Spring is in the air and it’s the time of year when one thinks about planning for the back yard. This issue of House magazine goes a step further: it takes the reader into the back yard, the front yard and all the way around the house. The reason is, of course, the Long Island Nursery and Landscape Association’s awards, called appropriately enough, “The LINLAs.”

The cover story in this publication, as in most others, is often very difficult to manage. The choice in this issue goes to a magnificent project by Landscapes by Paul’s Nursery, winner of the Gold LINLA in the top category of Single Family Residence and another Gold in the Passive Use Area. The house itself was designed by the architectural firm of ADL 111 Architecture and the builder was Stokkers. Adding to the top quality in this year’s awards was Ireland Gannon winning three Gold LINLAs and Goldberg & Rodler receiving a Gold for the Active Use Area. There were more entries than ever before and the judging had to be very difficult and the landscape designers should be very proud.

Once again it’s time for the annual David Awards sponored by Networking magazine which is published by my wife, Christine. More than 500 guests came to the breakfast at Crest Hollow in mid-January to honor the eight men who received David Awards. These men are chosen by a committee based on their involvement with Long Island charities and the various ways they give back time and money to the community. It is a very moving experience to hear how they are presented to the audience on the morning of the awards.

The March/April issue, as always, is a great mix. For example there is the ever-growing “bridal” section. This issue contains six weddings starting with the O’Leary nuptials at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and ending with the Johnson wedding in Garden City. In between there are beautiful weddings with lots of old friends.

Going to far off places is always intriguing and this issue takes us to Alaska and San Francisco. The Alaska trip was taken by Marcelle Fischler while Margaret Johnson held sway in San Francisco. We never tire of these kinds of features.

So, keep those cards and letters coming.