Rice's Newsletter - Winter 2019

From the President 

Tis the season of giving, and what better way than by giving back to our community. I believe the best way to do that is by demonstrating what it means to serve others by engaging employees, family, and friends in projects that help our fellow community members. I’d like to take a moment to highlight some of the organizations Rice’s employees have supported through the year.

United Way Stone Soup

I’m proud of our continued dedication and support of the United Way of Greater Stark County. Not only through our collective financial support, but our monthly volunteer effort with Stone Soup. For those not familiar, Stone Soup is a yearly event hosted by the United Way in November to help provide warm meals to area families and individuals in need.

Last November, I committed Rice’s to not just the annual Stone Soup event, but to continue the drive monthly, and, boy, did we deliver. Lead by Shannon Romigh, Rice’s employees have managed to donate the ingredients and time needed to provide over 600 meals to a variety of shelters and ministries. It’s been such a success, we’ve committed to another year and look forward to feeding even more people throughout the coming year.

Boy Scouts Eagle Scout Projects

My brother, Kevin, and I have always been big supporters of local Boy Scout Troops. Over the years, we’ve been privileged to assist several young men with their Eagle Scout Projects, whether through design support or assistance acquiring materials. Most recently, we would like to recognize Bryce Stallman of Boy Scout Troup 12 of Faith United Methodist Church and Owen Tuma of Boy Scout Troup 935 of Jackson Township for the successful completion of their projects.

Meals on Wheels Founders Garden

This summer, Rice’s was able to partner with Meals on Wheels by donating all the plants, labor, and equipment necessary to create a new employee patio space as part of their Founders Garden. Aaron White, Steve Tolin, Dave Kramer, and Tyler Smith did an excellent job installing the paver patio and surrounding plantings to add curb appeal to the Canton office location. Special thank you to Mathie Supply for donating the brick pavers used to create the patio.

Sancta Clara Monastery Fall Cleanup

This annual leaf cleanup event would not be possible without the Rice’s crew members who volunteer their time and energy to such a large endeavor. Rice’s may supply the equipment, but it’s the staff who truly shine as they descend upon the Monastery and adjoining cemetery with rakes and blowers blazing. More than 15 volunteers, including Rice's employees, community members, the Monastery grounds keeper, and a crew from Everlast Landscaping, turned up to knock this job out in just 4 hours!

It’s been a great and giving year here at Rice’s and I can’t wait to see what 2020 holds. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season, and as always, please let me know if you have a question or comment. You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by calling 330-499-9857. I'd be happy to hear from you.

Read more about our community involvement. 

Sincerely,
- Bryan Rice 

Award Winning Project Profile - Hendrickson International 

During the initial design phase of Hendrickson’s major facility overhaul, we were tasked with creating a new corporate entrance that would be the hallmark of Hendrickson’s updated building. They needed a thought provoking, showy landscape to match the new feel of their now cutting-edge research and design campus. Along with a complete landscape renovation, updated fencing, flagpoles, signage, irrigation, seasonal containers, and a buffer to block the view of a neighboring industrial building were ultimately utilized.

Low plantings were used to accentuate the buildings unique appearance while security and style were fused with a new aluminum picket fence. Tracked-in ice melt was causing issues, so we installed a paver entry with an underlying heating unit to eliminate the need for ice melt altogether.

See our case study to read more about how we helped Hendrickson International overhaul their landscaping.

View our portfolio for additional images, as well as other award winning landscape designs.

