by Connie Oswald Stofko
Gardens Buffalo Niagara, which organizes Garden Walk Buffalo, the East Side Garden Walk, Open Gardens and many more WNY gardening events, will take over my magazine in May!
For a couple years now, I had been looking for someone to take over Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. I’m so glad that Gardens Buffalo Niagara is making sure that local people can continue to get dependable information on gardening.
If it wasn’t for Gardens Buffalo Niagara, I might not have started this magazine.
Back in June 2010, I had an idea for an online gardening magazine. After chatting about it over the weekend, I sat down on Monday and found that nobody else was doing anything like this.
That was good, but I found a much bigger surprise: On that Thursday, there would be an opening event for, what was called then, the National Garden Festival. The festival was going to bring together Garden Walk Buffalo, the other garden walks and even more events. This was a huge deal.
Suddenly, I had a deadline! I had to be at the kickoff party in four days to let people know about this magazine–a magazine that I hadn’t even created yet.
By that Thursday, I was at the kickoff party and had a name for my magazine, a URL for my almost-finished website and business cards to hand out. An article on the kickoff party was the very first article in Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com.
From the beginning, my magazine and the new garden organization worked together and helped each other. In a few years, the National Garden Festival took the name Gardens Buffalo Niagara. It continues to expand and flourish. (Coming soon: Open Gardens Spring Weekend!)
As much as I have enjoyed these 17 years with Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com (and the 45 years of my career), I can use a break. I’m happy to know that Gardens Buffalo Niagara is a strong group and will keep my magazine moving along.
In the meantime, I and the folks at Gardens Buffalo Niagara are working together to keep things moving smoothly.
And readers, thank you for your support!
Susan, thank you so much! I’m so glad that there will be a new group of capable and excited people to continue this magazine for Western New Yorkers.
Ruth, thanks so much! The articles can be fun, but boy, finding a cool sale or event can be magical. Thanks for telling readers about deer!
Jim, you and everyone at Gardens Buffalo Niagara have always been helpful to me, even on tight deadlines. I–and my readers!–thank you. I’m looking forward to the next couple months while we transition to a wonderful group of gardening friends. And yes, I look forward to more time in my gardens this summer!
David, you have given our readers so much information. It has always been fun working with you!
Lyn, thanks for all of your support!
Congratulations on your well-deserved break, Connie, and thank you for your inspiration and hard work. Wishing you a happy and peaceful next chapter, my friend!
Thank you, Connie, for all your good work. My garden is better for it, especially for your listing of sales and events. Enjoy your retirement.
What you’ve built with BNG is more than an online magazine. For seventeen years, you’ve cultivated a garden community across Buffalo Niagara—and beyond. We Zone 5 & 6ers appreciate you!
Through your writing, garden passion, and commitment to educate, you’ve created a gathering place for every level of gardener.
You also succeeded with what few see: managing the technical demands, overseeing finances, securing sponsors & advertisers, and maintaining what has become the region’s most comprehensive calendar of events, tours, workshops, classes, and lectures. That sustained dedication is rare.
On behalf of Gardens Buffalo Niagara, I want you to know how deeply we value what you created. We’ll take care of the site and archive of articles you’ve created. Your work has lasting value, and we intend to build on that.
You have certainly earned a break! I hope it includes more time in your own garden and that we will still see your byline appear from time to time. The community you help build will always welcome your voice. Take the summer off!
Congratulations on this good news!
I am so very happy to read that Buffalo-Niagara Gardening will continue its journey forward with new captains at the helm!
Well done, Connie!!
Congratulations Connie for all you have accomplished and all the garden information you featured over the years! BNG.com has been the one place that brought all things gardening to the public. Enjoy your retirement!!!
Thank you, Maxine! It’s been wonderful.
Your magazine has come along way under your leadership, Connie! Thanks for highlighting so many beautiful gardens, exciting events and interesting new garden shops and products. Seventeen years of looking forward to new ideas for our gardens and ways to make our gardens fun and beautiful!
Great work! Thank you.