Town & Country gardeners raise funds with seed auction

Auctioneer Dwight Kommel, left, and spotter Nick Montagner led the recent Town & Country Gardeners auction.

Town & Country Gardeners of Alliance recently held its annual fundraiser at the First Friends Church in Alliance.

President Ann Haidet welcomed the 56 members and guests to the event to help raise money to Keep Alliance Beautiful. On hand were Barrie Kridler and Barry Nichols of Kridler Gardens, who provided the fresh flower centerpieces for the tables.

Throughout the event, a drawing took place and winners got to keep the centerpieces.

Auctioneer Dwight Kommel and spotter Nick Montagner led the auction of more than 60 items. Special items included heirloom tomato plants from seeds saved by the late Sam Artino and passed on to his son, Red, who then passed them on to Red’s daughter, Barb. Seeds were from the big Italian plant, the Jewish tomato plant and the pink tomato plant. The Jewish tomato plant was from Jerusalem, brought back by Lena Artino's cousin, a priest who had visited Israel.

Auction planning committee members were Judi Brush, Alice Braisted, Patti Kommel and Barbara Shoemaker.

Town & Country Gardeners will celebrate the club's 70th anniversary in July at Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Town & Country gardeners raise funds with seed auction