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ALPENA -- Students from Pied Piper are preparing for another year of the annual spring plant sale that begins Monday and runs through May 26 unless the plants sell out quicker, Pied Piper teacher Janis Sahr said.
From when the flowers first arrive at the school until the is money collected and totaled, Pied Piper students gain hands-on experience for the preparation for the event, Sahr said. This includes all aspects of getting the flowers ready, she said.
"Our plants come from a local greenhouse and the students maintain them, water them and prune them the entire time," she said.
It's more than just gaining experience in botany, the 16 students in the class must stick to their work calendar.
"We run it like any job," Sahr said. "They have a schedule for their shift and they have a calendar to see who is working which two-hour shift."
Students will be working the cash registers during the sales as well as helping customers get the purchased flowers to their cars, Sahr said.
This year the sale will include hanging baskets, geraniums, Martha Washingtons and several other annuals -- all plants this year will be annuals. Sahr also said there will be a variety of handmade greeting cards on sale created by different classes.
There will be a special sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 13, the day before Mother's Day, where students will come in to help with any last minute gift shopping for moms, Sahr said. Otherwise the sales occur Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Money raised through the sale will go toward the Pied Piper School's vocational program as well as the school's greenhouse funds. Sahr said the vocational program allows the school to purchase needed supplies for the classrooms.
This was Sahr's second year running the program and she said this event and others always showcase the tremendous support the community gives to Pied Piper.
"We are so grateful for the community support, the parents and past parents who help out and the local businesses really help make this a reality," she said.
Tyler Winowiecki can be reached via email at twinowiecki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688. Follow Tyler on Twitter tw_alpenanews.
What: Annual Spring Plant Sale
When: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an additional sale May 13 at the same time
Where: Pied Piper School