| Past honorees have been pioneers in print, | | | | others. |
| radio and television. Their names have graced | | | | |
| campus buildings and public gardens. For a | | | | "At times like this there are many people I |
| dairy farmer's grandson from Maine, the news | | | | really hope are smiling down on us, and |
| that he was to receive the Ameri-can | | | | Currier is one of them," said Tukey, who |
| Horticultural Society's 2006 Horticultural | | | | wrote numerous articles about the renowned |
| Communication Award was the most humbling of | | | | iris hybridizer from South Harpswell, Maine, |
| his career. | | | | who passed away two years ago at age 101. |
| | | | "Another would be my grandfather, Henry |
| "To be included among the past recipients of | | | | VanDyne, who - I'm proud to remember - once |
| AHS awards is the highest honor of my | | | | won the award for dairyman of the year for |
| professional life, and nothing I could ever | | | | New England at the Springfield Exposition. |
| have dreamed of receiving," said Paul Tukey, | | | | Spending my summers with him on his farm was |
| who founded People, Places & Plants magazine | | | | what made me love the scents and physical |
| in 1995, along with a television show of the | | | | activity of gardening." |
| same name in 2002. "It is something I share | | | | |
| with an incredibly dedicated staff at People, | | | | After graduating from the University of Maine |
| Places & Plants and my friends and family, | | | | and embarking on an award-winning, nine-year |
| who have supported me through all the trials | | | | career as a sportswriter and newspaper |
| and tribulations of an running an | | | | editor, Tukey followed his love of the |
| independently-owned publishing company in | | | | outdoors into landscaping and founded his own |
| this day and age. Honestly, to win this was | | | | company, Home 'n' Land, in the late 1980s. In |
| stunning." | | | | honoring Tukey for his garden writing and his |
| | | | television work that began at NBC affiliate |
| Founded in 1922, the American Horticultural | | | | WCSH6 in Portland, Maine in 1996, the AHS |
| Society is one of the oldest gardening | | | | cited his repeated commitment to supporting |
| organizations in the nation. Its awards | | | | independent garden centers as well as |
| program, started in 1952, is considered to be | | | | promoting environmentally friendly gardening |
| the most prestigious in the field of | | | | - including an upcoming book on organic |
| horticulture. | | | | lawns. |
| | | | |
| "The American Horticultural Society | | | | "Now more than ever I think it's important to |
| recognizes American horticultural heroes in a | | | | retain an independent voice and be an |
| wide variety of professions through the | | | | advocate for the environment and family |
| annual Great American Gardeners Awards," said | | | | business," Tukey said. "This award, in great |
| AHS President Katy Moss Warner. "These awards | | | | measure, is a validation of the efforts we've |
| celebrate the best and brightest in our | | | | made. We really try to make a difference in |
| nation, from scientists who develop tough | | | | people's lives." |
| plants for our gardens, to public garden | | | | |
| professionals who promote earth-friendly | | | | Tukey also reiterated his thanks to many |
| gardening practices, to journalists who | | | | people who have made a difference in his own |
| popularize gardening throughout America. This | | | | life and professional career. |
| year, Paul Tukey is receiving the AHS | | | | |
| Horticultural Communication Award in | | | | "This really should be an award for everyone |
| recognition of the extraordinary work he has | | | | involved with People, Places & Plants |
| done to encourage gardening through his | | | | because, even though I had the idea, the |
| dynamic talks, his presence on HGTV, and his | | | | company belongs to our staff and everyone in |
| People, Places & Plants magazine." | | | | horticulture in the Northeast," he said. "I |
| | | | could fill an entire magazine thanking |
| Tukey, who hosts a popular gardening show | | | | everyone who has helped, including Susan |
| based on the magazine on HGTV at 7 a.m. each | | | | Gilman and Rick Churchill, who have been here |
| Sunday, is one of 12 members of the | | | | since the beginning, and especially Mark |
| horticultural community who will be honored | | | | Sellew, who was at our side for five |
| by the American Horticultural Society during | | | | extraordinary and evolutionary years. And, of |
| its Great American Gardeners Awards ceremony | | | | course, 'The Man in the Red Suspenders' and |
| and banquet on June 2. He is just the third | | | | his amazing wife - Roger and Elisabeth Swain. |
| Maine recipient of a lifetime achievement | | | | If I should get an award for anything, it |
| award since AHS began presenting the awards. | | | | would be my ability to surround myself with |
| University of Maine horticulturist Lewis Lipp | | | | great people. |
| (1972) and Currier McEwen (1995) were the | | | | |