Newton County is home to some of the best amateur and professional gardeners in the state, and many of them start their own plants from seed. At the second annual Spring Festival and Plant Sale, these gardeners will be offering a wide variety of their plants to the public to support their local library. The Festival takes place April 19th on the Newton County Library grounds located on Highway 7 at the edge of Jasper, Arkansas. Hours are from 10am to 4 pm. Friends of the Newton County Library are sponsoring the benefit.

"Our plant sale features vegetable and herb seedlings, annual, perennials, landscape and decorative plants that are donated by local growers and businesses," said Festival organizer Mindy Harmon. "Logs inoculated with oyster mushroom spore are for sale so people can grow their own tasty fungi at home. Visitors will also be able to eat a homemade brunch and win fabulous raffle prizes, listen to live music and browse through gardens decorated with yard art. The featured artist of the day is the talented local metal sculptor Jason Cook. His works will be for sale at very affordable prices. The festival provides a relaxing, fun day at the Library".

Located in the heart of the Ozarks, the library itself is a visitor's delight. The building and many of the furnishings as well as the landscaping testify to the talents of local craftsmen. The library has a fine collection of printed materials, and a prized genealogy and local history center. One of the smaller libraries in the state, Newton County Library is the product of a committed staff and corps of volunteers. Special presentations throughout the year feature both well-known and lesser-known authors, artists, gardeners, craftsmen and travelers. The county's children flock to workshops and story time. For many residents of this rural county, the Library computers provide the only opportunity to research on the World Wide Web and keep in touch via email.

"We hope to see a lot of people visiting our beautiful Ozark county on the day of our plant sale." said Harmon. "All money raised at the April 19th Festival will go to support our Library and its valuable work".

For additional information contact Chris Cedarburg at 870-428-5873 or j9ckc@yahoo.com.