Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Pike family legacy lives on in this garden center as daughter Dana Pike-Van Vlake adds her own personal element.
The Family Tree Garden Center, located in the building that once housed Pike’s Nursery, is not as far removed from its roots as one might think. The owner, Dana Pike-Van Vlake, is actually the daughter of Pete Pike, the founder of Pike Nurseries. The store on Highway 78, built in 1976 by Dana's brother and uncle, was the eighth store the family owned. Dana still on occasion refers to it as “#8.” Plants weren’t always Dana’s passion, although they arguably are now. She grew up working at Pike’s with her family, and like most teenagers, wasn’t too thrilled about that. “I grew up pulling wagons, potting plants, growing them,” she said. “When I was in high school, I was a cashier at the stores.” After she graduated from Tucker High School, she…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
How to pick out the best tree for your home, preference and price point.
There are plenty of places in Snellville to pick out this year's Christmas tree, including: With so many options, picking out a Christmas tree can sometimes make you feel like you're in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Any given tree can either be too short, too tall, too bald, too bushy or have a myriad of other problems. So how can you tell which tree is the right one for you? To help select your favorite tree, the characteristics of the more popular species are listed below. Douglas-fir: This tree is generally available as a sheared tree and is the most common species found on tree lots. It has a nice fragrance and a medium-to-good shelf life. Because of the thick, bushy crowns, they do not lend themselves to large or heavy decorations. …
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Holiday decorations add beauty but require special care.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
It is the time of year when Christmas trees, lights, candles and other decorations make their way out of attics and boxes and into area homes. To make the holidays safe and enjoyable, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services (GCFES) encourages citizens to take steps to prevent home fires. While a live Christmas tree can be a beautiful addition to your home during the holidays, it can also increase fire risks, according to GCFES public information officer Capt. Tommy Rutledge. "During the holidays, the fire load inside a home increases," Rutledge said. "A live tree can fill your home with the scent of fresh pine and illuminating beauty; however, it can also pose a fire hazard if not properly cared for." Firefighters offer the following …
