spandex-wearing, ER elves make a great Christmas for some kids this year."
For more info on donating a bike, volunteering, or contributing funds for Free Bikes 4 Kidz click here. Donate TODAY! Only one more day left before the big bike giveaways. |
Santa's Helpers - Part Two
As promised in the last newsletter - the second installment of Great Gift Giving Tips by Otten Bros Staff.
Are you struggling with those hard to buy for people on your list? Looking for the perfect Host/Hostess or teacher's gift? Have you waited until the last minute and don't want to brave the crowds at the malls? If you have answered yes to any or all of the above, you need to visit Otten Bros. The Otten Christmas elves can help you find a gift to fit every person on your list. Here are a few more suggestions...
Fairy Garden Accessories with a House Plant in a Pretty Pot - Wendy A. just loves this fun combination gift. The cute fairy garden pieces can be tucked into your house plants this winter. Then, when spring arrives, the fun starts all over when you can set up your fairy garden outside!
 Felco Pruner - Becky T. recommends these because they are the best pruners on the market; great for all levels of gardeners. You can add a gardening journal for that extra special touch.
Decorative Fountain Jake T. thinks that a fountain, any size, is a perfect gift. Choose from our wonderful selection of indoor and outdoor fountains. You can also give the gift of delivery and set up in the spring for some of our larger fountains.
 Suet Feeder with Suet Kris U. (that's me) would love to get...I mean give, a suet feeder and suet as a gift. It's an easy way to start feeding the birds this winter. I also love the Seed Bell Feeders & Seed Bells. (Yes, the bird seed is shaped like a big bell.) I have heard from several customers that the woodpeckers just go crazy over the peanut seed bell.
Oh, by the way, if you are an Otten Bros. GRO member, click here to print our Backyard Birding Coupon Flyer. There are great deals on birdhouses, feeders and birdbaths...all make GREAT GIFTS
Locally Made Soy Candles Stacy W.'s favorite is the honey mango, yummy. What a nice gift for a teacher, hostess or a treat for yourself.
An Otten Bros. Gift Card - The #1 Santa recommended gift. Always the right size, right color, available in any amount. No fees, it never expires, ever. It's the gift that everyone would love to get.
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December Bird of the Month
The Purple Finch
Just in time for the upcoming holidays, my garden was transformed into Minnesota's version of the North Pole! The past weeks have brought lots of snow, cold temperatures and a new winter visitor to my wild bird feeding station. When color is absent in the landscape, it is refreshing to see these chunky, heavy billed balls of red buzzing about the garden.
Up close, the male's head, chest, back, and rump are a crimson red. He also looks very stylish as his red cap appears to have gel in it as the feathers on his head tend to stand up and out! The female lacks the red coloring of the male but has a distinct white eye stripe. Traveling together in flocks the female eye stripe is a simple way to tell the Purple Finch from its cousin the House Finch. The female House Finch lacks the eye stripe.
The Purple Finch gets its name from its Latin binomial name Carpodacus purpureus. Purpureus looks and sounds like purple but translates in English as crimson or red; which better describes this northeastern Minnesota resident. Minnesota's incredible wild bird diversity comes in large part to the convergence of four distinct biomes. These biomes include the prairie grassland, the tall grass aspen parkland, the deciduous forest and finally the home of the Purple Finch, the coniferous forest biome of northeast Minnesota.
During the spring the Purple Finch loves the cool, moist evergreen forest to build its nest. Both parents are actively involved in the construction of their new home and the brood of four is on the wing in about two weeks of hatching. The Purple Finch's diet consists of a variety of insects including aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles and the seeds of conifers, maples, elms, and juniper berries.
During the fall the finch families move south in search of food feeding on ragweed, thistle and cocklebur, and the persistent fruit of wild grapes, honeysuckle and crabapples. Today, my new arrivals are dining on my favorite cardinal caller mix of black sunflower, safflower, peanut parts, sunflower hearts and cracked corn.
As the sun peaks over the horizon my garden thermometer reads eight degrees above. The Purple Finch families are filling their tummies and brightening the landscape with the colors of Christmas!
Happy Birding!
Kevin Manley
Thanks to our guest author and birding expert Kevin Manley. Click to print Otten Bros. Backyard Birding Coupon flyer...great savings on bird seed and accessories for Otten Bros. GRO Members. |
Junk is a Gift, Too!
If you haven't stopped by Otten Bros. since Sue Whitney's JunkMarket Style infiltrated our Garden Center...you HAVE to check it out! Matt Swenson, a Landscape Architect in our Design Department, wanted to 'show and tell' his latest junk purchase from Otten Bros. JunkMarket Style Collection.
Who knew junk could look so tasteful? Some things that caught my eye were old movie reels Sue converted into wine bottle holders. As my wife and I like to indulge in a little vino from time to time and enjoy hosting the occasional wine tasting at our home, we couldn't pass up on making one of these a new addition to our home décor.
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| | Matt's table is all 'junked' up for his party! |
Little did I know the reel would make a great conversation piece, too. I may have embellished the truth a little at a party we held last weekend. So... told a few friends it was the reel from the original release of Casablanca, but oddly enough it didn't matter to anyone...they were amazed at how easily it converted to a wine display for every bottle that our guests brought that night.
That's the thing about JunkMarket Style; you never realize how simple it is to convert junk to beautiful home décor until you see some of the things that Sue has put together...so make sure you take the time to see what we have on display.
Sue would be happy to help you, too! Tuesdays & Thursdays- 3pm to 8pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm from now until December 18, Sue will be working at Otten Bros., ready to give FREE one-on-one design and decorating advise. |
Did you Know?
Here are some fun and trivial facts about the much loved Christmas plant.
-Poinsettias are not poisonous. With that said, I still would not let kids or pets 'eat' them due to choking hazards. The milky sap can also cause skin irritations.
-Aztecs called poinsettias cuetlaxochitl. They made a reddish-purple dye from the colorful bracts.
-The first poinsettia was introduced into the United States by Joel Poinsett in 1825.
-Over 61 million poinsettias are sold each year; most are sold in a 6 week period.
-There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias.
-Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They are considered a small ornamental tree because they reach heights of 10-12ft.
-The flowers of the poinsettias are not the colored parts of the plant. The colorful bracts are really modified leaves. Poinsettia flowers are the very small yellow centers (no bigger than a dime) that are found in the middle of the colorful bracts.
Give One and Get One
Give a beautiful poinsettia and get one for yourself!
Buy any Poinsettia &
get a second one of equal or lesser value FREE
Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Offer good while supplies last.
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From all the Otten Bros. and Flower Farm staff, we wish you a joyous holiday season.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Otten Bros. & Flower Farm Staff |
2350 West Wayzata Boulevard
Long Lake, Minnesota 55356
952-473-5425
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Save 25% off
any ONE
Regular Priced Item
for Otten Bros. GRO Members |
Merry Christmas
Otten Bros. GRO Members!
I know it's not wrapped, but this is a gift from Otten Bros.
25% off ONE regular priced in-stock item
Cannot be combined with any other discounts or sales.
Not valid on landscaping, labor, services, gift cards or previously purchased merchandise.
One coupon per GRO Member - for one time use only. | | Offer Expires: December 24th 2010 |
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