In Ye Olden Times: The Steamer Fawn

By Mike Davis
Special to The Windham Eagle

Howdy Neighbor!

My name is Mike Davis, the history columnist for the Bridgton News, and today I’m so pleased the Editor of The Windham Eagle has given me room as a guest this week to tell you all about the Steamer Fawn, the first steamboat ever to run on Sebago Lake, built at North Bridgton in 1847.

That spring the Fawn was built by the Sebago and Long Pond Steam Navigation Company. Since the 1830s there had been efforts considered to launch an inland steamer upon the Sebago Lakes Route, running from Bridgton down Long Lake, Brandy Pond and the Songo River to Sebago Lake, but it was not until 1846 that a company of Bridgton and Harrison men organized and began selling stock to residents up and down the lakes as far as Standish.

The S&LPSN Co. sold some $10,000 in stock at $25 a share, raising funds sufficient enough to lay the keel in late March of 1847. They had hired the New York boatbuilding firm Lawrence & Sneden to build for them a sidewheel steamboat, 25 feet wide and 90 long – just narrow enough to pass within the 26-foot wide Songo Lock, and theoretically short enough to negotiate the Songo’s many meandering gooseneck turns; twenty-seven turns in only six miles!

She was launched on June 5, 1847, captained by C.C.W Sampson of Harrison, and ran a thrice-weekly route, which became daily by 1849, from her terminus at Harrison Village down the lakes to Standish, stopping at North Bridgton, Plummers Landing, and Naples along the way.

At Standish she docked at the wharf opposite Chadbourne’s Lake House, which stood almost exactly at the terminus of what are now Routes 35 and 237 on Standish Neck, where the Portland Water District pumping station now stands. Here passengers were served by a line of stagecoaches running south to Portland, the southern half of the Portland to Waterford stage line which, from Harrison, took travelers off the boat up to Waterford and beyond.

The company had invested in this stage line, and it also bought out another running from Bridgton through Fryeburg to the White Mountains. This was the key to the Fawn’s financial success, for in those days before railroads any tourist up from Boston looking to access the White Mountains, landing at the wharf in Portland, had to take a bumpy, uncomfortable stagecoach ride over several days all the way to Conway New Hampshire.

But with the steamer Fawn running upon the lakes, they could instead ride inland as far as Standish, zip up the picturesque lakes route to Bridgton in less than four hours, and then go by stage as far as Fryeburg border by nightfall, to stay at the Pleasant Mountain House. From there they could strike off the next morning by stage and reach Conway faster, in far greater comfort and having enjoyed far better scenery, than anything the old stage line up the Saco River Valley could provide.

With the opportunities clearly shown, the eager tourist public of antebellum America responded. The Fawn ran for almost a decade, until 1856, and in that time, she attracted the patronage of some of the most famous tourists to come to Maine in this era. Among her many noteworthy passengers in this time we may count John Jacob Astor, the first American multi-millionaire; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who surely needs no introduction here, and famed Transcendentalist Mary Emerson, aunt and tutor of Ralph Waldo Emerson. So many are the humorous and fascinating stories of this time, so many the difficulties whose solutions proved novel or exciting, that I could well serialize the Fawn’s history across ten dozen newspaper columns – but in this I will spare you, for it will make a better book, and I do intend to properly publish this story sometime soon.

Initially the Fawn was a success, but ultimately the same driving forces that led to her creation, those of technological innovation and the eager tourist market, are the same which led to her collapse. Eventually steam-power was turned to locomotion, and the coming of the railroads at once robbed the Fawn of her twin advantages of speed and comfort.

While still just as beautiful, the prospect of reaching the White Mountains in a matter of hours by rail from Portland cut out nearly all her tourist traffic by 1853 – struggling on until 1854, she was put up for auction in 1855 and eventually sold to George Pierce of Otisfield. He kept her going a few years more in a highly diminished capacity until 1856, but in 1857 she was torn to pieces at North Bridgton, her boiler and engine works sold to steamboat builders in Greenville, Maine, and her wooden hull left to rot on the shore of the lake.

There are no photographs of the Fawn, there are no known engravings, and while it appears she was once painted, I have yet to find any copy of the portrait. I’m told she was once pictured on the china plates of the Lake House hotel on Standish Neck, which continued to exist until the early 1900s, but that hotel burned long ago and no one now living can tell me if even a single plate survived. If any Readers out there have seen any pictures of her, please write in and contact me via oldentimesmike@gmail.com.

