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