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Lonoke Exceptional Development Center clients Deidre Hellyer and Jason Gannon work at the center’s greenhouse, tending geraniums, dianthus, lantanas, marigolds, petunia and coleus and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, squash, eggplant and jalapeno, cayenne and bell peppers. The school will hold a hog-roast fundraiser at 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
For tickets, call 501-676-2786. |
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Needing a gift idea for Mother’s Day? How about flowers and plants from the Lonoke Exceptional Develop
ment Center Greenhouse in Lonoke?
The greenhouse is located at the center’s grounds off Northeast Front Street in Lonoke. It has been in operation since 2001 with the help of clients.
The greenhouse is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It is open year round.
The greenhouse grows geraniums, dianthus, lantanas, marigolds, petunia and coleus. It also has vegetable plants — tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, squash, eggplant and jalapeno, cayenne and bell peppers.
“I really like working with plants. There is something about plants that catches my eye. They are almost a human beings. It’s like caring for a baby. They need water and nurturing,” LEDC client Jason Gannon said.
“I want people to come to the greenhouse and for them to be going in and out all day long,” he added.
Greenhouse supervisor Melissa Davidson said proceeds from plant sales are reinvested into the greenhouse for supplies and that LEDC clients learn about horticulture as flowers grow from seeds to plants.
“Customers always say our flowers are a lot healthier, and it helps our clients with their learning,” she said.
“We do a lot of cuttings, too,” Davidson noted.
“In the fall, we will sell 500 mums. We supply churches with poinsettias during Christmas,” she continued.
Gannon said, “There is a lot do with the greenhouse. My favorites are purple flowers.”
Davidson also said, “We would like to expand by adding another greenhouse or enlarging it.” A small greenhouse is being constructed at the program’s Cabot center.
• LEDC is holding a fundraiser hog roast starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at its Lonoke location. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. The event will have a Battle of the Barnyard obstacle course and relay race, a barbecue dinner, live music and a petting zoo.
For tickets, call 501-676-2786.
