[SteveA]

This is from the Citizen....

Not my cup of tea... but both the Kiwanis and Lakes Region General Hospital Charities deserve support.

I hope they get lot's of people.. and raise a bunch of money...

I'll send a check to each of them. Looks like this person spent a long time getting this plant here and growing..

Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Rare bloom now set for city display



By JAMES MITCHELL
Staff Writer

GILFORD — What should have put Gilford on the map will now go to benefit the City of Laconia. After a tepid response from Gilford officials last week, the blooming of one of the world's rarest flowers will now take place at the Lakeport Fire Station, in Laconia.

"It was clear to us that [the town of Gilford] was uncomfortable with it being so close to Old Home Day and the Triathlon," said Joe Adrignola, a director of the Laconia Kiwanis Club. He further explained that to make it easier on all those involved, Laconia was selected as an alternate blooming ground.

Funds raised during the showing will benefit Lakes Region General Hospital and Kiwanis-supported charities.

On Monday the Laconia City Council unanimously approved the Kiwanis Club's and LRGH's request to use the station for the rare showing.

Adrignola said he was very pleased by the response from Laconia officials. "We were welcomed with open arms by the City of Laconia," he added.

The Corpse Flower, scientifically called amorphophallus titanum, is a tropical plant that only blooms once every eight years. It is native to Indonesia, and gets its name from the odor that it releases upon blooming. The odor produced is the plant's natural way of attracting carrion flies, which facilitate its reproduction.

Adrignola noted that it was a very long and complex process for the resident who grew the plant. He added that it was grown out of the man's love of plants and botany, especially that of rare plants like the Corpse Flower.

This rare blooming of the Corpse Flower has only happened a hand full of times ever domestically. Worldwide there has only been a reported 100 bloomings ever. These events, when they happen, draw thousands. The last blooming that happened in New England, happened in Connecticut. Connecticut's blooming drew a reported 16,000 spectators.

"I don't know if we are going to see those type of crowds," said Adrignola. Though he did note that this type of event is likely to draw botanists from all over the country. He added that the Kiwanis Club is planning on notifying the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College about the event so that their respective academic departments can have the benefit of witnessing such a rare event.

The Corpse Flower showing will be done for the benefit of charity. The Kiwanis Club has teamed up with Lakes Region General Hospital to put on the event.

"We are happy to work with the hospital on this," said Adrignola.

There will be a $10 cover charge to view the blooming flower, which will smell something like decaying flesh. All proceeds from the event will be evenly split between the Kiwanis Club and Lakes Region General Hospital. The Kiwanis will be putting the funds toward one of their many children's charities. LRGH will likely be using the money raised for one of its own charitable programs, said Adrignola.

The plants grower, who is reportedly a resident of Gilford, arranged this unique pairing of the two organizations. Adrignola said that the man contacted both organizations, being familiar with each, and suggested that the groups could use this event as a fundraiser. LRGH and the Kiwanis both agreed, and have been preparing for the flowering, between August 24 and the 27, ever since.



Citizen Staff Writer John Koziol contributed to this report.
c. 2006 George J. Foster Co.