Page 4 - Dresden Buzz 09/19/2025

PAGE 4 | LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 2, 2025
Growing micro flower farm, Lakeside Flowers, Straker

to host first annual Fall Flower Festival Foundation

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ announces first
application cycle
for Youth Grant

Program

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ

The grant cycle for the Youth Grant
Program through the J.W. & M.H. Straker
Charitable Foundation opened on Sep-
tember 16 and will remain open until
October 28, 2025.
Individual and group applications may
be submitted by students (school clubs,
classrooms, teams, or scout troops) so long
as all students involved are between the ages
of 5 and 18 and live in Muskingum County.
Applications must be submitted with the as-
sistance of a sponsoring nonprofit organiza-
tion that will serve as the fiscal agent for the
project. A supervising adult who can be a
parent, teacher, coach, or scout leader, etc.,
is required as they are responsible for mak-
ing sure the project is completed and funds
are properly used, with receipts and docu-
mentation kept.
Projects or programs that are to be
considered for the grant must improve the
community. Projects can be of any size, and
Haley Lake, mother of two stands holding her youngest child in front of her micro flower farm, both large and small-scale initiatives will be
Lakeside Flowers. Lynette Dotson considered for funding. The Straker Founda-
tion is looking for the unique perspectives of
Lakeside Flowers, owned and oper- “Whether you’re a gardening enthusi- young people in identifying problems and de-
ated by Haley Lake and family, will be ast, photographer, or just love the mag- veloping creative solutions that demonstrate
hosting the first annual Fall Flower Festi- ic of fall, this event offers something for a passion for positive change.
val at her micro flower farm on October everyone.” Grants up to $2,500 will be awarded,
4th from noon until 6 p.m. Vendor spots are still open. To inquire, with all funds being used for activities or pro-
“I just thought it would be like a good call 740-319-4307. grams benefiting the students named on the
end of season way to kind of get more Can’t wait for October? Stop in during application.
people out here and showcase our little one of Lakeside Flowers’ remaining Sat- Applications can be found on the Strak-
business, and a good way to end the urday, September You-Pick dates, Sep- er Foundation website, strakerfoundation.
season and to have people here,” said tember 20th or 27th from 9 to 11:30 org. The student is to thoroughly fill out the
Lake. a.m. Registration through a link on application, providing as much detail as pos-
The festival will include you-pick flow- their Facebook page is appreciated but Lakeside Flowers often brings blooms sible with the guidance of an adult (adult
ers ($20 per cup filled with flowers), food not required. to area events, too. They will be at the contributions should be clearly marked). Op-
trucks What the Fizz? and Emily’s Sweet Currently, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, Cambridge Main Street Fall Festival on tional space for adult input is available on
Treats, a petting zoo, and a kids’ zone gomphrena, dahlias, celosia, snapdrag- Saturday, September 20, and they were the application.
with face painting and game stations. ons, strawflower, and status, to name a set up at the recent New Concord Com-
Vendors including Pleasant Acres Farm few, can be found at the microfarm. munity Day. Selection criteria is as follows:
and Bakery (jams, jellies, sourdough), Although this is the first year for the Bulk buckets of flowers can also be or- • Quality: Completeness, detail, and
Meraki Concrete Company (homemade festival, Lakeside Flowers is actually cel- dered for special DIY arrangements for evidence of thoughtful planning.
vases, trays, and bowls), Lake’s Sun- ebrating their second year in business. events like weddings. Applications should primarily reflect
flower Field (pumpkins and mums), and Seasonal fresh-cut flowers can be pur- Lakeside Flowers is located at 11320 the student’s own ideas and effort.
Lake Farms (freezer beef). There will chased at their roadside flower stand Norfield Road, Norwich. They can be • Creativity: Originality and ingenuity of
also be a Flower Photo Contest where (inventory will vary). It is best to check reached by phone at 740-319-4307, or the proposed project.
you enter your best flower photo for a the Lakeside Flowers Facebook page for email lakesideflowers2024@gmail.com. • Impact: Potential positive impact on
chance to win prizes. Admission to the updates. The stand is typically open un- You can also find all the latest event in- the community.
event is $5 per person; children four and til dusk. formation and You-Pick times and dates
under are free. Besides being open at the farm, by following Lakeside Flowers on Face- Additional notes:
book. • Applicants should request only the
amount necessary to complete the
New playground installed at South Zanesville project and demonstrate a fiscally
responsible budget.
• Grant recipients are required to
Village Park BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ submit a project completion report
within six months of receiving funds
(or within one month of project
South Zanesville Village Park is under- completion). This report can be
going improvements, including a recent submitted in writing, video, or slide
playground that was just installed. show format and should detail the
Additional improvements are in the project experience, impact, and
works, such as fencing at the corners community response.
of the basketball courts to keep basket-
balls from rolling into the street, pickle-
ball striping, a decorative water feature,
and signage, to name just a few. Ac-
cording to recent village council min-
utes, discussion is also underway about
the possibility of installing bleachers at Made with
the pickleball court and lighting for eve-
ning matches. 100%%
The playground project was made pos-
sible with help from the J.W. and M.H. local news.
Straker Charitable Foundation.
Workers make progress on the installation of a new slide at South Zanesville Village Park Wednesday
September 17. Lynette Dotson