Prettiest Petals of the Pandemic
CONTES
L
T WINNE R: EMIL Y KRUE GER
ast week staff editor Jeff Oloizia made the comment in a group text that when his girlfriend brought home a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store, it really lightened his mood for the rest of the day. His reaction speaks volumes to the simplicity of beauty that often can brighten even our darkest hours.
Hope Cox: Personal yard
Bria Nicole Perez: Airlie Gardens
As we shuffle through the next four weeks during our statewide stay-at-home order, some days are sure to feel heavier than normal. Uncertainties will continue to arise. However, it won’t stop spring from blooming around us in full force. Now’s the time to enjoy every walk outside and appreciate the pre-
Bonnie Callahan: Personal yard
20 encore | april 1 - april 7, 2020 | www.encorepub.com
• PHOT O
TAKEN IN HER PE RSONA
cious petals and magestic buds in our yards or from afar in our neighborhoods, or even through pictures shared by friends. Basking in spring’s colorwheel can be uplifting to the soul—or as Buddha once said, “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”
We asked readers on Facebook last week to share their “Prettiest Petals of the Pandemic,” in attempt to bring nothing more than joyful content to this week’s edition—in what usually would be our Azalea Festival edition.
Catherine Ferguson: Juniper Level Botanical Gardens
L YARD
We had more than 50 people comment with photos, which encore staff judged on a blind rank-voting scale. Emily Krueger’s purple and white tulip came out on top, and as a result Kruenger will receive a gardening supply basket from Farmer’s Supply and a $25 gift certificate from Lewis Farms Nursery. Be sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook, @encorepub.com for chances to win local prizes through mopre upcoming photo contests. Next up: Our pet cover contest!
Gabriella de Souza: NHC Arboretum