Landscape Architect Articles

LCN Inside Irrigation February, 200302-01-03 | News

PLCAA Announces New Vice President

Gary Clayton

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Clayton as its new executive vice president and Tom Delaney as vice president of government affairs effective Jan. 1, 2003.

?EUR??,,????'??PLCAA has made a tremendous gain in this staff restructuring with the vast industry experience and leadership that Gary will provide,?EUR??,,????'?? said PLCAA President Jon Cundiff. ?EUR??,,????'??Tom, who served as both executive vice president and government affairs director, will now be able to dedicate his full attention and talents to those issues that we consider paramount to our industry.?EUR??,,????'?? Cundiff emphasized, ?EUR??,,????'??The association is fortified with these staff positions, and its members will benefit from these two individuals who are well recognized and respected in our industry.?EUR??,,????'??

Clayton?EUR??,,????'???s more than 25 years of industry-related experience includes the position of PLCAA?EUR??,,????'???s director of technical services and a long-term membership with the association?EUR??,,????'???s Government Affairs Committee. That span of industry experience dates back to personal and business relationships with the founders of PLCAA.

?EUR??,,????'??I will assume this role with the pride and respect of knowing the original visionaries who organized the association, and the exciting opportunity to contribute to the association with its contemporary and future leaders,?EUR??,,????'?? said Clayton. ?EUR??,,????'??I am anxious to join the staff, and implement the strategic plan and directives that have been detailed to us by the PLCAA Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.?EUR??,,????'??

BRLA Elects Officers for 2003

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Baton Rouge Landscape Association held their quarterly meeting on December 3rd to elect new officers for 2003. Officers elected are President – Doug Alexis, President Elect – Scott Ricca, Board Members – Shirley Drewes and James Avault. Continuing board member is Carol van de Burg. Craig Rhodes will continue as newsletter editor.

For more information on the Baton Rouge Landscape Association, visit the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Assoc. Web site at www.lna.org.

Horticulturist Donald Pittman Passes Away

Donald Pittman, 1924-2002

David McDonald (Donald) Pittman died December 3, 2002 at his home. He was born in Columbia County on November 25, 1924 and was reared in a Christian home by parents Lurline Bennett and Archie Allen Pittman. He attended Magnolia Public Schools graduating in 1942. He volunteered for the U.S. Army at the age of 18, serving 3 1/2 years in World War II in the South Atlantic Theater.

He attended Southern State College on the G.I. Bill where he met Mickey Horne, and they married in 1948. They have three children: Donna S. Pittman-King, David Allen Pittman, and Dixie Dawn Pittman.

As a horticulturist, his endeavors resulted in the largest horticultural nursery in Arkansas. He served as president of the Arkansas Nurserymen?EUR??,,????'???s Association for two terms. He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Arkansas State Plant Board representing the Nurserymen of Arkansas for six terms. During his tenure he established the Arkansas Certified Nurserymen?EUR??,,????'???s program. This program set educational standards for nurserymen. Tests for certification are given by the University of Arkansas, and those receiving certificates are registered with the state. The purpose of this program is to give the consumer the assurance that they are dealing with knowledgeable personnel that sell horticultural products. Arkansas was the 1st state to initiate this testing and now, over 30 states implement this certification program.

Donald was declared recipient of The Columbia County Century Farm Award. His great-grandfather?EUR??,,????'???s farm, which is now Pittman Nursery, has been in continual horticultural operation since 1855. The land was given to his great-grandfather for his service in the Mexican War.

Other interests include real estate and the development of Forest Place subdivision, as well as Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery and 23rd Psalm Cemetery.

Recently, he was awarded the Cross of Military Service, an outgrowth of the Southern Cross of Honor, bestowed on Confederate Veterans by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Cross of Military Service may be bestowed on lineal descendants of Confederate Veterans who have served honorably in time of War or Conflict.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church since childhood, a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club.

He served on the Magnolia Sewer Commission for several terms.

He was also a registered landscape architect in Arkansas and Texas, an Arkansas Certified Nurseryman, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a member of the American Legion for 53 years, and a lifetime member of the Southwest Arkansas Genealogical Society.

Emmett Barker Leaves AEM

Emmett Barker

After 30 years of service in the agricultural and construction equipment industries, Emmett Barker is leaving the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The Association and AEM members have created a college scholarship fund in the name of Barker and his wife, Barbara, in recognition of their long industry involvement and philosophy of looking and working toward the future. Most recently, Barker was the 2002 AEM Co-President and previously served more than 29 years as President of the Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI). ?EUR??,,????'??We respect and appreciate the many contributions of Emmett Barker to the agricultural and construction equipment industries and to our association … Emmett?EUR??,,????'???s dedication, hard work and enthusiasm serve as an example we all can emulate,?EUR??,,????'?? stated David Woods, AEM Chairman.

ALCA Educational Foundation Receives Contributions

HERNDON, Va. – Richard Ott, CCLP, president of the ALCA Educational Foundation (AEF), recently announced that the foundation received a pledge of $10,000 from Images of Green of Stuart, Florida, and a pledge of $2,500 from AAA Landscape. The ALCA Educational Foundation was formed to award scholarships and fund educational activities for the landscape industry. The Foundation?EUR??,,????'???s mission is to promote and advance the landscape services industry by funding educational excellence. Jeff Bowen, who at the time had 27 years of experience in the landscape industry, founded Images of Green of Stuart, Florida, in 1995. In regard to his contribution to AEF, Bowen says that it is something that he and his wife of 21 years have always wanted to do, but having the money and donating it can be two different stories. Images of Green is a landscape business specializing in landscape maintenance, design/installation, and irrigation and horticultural services. Its primary focus is residential customers. Regarding AAA Landscape?EUR??,,????'???s contribution, Ott commented, ?EUR??,,????'??AAA Landscape?EUR??,,????'???s dedication to education in the green industry is evidenced not only through this most recent contribution to AEF but also through their many contributions to local scholarships and their own in-house training program.?EUR??,,????'?? The AAA Landscape contribution was made in memory of Sky Blu. ALCA represents approximately 2,500 professional exterior and interior landscape maintenance, installation, and design/build contracting firms and suppliers nationwide. For more information about the ALCA Educational Foundation, call Laurie Saunders at (800) 395-2522.

