If you're contemplating a bouquet of blooms for Mother's Day, there's a way to give mom roses upon roses upon roses.
The Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga is presenting the final day of tours of five private rose gardens from noon to 5 p.m. today. You won't be able to grab a dozen stems wrapped in cellophane or tucked into a vase, of course. You'll need to see a florist for that sort of gift.
But the tours will give mom a chance to see beautifully maintained rose gardens by experts who know how to sow them and grow them.
The gardens are in Chattanooga, Hixson, East Brainerd and Soddy-Daisy. The self-guided tour is made easier due to the common use of GPS. One can start at any garden and proceed from there.
There is no charge for the self-guided tour, though donations will be gladly accepted for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
For more information, go to www.chattanoogarose.org.
Gardens on the tour
- Jeff and Cindy Garrett, 2049 Linwood Circle, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
- Ed and Cheryl Hand, 7811 Haverton Crossing, Hixson, TN 37343
- Dr. Cassandra Cansler and Roland Butler, 1428 Cambridge Pointe Drive, Hixson, TN 37343
- Michelle and Steve Morgan, 3616 Altamira Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37412
- Jane and Larry Hill, 9723 Stone Mist Lane, Chattanooga, TN 37421
What else can you put on Mom's agenda? Here are five more selections around the area.
- Arts and crafts: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road in Rising Fawn, Ga., will conclude its Mountain Art & Craft Celebration today. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for the festivities, which include 100 exhibitors of handmade work, food vendors and musical entertainment. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 2-12, plus $5 parking. The festival is presented by Friends of Cloudland Canyon State Park as a fundraiser for the park. Call 706-657-4050 for more information.
- Baseball: The Chattanooga Lookouts play the Birmingham Barons at 2:15 p.m. today at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. This Mother's Day matinee gives moms a chance to win gifts from local businesses and to run the bases after the game. It's also a chance to get autographs from players after the game. Tickets are $4 to $10. For ticket information, call 423-267-4849 or visit www.lookouts.com.
- Jazz brunch: Urban Grind Cafe, 2193 Park Drive, will offer a brunch bar of favorite dishes and mimosas. Dine to the sounds of a live jazz band with vocalist and DJ Tony Dub. Cost is $40. Seating is limited, so call first to see about reservations, 901-494-1649.
- Marketplace: Vendors at Chattanooga Market, open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St., will offer an array of goodies to entice moms. Herr Flowers, from McMinnville, Tenn., will bring in tulip bouquets and other blooms, and moms can choose from a selection of wines and champagnes while sampling chocolate-covered strawberries. More than 15 food trucks can supply lunch, and vendors will have meats, produce, cheeses, breads and desserts. Amber Fults and Megan Saunders will entertain at 12:30 and 2 p.m. respectively. Find out more at www.chattanoogamarket.com.
- Opera: Opera Tennessee will offer its final performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Consul" at 2 p.m. today at First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Ave. The three-act opera tells the story of political dissident John Sorel, on the run from European police. John plans to escape to the border and tells wife Magda to apply for a visa and leave the country. But things don't go as planned. There will be a panel discussion considering "The Consul" in relation to current and historical events, open to all ticketholders, one hour before curtain. Adult admission is $20; student and senior adult tickets are $15. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Bridge Refugee Services. For more information, go to www.operatn.org.