PETALS FROM THE PAST-AS FUN AND QUAINT AS IT SOUNDS!

The name of the nursery and the festival are the same-PETALS FROM THE PAST. Located along I-65, just south of Birmingham, Al., this place has a large following and is well received in a broad area. I was just a little surprised at the large crowd that the event drew, but it is an annual event in these parts, so it was expected by the repeat vendors.
I had a steady flow of customers on both days and with the good weather we had, it turned out to a fun event for me.
Granted, dollar-wise, it was not the best of shows, but there are things more important than money. I had not had a chance to see "ALABAMA"(Terry Gilpin) since Janice had past away,and he is a very good friend and wanted to share some memories of her with me.
"BOTTLE TREE BOB", "COWBOY", and several other vendors that do the circuit were in attendance to share stories and have a few good laughs.
Making money pays the bills, but having good friends and good times is the true measure of the quality of life. With that as my gauge, then I am truly wealthy!

EUFAULA ALABAMA IN THE SPRING!!! MAN-O-MAN THE PLACE TO BE!

WITH SARGENT SANDERS (THERE IS ONLY ONE COLONEL SANDERS) PROUDLY STANDING GUARD DUTY, THE DAY BEGAN AT THE 2010 GARDEN TREASURES SECTION OF THE EUFAULA PILGRIMAGE. THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL, THE CROWDS WERE LARGE AND THE ATMOSPHERE WAS AS IT ALWAYS IS IN THIS VERY SOUTHERN CITY; IT WAS DRIPPING WITH SOUTHERN CHARM AND HOSPITALITY.
THE RECEPTION THAT YOU RECEIVE IN THIS ANTEBELLUM COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST FOR SHOW, YOU WILL GET A HEAPING DOSE EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU VISIT THE CITY OF BEAUTIFUL (FOR THE LACK ON MY PART OF MORE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS) SOUTHERN HOMES AND MANSIONS. THESE PEOPLE ARE EAGER FOR YOU TO TOUR, ASK QUESTIONS, AND TO JUST SIT A SPELL ON THE FRONT PORCH.
IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE FRIENDS ALONG WHEN YOU DO A SHOW. DON AND SUSANNE AND I FOUND A GREAT PLACE FOR A SEAFOOD BUFFET, JUST ACROSS THE LAKE IN GEORGETOWN. IF INTERESTED, CALL OR E-MAIL.
TRUE TO THE GARDEN THEME, WE HAD TONS OF SPRING PLANTS AND FLOWERS. THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THIS POOR GUY HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN. HE HAD TO GO BACK HOME ON SATURDAY NIGHT TO GET MORE AND STILL SOLD OUT ON SUNDAY!
PAUL, ON THE LEFT, AND VAN, ON THE RIGHT, BETTER KNOWN AS MEN OF IRON, MAKE ALL THE IRON WORK SEEN IN THE PHOTO. THEY ARE GREAT GUYS, TALENTED ARTISTS, AND I AM PROUD TO CALL THEM MY FRIENDS.

larrycook351@gmail.com
706-302-8902

THE HORSERADISH GRILL!--KEEP IT OUR LITTLE SECRET!

This was the kick-off of the CHASTAIN GREEN MARKET in the parking lot of the HORSERADISH GRILL and was it ever good! My good friend, Don(Dog Bowl)Puckett, seen here had to split his inventory and be at the wonderful midtown market at Virginia/Highlands Market as well as the CHASTAIN GREEN MARKET--not an easy feat to be sure.
I, on the other hand, brought the whole freak show with me. Patrick and Randall said to "WOW" the visitors, so I gave it my best shot. I must say that we all were well received by the neighborhood. Randall said many times that they wanted us here and was he ever "on the money". They came out early and in large numbers. They were friendly and excited to know that we would be back every Saturday with new and different things. With the large pool of vendors in the area, it is sure to be a unique mix each time.
Our host, THE HORSERADISH GRILL, in addition to giving the neighborhood a different kind of shopping experience, wanted a strong influence of a GREEN market. He wants to be able to walk into the parking lot and purchase fresh, local produce and serve it to his customers that evening. WOW! The folks in that area are lucky to have a chef/owner with that vision and desire to please his customers. AS the growing season comes into its own, look for this parking lot to be almost overflowing with some of the finest examples of "home grown" to be found anywhere. I will be doing my part to spread the word to my gardening friends that there is a ready market in the Chastain Park area. If any of my readers garden or know someone who does, then contact Patrick or Randall at "info@affps.com" and they will give you all the news.
And last but not least, this is also to help raise funds for the new DOG PARK at Chastain Park, so let's all do our part to help out. You can never have too many good dogs! I don't live in the Buckhead area, but I always want to help a good neighborhood maintain its quality of life. "WHAT GOES AROUND-COMES AROUND"!

706-302-8902
larrycook351@gmail.com