28TH ANNUAL EDITION ■ SUPPLEMENT TO THE POWELL TRIBUNE ■ THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019
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Sandi Cannon ‘deadheads’ hanging plants on opening day in one of her dozen greenhouses at J&S Greenhouse south of Powell. Tribune photos by Mark Davis
POWELL GREENHOUSE THRIVES THROUGH A SEASON OF LOSSES
green thumbs
big hearts
BY MARK DAVIS Tribune Staff Writer
W
ith a mug of coffee in her soil-stained hands and two green thumbs, Sandi Cannon opened her door to blue skies and a cool breeze early Friday morning. She paused and whistled for her pups, Latte and Dolly. They came running, their plump little be-
hinds wiggling — knowing if they were a step slow, they’d miss opening day. When the doors open for the season at J&S Greenhouse, customers are usually already waiting. The plants and service at the business south of Powell bring in customers from around the area. “We have customers from as far away as Billings and Casper,” she said. Opening day is an occasion that Cannon has relished
A flat of succulents grown at J&S Greenhouse.
for nearly four decades. The greenhouses are only open from mid April to late June — the favorite time of year for the Cannon family. But this year, the day was going to be tough. Two individuals who helped to make opening day sweet for many years wouldn’t be with her to share in the tradition. Sandi’s husband, Jim, passed There are a large variety of flowers, all hand grown by the employees at J&S Greenhouse, in their 12 away April 2 and Max, the greenhouses open for public shoppers. “greenhouse dog,” died just a couple months earlier. Both jobs and having second careers. Despite the greenhouse losses hit Sandi hard. Loyal customers paid their business only being open in respects while checking out spring and early summer, it’s with colorful potted plants a year-round job. Still, Jim was a roughneck or flats of toin the oil fields matoes in tow. Sandi conThere were ‘It’s my only quiet and tinues to work times she fought time. I can come with special back tears in moneeds clients. ments alone, but back here and Everywhere remained tough make beautiful she looks, there for the shopare reminders of pers through the things.’ Jim and Max. morning. The Fortunately, she only girl in a Sandi Cannon said, the two family of seven Greenhouse owner chocolate-colkids, Sandi has ored, plump always been one tough lady. “I was just one of pups weren’t about to let her get more than a few steps the guys,” she said. A former neighbor knows away. Sandi had bought Latte different, saying “she ruled and Dolly to comfort Jim the roost,” but wishing to while he was sick — a reremain anonymous, out of re- placement for his miniature dachshunds who had died not spect or fear. Sandi and Jim raised five all that long ago. Now they sons and a daughter. All the have become Sandi’s constant while they fought for everySee Greenhouse, Page 4 thing they had — doing odd Colorful celosia flowers bloom at J&S Greenhouse.
POWELL HOUSING MARKET
SPRING AT THE SILOS
MORE THAN A MAN CAVE
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