The Growing Scene, Inc. is the lifetime dream of Chris & Kathi Carr. Kathi began her first business venture when she was only eleven years old. She grew and sold vegetables at this same family location. She spent ten years preparing for the 1996 opening of this business. Kathi has an Agriculture Sciences degree from Texas A&M University.

She has taught Horticulture and was an FFA Advisor in Chicago. She has worked for three of the most respected nurseries in the Midwest.

The Growing Scene, Inc. has been a long-time dream of Kathi's and she looks forward to working with you!

Here is a little bit about each staff member here at The Growing Scene:
	Christopher and Kathleen Carr opened The Growing Scene, Inc. in April of 1996.  Kathleen oversees the day to day operation of the business.  Chris is Vice President of Floors, Inc., an athletic floor surface company.  “With out the support of my husband, I would never be able to run this business” Kathleen often comments.  Kathleen and her family opened Harmony Vegetable Market in 1980.  It was operated on the same property as The Growing Scene.  It was a very successful vegetable garden and market.  After studying agriculture and horticulture in high school Kathleen went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University.  She specialized in Agriculture Science and earned a teaching certificate.  Her professional background includes teaching at the Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences and working at 3 very well respected nurseries in Northern Illinois.  Part of her job as a sales representative was to visit hundreds of garden centers in Northern Illinois and Iowa.  Excellent research as she thought about opening her own!  Chris and Kathi have 3 young children, Mary, Sarah and Christopher. They have an innate love of all things outdoors.
	Melissa Shippy  is our Garden Center Manager.  This is Melissa’s fourth year as Garden Center Manager for the Growing Scene, Inc.  Melissa’s duties include overseeing all aspects of sales through our garden center.  Melissa is also responsible for plant ordering for the garden center and landscaping divisions of our company.  Melissa’s work experience includes working for a Nursery in Elk Grove Village and as an Account Manager for a magazine fulfillment company.  Melissa obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Northern Illinois University.  She lives in Pecatonica with her husband Paul and their 2 dogs, Chloe & Cody.
	Noelle Landwehr
	Pat Reinhart has joined the Growing Scene's team this year as a Landscape Designer and Garden Center Salesperson. Pat graduated from McHenry County College in December, 2006, with an A.A.S., Horticulture degree, emphasizing landscape design. She appreciates all types of landscapes, from natural to formal, and enjoys helping others achieve their design goals. Having raised her family in the Peoria area, Pat and her husband moved to Crystal Lake in 2002. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren, a dog, and a cat.
	Meggi Becker has joined the Growing Scene’s staff for the first time this year.  She graduated from Hampshire High School in January of 2008.  She lives in Huntley with her family of six along with two dogs, a cat, and a bird.  She loves the outdoors and working with plants and growing her own herb garden at home.
	Hi my name is Angie Haley.  I have four children with whom I like to go camping and swimming.  I also enjoy gardening and making the area around our pool look tropical. I am a Landscape Design Student at Kishwaukee College.  This summer I will be completing my horticulture internship at The Growing Scene, Inc.  I am looking forward to meeting everyone.
	Jamie, our Landscape Foreman, has over 10 years experience working in the landscaping industry. His experience also includes working with pavers for patios, retaining walls, and sidewalks. This is Jaime’s 5th year as Landscape Foreman for the Growing Scene, Inc. Jaime has grown up around the landscape industry, his father and 7 brothers all work in the landscaping industry. He lives in Elgin with his family.
	Miguel Zavala is part of our Landscape Crew.  This is Miguel’s third year working on the landscape crew at The Growing Scene, Inc.  He is learning quickly under Jaime’s expert guidance.  Miguel is married, Maiela, and has 2 children. He lives in Elgin with his family.

"Here is what our customer's say about us..."

We are very happy with the great job your crew did with the clean up and the pruning of our trees and shrubs. The crew was very hardworking and they know what they are doing. Thanks again for a great job.
Elaine and Ed Boggs

Our thanks to you for the beautiful workmanship in planting our shrubs. From the beginning, your assistance in selection of the plants that were best suited for our area, convinced us that we were making the right choice.
We are very pleased with the outcome. Working with our small space was not easy. Our thanks to the workmen who did an outstanding job and left the area looking so well. Enclosed is our check, payment in full.
Don and Marge McLeod

Thanks again for the wonderful landscaping work. Little by Little our property is being transformed.
Lisa and Tim Pfiffner

Thank you again for your prompt and quality service.
Denise Hanson

Here is the check for the balance! I have had more compliments on your landscaping. You and your men did a great job.
Barb Mikell

Everything is now in bloom and the yard looks great.
Dr. Tom Duffy

The yard and gardens look wonderful. Thank you and your crew for a lovely job.
Ginny Borowicz

As before your staff did a great job! Many thanks!
Denise Hanson

Thank you. Everything looks great.
Donna DeCore

Thank you again for your prompt service. The 3 Red twigs look really nice and the 3 yews seem to be adjusting to being transplanted. We'll keep and eye on them.
Marge Cunningham

We would like to thank you on behalf of the Sun Flowers Garden Club of Del WEbb for the very detailed information on Cutting Gardens. You expertise was helpful as you answered our questions. We look forward to the opening of your garden center.
Mary Ann Gower

Thanks for much for the landscaping help with all the stuff at our place. It felt so good to know all the trees and shrubs have been pruned properly for once and will have a chance to grow beautifully.
Sis Gawenda

I am so excited for your team to get started. I trust your work will be professional and beautiful. Thank for fitting me into your schedule.
Gail McLaughlin

All the plantings look great. Thank for your very professional work.
Carol Schwark

Thank you again for doing a great job on our landscaping. We have gotten a lot of compliments from neighbors and people driving around our area.
Marge and Rich Cunningham

Thank you-the yard looks great. Your employees work so hard and are always pleasant and respectful.
Mrs. Renner

Thanks for a beautiful job! Looks great and am receiving only good comments from neighbors. Again, thanks to you and your crew.
John and Mary Pleban

Member Profile by Meta Levin

B&K Power Equipment

Elmer Britton and Barb Christ, Kathi's Grandfather and Mother, respectively, operate B&K Power Equipment, which is on the same property as The Growing Scene, Inc.. B&K Power Equipment is a Power Equipment sales and service company. They are dealers of many lines of equipment, including Gehl skid loaders, Massey Ferguson tractors, Dixon lawn mowers, Toro and complete line of Stihl power tools.  Their phone number is (815) 923-4547.