The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

Discussion

June 13, 2008

Attica to show off its charm

Gardens, art are highlights walk event

BY DENNIS BARTLOW

ATTICA, Ind. — Several Attica gardens will be at their finest next weekend for “A Day of Gardens and Art.”

Several gardens and homes will be featured in the Historical Landmarks of Fountain County’s tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT June 21.

“Attica is a charming town on the Wabash,” said Melinda Shepherd, chairwoman of this year’s tour. “Just walking around town is charming. We have friendly people who will help them as guides.”

The event routinely draws people from throughout the two-state area.

Six gardens will be featured, including the Harrison Estate Gardens, a hillside overlooking the Wabash River, a city garden and a garden on a brick street.

The Cottrell Village will feature herb and vegetable gardens, two historic homes and the Old Church. The church will feature several special programs during the day.

Artisans will be in several of the gardens on the tour.

The restored 1860 home of Ron and Jimma Leaf will be featured along with their small garden. Randy Swanson, the artisan who restored the home and the Cottrell Village, will be there.

Robert Harrison will open his silver studio adjacent to his home. He has gone to Maine for the past 10 years to learn how to do silversmithing. He will have some of his jewelry on display.

Artisan Norm Stetler, a mason, will be at the silver studio. He has done the stonework at the Harrison Estates and the Leaf home and the chimney at the silver studio.

“Some of these things are getting to be lost arts,” Shepherd said. “Not everyone knows about them.”

“This is really a beautiful event,” said Carol Freese, a member of the Historical Landmarks of Fountain County who helped coordinate last year’s garden tour in Covington. The two cities have alternated as hosts for the garden walk.

The Attica Public Library will feature an exhibit by artist Fran Kessler and her watercolor students, Lois Constable, Sarah Modjeski, Sharon Strickler, Doty Bolander, Ruth Ann Molter and Marjorie Ryan.

Local authors Chris Woodworth, Bob Quirk, Harold Long and Carol Morrison will be featured at a book-signing in an author’s corner behind the headquarters.

Several restaurants, including the Attica Hotel, Robie’s Restaurant and Harrison Hills Country Club, are planning special menus for the day. The Attica-Williamsport Presbyterian Church will serve breakfast and lunch.

“A lot of people help to make this a special day,” Shepherd said.



IN ATTICA

Headquarters for “A Day of Gardens and Art” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT June 21 will be the Old Ladies Library at Main and Brady streets. Tickets are $15 for the tour of six gardens, the restored 1860 home of Ron and Jimma Leaf and the Cottrell Village, which includes herb and vegetable gardens, two historic homes and the Old Church.

Special events at the Old Church include:

9:30-10:30 a.m. — Reni Walker lecture “Save Time, Save Money, Go Native.”

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Flower arranging demonstation by Dennis Kovar.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Prairie Players dulcimer entertainment.

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Violin and viola music by Seth Schrock and pianist Christian Schrock. They will be in the Harrison Estates Gardens from 3-4 p.m.

Check the Web site at http://www.hlfcindiana.org.



Text Only
Local News
  • Tropical Storm Beryl strengthens, nears U.S. coast

    Tropical Storm Beryl was wrecking some Memorial Day weekend plans on Sunday, causing shoreline campers to pack up and head inland and leading to the cancellation of some events as the storm approached the southeastern U.S.

    May 27, 2012

  • CASA seeks volunteers

    May 27, 2012

  • Classes transition online

    May 27, 2012

  • AmyandRomanSchweizer1.jpg Dad welcomes baby — while a world away

    Like most fathers, Brandun Schweizer wanted to witness his first child’s birth. There was just one problem, however — he was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • Veterans ask people to pause

    Although the Memorial Day weekend is a time for picnics and pool parties, veterans’ groups hope people pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty, as well as others who have died.

    May 27, 2012

  • Martha Stewart learns family’s roots

    Television viewers have been treated to two series lately dealing with genealogy.

    May 27, 2012

  • Haiti touches her heart Haiti touches her heart

    Janis Ostiguy of Danville experiences many emotions each time she visits Haiti — sadness at the poverty, happiness with the children, warmth for the people and their spirit.

    May 27, 2012 3 Photos

  • Turtles return to race

    Collected turtles are being fed fruits, meat and vegetables and will be ready to go for the 48th Annual Turtle Races.

    May 27, 2012

  • Hiker’s heart is in America's Highlands

    Robert Burns, the immortal Scottish poet, once wrote, “My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here; my heart’s in the Highlands, a’chasing the wild deer; a’chasing the wild deer, and following the roe; my heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.”

    May 27, 2012

  • Posters recall Cannon’s 1880 opponent Posters recall Cannon’s 1880 opponent

    In 1980, John Mendenhall found three 1880 J. R. Scott campaign posters in a home he was restoring.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo