Welcome Mat: See this year's grand-prize photo in Homestyle's Garden Photo Contest

WELCOME MAT 9/15

The fans have spoken. And with almost 500 votes tallied from our readers, who selected from 12 weekly winners chosen from 670 entries, Linda Kelly of Berkley was the top vote getter of the 2023 Homestyle Garden Photo Contest for her picture, "Linda's Garden Oasis." "I am always making changes to my garden. It's always a work in progress for me, even though I have had it for years now," Kelly told Homestyle about her garden space, which she estimates at about 1,300 square feet. Different features have been added over 35 years, including a pond, a deck and walkways, as well as a kaleidoscope of flowers, she says. Kelly will receive a $200 gift certificate to English Gardens, the contest's sponsor.  In addition to Metro Detroit, votes came in across the U.S., Canada, France and Saudia Arabia.

Pleasant Ridge Home & Garden Tour back Sept. 23

Following a multi-year hiatus, the Pleasant Ridge Home & Garden Tour presented by the Pleasant Ridge Historical Commission will return from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 23. This event will highlight six historic homes and gardens, including some recent pandemic home improvement and garden projects. Attendees can also visit the DIA Inside/Out installations in the area that are currently on loan. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event, which will be held rain or shine. Go to https://pleasantridge.ticketbud.com/hometour23.

Birmingham Street Art Fair to be held in Shain Park

The Guild of Artists & Artisans and Common Ground present Common Ground’s 49th Annual Birmingham Street Art Fair in Shain Park on Sept. 23-24. Located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, visitors can also enjoy local restaurants and shops. Approximately 100 jury-selected artists will feature creations that include jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass, photography, fiber and more. This event is an annual fundraiser for Common Ground, a nonprofit organization that helps people move from crisis to hope. The fair will also include a silent auction tent, which directly benefits Common Ground. Go to theguild.org.

Learn about the water table at Meadow Brook Garden Club

The Meadow Brook Garden Club presents guest speaker, Mary Gerstenberger, Master Gardener and Master Composter, at 10 a.m. on Sept. 22. Her presentation, “The Fascinating Water Table,” will cover basic water information including: what we have and where we find it, the importance of the water cycle, pollution and overdraw concerns, possible solutions and the gardener’s role in protecting our water resources. The program will be held at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, 350 Estate Dr. Monthly meetings are held in person and virtually through Zoom. Non-members who want to attend through Zoom should send an email, including your phone number to MBGCmembers@gmail.com to request a link that includes a link to make a $5 guest donation. Guests are welcome in person and reservations are not required. There is a $5 nonmember fee. Call 248-364-6210, email MBGCmembers@gmail.com or visit meadowbrookhall.org.

All about those biting insects

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently dropped a video project, Do Not Disturb, to show consumers how easy it is to accidentally disturb stinging or biting insects. Every year, 500,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to injuries related to stinging insects. Wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets are a common nuisance at cookouts in late summer and early autumn as populations are at their peak, so NPMA wants to make sure you are well-equipped to avoid these pests this season.

Tips from NPMA’s entomologists:

--Seal cracks and crevices in buildings, keep windows and doors screened and regularly examine the exterior of your home for signs of infestation.

--Closely inspect overhangs, shrubs, trees, decks and sheds. Do not attempt to remove a nest on your own.  

--Cover food and drinks and store garbage in sealed containers during outdoor gatherings and refrain from wearing perfume and other scented products.

--Avoid swatting yellowjackets, hornets and wasps and slowly walk away instead.

Tune in to donotdisturb.pestworld.org or follow along via @PestWorld social media channels. Go to pestworld.org.