Lora Lee has over 25 years of experience in publishing. She purchased POND Trade in 2013 and has been thrilled with her new job ever since. As publisher, she is tasked with a few “minor responsibilities” that include organizing the content schedule, recruiting writers, acquiring articles, selling ads and designing the magazine. In her PPT (Pre-POND Trade) life, Lora Lee worked as an art director, marketing manager and art department supervisor for multiple trade magazines. She spends many hours in her garden and has been featured on garden walks. There is now a pond amidst the flowers. You never knew how much you would enjoy a pond until you have one. Now she can’t imagine life without one. Lora Lee is married and has one son. She lives in the Chicagoland area and her only regret is not being able to enjoy her garden and pond year round!
January / February 2023 POND Trade magazine

January/February 2023

By Lora Lee Gelles / December 29, 2022 / 0 Comments

Out with the old, and in with the new! Happy New Year to you all, and best wishes for a great new year. So, what’s on tap (no pun intended) for 2023? Are you promoting certain types of water features? Have you developed a niche? Are you planning on building some recreational ponds? What about […]

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biomass harvest with vehicle

Lotus Biomass Harvest in South Alabama

By Lora Lee Gelles / December 27, 2022 / 1 Comment

It’s so fun to have life experiences! For me, flying down to Alabama to visit Laura Bancroft of Ten Mile Creek Nursery was one of them. Earlier in 2022, Laura invited me to come out during what I thought was the harvest of lotus — but this was on a whole other level! Laura went […]

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November / December 2022 POND Trade

November / December 2022

By Lora Lee Gelles / October 27, 2022 / 0 Comments

If you live in a cooler climate like I do (the U.S. Midwest), perhaps you are experiencing a slowdown this time of year. It might be time to sit back and take a long-deserved break. You’ve worked hard all season, and it’s time to take it down a notch. Now is also a good time […]

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POND Trade introduces new digital editor

By Lora Lee Gelles / September 12, 2022 / 0 Comments

POND Trade is pleased to introduce our new digital editor, Joanne Costin. She will be responsible for updating our online content, overseeing social media and ensuring the marketing success of our online advertisers. Joanne is an award-winning journalist, content writer and data journalist for leading publications in the construction, foodservice, meat processing and unmanned systems […]

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September/October Pond Trade

September / October 2022

By Lora Lee Gelles / August 31, 2022 / 0 Comments

You never know who you’re going to meet when you’re traveling. It’s so fun to meet people at various pond events and connect with them. I’ve chatted with people at the Water Garden Expo, Pondemonium, Atlantic-OASE conferences, and regional koi shows around the country, and they often share a topic with me that they would […]

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July / August 2022 Issue

By Lora Lee Gelles / June 30, 2022 / 0 Comments

Family with a capital F! (Hopefully you noticed our cover and didn’t immediately open the issue to read my column first.) What a great experience John Magyar and his son Elijah had working together to create a memorial pond and waterfall for John’s mother. What a priceless time to bond with your son and also […]

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2021 Water Artisans of the Year Show Us Their Trophies

By Lora Lee Gelles / June 28, 2022 / 0 Comments

“Being recognized by our peers in this industry is one of the best feelings in the world. I am so proud of my entire team for these achievements.” “We are honored to receive this recognition from this great pond community we love being a part of. Don’t stop pushing your limits, trying new products and […]

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May/June 2022 Issue

By Lora Lee Gelles / April 30, 2022 / 0 Comments

Yes indeed, pond season is in full swing. While it’s true that many of you have nice weather year-round, those of us in four-season climates dream about and eagerly await the thaw of winter and start of spring, when we can return to enjoying the outdoors — and specifically, our yards and ponds.  Are you […]

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2022 WGE Recap | Industry ‘Friends’ gather for seminars, exhibits & networking

By Lora Lee Gelles / April 29, 2022 / 0 Comments

The Water Garden Expo in Shawnee, Oklahoma was back in full swing this year. After an overall industry event halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it sure was great to see old and new faces again. You don’t realize how much you crave human interaction until you don’t have it!  When it comes to gathering […]

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March/April 2022 Issue

By Lora Lee Gelles / March 3, 2022 / 0 Comments

I’m so glad I’m not a judge this year! Granted, the Supreme Stream Court does all the judging for our Water Artisans of the Year contests, and then I process all the entries. But still — I wouldn’t want to have to make those decisions, especially this year (our largest contest to date). You guys […]

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