Latest news with #Black-eyedSusan
NBC Sports
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Preakness Stakes traditions: Drinks, fashion, flowers, Black-eyed Susan cocktail and blanket, trophy
Horse racing's finest are back in Baltimore, Md., for the 150th Preakness Stakes. Every third Saturday in May (with a few exceptions), people flock to Pimlico Race Course to take in the sights and sounds of the second jewel of the Triple Crown, steeped in its own flair and unique traditions. Here's what you need to know about the customs of the Preakness Stakes, from a signature cocktail to bold fashion. Catch these traditions and an exciting day of horse racing on Saturday, May 17, with live coverage beginning at 2:30 PM ET on CNBC and continuing on NBC, starting at 4:00 PM ET. You can also live stream every moment of the action on Peacock. What do you wear to the Preakness? The Preakness is a time to dress up in bright colors. Men and women show off in vibrant pastels, often highlighted with black to pay homage to the Black-eyed Susan, the official state flower of Maryland. You will also see a wide array of elaborate hats that rival those at the Kentucky Derby. May 18, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Seize The Grey receives a kiss from jockey Jaime Torres in the Winners Circle after winning the 149th running of The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports Mitch Stringer/Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports What flower is associated with Preakness? Maryland's state flower, the Black-eyed Susan, is often worn and referenced at the Preakness Stakes. A blanket of the yellow-petaled blossoms has been awarded to the winner of the Preakness since 1940, when it was established as the official flower of the event. However, because the Black-eyed Susan usually blooms in June, the blanket is made of Viking Poms for the race winner. Thousands of flowers make up the final product (seen above on last year's winner, Seize the Grey). What are the traditions of the Preakness? Aside from the blanket of Black-eyed Susans, the Preakness has a few other traditions that set it apart from the other races of the Triple Crown. Since 1909, the horse and rider weather vane at the top of the Old Clubhouse replica has been painted the color of the winning jockey's silks right after the race. It stays those colors until the following year. The Woodlawn Vase is also presented to the winning owner of the Preakness Stakes every year. In 1983, it was valued at $1 million, making it the most valuable trophy in United States sports. While the real trophy is brought to and awarded at Pimlico every year, the winning owner keeps a $30,000 replica. Until the Preakness, the Woodlawn Vase is displayed at the Baltimore Museum of Art. BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 20 Woodlawn Vase Trophy and Pimlico Cupola at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo) Horsephotos/Getty Images What is the drink of the Preakness Stakes? The cocktail of choice for the Preakness Stakes is the Black-Eyed Susan. The drink, created in 1973 by Harry Stevens, who served as one of Pimlico's longtime caterers, is named after Maryland's state flower. See below for the recipe and make your 2025 Preakness Stakes watch party an event your guests won't want to miss. How to make the Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail Learn how to make your own Black-Eyed Susan with the Food Network's recipe! 1 ounce peach schnapps 1 ounce bourbon whiskey 1 ounce vodka 2 ounces orange juice 2 ounces sour mix An orange slice and cherry for garnish NBC Sports Bet Staff, How do I watch the 2025 Preakness Stakes? Date: Saturday, May 17 Time: Live coverage begins at 2:30 PM ET Where: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland TV Channel: NBC, CNBC Streaming: Peacock How can I watch horse racing on Peacock? Sign up to watch all of our live sports and events, including horse racing. What devices does Peacock support? You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Homewood cuts out No Mow May, encourages other options to help environment
A couple of years ago, Liz Varmecky got rid of the front lawn of her Homewood house, going all in on native plants the attract pollinating insects. With grass supplanted by goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan and milkweed, Varmecky said she wishes her community would do more to bolster green, environmentally friendly initiatives. A founder of the environmental organization South Suburbs for Greenspace, Varmecky said she's not very happy with Homewood's decision to not participate this year in No Mow May, something it promoted last year to support pollinator health. 'They did not give people a ton of notice,' Varmecky said Wednesday. 'If they had announced this last fall then people would have had time to do alternate methods.' The No Mow May movement started in England in 2019 and was introduced in the United States in Appleton, Wisconsin. Communities in the U.S. have adopted or modified similar efforts. It has gained traction amid growing concern for populations of pollinators — the bees, butterflies and other tiny critters that help gardens and crops grow — with promoters of no mow suggesting turning suburban yards into springtime buffets for bugs. Chicago-area suburbs including La Grange Park, Riverside and Westmont last year hosted No Mow 'Til Mother's Day, allowing lawns and flowering weeds such as dandelions and creeping Charlie to fully flourish, but only until mid-May. Homewood announced this week that while it supports pollinator health and environmentally friendly practices, research shows that long-term native planting solutions are more effective than simply not mowing for a few weeks. The village said the lack of mowing can also negatively affect lawn health by encouraging pests, invasive weeds and allergens. A village ordinance requires that grass and weeds not exceed 6 inches, a rule it relaxed last May after green lighting the no mow effort. The village can also place liens on property to recover charges for a cutting service as well as the cost of registering the liens with Cook County. Homewood officials are encouraging residents to plant native flowers and establishing pollinator gardens and creating bee-friendly yards with diverse, sustainable vegetation. Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said he'd love to keep bee hives in his yard, but has four fruit-bearing apple trees. He said he has to spray the trees to ward off insects and prevent fungal infections, something that would not be conducive to keeping bees. 'I have to spray if I want to get apples,' Hofeld said Wednesday. The mayor said he just recently learned of the decision, apparently arrived at by village staff, to opt out of no mow this year. He said that while the village did get complaints last year about yards looking messy due to lack of mowing, he did not know if that was the overriding concern in dropping the program this year. 'I have mixed emotions about it,' Hofeld said. He said he has put plantings in his yard to help attract polinating insects, such as hummingbird mint that draws bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. 'I put in a lot of plants that assist in that,' Hofeld said. Varmecky said she would like to see Homewood support more environmentally friendly efforts. The village has a tree sharing program, with the community helping susidize the planting of trees in residents' property. Varmecky said something similar for native plants could be adopted, and she'd like to see the village hold workshops for residents who want to incorporate native plantings on their properties. 'There are tons of pollinator friendly native plants available,' she said. 'There are so many different options.' Because they're native to the area, the plants tend to thrive, and require far less maintenance, such as regular watering, compared with flowers that are annuals, Varmecky said. She said she'd started with planting beds along the edge of her front yard containing pollinator plants, and bit by bit got rid of the grass, finishing the undertaking in 2023.
Chicago Tribune
30-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Homewood cuts out No Mow May, encourages other options to help environment
A couple of years ago, Liz Varmecky got rid of the front lawn of her Homewood house, going all in on native plants the attract pollinating insects. With grass supplanted by goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan and milkweed, Varmecky said she wishes her community would do more to bolster green, environmentally friendly initiatives. A founder of the environmental organization South Suburbs for Greenspace, Varmecky said she's not very happy with Homewood's decision to not participate this year in No Mow May, something it promoted last year to support pollinator health. 'They did not give people a ton of notice,' Varmecky said Wednesday. 'If they had announced this last fall then people would have had time to do alternate methods.' The No Mow May movement started in England in 2019 and was introduced in the United States in Appleton, Wisconsin. Communities in the U.S. have adopted or modified similar efforts. It has gained traction amid growing concern for populations of pollinators — the bees, butterflies and other tiny critters that help gardens and crops grow — with promoters of no mow suggesting turning suburban yards into springtime buffets for bugs. Chicago-area suburbs including La Grange Park, Riverside and Westmont last year hosted No Mow 'Til Mother's Day, allowing lawns and flowering weeds such as dandelions and creeping Charlie to fully flourish, but only until mid-May. Homewood announced this week that while it supports pollinator health and environmentally friendly practices, research shows that long-term native planting solutions are more effective than simply not mowing for a few weeks. The village said the lack of mowing can also negatively affect lawn health by encouraging pests, invasive weeds and allergens. A village ordinance requires that grass and weeds not exceed 6 inches, a rule it relaxed last May after green lighting the no mow effort. The village can also place liens on property to recover charges for a cutting service as well as the cost of registering the liens with Cook County. Homewood officials are encouraging residents to plant native flowers and establishing pollinator gardens and creating bee-friendly yards with diverse, sustainable vegetation. Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said he'd love to keep bee hives in his yard, but has four fruit-bearing apple trees. He said he has to spray the trees to ward off insects and prevent fungal infections, something that would not be conducive to keeping bees. 'I have to spray if I want to get apples,' Hofeld said Wednesday. The mayor said he just recently learned of the decision, apparently arrived at by village staff, to opt out of no mow this year. He said that while the village did get complaints last year about yards looking messy due to lack of mowing, he did not know if that was the overriding concern in dropping the program this year. 'I have mixed emotions about it,' Hofeld said. He said he has put plantings in his yard to help attract polinating insects, such as hummingbird mint that draws bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. 'I put in a lot of plants that assist in that,' Hofeld said. Varmecky said she would like to see Homewood support more environmentally friendly efforts. The village has a tree sharing program, with the community helping susidize the planting of trees in residents' property. Varmecky said something similar for native plants could be adopted, and she'd like to see the village hold workshops for residents who want to incorporate native plantings on their properties. 'There are tons of pollinator friendly native plants available,' she said. 'There are so many different options.' Because they're native to the area, the plants tend to thrive, and require far less maintenance, such as regular watering, compared with flowers that are annuals, Varmecky said. She said she'd started with planting beds along the edge of her front yard containing pollinator plants, and bit by bit got rid of the grass, finishing the undertaking in 2023.
