BY DOLORES MULLER

Special to The Pilot

Despite the unusually cold and long winter and few April showers to bring May flowers, Mother Nature has come through with an awesome display of spring blooms.

This June, the Sandhills Horticultural Society and the Sandhills Photography Club will join forces and offer a flower photography workshop at the Sandhills Community College Horticultural Gardens.

"Whether you are a new or experienced photographer you are invited to attend," says a spokesman.

The date is Saturday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. A gallery of flower photographs will be on display in the Burlingame Room of Ball Visitors Center, where the opening session will begin with the basics of flower photography. Helpful handouts will be available. The presentation will be followed by the opportunity to photograph flowers in the gardens.

Members of the Horticultural Society and the Photography Club will assist with flower identification and photo techniques. An impressive variety of flowers in June should offer numerous photo opportunities. A review and critique of the photos taken will conclude the day's activities.

"This year, the Sandhills Horticultural Society is offering a variety of workshops, lectures and events to bring people to the gardens to see what a jewel we have here in the Sandhills," says the spokesman.

Membership to the Horticultural Society is $25 for an individual and $45 for a family. Some of the events are free, and others are offered to members at a discount.

Earlier this year the society presented a workshop on ornamental grasses for the garden by noted nurseryman John Hoffman. The Green Summit was held in April. It included a lecture by Roger Mercer, the gardening writer for The Fayetteville Observer. Afterward there were a variety of experts in the garden demonstrating gardening techniques and answering gardening questions.

June will be the photography workshop and in fall there will be a "Dinner in the Garden." This will be a joint effort of the landscape gardening, culinary, music and art department students of the college. It should be an evening to remember. The society will end the year with a hands-on flower arranging workshop on Dec. 1, given by Maggie Smith, of Maggie's Farm. Those participating will create a holiday arrangement to take home.

Those interesting in attending the workshop, which is free to members and $5 for nonmembers, should call Tricia Mabe at (910) 695-3882.