Mitch Markovitz signed reproductions of his artwork at the Christmas Fest Open House at Hensler’s on November 2nd. Markovitz created an illustration featuring his son, Matthew, exclusively for Hensler Nursery as the face of fall.
WKVI broadcasted live from Hensler’s at our Christmas Fest Open House on November 2nd to kick of the Lights of Remembrance Campaign.
Visitors at our Christmas Fest open house on November 2nd had the opportunity to take horse-drawn carriage rides and wagon rides through our colorful 40-acre farm.
We were delighted that the Starke County Community Choir performed at our Open House on November 2nd.
This fall at Hensler Nursery has been one of our most memorable. We’ve enjoyed seeing so many visitors come to the farm for all of the Fall Fest activities. So many have been delighted with the opportunity to ride the horse-driven tram to our pumpkin patch and more than a few of you discovered the hand-crafted and locally produced decorative items for sale in the Christmas Barn.
As the seasons change, so do the festivities at Hensler’s. This weekend you are invited to an early preview of Christmas at our Christmas Fest Open House. You didn’t think that just because Fall Fest is still going on that we wouldn’t also find time to host a pre-party for Christmas, did you?
Open House: Sunday, November 2nd 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. central time
Fontanini 100 Year Anniversary:
This early-bird date features Roman, Inc., exclusive distributors of Fontanini Heirloom Nativity. Since 1908, the House of Fontanini has created old-world sculptures of Biblical Bethlehem. This years featured pieces include: Jeshua & Odin, 2008 Tour figure; Josiah, 2008 Limited Edition; Emanuele Fontanini, the Founder, 2008 Event Figure. Find out more about Fontanini sold at Hensler’s.
WKVI On-site Broadcast During Open House
Heralding the beginning of the Holiday Season in Starke County this year, Knox radio, WKVI, will be doing a 2 hour onsite broadcast at Hensler Nursery. WKVI joins Hensler Nursery, Inc., partnering with North Judson-Wayne Township Library, Starke County Public Library System, North Judson Town Park Board, City of Knox, Starke Community Choir, Starke Choralaires, and The Specialty Shop, Inc, Knox, by sponsoring the “Lights of Remembrance” project fund raiser for the Starke County Community Foundation. Find out more about the Lights of Remembrance Campagin.
Sample Tasty Treats from Wind & Willow
Wind & Willow will be offering samples of cheese ball/appetizer/dessert mix. The mixes not only add flavor to cheese balls, but include dips and sauces for graham crackers, cookies, fruit or bagels. Come visit with the representative and explore these taste sensations.
Holiday Decorations
Remember also, that Open House is the perfect time to order your holiday decorations. Samples of wreaths, swags, centerpieces, kissing balls, and grave pillows will be available. Place your order with our holiday decorators. Find out more about holiday decorations at Hensler’s.
The official start of the Starke County Community Foundation “Lights of Remembrance 2008 “ begins Nov. 2 at Hensler Nursery. The Starke County Community Foundation, in cooperation with Hensler Nursery, Inc., WKVI radio station, Knox, the Starke County Library system, and the North Judson-Wayne Township Library, and others, is beginning a new tradition of offering the “Lights of Remembrance “ for the holiday season.
For a suggested $10 minimum donation a remembrance light can be purchased to thank or remember a special person. Donations of $100 or more will receive a specially designed collectible ornament for their family tree.
The Remembrance campaign will run from Nov. 2 through December 7, 2008. A tree lighting ceremony and reading of honored names will take place at Hensler Nursery on Dec. 7. 2008 at 5:30pm. Refreshments will be provided and entertainment will be provided by the Starke County Choralaires. Remembrance boards will remain in place at Hensler Nursery and the Starke County Libraries until Christmas.
Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Christmas Fest Open House at Hensler’s
Heralding the beginning of the Holiday Season in Starke County this year, Knox radio, WKVI, will be doing a 2 hour onsite broadcast at Hensler Nursery. WKVI joins Hensler Nursery, Inc., partnering with North Judson-Wayne Township Library, Starke County Public Library System, North Judson Town Park Board, City of Knox, Starke Community Choir, Starke Choralaires, and The Specialty Shop, Inc, Knox, by sponsoring the “Lights of Remembrance” project fund raiser for the Starke County Community Foundation.
by John Hensler
Back in August we loaded our trailer with a Fraser fir and White pine and drove to the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. Both trees were entered in the Open Class Christmas tree judging, and we were thrilled when our beautiful 7-1/2 foot Fraser fir was selected as grand champion out of the four classes of spruce, pine, fir and other species.
John Scheetz, a forester at Hensler Nursery, selected the 8 year old Fraser fir from our Starke County farm. When you’re in the Christmas tree business, you tend to think every tree is beautiful so we could have chosen any tree from the field. We’re pleased the judges thought the one we entered had the eye appeal of a grand champion.
We enjoy participating in this competition each year because of the exposure it gives to Indiana Christmas tree growers and real Christmas trees. Only real trees have that unbeatable fresh fragrance and unique beauty- we can’t imagine celebrating the holiday without one!
by John Hensler
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival has come and gone, but we sure did have fun while it lasted. With over 500,000 people in attendance, the festival is second only to the Indianapolis 500 in size for a weekend event. What’s not to love? Arts and crafts, tractor pulls and those amazing blueberry doughnuts- of course we wanted to join the crowds in Plymouth’s Centennial Park.
As much as we love all those sweet blueberry treats, it’s the parade that really gets our hearts pounding, and this year Hensler’s had the honor of participating in the Blueberry Festival parade. We shined up our 1961 Ford tractor and sent two floats down Michigan street to the beat of the high school marching bands.
Our two floats, one for Fall Fest and the other for Christmas Fest, represented how we like to celebrate the seasons. We’re hosting continuous festivities starting September 13th with Fall Fest which goes all the way through October. On November 1st we’ll make the transition to Christmas Fest which ends on Christmas Eve. Our floats are just a preview for the party we’re planning to host this year at Hensler’s.
We’re so proud of the work that went into making our floats. We had the opportunity to work with artist Mitch Markovitz who created the illustrations used on our banners. If you attended the parade, you may have realized that the boy on the Fall Fest banner looked very much like the boy waving to the crowd on the float. His name is Matthew and he’s Mitch’s son who has become our face of Fall.
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November 4th marked the official start to the holiday season for Hensler Nursery during our annual Christmas Fest Open House. Attendance was the highest we’ve seen on opening day. Our guests were able to preview new Fontanini collectibles and other great gift items in our Christmas Barn. We also provided a preview of our wreaths, kissing balls and other greenery to give our visitors ideas for decorating their homes.
Remember that Santa, the horse pulled wagon rides, and all the festivities of Christmas Fest officially open the day after Thanksgiving on November 23.
Thank you for coming to Open House! We’ll see you during the holidays when you pick out your tree and pick up the greenery that you ordered! Don’t forget that you can pre-order any of our greenery items from now through Christmas. We’ll have it ready for when you arrive.
After you’ve selected your Christmas Tree, stop by the Shake and Bail area in front of the Christmas Barn. Hensler Nursery staff will carefully wrap your tree in twine for its journey home.
