Raves, Rants & Roses

ROSES: The Smith County Master Gardeners and the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service would like to express appreciation to everyone who came out May 3 to make the 2008 Spring Home Garden Tour a success.

First, thank you to Bob and Sue Clark, Ken and Sharon Nelson, Richard and Sheryl Rhodes, Herb and Josephine Coursey, and Sharlotte and Tommy Hyde, who opened their gardens to the public. They put in countless hours getting their gardens ready for the 500 visitors who enjoyed their gardens.

We also want to thank the many organizations who helped make this year's tour possible: Brookshire's on Rice Road, Al Horaney's, Blue Moon Nursery and the Potpourri House for selling advance tickets; the Tyler Morning Telegraph for helping publicize the tour; and the many Smith County Master Gardeners who acted as docents on tour day.

Lastly, thank you to the visitors who came to view the gardens, many of whom have supported the garden tour since it began in 2002.

Proceeds from this year's tour will be used for Master Gardener programs throughout Tyler and Smith County.