Thanks, and until next time! <

Library displays Windham model maker's tiny trucks

By Kaysa Jalbert

Some hobbies keep us busy in the present, some prepare us for a challenge in the future, others are like creating a time machine to bring us into the past. Since 1988, Raymond Philpot of Windham has been restoring miniature metal trucks as a collector’s item, and from now until the end of April, four of Philpot’s model trucks are on display at the Windham Public Library.

Miniature trucks created by Raymond Philpot of Windham
reflecting Windham's past and history are on display on the
second floor of the Windham Public Library through the 
end of April. COURTESY PHOTO

What makes this display especially interesting for locals is that each of the items exhibited are replicas of vehicles that would have been seen in Windham's past. There’s a red snowplow from ML Rogers circa 1950s to 1980s, a vintage blue snowplow circa 1930s, a mustard-yellow Jim Rogers septic tank truck, and a blue George Emerson & Sons Enviropac trash truck from the 1980s.

“It has been great to hear from locals who recognize the vehicles, kids who love the bright shiny trucks, and adults who recognize the amount of work that went into the miniatures,” said Sally Bannon from the Windham Public Library. “I was thrilled when Mr. Philpot agreed to exhibit this collection. Library staff and patrons have always enjoyed his past displays, so I knew this one would be another winner.”

Philpot built each vehicle from scraps and pieces of metal toys such as Tonka and Buddy L and many of the pieces he finds are either on their way to the dump, available at a valid price at an antique shop or on eBay or given to him.

“I’m not really a collector, so I don’t buy things, but I collect them because I don’t want mother nature to take care of it,” says Philpot.

What he has come to find over the years is many of the trucks have already been collected, and what’s left are parts and pieces of “what looks like junk, broken old toys” that can be salvaged, he said.

What led Philpot to picking up on this hobby is his experience both as an auto mechanic and a Windham historian. From 1975 to about 2000, Philpot operated J & R auto body shop in Windham. Many of his regular customers were the ones to give him miniature parts. Additionally, Philpot has been part of the Windham Historical Society for much of his life.

“I’ve been involved with race cars, trucks, body repair and paint jobs. Always been automotive oriented since Day 1,” Philpot said, but in a way, he meant it.

Since his high school days in the 1960s, Philpot’s been involved with this type of work.

It was also in school, eighth grade to be exact, that Philpot became immersed in history and not global or U.S. history.

“I hated history, it was the worst thing that could have happened to me, that is, until I took a class on Windham history and that was it, I was hooked,” he said.

Philpot has been searching Windham History ever since. He’s had displays at the library in the past and at the Windham Historical Society. Additionally, his collection of old fire trucks has been put on display at the Windham Fire Department during the Fire Apparatus Day there.

Back around 1990, there was a Windham High School teacher who tried to start a hobby collectors show at Windham High School and Philpot had his trucks displayed there for the school year, but the show did not last as an annual event.

He says that he was inspired to start this hobby back in the late 1980s from a friend that was fixing up miniature automobiles that represented old trucks from across the U.S. and selling them at truck shows. The friend was copying the names of vehicles he’d seen back in the day instead of turning them into modern ones, so Philpot caught onto that and decided to restore them to look like cars from New England.

“I make them, I collect them, and occasionally I give them away to someone it has a meaning to,” he said.

Some of his miniatures have been given to the family of a late friend, and he said they are always greatly appreciated.

In total, Philpot has about 75 to 100 miniature trucks and gets to work on a new one maybe once or twice a year.

“The parts are scarce now, a lot of people are collecting them and selling them on eBay,” he said. “Some people think they are like gold and set a high price, but I’m not a collector, I just want to keep them from being put into the earth.”

Philpot’s model trucks are now on display on the second floor of the Windham Public Library through April 30. <

Maine Maple Weekend has arrived at last

By Kendra Raymond

With the recent warm temperatures, longer days, and some seasonal businesses seeking summer help, there is a glimmer of hope that spring may be soon to arrive. Associated with early spring is the arrival of Maine Maple Sunday, which always lands on the fourth Sunday in March all around the state.

Maple sap boils in an evaporator at Balsam Ridge Farm
in Raymond. Maine Maple Weekend is this Saturday and 
Sunday at locations across the Lakes Region. FILE PHOTO

Many local sugar houses even make an event of it by offering activities and celebrations during the entire weekend.