Green Industry Professionals Recognized

Members of the Nevada Landscape Association celebrated their annual trophy Awards/Christmas Banquet last year. Trophy Awards encourage interest in landscaping; recognize craftsman who produce outstanding landscapes; create pride in superior workmanship and bestow public recognition of companies for their interest in building pride in the Green Industry and keeping Nevada beautiful. The awards represent the pride these individuals and companies have in their work, and their dedication to excellence and professionalism within the Green Industry.Trophy Award Winners Were: Presidential/Signature Landscapes, Residential Installation/ Bugica Landscaping, and Best Overall Municipality/Cassinelli Landscaping & Construction.

For a complete list of awards visit: www.nevadanla.com.

Power Expo 2003 to Debut in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association (PLNA) will debut a new show, Power Expo 2003, Nov. 12-13 at the newly built Expo Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.The new Landscape, Nursery and Turf Power Equipment Exposition expects to draw up to 5,000 attendees, including landscape contractors and nursery owners, municipalities, school districts, state park and forestry employees, and a host of prospective buyers. The show will include more than 350 exhibitors comprised of equipment companies and suppliers to the landscape, nursery and turf industries.

For more information on the Power Expo 2003, visit PNLA?EUR??,,????'???s website at www.plna.com.

Board of Directors Announced for LCA

Joel Hafner

WASHINGTON – The Landscape Contractors Association of Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia is pleased to announce its 2003 Board of Directors:

Founded in 1967, The Landscape Contractors Association MD?EUR??,,????'????DC?EUR??,,????'????VA is a regional association of landscape professionals with a core purpose to advance the success of its members and provide a community for green industry professionals.

JOEL HAFNER, CLT – President
Fine Earth Landscape Co., Inc. – Poolesville, MD

DEONNE WOLLMAN, CLP – Vice President
Chapel Valley Landscape Co. – Woodbine, MD

DAVID VISMARA – Secretary/Treasurer
Brookside Gardens – Wheaton, MD

MIKE MCCARTIN – Immediate Past President
Joseph W. McCartin Insurance – Beltsville, MD

New Line of Lake Bed Aerators from Keeton

The Quiet Line Series offers greater pressure capabilities and will meet specifications for a variety of different lake sizes and depths.

The new line of lake and pond aeration systems from Keeton Industries, Inc., claim to be streamlined, sleek, modern and efficient. The systems are quiet, low speed (1750 rpm), and energy efficient.

The recently launched Quiet Line Series of aerators offers 40-50 psi working pressure for deeper situations and long runs of tubing to service fine bubble diffusers in remote situations.

Three models are offered, all of which are enclosed in a locking fiberglass cabinet with stainless steel hinge and hasps. Other features include a high pressure/high flow cooling fan to extend the compressors life, a brass cooling manifold, a liquid filled stainless steel pressure gauge, a pressure relief valve, and brass regulator valves.

Keeton Industries has been in the lake management business for more than 30 years, designing, building and installing lake bed aeration systems.

To learn more about the Quiet Line Series, visit www.keetonaquatics.com.

RAIN BIRD?EUR??,,????'???S 2003 FLOAT ENTRY WINS SWEEPSTAKES

PHOTO COURTESY OF mike lorenz /rain bird

PASADENA, Calif. – Rain Bird Corporation was awarded the prestigious Sweepstakes in recognition of their 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade entry, ?EUR??,,????'??Water Wonderland.?EUR??,,????'?? The Sweepstakes Trophy, traditionally awarded to the parade?EUR??,,????'???s most beautiful float as determined by a panel of judges, has been won by Rain Bird in 5 of the last 7 years (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003), including the last 3.

This year?EUR??,,????'???s winning float depicted an array of African animals gathering around a watering hole, and featured a family of magnificent elephants playing with their young. With five cascading waterfalls and 24 high-pressure misting nozzles, that used a total of 1,500 gallons of recycled water, the 55-foot long, 36-foot high float, continued Rain Bird?EUR??,,????'???s past Rose Parade tradition of saluting the Earth?EUR??,,????'???s most precious resource ?EUR??,,????'??? water. This marks Rain Bird?EUR??,,????'???s seventh straight Rose Parade award (Sweepstakes Trophy in ?EUR??,,????'???98, ?EUR??,,????'???99, ?EUR??,,????'???01, ?EUR??,,????'???02 and ?EUR??,,????'???03; Presidents?EUR??,,????'??? Trophy in ?EUR??,,????'??00 and the Directors?EUR??,,????'??? Trophy in ?EUR??,,????'??97) since 1997, the first year that the company participated in the New Year?EUR??,,????'???s Day tradition.

Counties Lifted From Pennsylvania Drought Emergency

Mark Schweiker

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker lifted the drought emergency for Cumberland, Chester, and Delaware counties, the last three counties under drought emergency status.This marks the first time since Feb. 2002 that none of Pennsylvania?EUR??,,????'???s 67 counties are under mandatory water restrictions. The governor also upgraded 15 other counties to drought watch and normal status. Of Pennsylvania?EUR??,,????'???s 67 counties, 54 are under normal status.