Let's talk more about what's going on lately

At one time I subscribed to probably @ 25 magazines. I've let all of my subscriptions expire/lapse the past few years because I felt I was paying for page after page of advertisements. I realize that it's business and that the ad's make money and pay for all it takes to run the business, but I just didn't like that it seemed the magazine content was dwindling whereas the ads were increasing. The only magazines I now subscribe to are Birds & Blooms, B&B Extra, Country and Country Extra. I love it that these publications have very few if any advertisements in their pages.

I'm not only bad about print advertising but television ad's as well, LOL. My husband shakes his head at me and laughs because I complain whenever commercials interrupt a television movie or show I'm watching. He keeps telling me the ad's are paying for the program and I keep saying I wish they'd just have a segment of nothing but commercials, run them one after the other all in a row, instead of interrupting my program. Geesh, I get five minutes of the show and ten minutes of the commercials, then five more minutes of the show. He tells me to record the program and then fast forward through the commercials but I'm stubborn. ^_^

Yes, the sun will come up tomorrow, but this garden would have very cloudy skies if Dave Whitinger were not a part of the day to day tending of this garden that he so lovingly developed and grew, to the flourishing place it is today.

I think that while the dust is settling, we ought to put our concerns, advice etc. on the back burner. I apologize for my question about the Tyson Ad...it was just such a surprise!!!

Dave built a wonderful site, we all love it and he has assured us he has all our concerns in mind. I vote that we let him dedicate his energies to working with Michael and the new owners and not be distracted by minutiae. Dave is not about to sell us short or ruin the beautiful energies he has created and maintained...

You rock, Dave!

I do not think it is fair that anybody should speak for me and what I was thinking when I made certain decisions in the past. You are, of course, free to look at my actions, but I don't think anybody likes other people speculating over their thoughts.

But, alas, since you did publicly speculate over this, and your speculation is inaccurate, I am now in need to publicly correct what you wrote lest anybody latch onto your post as being true.

You said that, when faced with a decision making process as it relates to the subscribers at DG, I performed some savvy cost-vs-benefit analysis and went with what I concluded was the most profitable. On the contrary, what I did was precisely the opposite of that.

We had subscriptions for years before we ever had ads. When I decided to try out putting ads on the site (at the insistence of one of the Watchdog Top 30 companies), my very first thought was that all subscribers would be able to opt out. How that would affect my bottom line never even once entered into my thoughts.

There was never a cost to weigh. The subscribers get control over whether they see ads or not, regardless of how that effects revenue.

I'm sorry to have to publicly respond to this and risk the chance of making you feel like you were publicly rebuked, but since you posted publicly, I had no choice to respond, lest others presume that my silence on the issue was agreement with what you said.

Dave

I have been missing from this site for a long time - and my garden shows it. I got on in response to Dave's note about my subscription and, after renewing, started to read the forum. I cannot tell you the last time I have spent close to two hours on one web site. The news about the sale was disturbing (understatement) but the rest of the notes that followed have shown me what I have been missing. This group is a family! I will be back and soon. Dave, the outpouring of support you have received should bolster your confidence - the new company had better not mess with this group or there will be war declared. The information you provide is amazing and you have added more things since I was here last time. Thank you for a wonderful place to get answers and for a great forum to read about the people who use it. Good luck!

Just like Florence, it took me several hours to catch up with this thread. I bet is a lot longer that 'Where is the dog'. lol
I totally agree with : No Dave no DG. I can not tell you how many wonderful friends I made due to this wonderful site.
I think of it as my very extended family.
I hope that everything will be just as great as before it changed hands so I can renew my subscription on March 21th with no regrets.

I remember that "dog" thread. It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys and I have no idea how much fun a barrel are. But that's, DAVE'S for you.

Hap

I loved that "Where is the dog" thread:0 I don't think I've ever laughed that long and hard in my life. I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to choke or suffocate. ROTFLOL :0

I think Dave's Garden without Dave would not be the same!!!

"Where's the Dog?" was absolutely hysterical. Sometimes I wonder if Terry and Melody etal. read these "short stories" and crack up as much as we do. Amazing how reading and participating in these threads can make me laugh so hard! I thought Steinbeck was funny (some of his work really is!) but, these threads are.... no, WE are funny! ~Thanks for this opportunity, Dave and crew!

Where oh where can one find that even though it sounds like an older thread? I could use a really good laugh and I think there may be others that are out of the loop needing a chuckle too.

Elaine and Otis

''''''' Otis''''''''

Here ya go Elaine... a classic for sure. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/530015/

Brinda - Many thanks. I will check it out right now.

Ric - Otis sends a big thanks and is asking, "More please"?

Elaine and Otis

I looked for it and found it too, Brinda... I'm laughing just thinking about how hard I was laughing!

For Otis always Elaine and ((()))'s for you as well.
Saved the Thread

Due to my DH having lost his job in june and we are just trying to figure out how to keep treading water, I'm hopeful the membership dues won't go up, as if they do, I might not be able to renew, and then I would be in a fine pickle....LOL

Janet

That thread was a hoot. Should have put on my adult diapers before I read it. I marked it as unread so I can look at it again when I need a pick-me-up.

The thread does show a beautiful yard so it does have a gardening theme. It also shows how much we can enjoy ourselves when we come together. I was sure I saw the dog when I stood on one leg, squinted both eyes, held my head to the right at a 48 1/2 degree angle and let the picture blur for a bit. There he was. Just popped up. It was easy. LOL.

