Local briefs: Tulip photo contest to begin, Kanuga employee celebrates 30 years

Staff reports
·2 min read
The title of this entry was called "Scarlet Ladies" and was submitted by J.D. Harris. It was a past first-place winner.
The title of this entry was called "Scarlet Ladies" and was submitted by J.D. Harris. It was a past first-place winner.

March 20 is the official first day of spring, and with spring comes colorful blooms all around Hendersonville, especially on Main Street.

Spring also brings the annual Tulip Extravaganza, a photo contest that is the brainchild of Barbara Hughes, who is the longtime owner of Narnia Studios. In a news release, Hughes announced this year's contest will run from April 1-30, and the deadline to enter is April 25.

“Many businesses will have tulip-themed displays in their windows as well as offering their spring specials,” said Hughes in the release.

The title of this past first-place winner was "Morning Kiss" and was taken by Julie Buckman.
The title of this past first-place winner was "Morning Kiss" and was taken by Julie Buckman.

Residents can enter their best tulip photos in the contest at Narnia Studios, and all photos must be taken in downtown Hendersonville. The winner will be announced on April 30 and will get a garden-themed basket from Narnia Studios, Hughes said in the release.

Hughes has been in love with flowers for as long as she can remember. She is still surrounded by flowers, as 8,000-10,000 tulips bloom in the planters on Main Street when spring arrives.

“Our special tax district for Main Street pays master gardeners Scott Johnson and Bruce Lowe to create beautiful landscaping in the planters along the sidewalks,” she said.

“The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the first and second week of April this year,” Johnson said in the release. “Lots of tulip leaves and some buds are already poking through the flower beds.” Hughes said the flowers inspired her to hold the annual Tulip Extravaganza and the photo contest, which is celebrating 20 years this year.

“Downtown Hendersonville is such a treasure to Western North Carolina,” she said. “We anticipate as many visitors as tulips.”

For more information, call Narnia Studios at 828-697-6393 or visit the store at 408 North Main Street.

Haden celebrating 30 years at Kanuga

Kanuga's Jimmy Haden, front right, is celebrating 30 years as an employee at Kanuga this year.
Kanuga's Jimmy Haden, front right, is celebrating 30 years as an employee at Kanuga this year.

Jimmy Haden is celebrating 30 years as a Kanuga employee this year.

His mother has told many of the Kanuga employees that she dropped him off for camp and he never left. He has held numerous positions while at Kanuga in all departments, including helping in guest services, church relations, advancement, hospitality management, mission and program and camps, Kanuga said in a news release.

"His long-term dedication has resulted in deep relationships with individuals and groups through the years. Indeed, he embodies the best of who we are and what we aspire to be as people and as an organization," the release said.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Local briefs: Tulip photo contest to begin, Kanuga employee celebrates 30 years