When I’m not reviewing articles and photos for upcoming issues, you might find me embarking on various pond tours and visits, attending water gardening trade shows around the country, or perhaps just perusing through all of your posts on Facebook. Regardless of where I am or what I’m doing, the immense talent out there among you continues to blow my mind.
That said, we’ve hatched a plan for a first annual “Water Artisans of the Year” contest — click here for more information! Hopefully, this fall’s friendly competition will be the first of many yearly contests to celebrate and showcase your expertise.
[box] >> To enter, visit bit.ly/2016artisan[/box]
But in order to make this work, we need your help — submittal form found here! We’re looking for the most impressive builds completed by professional contractors since November of last year. All we need from you are four photos, a short description and a $25 charitable donation per entry. This year, we’ve chosen the Wounded Warrior Project as the recipient of all proceeds. (If you’re unfamiliar, check out their tremendous work at www.woundedwarriorproject.org). I’ll collect all the applications and present them to a well-rounded panel of judges from around the industry. Then, they’ll vote on winners and honorable mentions in five different categories. The judging process will be anonymous, so try not to identify yourself or any brand-name products in the pictures or write-up. Winners will receive an award and a special review in our March/April 2017 issue.
[box] >> Feature Article | Plants to Keep Your Pond Radiant this Fall [/box]
So, let’s get going! You can enter as many projects as you want. Start picking out your best work from the past year, and let’s support a great cause — while having some fun together in the process!
On to more “pressing” topics, like the hot-off-the-press issue you’re holding in your hands right now. You probably noticed that we spiffed up the magazine by going to a heavier paper stock. We did this for a few different reasons, but mainly, we wanted to ensure that you, our reader, receives a publication of the highest quality possible. We also feel it’s important that the quality endures from the printing press to your coffee table — or wherever you might enjoy POND Trade — and maintains this quality for many years to come. Welcome to a new era!
[box] >> Dragonflies Can Help Control Your Pond’s Pest Population [/box]
Enjoy the new look, but make sure you don’t stay glued to the cover for too long. We’ve got some great stuff in the pages that follow. From troubleshooting pond leaks to controlling mosquito problems to exploring the joys of two types of “streaming” — in the backyard and on the web — we’ve got you covered.
Happy PONDering!