Thanks for sharing which is what we family members do so well!

Elaine and Otis

May I add my voice from the wildrness (i.e. from outside the U.S. of A.)
(Over here we say (from beyond the black stump!)
Dave's Garden site has always been international and I congratulate them on this.
I hope that any take-over does not lead to an increse in parohialism funded by the power of the almighty US dollar.
All the best for the future and the future of your garden, DAVE.

I think we need to close this thread. Take as deep breath, go for a long walk in your garden, weed, dead head and enjoy the day. Let Dave and the powers that be work it out and then get back to us. This is taking up too much time of Daves just keeping track what is being said to keep everyone happy. We should show our support by backing off, let him do his negotiations without having to spin our plates.
This is a very important time for DG and Dave and we just need to hide and watch. If it does not come out the way we want, we are gone. But Dave does not have the time to respond to this thread when more important things are on the table. Please let this alone and Dave will let us know when all is well. DAVE, if you do not like this I apologize but I think you need time to negotiate and work this out. We have been here a long time. We can wait a week or two. I apoligize to any DG members but think about it. We need our leader putting his full mind to this new adventure. Mother Winter, Las Vegas.....

Meadowyck tweeked something in my mind that I've been thinking about for a while. Because I truly LOVE Dave's Garden and I know how much I enjoy it...I have purchased memberships for my friends who love gardening. Maybe it's a personal thing, but when I find something so good, I want all my friends and loved ones to have it!

I've come across a lot of people in our various threads that are like Meadowyck....People losing jobs, finances changing, who may no longer be able to afford the subscription price. Some may say...oh well, it's just a frill! But, as you can see by the comments and solidarity displayed over these past few days...It's a genuine family.

This may not be the place to bring this up and maybe it should be redirected to another thread. However, as a Marketplace Seller, I would be willing to contribute a percentage of my sales to a fund to enable DG members to keep their subscriptions. I also know there are a lot of very kind and caring people here that actually do this anonymously for others. Can you afford to give a $1.00? (It could be like a Dave's Scholarship fund! hehe)

Now...the admin thing comes into play! Who get's a subsciption renewal? Well maybe just a simple panel of our peers, DG members willing to put a few hours in to decide, based on written circumstances.

And out of the goodness of others, I would hope there would be no abuse of this generosity.

Just an idea!

Kat

Kat, I think it already exists.

Grammy...please clue me in!

I have seen the Angel Fund mentioned and the fact that they did not need donations. Not sure but I think Trish facilitates it.

Thanks Grammy...it was just an idea.

Kat

And such a good idea that it is already up and running!

I think it works about like your suggestion but if you want more info just to the "contact us" and ask. With the world like it is now maybe it's a good idea to see if it needs replenished.

Ditto, June, a great idea, yes.
And I too have heard it mentioned.

There are many 'behind the scenes' and up front acts of kindness here.
From anonymous donations to massive campaigns to track Members after a disaster.
That's just one of the many ways this site differs from any other I've been on.

During the "Hurricane Year" it quickly became evident that many people needed help.
That's when the true nature of Dave's kicked in to high gear.
I was amazed at the outpouring of Love and Concern shown here.
It ran from the donation of a mobile home to animal rescue to the simple act of a pack of seeds sent to bring new life mangled Garden.
Sometimes just a card or phone call of support for those unwilling to accept help turned the balance.
Simply an amazing occurrence caused by the Community that Dave and Trish set in place years ago.

Thinking back on all those people I am reminded of this statement from 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Kat - Your heart is as big & beautiful as your containers.

It's called "The Garden Angel Fund" and it was started by Trish...and mostly funded by a quilt that was made by DG'ers...I was appointed to carry the quilt from the KY RU to Dave...Chances were sold and I forget who won the quilt but a nice nest egg was raised for the Fund. Jo

Thanks, Jo! Should have known you were there! I think that either you or your Sopapilla Cheesecake are at every RU. OH, the tales that recipe could tell ;-)

Sue, I still think it's amazing that Jo can make roundups across the country and nearly miss the one in her own backyard! As I remember, you two got lost lollygagging among the wildflowers in the beautiful Arizona desert. On the upside, there was lots of sopapilla cheesecake for the few people still lingering. ^_^

mmm ... I want to know what sopadilla cheesecake is ... I love cheesecake! Anyone want to share by d-mailing me the recipe?

Sopapilla Cheesecake: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/521505/

Be careful.. it's very very addicting!

This message was edited Jan 28, 2010 1:25 PM

"The Garden Angel Fund" Does this still exist?

Yes, thanks to so many.

Hap

Tomato ...I'm working on getting to the one in April!! See...I don't driive on Inhtewrstate ...or in congested areas...my gift to other drivers...so I am at the mercy of other people to take me./ Jo

Thanks for the link to that cheesecake Marilyn, it sure sounds good, so easy and I love easy! I always have a can or two of crescent rolls in the frig. My DH loves them when I slather them with butter and cinnamon sugar before rolling them up! My sister used to make something similar when her daughter was young by putting a marshmallow in each and sprinkling with cinnamon before rolling up ... and drizzling melted butter on top!

Gee ... I've learned so much from this garden, about plants, flowers, pets ... and how to get fat!

With all the rain, that drive will be amazing this year and I can't get away on Saturday. :-(