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Tuesday May 20, 2008 Edition
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Jill-of-All-Trades

Linda enjoys Flowers
photo by Rebecca K. Fay
Linda enjoys Flowers
Baking
photo by Rebecca K. Fay
Baking
Working in her Greenhouse
photo by Rebecca K. Fay
Working in her Greenhouse
Alterations & Sewing, Formal Or Casual
photo by Rebecca K. Fay
Alterations & Sewing, Formal Or Casual

Tuesday May 20, 2008

By Rebecca K. Fay

   Well, her name isn't Jill, its Linda Welch and she owns and operates Sunrise Gardens, Greenhouse, Bakery and Catering Service in Shoreham.  

   Sunrise Gardens Greenhouse begins planting during the winter in Linda's basement.   “I do everything from seeds or cuttings.” Cuttings are where Linda needs to root the leaf or stem before planting. In February and March Linda and her family begin to move the plants out to her four greenhouses that neighbor their home.  The greenhouses are technologically advanced due to the electrical work of her husband, Rick.   The greenhouses automatically regulate the heat. Linda explains, “If it's too hot fans turn on and vents will open up...if it's too cold the heater turns on.” If the thermostat reads less than 37 degrees or higher than 100 degrees an alarm goes off in the house alerting Linda, so she can regulate the temperature manually.  

   By the spring, Linda's greenhouses are in full bloom.  She has a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers for commercial and private sale.  Walking through her greenhouses there are lush hanging baskets and the tables are lined with flowers and vegetables for gardens.  Linda also receives specialty orders from people to start their gardens, design a hanging basket, or to design a plant arrangement for a unique pot.  

   Sunrise Gardens and Greenhouse's biggest weekend is Memorial weekend.   “We start closing down July 5th.”  Then, she transitions into growing some fall flowers like Mums, which will be available from late August through October.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

   In addition to the gardening, Linda operates Sunrise Bakery & Catering.  Due to her remote location, Linda receives orders over the phone.  She caters weddings and other special events.  She also makes specialty cakes, character cakes, fudge, apple cider donuts, and cookies to name a few.   I had the opportunity to sample her homemade chocolate chip cookies, which were delicious and tasted somewhere between a sugar cookie and a chocolate chip cookie.  She also let me sample a piece of chocolate chip zucchini cake, which was a wonderful combination of chocolate and zucchini bread.

   Linda's culinary skill comes from her own ambitions.  “I learned from necessity.”   Linda explains, “I start with the basic recipe and I tweak it to make it my own.” “I don't measure.  I use a wooden spoon.”  Linda seems most proud of her apple cider donut recipe.  It took her a lot of time to create the perfect recipe.  And Linda is not going to share it, she states,  “My donut recipe will go with me to the grave.”  If you would like to try these donuts, you can order them from Linda or purchase them at Douglas Orchard during apple picking season.

   Linda also explains, “When I'm not busy with catering and gardening, I'll make quilts. I also do wedding dress alterations…bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen vests to match.”  After visiting with Linda for an afternoon, it became apparent that she is truly a Jill-of-all-Trades.   


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