Sugar shacks in the Lakes Region are gearing up for the 42nd annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend running March 22 and 23. The beloved tradition is popular with families, but anyone can partake in the early spring demonstrations and enjoy camaraderie while enjoying some yummy maple snacks.

So what can visitors to a participating sugar house do? The list is varied and vast and can include tours of the maple trees, watching boiling demonstrations, taking hayrides, and listening to musicians. Of course, who can leave out sampling the delicious maple goods such as candy, donuts, and ice cream?

The Maine Maple Producers Association website recently announced the upcoming weekend, “Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the great State of Maine and everything that it has to offer, including Maine Maple Syrup.”

Most sugarhouses offer maple syrup samples and demonstrations about how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, music, and so much more.

The MMPA website posts its mission as, “The Maine Maple Producers Association is interested in education, technology and friendship as well as the promotion of maple in today’s maple industry. The scope of the Maine Maple Producer’s Association is to promote the maple industry within the state of Maine, nationally and internationally. At MMPA we are committed to providing our members with a variety of different ways to help produce and market pure Maine maple syrup.”

The MMPA represents more than 250 of the 450 producers licensed to sell maple products in Maine. Producers range from small artisan producers to bulk syrup providers that serve major grocery store chains, foodservice distributors, retailers and international markets.

Many producers have products for sale direct to consumers throughout the year.

The state makes more than 575,000 gallons of syrup annually during a normal season, generating more than $55.6 million for the Maine economy and supporting more than 833 full-time and part-time jobs that generate more than $26.9 million in wages,” according to the MMPA website.

Sharon Lloy of Balsam Ridge Farm in Raymond is excited to promote maple syrup and products at the upcoming Maine Maple weekend events.

“We are getting ready for Maine Maple weekend. We will have tours where people can observe the process of maple syrup being made,” she said. “We always offer a pancake breakfast. And new this year we will have empanadas.”

Lloy said that there will be luncheons offered both Saturday and Sunday.

“You’ll be able to have hotdogs boiled in sap, baked beans, as well as all kinds of maple treats.,” she said. With the recent warm temperatures, Lloy says that the sap is really pouring in this week, so they are busy.

In addition to all the maple treats, Lloy says there will be entertainment on Sunday, March 23rd and blacksmith demonstrations all day.

The area is home to several other sugar houses such as Grandpa Joe’s Sugar House in East Baldwin, Jo’s Sugar House/Hartwell Farm in Gorham, Nash Valley Farm in Windham, Hilltop Boilers in Newfield, Cooper’s Maple Products in Windham, Merrifield Farm in Gorham, Sweet William’s in Casco, and Hilltop Boilers in Newfield – to name a few.

During a radio broadcast in 2024, Maine Gov. Janet Mills explained the importance of the maple syrup industry to the State of Maine.

“Our state is the third largest producer of maple syrup in the country. Somerset County alone actually produces more maple syrup than any other county in the United States,” she said. “That’s also where the Passamaquoddy have 40,000 acres of land in Somerset and Franklin County, where they run 14,000 taps and have a very vigorous and robust maple syrup industry.”

Mills recognizes the importance of maple syrup reminding residents that “since 2015, maple syrup has been Maine’s official state sweetener. Whether you use your Maine maple syrup on pancakes or waffles, on carrots or brussel sprouts, or on traditional maple snow candy – Maine maple syrup always makes life a little bit sweeter,” she said in her radio broadcast.

For in interactive map of participating sugar houses visit the MMPA website: https://mainemapleproducers.com/events/maine-maple-weekend/#!directory/map <

Faith Lutheran Church to host Luau Mystery Dinner

By Kaysa Jalbert

If you’re a sleuther, a mystery solver and you like a tasty dinner, then you may enjoy a night of entertainment and fun at a Luau Mystery Dinner hosted by Faith Lutheran Church next month.

Faith Lutheran Church in Windham will host several 'Luau
Mystery Dinners' on April 12 to benefit local charitable
causes. FILE PHOTO  

The “Who Dunnit” dinner is themed Heist in Hawaii written by Betty McIntyre and will take place on Saturday, April 12. There will be two shows: the first at noon to benefit Maine Needs and the second at 5 p.m. to benefit Sebago Lake Fuller Center.

