Joe Kidder’s yard is about to be beautified.
The Akron resident won a landscape makeover worth $10,000 in Keep Akron Beautiful’s Dreamscape Raffle 2011.
Kidder’s ticket was pulled last week from 1,139 entries. He will meet with designer Jim Gates of Gates Landscaping on a design for the transformation, which will take place Aug. 1 to 5.
The annual raffle raises money for Keep Akron Beautiful’s Flowerscape beautification program. This year’s ticket sales of $24,635 set a record for the raffle.
Soaps win recognition
Hudson resident Jackie Boesinger’s tasty soap designs have earned her national recognition.
Boesinger’s whimsical sushi soap, which looks like the real thing, was named Most Creative at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild’s 14th annual conference recently in Miami.
Boesinger is the founder of Boko Botanicals, a company that produces handcrafted soaps, bath products and body-care products. She sells them locally at the Hudson Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays on the Village Green at state Routes 91 and 303, and the Peninsula Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays at Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Road.
Her items can also be ordered at http://www.BokoBotanicals.com or the Boko Botanicals shop on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com). Some items are available at Janet Rhodes Brings You Fair Trade and Land of Make Believe, both in Hudson.
Events, programs
• Recycle Day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Graf Growers Garden Center, 1015 White Pond Drive, Copley Township. Bring plastic pots, flats and plant tags to recycle. Information: 330-836-2727.
• Ohio Valley Refinery & Roadshow, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Courtyard by Marriott Akron/Stow, 4047 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow. Bring antiques and collectibles for possible sale to collectors. Free. Information: 217-726-7590.
• Home Girl barn sale, 10 a.m. to noon today, Maplewood Farm, 2357 Hudson-Aurora Road, Hudson. Sale of vintage furnishings, home goods, artwork and handmade items collected by ”Home Girl” Gina Bishop. Information: http://www.homegirlshop.com.
• Ask the Gardener, noon to 4 p.m. today, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Cuyahoga County master gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. Garden admission: $8.50; children ages 3-12, $3; members and younger children, free. Information: 216-721-1600 or http://www.cbgarden.org.
• Rose show, noon to 5 p.m. today and Sunday, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Exhibit and competitive show, presented by the Cleveland Rose Society. Garden admission: $8.50; children ages 3-12, $3; members and younger children, free. Information: 216-721-1600 or http://www.cbgarden.org.
• Open Garden Days, 5-8 tonight and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 6193 Vair Road, Freedom Township, Portage County (near Ravenna). Rose collectors Susan and Peter Schneider are opening their garden of more than 1,200 roses. Free. Rare and hard-to-find potted roses for sale. Information: 330-296-2618.
• Dog Days of Summer, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Bring dogs to enjoy the outdoor gardens. $8.50; children ages 3-12, $3; younger children, free; dogs, $2. Members and their dogs admitted free. Information: 216-721-1600 or http://www.cbgarden.org.
• Kaleidoscope Quilts: The Art of Paula Nadelstern, 2 p.m. Sunday, Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St. Nadelstern will talk about her internationally renowned quilting style. Members, $10; others, $15. Registration: http://www.akronartmuseum.org. Information: 330-376-9186, ext. 230.
• Gardeners of Greater Akron strawberry festival and picnic, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dayton Nurseries, 3459 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. Information: 330-673-3553 or http://ohiogardeners.org.
• Birding in the Garden, 8:30-9:30 a.m. June 25, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Guided walk through the gardens. Members, $10; others, $18. Parking included. Registration: 216-721-1600, ext. 100, or http://www.cbgarden.org.
• Summit County Tour of Gardens, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25, southwestern Summit County. Tickets $15, available in advance at Graf Growers Garden Center in Copley Township, Dayton Nurseries in North, Donzell’s Flower and Garden Center in Akron and Suncrest Gardens in Boston Township. Tickets may also be ordered by mail by sending a check and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Penny Marquette, P.O. Box 707, Bath, OH 44210. Information: 234-525-7034.
• For the Birds, through Oct. 1, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Birdhouses designed by architects exhibited throughout the grounds. Included in garden admission ($8.50; children ages 3-12, $3; members and younger children, free; people 60 and older, $5.50 on Tuesdays only). Information: 216-721-1600 or http://www.cbgarden.org.
Submit notices of classes, programs and events two weeks in advance to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com or Home and Garden News, Features Department, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640. Please include name and phone number. All events must be open to the public.
Mary Beth Breckenridge can be reached at 330-996-3756 or mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. You can also become a fan on Facebook.