The Benson Letter
November and December 2023
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Merry Christmas. Hello to my faithful readers, it seems all over the country, I am truly blessed by your gift of time. This is a November and December newsletter, not that there isn’t lots to talk of, but I’ve been busy spraying lawns now because the summer and early fall were so dry. Now isn’t as much fun to work but has amazing results.
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November was a beautiful month filled with leaves, and some of the bluest skies I remember, with some well needed rain mixed in. Cooking seems my off-work passion and I created some wonderful hobo beans for Thanksgiving and family memories for my friend I call Uncle Richard. There were also some very enlightening days of training by WVU on our landscape issues, particularly the boxwood problem. Honestly there is no good answer for this, but I will discuss this fully in the January newsletter. There is treatment but you would have to do it because it has a 7 day repeat and last several months. More to come on the boxwoods.
December is almost here and looks to be a busy month as I’m out spraying as well. If the weather assists, I should have everything done by Christmas but if not like other years there is always January. Last business item before we have some fun, are the contracts. In that I write them, mail them, and do the work, I won’t start that process until all the work from this year is done. Hopefully have them to you in January 2024 but not promising a date.
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I want to introduce you to Nick Jones, owner of All in One Landscapes. You will want to call Nick after you meet him here, his number is 304-276-0363, and he lives in Reedsville, WV. I have stalked Nick for years recognizing the quality of work being done. I really wanted him in our BNI chapter as a referral partner and it has paid off. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Nick as an artist, expert with all things rock, friend, and new member of BNI Excellence.
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Nick Jones, Owner - All in One Landscapes
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During my interview with Nick he mentions, “I have a multidisciplinary degree in Landscape Architecture, horticulture, and history from WVU." Learning was fun, but teachers such as Dave Davis made it also memorable. Nicks favorite saying from Dr. Davis was that "most went to school to get off the farm, but he went to school to get on the farm. Dr. Davis made it fun!!”
Sensing more to this story I asked if there wasn’t a family mentor that fed his skills and interests and yes there was. Nick continues, “I started working for my grandfather, Junior Hall when I was 12. He took me under his wing and taught me his work ethic, value of work, quality, and attention to detail. He gave me a vision of what I could create, and how to use tools to make it complete. At 12, our first project was building a natural rock fireplace, laying it out on the ground, explaining the process as I carried the cement and assisted.”
I asked why he was self-employed? Nick said “I like the freedom as it gives me a platform to express myself, artistically, and it gives my life longevity. Building things that will live on after I’m gone, I know I’m leaving my imprint.”
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I could go on for a long time but let's end with Nicks vision for landscaping. Note that this rang a bell for me because I hacked my way through landscaping for some 45 years. I created with multi seasonal color and movement in mind. In other words, my landscapes were designed to talk to the viewers. Nick is so much more cerebral, in his words. “He creates landscapes that flow with the environment, using water often for sound, light as it diffuses through the landscape, leaves, grasses, also creating sound in the wind, just like a whimsical feeling in yourself. I love to create using all my favorites, stone, water, fire, wind creating wind harps from natural substances, creating a primordial oasis where one can relax.”
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Kind of left me wordless viewing Nicks passion. I highly recommend Nick to you if you wish to create a window into nature, a place to escape to when the world leaves you alone. |
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Thanks for reading, know your all appreciated and look forward to seeing you again in the new year!! Hope all your holidays are as blessed as mine and definitely Merry Christmas!!
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With his monthly newsletter, The Benson Letter, Jay answers questions about Morgantown flora.
Through his Around Town video library, Jay talks about lawn and landscaping problems in our area.
Find out what makes Morgantown flora unique in Wisdom Unencumbered by Facts. Jay's stand on flora initially developed as a hobby, followed by over 42 years of growing Morgantown.
Visit us on Facebook and at BensonsLawnSystems.com to learn more.
We also refer vetted professionals through the remarkable business network we have built through Benson's Hardware and BNI Excellence.
Call Jay to talk about any issues you face in your home. He can help.For most of our pest treatments we can start any time a crisis comes up, no matter the time of year. In this case, though, the snow covering on the ground makes this a not-great time to address ticks. Let’s look forward to spring instead and get serious about addressing the problem as early as we can.
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