Letter to the Editor: Reindeer Christmas Display is Cruel

Does a local Christmas display featuring live reindeer disregard the animals' comfort?

Dear Patch, Two adult reindeer are displayed each year in the parking lot of Chalet Nursery as part of their holiday display. The reindeer live in a cramped pen alongside a busy parking lot, at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Skokie Boulevard, subject to a constant barrage of loud noise, car exhaust and people trying to touch them. Chalet claims the reindeer display is in the name of "imparting educational values and information", that the reindeer "delight customers", and are well cared for. Chalet is missing the point that this setting is cruel and distressing to the animals despite the intention or quality of care.  Rather than teaching respect for these majestic creatures, Chalet is teaching that it is acceptable to treat them as …

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PHOTOS: Olympic Swimmer Matt Grevers Meets Fans in North Shore

The gold medalist posed for photos and signed posters at his dad's landscaping business in Wilmette.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Matt Grevers made an appearance at his father’s business, Chalet Nursery, in Wilmette Wednesday afternoon to meet with fans, sign posters and pose for photos. Grevers, who grew up and began his swimming career in Lake Forest, took home two gold and one silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics. He did the same in Beijing in 2008. As the son of award-winning landscape designer Ed Grevers, Matt joined his dad to talk “best practices” in the garden and swimming pool after meeting with fans. Interested in reading more about Matt and his history with the Olympics? Check out Patch’s multiple stories on the award-winning athlete:

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Five Events This Week in Wilmette, Kenilworth

Every Monday, Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch will provide a preview of events and meetings taking place in the community.

Kenilworth Village Board Meeting   Stories in the Park   New Trier Township High School District 203 Board Meeting   Great Age Daytime Programs presents Book Club with Libby Fischer Hellman   Keep Your Garden Green With A Free Watering "Refresher Course" by Chalet Nursery Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and "like" us on Facebook!  

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Chalet’s Garden Expert Offers Top Watering Tips for Summer

The Wilmette nursery shares advice for watering your lawn, gardens, containers, trees and shrubs during our area’s moderate drought.

Community Letters

Chalet Shares How to Garden in the Heat

The Wilmette-based nursery is offering classes on how to take care of plants amidst high temps.

The following is a letter from Chalet Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center in Wilmette: Despite this year’s wet spring and summer’s recent sporadic heavy storms, many local landscapes are starting to show signs of dry soil and drought. Tony Fulmer, retail manager for Chalet Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center in Wilmette, offers tips on how to water newly planted trees and shrubs efficiently and effectively. “We like the analogy of newly planted trees and shrubs being like intensive care patients,” Fulmer says. “For example, for trees and shrubs that are sold in ball and burlap form as much as 50 to 80 percent of the root system may be left behind when they’re dug from the growing field.” (Check out another take on green lawn care from Go …

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