Saturday, July 19, 2008

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Presentation Descriptions

Growing Lavender (Cindy Johnson):  Always wanted to have your own lavender?  Fox Farm owner, Cindy Johnson, presents the basics of growing lavender (planting, growing, pruning and harvesting) in less than 30 minutes.

Cooking with Lavender (Lorelle Shearer): A caterer over many years, Lorelle will cook up fabulous lavender dishes, share some of her recipes, and let you taste her creations!  Come early, her classes are always full!

For the Love of Lavender (Susan Goetz):  Join Susan in learning about the various ways you can utilize lavender.  Diversity and charm describe lavender the best. From aromatherapy to crafting come learn more about the wonderful ways to use lavender.  Learn favorite creative ideas, including, tea blends, lavender spray mist, spa treatments, lotions and more. Recipes included! Also available for sale, Sue’s newly released booklet “For the Love of Lavender”, the 2nd in a series of idea booklets that encompass the use of herbs in and out of the garden.

Utilizing True Aromatherapy for Summer Skin Care (Michelle Thibert).   We will discuss essential oils for summer time skincare, Lavender, Chamomile, and Peppermint. We will also look at herbal oils and means of application to take care of our skin in the summer months.

Making a Lavender Heart (Sue Goetz): Wreath/Heart demo:

In the tradition of wheat weaving, learn to make a “heart-felt” lavender hanging that adds charm and scent to any room. Smaller sizes make perfect gift package toppers.

Learn the traditional hand-wrapped method of making a fresh lavender wreath for a classic circle of fragrant lavender.

Garden Myths (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott):  Dr. Scott will help dispel the many myths of gardening in the Northwest and help you to become a more well informed gardener, especially regarding sustainable gardening.  Come to hear her presentation and, if you wish, purchase a signed copy of her book: “The Informed Gardener”, which answers questions such as:

o Are native plants the best choice for sustainable landscaping?

o Should you avoid disturbing the root ball when planting?

o Are organic products better or safer than synthetic ones?

Beginning Watercolor Class Beginning Watercolor Class   (Kathy Whitman):  Watercolor painting class.... $20 for supplies ($36 value) or bring your own supplies. Free instruction.  Learn to paint with both a dry and wet technique using 4x6 watercolor paper post cards. A smaller scale allows students to try the medium, test techniques and explore in just one hour.

 Register in advance to insure supplies are available; mail your  $20.00 check to: Fox Farm, 17232 107^th SW, Vashon, WA 98070.  Day of class registration accepted for those bringing their own supplies (free) or check for availability of space if purchasing the supply package which includes 12 tubes of Rowney Portfolio paints, covered palate, 4 Princeton brushes and 15 Strathmore watercolor postcards. No experience needed.  After the class, spend the day testing your skills in the gardens and lavender fields.

 Bees and Honey (Thane Lewis):  Key to the success of many gardens is healthy bees…and there can be the added bonus of honey, too!  Thane Lewis is an avid beekeeper in addition to being a talented musician (maybe the original model for the “birds and the bees”?).

Speaker Bios

SUSAN GOETZ Sue Goetz is a garden designer, writer and speaker. Through her design business Creative Gardener she works with clients consulting and designing personalized gardens.  Her work has earned gold medals at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and the Point Defiance Flower and Garden show as well as the Fine Gardening magazine “Best Design” award. She was named one of the ‘Top 40’ landscape designers by Northwest Home & Garden magazine. She loves to share the creative side of gardening with freelance writing, horticulture classes at Tacoma Community College, public speaking engagements and workshops. Her garden column regularly appears in the Peninsula Gateway.   She can be reached at 253.265-2209, info@thecreativegardener.com or visit her website at www.thecreativegardener.com

Lorelle Shearer Although a scientist by training, she is an experienced caterer and cook with an exquisite palate!  Her classes are filled every year and she has a lavender cookbook that will be available for sale.

Michelle Thibert, a licensed aroma therapist and massage therapist, will share her extensive experience in the medicinal uses of lavender.  Michelle graduated from the Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, Washington. She holds a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy.  She has a massage practice in the Bonney Lake and Enumclaw areas. She teaches Aromatherapy certification programs and various Aromatherapy classes. Michelle enjoys making aromatic products and using aromatherapy with her clients. Michelle works part-time for Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice as an Aroma therapist and a Massage Therapist.  She will also offer massage in the lavender fields Saturday.

