I suppose we will all confirm our fears and we typically find only what we seek. If you want to belive that gardening is less popular, or that the globe is an average paper- it would be easy to confirm that with investigation. I do think Garden Web is a much better way to get gardening info- That was my main thrust. I guess i am coming from a different angle. I am comparing items, Globe vs other papers. Garden web vs Globe gardening articles. The globe is a great paper (to me) because they have a valid editorial staff and great washington DC office. What I mean is that they still produce indepth, new- news. Not many papers do that any longer. This is the era of Fox News. Ick. I see no evidence that Gardening is on a downward trend. Home depot, Lowes, Walmart, They might change the market, but (again my opinion) that proves that there is a larger market than there used to be. I venture to say that there are more gardeners now than there ever were, they are growing flora that my parents never knew about, and they can find better information in 20 minutes of research online then they could from reading 20 years of Boston Globe Thursday gardening articles. Still- perhaps they are less sophisticated. I live in Franklin, and the town library has wonderful historical films on VHS, and Dahlia's and Rose gardens were pretty well represented in some of the back yard images. those gardens were very impressive. Today is not "better", just "different". I have many 30 yr old friends that garden, they do so for the same reason people did it in the films. Gardening is good for you. It always will be good for you.

Calling all Garden Geeks! If you are passionate about plants, come join the fun at the Perennial Plant Association Symposium in Boston this July. Visit beautiful private properties in the Boston area that will be open for the PPA only. Get an insider look at public gardens, great garden centers or Northeast growers. See new plants and products at the trade show. Highlights include: July 4th Optional pre-symposium walking or bus tours of Boston capped by a Fireworks Cruise. July 5th Choose between a day of talks about perennials and garden design, or two professional tours. (One for growers, one visiting retail and public horticulture sites) July 6, 7 & 8 Lectures, trade-show and tours July 9 & 10 Optional post-conference tours (Note: you can register for as many or as few days as you wish to attend.) Speakers include Adrian Bloom, Willam Cullina, Lloyd Traven, Julie Moir Messervy, Roger Swain and many more. Register soon for symposium hotel rates, and pick the combination of tours, seminars and local events that suits you best. Download the full 2012 Symposium program: http://www.perennialplant.org/ Bring the family! The conference is centrally located so that non-plant nerds can enjoy the many attractions in Boston for people of all ages. Suggestions: The New England Aquarium, Science Museum, the Glass Flowers at Harvard Museum of Natural History, Faneuil Hall Marketplace etc. Here is a link that might be useful: Perennial Plant Association

>>Katy - just wondering what Internet site you used? Thanks! Nothing special. One I got thru Hilton.com the other thru the hotel, I think. I may have used Expedia though for the conference based one. Why does this hotel full thing happen though??? I seem to recall Long Island had the same problem. Seems like someone underestimates how many folks will arrive.

Rozannea This will be my third GWA meeting and I have enjoyed them all. I am still a beginner at the writing thing, but have published a few articles here and there. If you are new and this is your first meeting, sign up for the mentor program. You will be partnered with an experienced writer who can help introduce you to people and will be there for problems, helpful advise etc. for the first year. If you cannot afford/justify the national meeting, there are regional meetings too that you can go to. This is a way to meet local contacts who will help you.