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Brunswick 442-8111 Cumberland 829-5619 Falmouth 781-3860
1-800-339-8111 1-800-348-8498 1-800-244-3860
www.skillins.com |
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| Skillin's! Garden Talks Online January 27, 2010 |
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| Hello again,
Welcome to another edition of Garden Talks Online by Skillin's Greenhouses!
All that snow last week but then a day of all that HARD rain and fog and now so much less snow. I am looking forward to Spring but for reasons I stated last week some snow would be nice.
We celebrate another exciting FREE Gardening Classes this Saturday January 23 at 10 AM with Orchids and their Care. Special guest instruction from the Maine Orchid Society! Orchids are one of the most rewarding houseplants you could ever have. Let us show you how to easily care for them in your home. Wrap your favorite orchids snugly and bring them to the class for some potting and care advice! (Our Cumberland and Falmouth classes are sold out BUT we do have room at our Brunswick location)
You can reserve a space by calling any of the above numbers OR by contacting us at skillins@maine.rr.com (just specify the store!).
Before I forget, we will also have some nice refreshments on hand for this Saturday's class as well for you to sample.
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It is a New Year and many of you email subscribers are fairly new to Skillin's so I quickly want to review Skillin's history.
As you may or may not know we have been a family enterprise since 1885. We currently are in our 5th generation of Skillin's. Alexander "Pa" Skillin and his brother Charles founded Skillin's way back in 1885. At that time, Skillin's mostly catered to the crowd of people who populated Falmouth and other area estates in the summer. We sold our summer friends fresh cut flowers, garden plants, vegetables and knowing "Pa" we gave away lots of free stories. The business was indeed on the present Route 88 site in Falmouth. Charles soon drifted away to other pursuits but "Pa" stayed at it. I am not sure what "Pa" did year round but I do know he spent many nights shoveling coal into the furnace to keep the cold at bay.
Through the early 20th century the business grew as year round population started to become more and more common. By this time, Skillin's was doing much yard and tree work for people and "Pa" had been joined by his son Alexander or "Alec". My Aunt Sally fondly remembers "Alec" as the nicest man she has ever met (not bad considering he was her father in law). The business was growing into the year round selling of plants and we were also becoming a florist; my Aunt Florence (Alec's sister and daughter of "Pa") helped in the greenhouse and floral areas and also did the bookkeeping.
Aunt Florence had no children but Alec fathered John and David Skillin--the third generation--and many of you might know of them today. Tragedy struck in 1950 as Alec died of cancer. "Pa" was getting along in years (but still working, only taking less naps), John was attending college at UMO, and David was only 13. The decision was made for John to come home on weekends and work but for him to finish his education, for Dave to hopefully "turn out all right" and for Aunt Florence to "hang on" and wait for John. Aunt Florence was one brave lady and her contribution to Skillin's should never be forgotten.
John arrived on the scene fully in the spring of 1952 and the business was in tough shape. Alive but hurting. Times were tough and Skillin's owed many people a lot of money. Good and wise friends who knew finances were telling John and his family to give up the business--it could not work. John went around and promised to make good and then some on what was owed. If you ever knew John Skillin, you would trust him and believe him. Because he was John.
He delivered.
(to read the rest of Skillin's Basics and see how this history "turns out" just click Skillin's Basics for the full post at Skillin's Garden Log!)
Questions about any gardening topics? Email us at skillins@maine.rr.com or contact us at any of the above phone numbers! Or stop by and see us!! |
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Mark Your Calendar!
Each Saturday until April our Skillin's Cumberland location is hosting the Cumberland Farmers Market from 10 AM to 2 PM in the bright warm cozy confines of our Cumberland store. Come see and meet some nice, nice people and check out their great products! While you are there feast your eyes on our flowering plants and soak in the warmth and scents of our greenhouse! Contact us at Skillins Cumberland (phone numbers shown above) or Leslie at market.gal@gmail.com with any questions! Our Skillin's Cumberland store is located at 201 Gray Road in Cumberland.
Our FREE classes will be held Saturdays at all three locations (unless otherwise stated) at 10 AM. Space is limited so reserve today for the classes of your choice! Just give us a call at any of the above numbers or drop us a note at skillins@maine.rr.com. Class participants receive a special Skillin's 10% discount coupon for use on the weekend of your class.
SKILLIN'S CUSTOMERS WHO ATTEND 5 OUT OF OUR 7 CLASSES IN THIS SERIES WILL RECEIVE A $50 SKILLIN'S GIFT CERTIFICATE!
FEBRUARY
1-Spring Bonds Go On Sale!