The cost of the dinner and entertainment is $25. For tickets, call Melinda at 207-749-9503 or email Beth Shirk at ewynnshirk2@gmailcom. No tickets will be sold at the door; they must be purchased in advance before the deadline.

The last day to purchase tickets will be April 1. This deadline allows the organizers to know how many people to cook for.

The Heist in Hawaii story begins when Magnum Matters invites his friends to his estate to show off the Aloha Crown Jewels, on loan from the National Museum of Hawaii. However, during the evening’s entertainment of ukulele music and jokes, the museum representative discovers that the jewels are “missing, stolen, gone.” The guests are asked to solve the mystery.

Guests are invited to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts and Leis will be provided. To add to the fun, a Photo Booth will also be on site. The sanctuary will be decorated in a tropical theme and have posters available with the mission of each charity.

Dinner includes hors d’oeuvres, Hawaiian pineapple coleslaw, Hawaiian chicken served over rice, and a vegetable, followed by a dessert buffet. A vegetarian option will be available to those who request it when purchasing their ticket. There will be a cash Mocktail Tiki bar to benefit the Essentials Pantry.

The three nonprofits chosen to receive contributions from this event are Maine Needs, Sebago Lake Fuller Center for Housing, and the Windham Essentials Pantry.

Maine Needs is a statewide nonprofit that provides essentials to individuals in need whether it’s time and energy through volunteering, material goods, money, skills, or support.

The Sebago Lake Fuller Center for Housing is a local organization and its mission is to help seniors and veterans age safely in place by providing home repairs. Information can be found at https://sebagofullerhousing.org/.

Profits from the Mocktail Tiki bar will go to the Windham Essentials Pantry, a ministry of Christian hospitality and service to the community, started by Wendy and Dick Rozene, to provide personal and household items not covered by EBT cards. The pantry is open the last Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The church has held other Mystery Dinners in the past and they host an abundance of fundraisers for local nonprofits. Last year’s “Who Dunnit” Dinner was titled "Travel to France" for a Parisian theme. French Cuisine was served, and participants wore old French Fashion. The event last year had a great outcome of attendees, as seen in the videos on the Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page.

Betty McIntyre serves Faith Lutheran Church as a pianist, choir director and music director. Additionally, she has taught chorus in South Dakota and Maine on and off for over 40 years. While in Maine, McIntyre was the band director at Windham High School for over 30 years and has been working with church choirs for about 25 years.

Faith Lutheran Church is located at 988 Roosevelt Trail, Windham and partners with St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, and Wayside food programs. For more details, visit the website at www.flcwindham.com. <

Windham creates welcome packet for new residents

By Kaysa Jalbert

Moving into a new town can be stressful due to having to file paperwork and scout for resources. You may create a checklist of all the things you have to do with the little information you have gathered in the first few days in a new town.

Now when moving to Windham you will be greeted with a newly designed New Resident Guide welcome packet that includes this new resident to-do list and numbers and addresses for the local necessary resources so you can save time searching and focus on unpacking.

The New Resident Guide has been re-designed to be more congruent with the color pallet and logos of Windham as part of the towns recent efforts to redesign wayfinding signs, logos on websites and signs, color pallets on sites and signs, and overall working to create a more uniform look of the town.

Currently, the welcome packet is handed out to new residents at the town hall when one goes to submit a change of address, register a car, or whatever it may be that flags you as a new member of the town.

“It’s nice to have some information when you first move into a town, like who to contact and social services, knowing how to participate in parks and rec, and just overall having good access to the first things you want to know when you move into a town,” says Roger Cropley, Communication Director for the Town of Windham. “It makes life a little easier.”

According to Cropley, the guide has been around for several decades, but it has remained a simple packet of some photocopied papers with a general checklist. He has worked on updating the guide for a couple months now and is working on its final touches.

The front page of the packet includes a paragraph that welcomes new residents to the community and a short summary of the contents of the packet. Additionally, every page includes the address, phone number and website for the Town of Windham on the right-hand side.

The new resident checklist includes what to do in the first 10 days that includes registering children for school, filing a change of address, licenses any dogs and pick up trash and recycle carts at Windham Public Works.

This list is followed by another list of what to do in the first 30 days. This includes registering to vote, changing driver’s license addresses, updating car registration, and visiting the Windham Public Library.

Under each task is an address of where to go and a short explanation of what to bring. Further in the packet, there is also a full phone directory that includes the service, the phone number, and a short list of how that service can help you.

