Master Gardener Cathy Fields displays one of her homemade worm bins at last year’s Heritage Park Garden Spring Forum and Expo. This year the Expo will be conducted at the Heritage Park Gardens instead of at Gardnerville Station.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
The fifth annual Heritage Park Garden Spring Forum and Expo takes place at 1461 Ezell St. in Gardnerville 10 a.m. April 26.
Garden committee member and event coordinator Donna Werner said the community is invited to meet volunteers, local Master Gardeners, and area business owners at the event, which is intended to help educate the community on how to embrace and overcome growing challenges in Northern Nevada, learn how to provide for pollinators, and be water-wise. This event is open to all and free to attend.
In years past, the forum and expo have taken place at the Gardnerville Station during the month of March. This year’s event is scheduled later in the spring as an extension of Earth Day on April 22 and is being held at the Gardems for the first time to help showcase the numerous improvements being made to the public garden.
A brand new greenhouse was recently installed, which supports increased growing capacity. Other upgrades in the works include raised planting beds, perimeter fencing, expansion of the children’s garden, improved irrigation, and the addition of electricity to provide lighting for evening events and other needs.
The forum includes an array of speakers including Master Gardeners sharing wisdom and expertise related to best growing practices, area business owners speaking about their support of and role in the garden renovation projects, and Full Circle Compost owner Craig Witt. Several local non-profit organizations will be on hand to share information about the services they offer to the community.
There’s a raffle and lots of garden goodies available for purchase, and light refreshments will be served.
Main Street Gardnerville Program Director Jen Tune said the improvements project “promises to be the best MSG initiative yet,” and credits “generous support, time, talent, and in-kind donations,” along with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Nevada Main Street grant funding, for bringing these garden upgrades to fruition.
Heritage Park Gardens is a Main Street project, an organization that partners with local stakeholders “to revitalize downtown Gardnerville utilizing design, organization, promotion, and district vitality to develop the unique identity and preserve the historic nature of our community.” Gardnerville was the first community in Nevada to receive a Main Street designation as part of the accredited Main Street America program; visit mainstreetgardnerville.org for more information and to learn ways to support HPG’s renovation.
Polar Plunge supports Special Olympics
Special Olympics Nevada aims “…to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community” (sonv.org/).
Contributing to that effort, The Grill Next Door and The Moose & Squirrel restaurants have teamed to take part in the 2025 Special Olympics Polar Plunge on May 3 at Round Hill Pines Beach, 300 US Highway 50 in Zephyr Cove.
The event gets underway at 9:30 a.m. This year’s theme is mythical magic, and plungers are encouraged to dress as their favorite mythical creature (think dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and the like) for a chance to win the “epic annual costume contest.”
The Polar Plunge team has earned the “Judge’s Choice” and “Team Spirit” award for three years running. Anyone wanting to support the 2025 team can visit https://www.classy.org/event/2025-south-lake-tahoe-polar-plunge/e647528 to donate, purchase raffle tickets, or sign up to take part in the plunge. All are welcome to join the team, and different levels of plunge participation are listed on the registration page.
The Girl Next Door is also raffling off a $50 gift card to the restaurant, with all proceeds benefitting The Special Olympics.
For more information, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Grill-Next-Door/100038169860927/, stop by the restaurant at 1267 Main St. in Gardnerville, or call 775-392-5800.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.