Time Warp -- Floral displays delight local audiences

May 14—Nov. 14, 1953:

As the weather outside started to turn chilly, the weather inside the Nay Aug Park greenhouse was just right for the annual chrysanthemums display.

The event started in 1934, but from time to time the greenhouse had "mums" on display as far back as 1911.

William Farmer, Nay Aug Park gardener, said the 1953 display featured 2,500 chrysanthemums representing 25 varieties. The chrysanthemums arrived at the park in March and were planted outside until late June, when they were transferred into the greenhouse. The flowers came in red, yellow, pink, two tones and pure white, and Farmer said they ranged in size from pompom all the way to 8 inches in diameter.

H.M. Kerber, superintendent of parks, reported that some 7,000 people visited to the greenhouse to see the display on Nov. 14 and 15. It was expected to stay up until Nov. 22, and the flowers then would be distributed to local hospitals and nursing homes.

A sneak peek of the Nay Aug chrysanthemums was given at the annual Scranton Florist Show that took place at the Hotel Casey from Nov. 4 to 6. The show was in its third year and was organized by the Scranton Florist Club and the Tri-County Growers Association.

In addition to Nay Aug's chrysanthemums, the show featured exhibits from 24 local florists and displays of orchids, roses and carnations from the DeSandis Greenhouses in Daleville. Approximately 1,000 people visited the show on opening night.

There was no admission fee for these two horticultural events.

Brian Fulton

Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show "Ask Me Another." Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast