The Catskill Chronicle

FERNDALE – “Ready, Set, Grow!” will be the theme of gardening expert C.L. Fornari, when she addresses Sullivan Renaissance grant recipients at the 2010 Spring Forum on Earth Day, April 22 at CVI Building in Ferndale.  The talk will also be available through a live webcast at 7:00 p.m. by going to www.sullivanrenaissance.org.

The keynote will be followed by refreshments and distribution of grants and “flower dollars” to 34 beautification and community development projects.  Recipients will have a chance to talk with organizations that have volunteers interested in helping with individual projects. 

C.L. Fornari will speak about garden design (including the “wow” factor), maintenance (weeding, watering) and critters (woodchucks, deer) before concluding with a Q&A session.  She is a regular speaker at garden clubs, civic associations, green industry conferences and flower shows including the New England Flower Show, Philadelphia Flower Show and San Francisco Flower Show.  The host of “Gardenline” on WXTK radio, she has written several books and articles on gardening. 

The spring forum was originally scheduled for the week earlier but was moved to accommodate the speaker’s schedule. 

Several Sullivan Renaissance grant programs have rolling deadlines and are still accepting applications including: environmental, municipal and seasonal grants; mini-grant; and college scholarships for volunteers.  Check the website for more details.  For more information call 845-295-2445. 

Since 2001 Sullivan Renaissance has funded hundreds of projects throughout Sullivan County. Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.  Additional funding has been secured by NYS Senator John J. Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther.