April Fool's kicks off Lawn Greetings Month

Fremont, OH, April 1, 2008- President/Executor Michelle Reed of the Lawn Greetings Association, Inc. (LGA) announced today a declaration that April be considered as "Lawn Greetings Month". The purpose of Lawn Greetings Month is not only to promote awareness of the industry to the general public, but to help bring smiles to those who are celebrating a special occasion or event.

The lawn greetings industry can be defined as small local businesses which help their customers celebrate various special occasions and events by renting displays that are set up in a recipient's yard. The displays vary greatly from giant wooden character signs and small "critter" signs, as they are referred to in the industry, to a wide array of elements for decorating a front yard such as 3 dimensional plastic or 2 dimensional characters and shapes.

Every business is independently owned and operated, unless a company is part of a franchise or dealership. Therefore, terms, prices and inventory vary greatly. However, they all have one common goal in their businesses, to create pleasant surprises by decorating lawns with out-of-the-ordinary items for everyone to enjoy. These items could include anything from a yard full of plastic pink flamingos, smiley faces, cows, ducks, to buzzards, or even hearts, stars or other funny characters.

Reed states that she and members of the industry are very excited to declare their first holiday. "This is a stepping stone in gaining national exposure and awareness of the industry. We all love to help people celebrate the special moments in their life, and a lawn greetings display is a unique and fun way to do it." As a part of this celebration, lawn greetings companies across the nation will be putting out displays in honor of this milestone event, most are guaranteed to make you smile.

Association members are also planning on celebrating another important event based on the creator of the original Plastic Pink Flamingo, Mr. Don Featherstone. In the birthplace and hometown of Featherstone, (Leominster, MA) Mayor Dean Mazzarella declared June 23 as Pink Flamingo Day. On this day, lawn greetings company owners across the country plan on setting out pink flamingo displays in honor of the pink lawn ornament.

"I just love the idea that all across the states, people will randomly see yards full of pink flamingos, all in tribute to Don Featherstone. It will be a hoot!" Reed states.

The LGA is the leading authority and only non-profit trade association of the lawn greetings industry which consists of members from across the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, England, and New Zealand. For more information, visit the Lawn Greetings Association, Inc. on the web at http://www.Lawn-Greetings.org or to find your local Lawn Greetings Company visit The Flamingoed Lawn Greetings Directory at http://www.flamingoed.com/

Time for that other story I mentioned before

In this post I mentioned someone being embarrassed by a yard sign in their yard. I thought I would share a few of those stories with you.

The first one was in a really nice neighborhood. We had done the set up early in the morning on a Saturday. We were home all day and decided to go out to dinner with some friends that evening. Unfortunately we left our business cell phone at home. While we were at dinner our daughter called to let us know someone called on the business phone. We told her we would get the voice mail when we got home that night. Well dinner turned into playing cards and hanging out with our friends until about 11:30pm. When we got home Sheri checked the voice mail. The caller was the recipient of the yard card we had set up in the morning. She was really mad. She wanted the sign out of her yard by morning or she was going to throw it away. Of course we got over there early in the morning and took it down.

Our second time was a set up on a Sunday morning. This display was ordered by the ladies parents. It was raining cats and dogs when I set up the message board and critters. I wasn't home for more than 10 minutes when the recipient called and demanded that we remove the sign immediately and refund her parents the money they spent on it. Back out in the rain storm to get the sign. Which I found on the side of the house. She was so upset she had her husband take it down. Sheri called the lady that ordered the sign and explained what happened and reminded her of our policy regarding early pick ups (no refunds). She was just fine with it and really didn't understand why her daughter was so very upset. She called back later to let Sheri know that she found out why. Her daughter didn't want anyone knowing that she was turning 40. Apparently this lady lies to everyone about her age. LOL.

Fortunately we don't get many of these types of calls. But they have happened a few times obviously. If someone doesn't appreciate the gift that we have set up for them then we will remove it as soon as we can. I'm sure glad most people appreciate them though.

A new way to raise funds.

The Lawn Greeting Association is using a new way of raising funds. I think this is a really cool way to do this. I hope this idea catches on with schools and other non profits out there.