Garden center offers a bit of Father’s Day crafting

FORTY FORT – Edward’s Garden Center provided the perfect setting for a bit of Father’s Day celebrating Sunday morning as families made their way to the business, many in hopes of finding the perfect present for dad and certainly enjoying his company.

Many of the younger set made their way back to a green and white tent to make a “Dad-themed” craft, a bird feeder, complete with a personalized gift bag.

Leeah Popovich, 6, was eager to begin the craft, first directing her attention to carefully writing, “Dad You’re Cool,” in bright colorful letters on the bag provided.

Popovich and her mother, Nicole Romiski, of Hanover Township, come out for the crafts offered by the graden center several times year.

“We come for holidays, and we take time to look at the animals,” Romiski said.

Staff member Shelly Neifert led the event and took time to ask participants how they would be spending the rest of the day.

Many mentioned that they would be stopping to say hello to about 40 animals at the center.

Ed Kopec, owner, was not surprised.

“We have an animal scavenger hunt throughout the season. The kids collect numbered Popsicle sticks throughout the grounds and get a gift bag at the end,” he said. “It’s one of their favorite things.”

Kopec said he enjoys families making their way through the grounds of the center on holidays and special occasions.

“Originally, I didn’t quite envision all this,” he said, referring to the ornate grounds and opportunities for learning. “But this is what unfolded.

As about eight children were finishing up their craft, with the help of mom and dad, Neifert brought out Spike, a spotted rabbit.

Children eagerly stood in line, eager to get a turn at petting the rabbit.

Allen Underhill, and his 9-year-old son, Nash, said they had been to the center “a million times,” but always enjoy the opportunity to look at the plants, landscaping and animals available there.

“We were here for the Mother’s Day craft, and now we’re back again for the Father’s Day craft,” said Underhill. “We’ll keep coming back.”

Leeah Popovich, left, and Ashlynn Dunleavy got to meet and Spike.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_bird5_faa-1.jpgLeeah Popovich, left, and Ashlynn Dunleavy got to meet and Spike. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

William Conklin, 6, of Hanover Township, decorates a bag.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_bird3_faa-1.jpgWilliam Conklin, 6, of Hanover Township, decorates a bag. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Leeah Popovich, 6, of Hanover Township, drips glue onto a Popsicle stick, making a bird feeder for her father.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_bird2_faa-1.jpgLeeah Popovich, 6, of Hanover Township, drips glue onto a Popsicle stick, making a bird feeder for her father. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Nash Underhill, 9, of Bear Creek, adds a Popsicle stick to the bird feeder he was buiding for his father, Allen Underhill, on Sunday at Edward’s Garden Center in Forty Fort.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_bird1_faa-1.jpgNash Underhill, 9, of Bear Creek, adds a Popsicle stick to the bird feeder he was buiding for his father, Allen Underhill, on Sunday at Edward’s Garden Center in Forty Fort. Fred Adams | For Times Leader