Awards 

• Honor Award for Commercial Maintenance - OLA 2018
• Merit Award for Commercial Installation, Category I - OLA 2018

Featured Service - How Winter Weather Affects Your Landscape

It may be the dormant season, but your landscape is hard at work readying itself for even harsher temperatures to come. As we reach each new overnight low, your landscape is incrementally developing it’s cold hardiness that will allow it to survive the winter. While this gradual chilling is the best way to achieve maximum hardiness, the typical freeze/thaw cycle of Ohio winters is not usually so kind to your landscape. Here are some issues you could expect once the winter weather begins to clear:

Wind Damage

While wind has the potential to cause damage in any season, strong winter winds are especially stressing to your landscape. Not only can strong gusts fell branches, but dry winter air saps leaves of moisture. This can cause wind burn discoloration and browning and can be particularly stressing to your plants during those warm spells where leaves and stems begin to thaw but roots remain frozen and unable to pull moisture from the ground. Spraying leaves with an anti-desiccant or creating a burlap barrier can help prevent or slow down this loss of moisture. Rice’s spring cleanup is essential to remove damaged areas.

Snow Accumulation

While snow accumulation can benefit your plants by helping to insulate the root system, Ohio thaw cycles usually do away with this helpful barrier. Permafrost and heaving can tear roots and leave plants susceptible to colder temperatures. When it is here, wet, heavy snow can accumulate on the branches of trees and shrubs, snapping limbs. While any branch could eventually succumb with enough weight and time, the pruning Rice’s completes as part of your full service landscape package helps to prevent breakage by removing weak or damaged limbs before they become an issue.

Plowing & Salt

It is recommended you mark pavement edges to help prevent damaging lawns and irrigation systems during snow plowing. You should carefully plan where snow can be pushed and piled to avoid damaging your landscape.

Although salt is naturally occurring and we try to use salt tolerant plants along pavement edges, excessive salt will kill lawns, trees, and plants. It is critical that salt applications are applied carefully and, when necessary, a physical barrier such as a burlap or silt fence be installed to keep salt off sensitive areas.

We can’t always avoid what Mother Nature throws our way, but Rice’s quality, full service landscape maintenance will help prevent damage where possible, and work with you the repair damage when necessary. If you ever have questions or concerns about the care of your landscape, don’t hesitate to contact your account manager by email or by calling 330-499-9857.

Featured Installation - Paver Patio

Keep yourself cozy this winter season by dreaming up your ideal outdoor entertainment space for spring. Paver patios are the perfect mix of function, beauty, and low-maintenance upkeep that are sure to keep you smiling. From classic tumbled pavers to contemporary planks to timeless natural stone, we have a patio material to fit your style and budget. They also provide a stylish canvas to start customizing your outdoor space. Just think. You could:

• Create a designated spot for your existing grill or expand it to a full outdoor kitchen
• Shade your guests from the summer sun with a pergola or pavilion
• Sooth your stress with the melodic sounds of a pondless water feature, pre-cast stone fountain, or natural rock bubbler
• Extend your entertaining season late into the year by adding a fire feature for warmth and interest
• Add low-voltage landscape lighting for security and ambiance
• Turn your challenging sloped lawn into usable space with a multi-level design
• Give your existing area a much-needed facelift with a few new touched or a complete overhaul

If you can dream it for your outdoor entertainment area, Rice’s can make it happen. Our dedicated team featuring both a landscape designer and landscape architect can walk you through the design process and help you pick the features that matter most to you and your space. We’ll even work with you to come up with a phased approach to help you manage your budget and achieve your goals over an extended time period.

Your Word is as Good as Gold 

At least we think so! Businesses like ours thrive on word of mouth recommendations from satisfied customers like you. And we firmly believe that one good deed deserves another. That's why each time you refer Rice's to a family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague. let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. If that referral becomes a new client, we'll send you a $100 gift card to a local business.

Your email should include your name and the name of the person you referred. Please include "Referral Program" in the subject line. Offer good for new clients only.

Employee Spotlight - Lenny Chase 

Lenny Chase, Design/Build Crew Member. After retiring from UPS, Lenny was looking for a job to keep active and expand his love of the outdoors. Rice’s fit the bill and over a year and a half later, we’re certainly glad it did. Read more. 

Interested in joining our team? View career opportunities.