Published: June 13, 2008 08:06 pm      

Attica to show off its charm

Gardens, art are highlights walk event

ATTICA, Ind. — Several Attica gardens will be at their finest next weekend for “A Day of Gardens and Art.”

Several gardens and homes will be featured in the Historical Landmarks of Fountain County’s tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT June 21.

“Attica is a charming town on the Wabash,” said Melinda Shepherd, chairwoman of this year’s tour. “Just walking around town is charming. We have friendly people who will help them as guides.”

The event routinely draws people from throughout the two-state area.

Six gardens will be featured, including the Harrison Estate Gardens, a hillside overlooking the Wabash River, a city garden and a garden on a brick street.

The Cottrell Village will feature herb and vegetable gardens, two historic homes and the Old Church. The church will feature several special programs during the day.

Artisans will be in several of the gardens on the tour.

The restored 1860 home of Ron and Jimma Leaf will be featured along with their small garden. Randy Swanson, the artisan who restored the home and the Cottrell Village, will be there.

Robert Harrison will open his silver studio adjacent to his home. He has gone to Maine for the past 10 years to learn how to do silversmithing. He will have some of his jewelry on display.

Artisan Norm Stetler, a mason, will be at the silver studio. He has done the stonework at the Harrison Estates and the Leaf home and the chimney at the silver studio.

“Some of these things are getting to be lost arts,” Shepherd said. “Not everyone knows about them.”

“This is really a beautiful event,” said Carol Freese, a member of the Historical Landmarks of Fountain County who helped coordinate last year’s garden tour in Covington. The two cities have alternated as hosts for the garden walk.

The Attica Public Library will feature an exhibit by artist Fran Kessler and her watercolor students, Lois Constable, Sarah Modjeski, Sharon Strickler, Doty Bolander, Ruth Ann Molter and Marjorie Ryan.

Local authors Chris Woodworth, Bob Quirk, Harold Long and Carol Morrison will be featured at a book-signing in an author’s corner behind the headquarters.

Several restaurants, including the Attica Hotel, Robie’s Restaurant and Harrison Hills Country Club, are planning special menus for the day. The Attica-Williamsport Presbyterian Church will serve breakfast and lunch.

“A lot of people help to make this a special day,” Shepherd said.



IN ATTICA

Headquarters for “A Day of Gardens and Art” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT June 21 will be the Old Ladies Library at Main and Brady streets. Tickets are $15 for the tour of six gardens, the restored 1860 home of Ron and Jimma Leaf and the Cottrell Village, which includes herb and vegetable gardens, two historic homes and the Old Church.

Special events at the Old Church include:

9:30-10:30 a.m. — Reni Walker lecture “Save Time, Save Money, Go Native.”

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Flower arranging demonstation by Dennis Kovar.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Prairie Players dulcimer entertainment.

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Violin and viola music by Seth Schrock and pianist Christian Schrock. They will be in the Harrison Estates Gardens from 3-4 p.m.

Check the Web site at http://www.hlfcindiana.org.