It is hard to believe that a year has passed since Memorial Day Weekend 2013. If you recall, it was without question one of the crummiest weekends of last year. In desperation we sent out an emergency email to each and every one of you. We didn't anticipate much of a response - we figured you'd be napping by the fireplace or drinking hot chocolate while chatting with friends. We were hoping a few of you might see our email and lend a hand. This said, we hadn't a clue the kind of response it would land.
We all make it through each long winter with the knowledge that soon will come a summer full of great times - usually a summer that is nicer than many have the opportunity to enjoy. Most always a summer that greets us with beautiful days, local parades, lawn sales galore, perhaps a bonfire at night... the kids making s'mores. And more often than not, these wonderful, lazy, hazy days of summer kick into high gear over the first of many 3-day weekends we celebrate throughout this time of year. Last year, however, the start of summer was put on hold as we had to endure freezing temperatures by night and cold, raw, rainy stay-in-bed weather by day that was nothing short of a fright. And, we weren't made to suffer through just one lousy day - we had to endure three of them in a row - certainly not the kind of weather for making hay.
One year ago this coming Saturday we found ourselves with an overstocked garden center full of beautiful hanging baskets & thousands of vegetable and annual flats - all grown exclusively for us by our friends at Le Petite Jardin in Jeffersonville. As that day crept from morning to noon - hardly a soul had visited with us here at the market. By 1pm, the weather service was issuing a frost warning for that Saturday night, and a hard freeze warning for the following Sunday night. Not having a greenhouse, and little free space in the store - the team started to fret and plead...
'Please, God... no more!'
Not willing to watch our young plants die in vain - we collaboratively worked on an email campaign. At 1:30 that afternoon the effort was launched - the email was sent; everyone at the market was down in the dumps. We knew it was a long shot at best - we were in essence putting you to the test. We asked you to help us find good homes for our tender young crop as we hovered around watching the temperature drop. One said to another, 'it was a good try, though I doubt it will work... I just want to go cry'. However...
The annals of our history will forever tell of the day when hundreds of friends showed up and took each and every hanging basket, tender vegetable and flowering annual away. What was shaping up to be the very worst Memorial Day weekend in our 7 years as a store quickly turned into something much more. Your efforts that day will be remembered forever - what you did that day has already become part of our lore. Your cars packed our parking lot like never before. Many had to walk a great distance with parking so scarce. Yet, you arrived at our doors with smiles on your faces - each one of you asking 'which plants can we take to our places?'
Your help last year will not be forgotten - each of you instantly became a true family member. With a better forecast for this Memorial Day Weekend - everyone at the market has had the same thought; it is you - our loyal customers - that we must remember!
As such, and, in remembrance of your help during our time of need - we'd like to extend to you our thanks once again, while returning the favor with another good deed.
