Business

Down to Earth Living in Pomona Awards Scholarships to Three North Rockland High School Graduates

Published

10 months ago

June 22, 2025

ROCKLAND COUNTY, New York – For the past 35 years, Down to Earth Living in Pomona, New York has been providing scholarships to North Rockland High School graduates. This year’s recipients of the $500 awards are Giuliana Leone, Sarina Neset and Jaden Quezada.

Jaden Quezada
An honors student, Jaden intends to study finance at the University of Florida this fall. He is a three-sport athlete, having played Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, and Baseball. He was also active in VAASA, ASPIRA, Key Club, and Math League, and volunteered with Rockland Cleanup, food drives, and youth basketball clinics.

Sarina Neset
Sarina will attend SUNY Fredonia this fall to study Musical Theatre. At North Rockland, she served as a cast representative for the Drama Society and was active in the Italian Club, Chamber Choir, and Writers Club. Sarina has performed in community theatre for 14 years and volunteers with Smiles for Miles. She was selected as one of 600 students from 10 northeastern states to perform Alto I in the NAfME All-Eastern Treble Choir during the 2024 Eastern Division Conference in Hartford, Connecticut.

Giuliana Leone
Giuliana, Salutatorian of North Rockland’s Class of 2025, will attend Clemson University to major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Sports Communications. She served as Class Vice President, President of the Women in Engineering Club, and Secretary of the Tech Honor Society. A member of Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse and the field hockey team, Giuliana also volunteered at EMT practicals, STEM nights, and youth clinics.

“Down to Earth is delighted to provide three deserving students with an award that will help them continue on their path toward their futures. Helping young people in our community realize their dreams is an important part of the Down to Earth mission,” stated Risa Hoag, spokesperson for the company.

Down to Earth Living staff use five criteria to determine the winners each year. First and foremost is academic performance which is based upon GPA and other available test scores, followed by participation in extracurricular activities, applications and club memberships, and community service. A topical essay is also required to demonstrate the student’s ability to communicate, and the student must also show the specific goal-directed activities taken toward achieving his or her future career. Financial need is also taken into consideration.

Business

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Return to Hudson Valley: How to Attract Them

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Ruby-throated hummingbird are arriving across the Northeast, including the Hudson Valley, as part of their annual spring migration from Central America and southern Mexico. Early arrivals begin in mid-to-late April, with populations typically established in Rockland and Bergen counties by late May. Males arrive first to claim feeding territories.

Homeowners can attract hummingbirds by planting nectar-rich, native flowers such as bee balm, columbine, cardinal flower, coral bells, salvia, trumpet vine, and jewelweed. Bright, tubular blooms in red, orange, and pink are especially effective.

Local garden center Down to Earth Living recommends additional steps like using a simple sugar-water feeder (1:4 ratio, no dye), providing shrubs for shelter, adding a water source, and avoiding pesticides.

Beyond their beauty, hummingbirds help pollinate plants, control insects, and support biodiversity. Creating a welcoming habitat can sustain them through their breeding season, which lasts from spring into early fall.

Gardeners can find hummingbird-friendly plants and supplies at Down to Earth Living, which is also offering free repotting with plant or pot purchases this spring.

Business

Down to Earth Living Highlights Benefits of Indoor Plants for Health and Air Quality

Published

3 weeks ago

March 28, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Indoor plants have become a popular addition to homes and workplaces, valued not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their wide-ranging health benefits. From improving air quality to enhancing mental well-being, these natural elements can transform indoor environments.

Benefits of Indoor Plants

Improved Air Quality
Plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Research, including NASA’s Clean Air Study, has shown that certain plants—such as spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants—can help remove indoor pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Enhanced Mental Health and Productivity
Studies published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology indicate that interacting with plants can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Additional research in Environmental Psychology found that workplaces with plants experienced up to a 15 percent increase in productivity.

Aesthetic Appeal
Indoor plants enhance interior spaces by softening architectural lines and adding natural beauty. Popular varieties like fiddle-leaf figs, pothos, and succulents complement a wide range of décor styles. The National Gardening Association reports that visual appeal is one of the primary reasons people incorporate plants into their homes.

Physical Health Benefits
Plants can increase indoor humidity, potentially reducing issues caused by dry air such as sore throats, coughs, and dry skin. They may also help absorb sound, contributing to quieter indoor environments.

Ease of Care
Many indoor plants are low-maintenance and adaptable to different lighting conditions. Hardy options such as pothos, ZZ plants, and succulents make it easy for beginners to enjoy the benefits of greenery.

Indoor plants do more than enhance décor—they contribute to cleaner air, improved well-being, and a more vibrant living or working space.

Down to Earth Living’s expanded indoor plant showroom is now open for the spring season, offering a wide variety of plants. Customers can also take advantage of a complimentary repotting service with the purchase of a pot.