2010 is the 20th year of selling our pre-season SPRING BONDS. When you purchase a $50 bond you pay only $37.50!!! This 25% off coupon can be used anytime after April 1 for almost all regularly priced items. Supplies are limited so buy your SPRING BONDS before they run out! Purchase your bonds at any Skillin's location OR www.skillins.com!
6th-Landscape Design Principles (10 AM Falmouth, 2 PM Brunswick)
Join Chad (5th generation) Skillin as he discusses landscape design principles. Chad is Skillin's Landscape Designer and has great experience with landscaping and practical landscape designs. Let Chad educate you on some good solid landscape design practices as well as giving you some informal help with your yard design. This is also a great opportunity to schedule time with Chad to visit your yard and create an effective plan for your yard. Free
Special Four Part Hands on Design Class
Falmouth
February 9, 16, 23, March 2 5:00PM
February 11, 18, 25, March 4 10:00 AM
Brunswick
March 2, 9, 16,23 5:00PM
What a great chance to get a jump start on plotting how to landscape your home the right way! Class fee is $40 to cover materials-you will have a great landscape plan at the finish; this is a class that you will learn from; fun will be had but homework will be required! You will be drawing your own landscape design plan!
14th--Valentine's Day at Skillin's!We are Maine's Favorite Florist. For generations we have carried the message of love to so many. Make the call-we will deliver. Or come in and see us-we will give you the "can't miss" message to take home! Check out this link and see what we can do for you: http://www.skillins.com/flowers.html
20th -Windowsill Gardening (10 AM) (SPECIAL 2 PM CLASS IN FALMOUTH!!!)
The sun is getting warmer and the days longer. We have the containers and the color. Let us show you how easy it is to bring it all to your home or apartment! We will also show you how to grow some great herbs to spice up your life!AND we will show you how to grow fresh vegetables in your home this winter and early Spring. Free (but worth so MUCH more!)
27th-The Edible Landscape (10 AM Falmouth & Cumberland, 2 PM Brunswick )
A good landscape makes perfect sense-and what is more sensible and useful than an edible landscape! Let us show you how to grow berries that are blue and red, cherries that are sweet and apples and pears that can't be beat! Bring a bib; you will be drooling over the possibilities! Free
27th-The Garden Journal (9 AM Cumberland, Noon Falmouth, 3 PM Brunswick)
Gardening seasons are behind us and more lie just ahead. Learn some neat ways to record what we have done and what we have dreamed; Let's plan on what we will do and on what we want to see! Join celebrity writer and gardener KCB of Skillin's Garden Log fame and let's learn together about how to be impulsively organized. It's time! Free
March and April Classes to be announced very soon!!!
Portland Flower Show dates are March 11-14 (we have advance tickets here at Skillin's!); Falmouth Spring Open House is March 19-21; Brunswick and Cumberland Open Houses are March 27 & 28. Many more details to be announced soon!!! |
Skillin's Garden Log
Would you like to hear from us at Skillin's MORE OFTEN? Well, the Skillin's Garden Log found at www.skillins.com is the PERFECT SOLUTION. Several times per week, a number of Skillin's contributors post gardening updates, stories and photos. At the Skillin's Garden Log, you can learn and laugh often all in the same post. Check out the Skillin's Garden Log at your convenience; it is found at the front page of www.skillins.com or click on the icon below:
Recently at the Skillin's Garden Log we have had many good happenings...
*The slightly slower days of winter is a good time to bring out our version of Skillin's history; we call it Skillin's Basics
*Okay, this is a Skillin's Plug; but I want to show you how COOL our garden class setups are in Classy Setup!
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Did You Know?
Every Tuesday is Mature Gardener's Day at Skillin's! Those customers who qualify will receive 10% off all regularly priced items. (Sale items and do not usually apply and very few other restrictions may apply).
Every Friday brings Flower Power Happy Hour where we offer fresh cut flower stems and bunches at 30% off their regular prices. The Happy Hour lasts from Noon until we close!! Every Friday!
Buy a Plant and a Pot from Skillin's and we will Repot the Plant for Free. "Free On the Spot Repot" when you buy a Plant and a Pot here at Skillin's!
Hey you Flower Arranging fans! We have a great DIY Wedding Flower series available for viewing! We show and tell about wedding flowers and even if your interest is notwedding flowers but you are still curious about arranging flowers the techniques shown on the video still apply to all flower arrangements. What a way to see these great floral "how-tos" from the comfort of your own home!
Here is the link:
http://www.skillins.com/diy-floral.html
Spread the word: Have your friends and family sign up for our gardening updates at www.skillins.com!
Let us know at skillins@maine.rr.com if you have any gardening questions! We love to help our friends and customers!
Skillin's can also be found at www.twitter.com/skillins! We are often there letting you know with quick and timely hits just what is happening here at Skillin's!
Thanks for reading Garden Talks Online,
Mike Skillin
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