a large crowd was buying plants, and helping to continue keeping the Woodstock Community Center, seen at right, open for all to enjoy. (Photo by David F. Ashton)

In the eight o’clock hour on Saturday morning, May 10, the volunteers behind the annual Woodstock Neighborhood Plant Sale looked a little concerned that there weren’t already dozens of customers lined up in front of the Woodstock Community Center, awaiting entry, as in past years.

The money raised in this major community effort each year is dedicated to the maintenance of the Woodstock Community Center, the neighborhood’s part of a bargain with PP&R, the Center’s owner, to keep it open in Woodstock, made two decades ago.

Fears vanished, however, by 8:50 a.m., as a block-long queue of eager buyers had quickly appeared – and, right at 9, entered the gates to the parking lot sales space next door, provided by Diane S. Sykes, Attorney at Law. Within minutes, many gardeners had their arms – or carts, or wagons – loaded up with some of the 1,500 plants available for sale.

“New this year, Tracey Hillman, a fine artist who is teaching art classes here at the Woodstock Community Center, is selling her exquisite botanical prints and other nature-themed artwork that is perfect for our event,” remarked the plant sale’s 12-year organizer, Sandy Profeta. “And again his year, Jill Torborsen’s metal garden sculptures are selling well, also,” she added.

And, after the one-day sale had ended and the cash was tallied up, Profeta was clearly pleased about the result. “It was another record-breaking year: Gross sales came to just under $10,000, beating last year’s number by almost $800!” she announced.

“What makes this work are our volunteers; we had 42 of them this year,” said Profeta. “And, it wouldn’t be a plant sale without plants – so, we are very thankful for our 53 donors, from Southeast neighborhoods – including Woodstock, Eastmoreland, Foster-Powell, Mt-Scott-Arleta, Irvington, Arlington Heights, and even Southwest Portland,” she exclaimed.

Leader stepping down

After a dozen years as Co-Chair, Profeta told THE BEE that she’s stepping down from that role. “I’ll continue to donate plants and volunteer at the sale – and long-time Co-Chair Terry Griffiths plans to continue in her role, with the help of two new Co-Chairs, Katee Foxx and Karen Kincher.”

Keeping the volunteers fueled all day were food and beverages provided by Papaccino’s, Safeway, and Papa Murphy’s – and Gail Budde brought snacks, including homemade cookies.

Plant and material donors were Woodstock Ace Hardware, Symbiop, and Happy Bee Garden Center in Woodburn. Portland Nursery gave them a gift certificate to purchase plants; Bosky Dell and Westwind Gardens provided plants at a discount. Mt. Scott Fuel donated potting soil – and Kathy Lee donated a garden pot mover to help their volunteers move large potted plants.

Thanks to the weeks of diligent work by the volunteers leading up to the sale, and all those plant donations, the Woodstock Community Center will again receive the needed funds to continue the bargain to keep it open, made with Portland Parks and Recreation.