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Culpeper Times • December 13-19, 2018

HOME & GARDEN The holiday table OUTDOOR OUTLOOK

I cannot remember a single present I received as a child but I will never forget the time I spent dragging a 16' cedar tree though the woods and up a quarter mile long driveway with my mom just to realize it was too big to fit in the house. I still remember dad laughing at us and having to basically cut the tree in half to fit it in the living room. I remember sitting at the dining room table taking grasses and cuttings and turning them into decorations as a family. I remember going out into the woods or the fields and gathering everything from decorations we put on the dinner table to the garland we would wrap the banister with. I will never forget the time we spent wandering through the woods and fields looking for the perfect tree to

Donald Sherbeyn

cut down and make our Christmas tree. Growing up with mom managing farms there was always something to do outside and we were able to make some memories that will stay with me forever. Since not everyone gets to grow up on 300 acres I thought it would be cool to share some ideas on how others could create their own memories and decorations using what might be available to them. Most of our landscapes offer plenty of opportunity to gather different things and create a nice decorations for the home, so if you're reading this then grab your kids, your loved one or go grab your mom (bet she will come play with you no matter how old you are)and make a memory. Here are some plantings we have locally that could be used to create a great centerpiece for your holiday table. How you put them together is up to you so be creative and use what you have, maybe even ...borrow some from the neighbor. Just kidding

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make sure you ask permission before you go cutting down your neighbors landscape I don't want to get yelled at by anyone. For berries and foliage Holly are great or if you want a berry without the foliage winterberry are amazing. The red berry set along a strong bare branch of the winterberry or nestled amongst the holly leafs both bring interest. Heavenly bamboo, Cotoneaster, coralberry and beautyberry all locally found. The beautyberry has a purple berry so if you find this one you are doing great. Ornamental grasses can be used in the arrangement. I personally like to use Miscanthus because if reminds me of the old field grasses I grew up with. This time of year the grass has already seeded and the stalks have browned. Take a tuft from the top 1' of the grass, it will present you with a great fill or frame depending on how you decide to use it. Fern.. surely he did not say fern.. It's winter time. Yup I said it,

Christmas fern is beautiful and still just as beautiful this time of year as it would be in spring, maybe even more so. Camellia has a fantastic heavy green leaf and some of them will even be blooming, pair this with some twigs from a red twig dogwood and maybe some Helleborus and a few branches of Mahonia, Lace in a few blades from a variegated liriope and you're on your way to something pretty cool. Honestly it does not matter what you use so long as you put a bit of creativity with it you could use just about anything and get a beautiful finished project. Regardless of what you make, make it with a friend or loved one and you will remember the day long after we forget what was found under the tree this year. Phrase for the day: Build today to remember tomorrow. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone.

Fincham honored as 2018 Conservation Educator of the year

Desiree Amirgholi 703.303.2881

I don't wait for buyers, I go get them! www.StartCountryLiving.com

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The 2018 Conservation Educator of the Year Award was given to Brandon Allen Fincham of Culpeper County. A Biology and Anatomy teacher at Eastern View High School, Brandon has been involved with conservation since he was a student at Eastern View. He was a member of the school’s Envirothon team for three years during his high school career. While attending college Brandon was a paraeducator at Floyd T. Binns Middle School. He also helped coach, train and chaperone several award-winning Envirothon teams. In his role at Eastern View he is also the new Envirothon Coach. Pictured are: Culpeper Director Tom O’Halloran, Education/Information Coordinator Stephanie DeNicola, 201 Award Recipient Brandon Fincham, Eastern View High School Assistant Principal Shannon Mahiai, Eastern View High School Science Department Chair Theresa Sicheri and Culpeper County Public Schools’ Math & Science Curriculum Specialist Sue Jenkins.