'House of Blooms' Sale at Lincoln-Way East Greenhouse

FRANKFORT, IL -- Members of the Lincoln-Way community will have a chance this weekend to support the greenhouse program at Lincoln-Way East High School, which prepares special needs students at the school for both the worlds of gardening and business.

Alicia Lamacki is in her first year of teaching the class at the school. It includes a “House of Blooms” business in which members of the community purchase plants that have been grown and maintained by students in the class.

“I absolutely love this,” said Lamacki. “It’s incredible to be able to help give this group of kids a bunch of skills.”

The class - which consists of mostly juniors and seniors - is a year-round endeavor. The students grow “everything from petunias in the fall to pepper plants and tomato plants,” Lamacki said.

The students learn everything from planting, gardening and developing the crops to the business side of things, which includes counting the money, filing away and staying on top of the bottom line.

“It’s only a 60 minute class, so the challenge is to work hard and at the end of the day regroup and figure out what needs to be done the next day,” Lamacki said.

The class will hold its spring sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the greenhouse, which is located near the tennis courts at Lincoln-Way East. Those wishing to support the effort can make it there via Colorado or Lincolnway Lane, according to Lamacki.

“It’s a chance to support the special services program at East and the students who work very hard,” she said.

All proceeds will benefit the greenhouse program. According to Lamacki, the program plans to add new tables, hoses and begin to place orders for next year with the money raised.

Photo provided