Linda Chalker-Scott earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist.  She is a WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.  In her position, she develops educational materials for WSU Master Gardeners and the nursery and landscape industry.  She is also the state editor for Master Gardener Magazine, a Washington-based quarterly publication that presents scientifically valid information to a popular gardening audience.  Her first book, The Informed Gardener, is an examination of some common horticultural myths to be released in 2008 by University of Washington Press.  She has edited and co-written with 22 academic authors a lengthier text, Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens, which should also be available in 2008 from GFG Publications.  You can contact Dr. Chalker-Scott at lindacs@wsu.edu and find more information on her web page http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/

Thane Lewis  Although one could write pages about Thane Lewis, the musician and Violist for the Tacoma Symphony orchestra (www.eastsidesymphony.org/Biography/ThaneLewis.htm), he comes to Fox Farm as an experienced beekeeper.  His happy bees (no meds or chemicals) made some of the best lavender honey last year and hopefully again this year!  He will give a talk about how bees live and work together and we will have 2 kinds of lavender honey to taste!

Fox Farm Sparkling Lavender Lemonade, infused with flowers from the farm


Grilled Chicken Sandwich Layered with Cracked Black Pepper & Honeyed Goat Cheese, Drizzled with Balsamic Reduction on Fresh Home Made Lavender Focaccia


Mixed Green Salad with Hazelnuts, Tart Green Apples, Maytag Bleu Cheese and Fresh Summer Raspberry Vinaigrette


Yellow Cupcakes with Fresh Lemon Curd Topped with Whipped Lavender Infused Cream


Honey Lavender Ice Cream in Waffle Cones

Musical Performers

Jesse Whitford and Stefan Wolczko are two Vashon Island High School graduates who are currently attending college.  They play a mixture of folk, rock, blues and funk on their acoustic guitars, and they love to come back and play music on the island.

They performed on the Youth Stage as the Sound Band at the Strawberry Festival a few years back.

The LA LA’S -Three generations of family musicians make up the La La's. While Cajun and Zydeco music are their forte, they are also known to throw in some Swamp Pop and traditional country music to spice up a set.

Photo by Nadine Meeker

Chris and Jyl Leininger have been performing acoustic jazz in their kitchen for many years. Performing during a six-week stay in Italy last year, they wowed B and B hosts and agritourismo guests alike with Chris’s nifty Martin travel guitar and Jyl's angelic singing. Their renditions of jazz standards and classic pop music will bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your lavender- kissed lips.

Just Fiddlin’ Around:  Traditional music to watch lavender by…

Dust off your boots and get ready to step to the captivating sound of Vashon’s own Just Fiddlin’ Round! This unique family band, featuring two twelve year old fiddler/singers will knock your socks off with their original versions of old time fiddle, bluegrass and Celtic favorites. Whether stepping to “Angelina Baker” singing imaginative versions of “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” or yodeling to “Cowboy Sweetheart” this group is destined to win your heart.

Hannah Scheer and Megan Hackett, lead singers/fiddlers f
or Just Fiddlin' Round, Vashon Island's homegrown
bluegrass band.� Photo credit to Hans Jordan.

Harpist:  Leslie McMichaels performs lilting music midst the lavender plants.

- Pluckmusic.com 567-4768

Three For The Road: 

"Three for the Road" is a trio comprised of fiddlers Emerson Shedenhelm and Lila O'Brien and singer-guitarist Zoey Rice. We play anything we can lay our hands on, from Irish to Klezmer, Classical to bluegrass, Simon & Garfunkel to the Indigo Girls. Our band has been together in one way or another since our middle school days, performing in a variety of venues, including Vashon Bookshop, the Strawberry Festival, Folklife, and open mikes at Café Luna and VHS.

Photo by Nadine Meeker

Morgan, The Corner Clarinet Player:  Morgan Spiess can be heard often on First Fridays outside the Hardware Store

Restaurant in downtown Vashon,, or outside Safeco Field on Mariner game days.  He plays a nostalgic ensemble of easy listening old jazz standards.

Garden and Field Art and the Artist