THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050273
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
For those who want to include poinsettias in their holidays, the Norfolk Vocational Technical Center is offering an array of foliage that could melt Scrooge's heart.
Its greenhouse is filled with 1,200 poinsettias grown by the center's 25 horticulture students. The plants will be available for sale, today only, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center at 1330 N. Military Highway.
``All plants available are the newest varieties,'' says horticulture instructor Betsy Spears. ``Given the educational aspect of the program, numerous varieties are available.''
What sets many of them apart are that they are hybrids free of blemishes and brighter in color.
Prices range from $4 to $10, and proceeds from the sale go to the horticulture program. The annual poinsettia sale dates back to 1968.
``The goal is to train students in marketable skills,'' Spears says. ``Of those who finish this program, approximately 95 percent are employed in horticulture.
``There's high demand in this area and few places you can receive training.'' by CNB