Find an early start to spring at Home and Garden Show
By Thea Steinmetz
happenings
Published Jan. 26, 2005

Have you had your fill of winter yet? The snow-rain-and rapid temperature yo-yo prompted a local DJ to wax poetically and declare that our "Northern Ohio climate is a veritable cornucopia filled with crummy weather."

The ideal winter escape is just around the corner. No, I don't mean a long get away from it all trip to Hawaii. I am thinking of a few well spent hours at the 62nd Annual National Home and Garden Show at the I-X Center coming up on February 5-13.

Show goers will find a breath of spring inside the cavernous space that is brimming with inspiration. On exit polls, visitors are asked what brings them to the show and year after year the answer is: Gardens are the first incentive and the homes a close second.

Soft Rock WDOK 102.1FM is part of the Celebrity Garden Competition. There will be 18 show gardens, designed and installed by Northeast Ohio's award winning landscape professionals.

Local celebrities are assigned namesake gardens and each one will make an appearance at some time during the nine-day show. This will bring an up-close and personal opportunity to meet favorite local journalists, radio personalities, television anchors and reporters.

These gardens are judged by landscape professionals on the overall design, the use of color and texture, harmony, special effects and overall public appeal.

This year's show has abandoned any tie-in with a specific country, a custom in the past, and, instead is focusing on amazing outdoor living options. We can look forward to outdoor kitchens and expanded features that enhance dining and lounging within ones own private garden retreat.

The show has chosen to have the landscape firm, Turf Tamers Plus, install the Thea Steinmetz West Life Garden. Yes, after 15 years of garden reporting, I will get my own namesake garden.

I wished I could tell you more about what kind of garden it will be, but it will be surprise for you and me. Of course, I had to get my two cents worth in and let these landscape professional know that I really enjoy our own spring garden with hundreds of bright and white daffodils.

Late last summer, I had a meeting with Tony Lewicki of Turf Tamers Plus and his landscape architect to discuss what kind of a design I would like. I told them about my interest in herbs and fragrant plants. I definitely wanted a space for outdoor dining, even in this make-believe garden. We enjoy having friends breaking bread with us on the outdoor deck and cooking is a big part of this experience.

A crew came and dug out some of the larger plants, preparatory to them spending the winter in a greenhouse. One quite ambitious lemon grass was uprooted for over- wintering. A potted and trellised passion vine that had been blooming enthusiastically all summer long, also was selected for greenhouse pampering. It would be impressive to see this magnificent specimen flowering at the I-X Center.

I have no idea how the rest of the herbs from my garden have survived, but if they flourished in the greenhouse environment, they will be part of the garden. Perhaps you can stop by and we can chat about next year's plans for our own garden. I plan to be there on Thursday and Friday the week the show is staged.

There also will be four model homes that offer a view at the latest in home and furniture design. These show homes on the Boulevard of Dreams are always a favorite with the public. They are full-scale walk-through homes with all the appointments carefully considered by interior designers and are always a crowd pleaser.

The "Inside and Out" Designer Showcase will feature innovative ideas along with the latest in decorating trends. There is always so much information to be absorbed that for some folks one day at the show is not enough. They want to return for a second look, or hear a particular speaker.

The Home Improvement Stages surely will attract all do-it-yourselfers that are thinking of a home makeover. From dealing with dry wall to adding some pizzazz, experts will be on hand with helpful hints and practical demonstrations.

A few of the popular features from past years shows will be making a return. Mark Abbati once again will appear as a Living Statue, not fashioned from marble and stone, but as living art. He will amaze with his captivating performance from Saturday, Feb. 5 to Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The author of "Clean Like a Man" wants to change your husband's couch potato ways and give him some sage advice on better cleaning time management. He will do his seminars on Friday and Saturday, February 11 & 12.

The Singing Nuns, from Spokane Wa. who have previously filled the I-X Center with their glorious voices will be there. Showgoers have always been inspired by their musical artistry.

If cooking is your thing, Loretta Paganini returns to the cooking stage with her flavorful and mouthwatering seminars.

Michael's Creative Design Center will please the crafters with a "make-it and-take it" crafty design.

Get out your boots and gloves and head for the indoor friendly and colorful environs of the I-X Center. It will be a place to find inspiration, motivation, incentives and most of all, it will encourage you to think SPRING.

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On the Net:

Cleveland Home and Garden Show:
http://www.homeandflower.com/

International Exposition Center:
http://www.ixcenter.com/

The Singing Nuns:
http://www.singingnuns.com/