Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2006
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
September 2006
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers & Kansas
        		Certified Nursery Professional

To Everything There Is A Season
    Do you remember the hit song from the 60s by The Byrds titled "Turn!
Turn! Turn!"? Maybe you remember it as "To Everything There Is A
Season." The lyrics were from Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. I
remember hearing the song on the radio when Jeremy and Kristen were
younger and telling them that it was from the Bible.

    Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says, "There is a time for everything, and a
season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to
die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." This summer has truly been
a reflection of Ecclesiastes ... a time for all seasons.

Welcome Bridget Maryan!
    Our first grandchild, Bridget Maryan, was born May 31. The proud
parents, Jeremy and Kassy Johnson are busy learning what it is to be
first-time parents. It is a joy for Nancy and I to see the next
generation of Johnson. Maybe someday you will have Bridget helping you
at one of the stores. With Kassy back at work this fall Bridget has
spent some time with her father at the office. Of course Grandma
(Mimi) Johnson has enjoyed babysitting duties as well. Bridget
especially likes it when Grandpa (Popsy) Johnson comes down to help.
Bridget has already made a trip to the ferti-lome meeting this summer.
As all grandparents know, it is the greatest thing to be a grandparent.
People would always tell me how great it is, you know, have the kids
over, spoil them and send them home. I always thought yea, yea ... I
suppose it is. Now that the time is here, it really is great watching
Bridget grow, change and especially smile. This truly is a "time to be
born."

Farewell To A Dear Friend
    This summer has also been, as the song goes, a "time to die." Our
good friend, Mr. ferti-lome as you would know him from TV, passed away
this summer. Ken Whittington was our Gard'n-Wise salesman and called on
us every week. I guess we did have a business relationship with Ken, but
he was more than that. He was a friend, mentor, counselor, advisor,
teacher ... the list goes on and on.

    Ken taught many classes and seminars for our customers. He loved to
come to the store on Mother's Day weekend to sell roses for us. Even in
his retirement he would still help us out however he could.

    Ken truly lived a Christian life. Although I never heard Ken preach
to anyone, he lived his life like God truly intended. Ken always wanted
to help those in need. Ken started a garden for the less fortunate in
his hometown of Potwin. The Potwin PAR (Plant A Row) Garden provided
food for the Kansas Foodbank Warehouse.

    Ken insisted that a sign be erected at the garden to give credit to
those who had provided materials or funding. There is a long list of
names on the sign, but Ken's name is nowhere to be found. Ken just
wanted to provide something for those in need, but did not want any
recognition. Ken requested that his special friend, Jed Willits, be
listed on the sign as CEO.

    This little spot under Potwin's water tower will always be known as
the Ken Whittington PAR Garden, a ministry in the truest meaning. Ken
will surely be missed by all.