Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook Book Signing at Plant-O-Rama



The 18th Annual Plant-O-Rama Horticultural Trade Show & Symposium is produced by the Metro Hort Group – an Association of Horticultural Professionals in the New York City Tri-State Region. 

Plant-O-Rama has long been considered the crown jewel of horticultural events – bringing together horticultural and gardening professionals, garden designers, plant enthusiasts, urban farmers and agriculturists - to learn from the Horticulture leaders who speak and lecture at the all-day symposium.

Plus there are the authors’ talks and book signings – which is where I come in! 

I am thrilled and honored to be invited to participate in this year’s Plant-O-Rama Authors book talks and book signings with my book, The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook.  
goo.gl/0Moqvo

I am eager to see my former Brooklyn Botanic Garden family – I was privileged to work at the Garden as Director of Communications for many glorious years.

I also can’t wait to spend time with my Metro Hort and plant friends, especially – (and in no particular order…)





Bob Hyland – a dedicated and respected plantsman, garden designer and former vice president of horticulture at BBG.  
Bob was the genius who created the dreamy Bluebell Wood at the Garden. 
Today, the more than 45,000 Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Excelsior' bloom under the oak, birch and beech trees, there.

It is a favorite site of many romantic heart-clutching visitors and lovers not to mention the site for shooting glamorous, otherworldly TV shows, movies, and videos. 

I remember one memorable shoot when musician Dave Matthews shot his “Dream Girl” video with - who else? Julia Roberts as his Dream Girl. 


(At that time, Julia lived upstairs from us in our Manhattan apartment building.  She brought the twins with her to the shoot.  So it all seemed liked wonderful serendipity and unimagined beauty all 'round...) 

The morning of the shoot was all misty and mysterious making it all that much more magical…

Bob moved to Portland, Oregon and is now the owner of Hyland Garden Design & Contained Exuberance http://www.hylandgardendesign.com

Panel moderator, Ken Druse, is a garden communicator extraordinaire, garden photographer, writer and author – with – what is it -- more than 16 books in his portfolio now?? 
For a full listing and link to buy Ken’s books:

His iTunes radio podcast, Real Dirt covers the world of gardens, featuring interviews with intriguing and visionary garden luminaries, notables and artists -- including, ahem, me!  http://www.kendruse.typepad.com (scroll down a few)
 
Ken is a horticulturist, a sustainable garden lover and a BIG promoter and mentor to young professionals in the green industry. 
At the same time, Ken is a generous networker and has been ever so good to me this way too – looking to make the garden and plant connections that will benefit the entire horticulture community. 

I am proud to say I've been a card-carrying member of the Ken Druse fan club since -- forever! 


Ken is a nice garden sprite... and a true Hort Hero.  

Speaking of Hort Heroes, there is the inimitable Charles Yurgalevitch, Director School of Professional Horticulture, The New York Botanical Garden. 
And as part of Metro Hort’s Board of Directors, Charles serves as Secretary.   


Charles is tireless in his devotion to the SoPH students  -- always looking to educate and showcase the next-generation of green industry environmentalists and professionals. 


In fact, he launched the very successful "Hortie Hoopla" last summer, inviting all the interns from area parks, botanic gardens and arboreta for a first-ever day of lectures, Garden tours, and networking. (duchess designs.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-new-york-botanical-garden-hosts.html)  

Look for the encore event this summer.  

Plus Charles is a foodie!

And I am keen to reconnect with fellow author, Marta McDowell, who I met on the Metro Hort’s tour of Greenwood Gardens early last fall. 
There was the group of us “training” it from NYC to the nearby train station in Short Hills in the Garden State – not far from Marta’s home -- and she was kind enough to give some of us a lift in her “garden express!” 
At that time she told me about her upcoming book and I warmed to the charming subject immediately. 

Now her book is out and is a big success: Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale

My garden writer friend, Anne Raver wrote about Marta’s book in a recent NY Times article, too. 
Here is a whimsical video about the book:

I don’t yet know the other authors but I am very much looking forward to meeting them and learning about their plant and garden books.

The schedule for the Authors Talks is:

Author Talks and Book Signings
Lily-Pool Room 10am to noon and again from 1-3pm

Leeann Lavin, Hamptons and Long Island Homegrown Cookbook
Bill Logan, Air: The Restless Shaper of the World
Susanne Lucas, Bamboo
Marta McDowell, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale
Vincent Simeone, Grow More With Less: Sustainable Garden Methods

Here is the full listing of the day’s schedule and a link to purchase tickets:

January 28th, 2014
9:00am to 4:00pm


Full listing for the symposium and trade show: http://metrohort.org/index.php/archive/18th_annual_plant-o-rama/

Overview of Plant-O-Rama 2014

8:45 am: Welcome & Sponsor Acknowledgment

9:00 am: NEW DIRECTIONS IN HORTICULTURE:


A layered look at plant and garden trends
David L. Culp, VP, Marketing & Sales, Sunny Border Nurseries, Kensington, CT Mr. Culp has his finger on the pulse of the nursery and horticulture industry, particularly perennial plants. Hear Dave interpret “where we’ve been & where we’re going.” What’s up with layered planting styles, container gardening, demand for multi-season garden shrubs, “green” and other trending garden colors, native plants, naturalistic planting methods, and more. Dave is author of the 2012 award- winning book The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year-Round Beauty from Brandywine Cottage. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.


10:15 am WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF HORTICULTURE LOOK LIKE?

Panel discussion moderated by Ken Druse, award-winning garden communicator, author and photographer
A group of young professionals give us a look into the future of horticulture in
a challenging, fast-changing world. Topics include soil consciousness, water, public gardens, education, growing food, climate change, technology, social media, and making a living in our profession. We hope the audience will participate with questions and comments.

Morning speakers focus on public horticulture, garden design & urban agriculture. Katherine Aul (partner, Staghorn Design Studio), Kristen DeSouza (superintendent, Allen C. Haskell Park), Rebecca McMackin (director of horticulture, Brooklyn Bridge Park), Kelly Norris (horticulture manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and co-owner of Rainbow Iris Farm), Gwen Schantz (chief operating officer, Brooklyn Grange)

AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUM SESSION (repeat of morning)
12:45 pm 2 pm
NEW DIRECTIONS IN HORTICULTURE: A layered look at plant and garden trends
DISCUSSION: What will the future of horticulture look like?
Afternoon speakers focus on nursery production and management, plants and
conservation & youth education. Jason Austin
(nurseryman, RareFind Nursery), David Daley (Children’s Garden educator, Brooklyn Botanic Garden), Nate McCullin (horticulturalist and facilities coordinator, New England Wildflower Society/ Garden in the Woods), Rebecca McMackin (director of horticulture, Brooklyn Bridge Park), Kelly Norris (horticulture manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and co-owner of Rainbow Iris Farm)
3:30 pm
CLOSING RECEPTION & SILENT AUCTION RESULTS —BBG Palm House
Exhibits – Free Admission All Day!
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Plant Catalog Display
Members’ Room
FREE! Take home 2014 plant and seed catalogs while supplies last.


9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Palm House Trade Show
A Trade show with 50 exhibitors representing the NYC metro region’s premier specialty nurseries and wholesale growers, pottery distributors, horticultural suppliers, soil and compost companies, public gardens, and greening organizations. Exhibitor list in formation—check metrohort.org for updates.
10 a.m.–noon
1–3 p.m.
Author Talks and Book Signings
Lily-Pool Room
Leeann Lavin, Hamptons and Long Island Homegrown Cookbook
Bill Logan, Air: The Restless Shaper of the World
Susanne Lucas, Bamboo
Marta McDowell, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale
Vincent Simeone, Grow More With Less: Sustainable Garden Methods
11 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Silent Auction
Classroom 236
Bid on plants and horticultural items donated by Plant-O-Rama exhibitors and sponsors. Proceeds benefit Metro Hort Group programs.
3:30 p.m.
Closing Reception and Silent Auction Results
Palm House
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
BBG Garden Shop
The Garden Shop at BBG’s Visitor Center carries books, seeds, plants, tools, and gifts for gardeners and the home.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Terrace Café
The Terrace Café offers a delicious winter menu of soups, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages in the lower level of the Steinhardt Conservatory.


SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION
   REGISTER ONLINE to reserve seats:
      brownpapertickets.com/event/515529

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

i Eat Green Radio Interview with The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook author




My interview with iEatGreen on December 26th was like the “Double Happiness “ aura and sign of good fortune found in Chinese wedding culture.

No sooner had we celebrated Christmas with all the gifts, good food, and family then it was time for the radio interview with Bhavani, the host of iEatGreen. 
See: it was indeed double happiness!

A knowledgeable natural foods chef with more than thirty years’ experience cooking healthy fresh organic food, Bhavani is also a food activist, and her radio show features thought leaders, talented professionals, educators and artists. 


I am honored to have been asked to be a guest on her show and to have the chance to tell the interesting, enduring story about how my book, The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook came to fruition, how I selected the chefs and the growers and food artisans who inspire them  -- and the recipes. 






Here is an excerpt from Bhavani’s radio page.  Please click on the link below it to listen to the interview.
And do let me know what you think…

iEat Green: An Interview with Leeann Lavin

The day after Christmas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Leeann Lavin, the author of, The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook. What I loved most about our conversation was learning about how she picked the chefs and the farms, and how the driving force behind the recipes was inspired by what was in season, and could be sourced locally. The cookbook can also be used as a guide to some of the best restaurants and sustainable farms and producers on the east end of Long Island. I look forward to following its path this summer! In the meantime, please click on the link below to listen to our interview.