Earlier this year, the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) held their annual trade show, bringing together many people within the industry to exhibit products and educate the attendees. The convention offered a great deal of information from industry professionals, but it was the party that was the talk of the town. The INLA holds a party every year after the first day of the show for exhibitors and guests. Following last year?EUR??,,????'???s Mexican Fiesta theme, the planners went for a Mardi Gras theme this year. Authentic cajun food was served while CDs played zydeco music - a last minute replacement for a zydeco band who was scheduled to perform but got stuck in bad weather. ?EUR??,,????'??We had Mardi Gras mask and beads, and we elected the king and queen of Mardi Gras who had the most beads at the end of the night,?EUR??,,????'?? said Monica Tiffany of INLA. ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s just an informal way to catch up with people that you really only see during the convention.?EUR??,,????'?? The highlight of the party was the live auction, which raised $2,733.50 for the scholarship fund that aids local college students. Kevin Putney and Putney Auction Service got the crowd bidding on a whole list of items. ?EUR??,,????'???? Iowa-made willow plant stand and Mini Chimney donated by Craftware Pottery ?EUR??,,????'???? Potted spring bulbs donated by Earl May Re-Wholesale ?EUR??,,????'???? Pruning shears donated by Farber Bag ?EUR??,,????'???? Gardening books donated by Great Northern Nursery ?EUR??,,????'???? Baked goods donated by Heard Gardens ?EUR??,,????'???? ?EUR??,,????'??Manual of Woody Landscape Plants?EUR??,,????'?? by Michael Dirr (5th edition) donated by Home Nursery ?EUR??,,????'???? 4 Port Austin Levels donated by Kings Materials Inc. ?EUR??,,????'???? Hand made walnut mantel clock donated by Outdoor Designs ?EUR??,,????'???? Handmade afghan donated by Pleasant Valley ?EUR??,,????'???? Basketball tickets donated by Aleda Feuerbach ?EUR??,,????'???? 4-foot Buff limestone bench donated by Quick Supply ?EUR??,,????'???? Plant stand and two plant hooks donated by Quicor Inc. ?EUR??,,????'???? 4-foot buff limestone bench donated by Rhino Materials ?EUR??,,????'???? Insulated jacket donated by Rockwood Retaining Walls ?EUR??,,????'???? Two hand-painted cheese boxes donated by Sherman Nursery, Les Gehrels ?EUR??,,????'???? Lawn ornament donated by United Garden & Home ?EUR??,,????'???? Picture of Past INLA President and current President of the WESTERN Nursery and Landscape Association Eric Sjulin donated anonymously The INLA offers two kinds of scholarships: the E.S. Haber Scholarship and the Community College Scholarship. The E.S. Haber Scholarship is awarded to full-time students enrolled in the horticulture program at Iowa State University. This year?EUR??,,????'???s E.S. Haber Scholarship winner was Nicholas Lee Brosamle. Two Community College Scholarships are awarded anually to full-time students enrolled in the horticulture program at any of Iowa?EUR??,,????'???s community colleges. Isaac Andrew Hirschy and Amy Davidson were this year?EUR??,,????'???s recipients of the two scholarships. With this year?EUR??,,????'???s festivities in the books, the INLA is in the planning stages for next year ?EUR??,,????'??+ a 50s Sock Hop. For more information on the INLA scholarships, visit www.iowanla.org.