For example, by calling the Tax Collection number, you can sort through tax payments, make auto registrations, or call about passports. In short, it’s made simple to know who to call about what.

In addition, the guide ends with an explanation on curbside trash and recycling container placement, with general do’s, don’ts, such as don’t leave them lying down on the ground, and information on what to do with carts in the winter.

This also has a recycling guide with images and descriptions on what can be recycled and what cannot.

Also included in the guide is information on all the parks in Windham with descriptions of what activities can be done, and in-depth information on the East Windham Conservation Area.

Cropley says the town is currently working on redesigning the town’s website and once that’s done, they will make the New Resident Guide accessible online. <

Forum to discuss proposed Long-Term Care Insurance Rate hikes

AUGUSTA – The Maine Bureau of Insurance will hold a Public Forum March 3 to discuss proposed Genworth Long-Term Care Insurance Rate increases.

More than 3,000 Mainers are expected to be impacted by proposed increases ranging from 1.8 to 233 percent.

Maine Superintendent of Insurance Bob Carey has announced that the Bureau of Insurance will hold a public forum at 10 a.m. Monday, March 3 to discuss proposed rate increases sought by Genworth Life Insurance Company.

The forum is intended to provide affected Genworth policyholders with information on the long-term care insurance market, the rate approval process, and the reasons Genworth is seeking these increases.

Those who wish to attend the forum virtually or in person must preregister through a form on the Bureau's website at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/news-public-notices/public-event-notices.

Participants may offer comments and ask questions about the proposed increases. Representatives from both Genworth and the Maine Bureau of Insurance will provide information and answer questions about the rate review process. Written comments as well as questions about registration should be directed to insurance.pfr@maine.gov.

The proposed rate increases range from 1.8 to 233 percent and affect 3,057 Maine policyholders across seven blocks of long-term care insurance. The largest block has 1,274 Maine policyholders and has a proposed increase of 233 percent.

Genworth's filings have been under review since early November 2024. Following the forum, the Bureau will complete its review and determine whether and how much of an increase is actuarially justified. In addition to Genworth's rate filing request, the Bureau will consider policyholders comments made at the forum and submitted in writing. If a rate increase is approved by the Bureau, policyholders will receive another notice from the company explaining the increase and any options available to policyholders to mitigate the increase.

Companies must give 90-days notice before the increase takes effect and may specify a timeframe in which reduced benefit options need to be selected.

"The Bureau will only approve rate increases that are actuarially justified," said Carey. We strive to maintain a competitive insurance market with solvent insurers that can pay claims, while also making sure premiums are affordable. At times it can be a difficult balancing act."

"Though some of these proposed rate increases are quite high, the Bureau generally requires insurers to provide policyholders with benefit change options, which may lessen the amount of the premium increase. Policyholders should keep in mind that they will receive an additional notice from the insurer with specific information about the approved rate change as well as the date it takes effect," Carey added.

To learn more about potential plan options that may assist with affording long-term care insurance, please consult the Bureaus Long-Term Care Rate Increases FAQs web page at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/node/977.

For a general overview of long-term care insurance, please visit the Bureaus Long-Term Care Insurance web page at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/long-term-care-insurance.

Consumers with questions about insurance matters can obtain information and assistance from the Maine Bureau of Insurance by visiting www.maine.gov/insurance, calling 800-300-5000 (TTY call Maine Relay 711), or by e-mailing Insurance.PFR@maine.gov. <

Now is the time to get your Valentine’s houseplant

By Kendra Raymond

Just as in many things, the availably of certain plants can be seasonal, temporary, or just plain difficult. Of course, everyone knows that you can’t buy bedding annuals in December, nor can you find many Norfolk pine during the summer. This is just how the greenhouse industry works – and consumers seem satisfied with this model.

A variegated Hoya Kerii, also known as the 
heart hoya or Valentine plant, takes in the
morning sun on a Raymond windowsill.
PHOTO BY KENDRA RAYMOND

The heart hoya, officially known as Hoya Kerrii is one of those plants. When you see one, you can’t miss it – the waxy leaves are notably heart-shaped – a perfect gift for someone special during the Valentine’s season.

If you are lucky enough to encounter a heart hoya, it will likely be offered as a single heart-shaped leaf cutting planted in a pot. While this is perfectly viable, this is all that you will likely ever see.

A better choice might be the vine form of the plant, rooted as a stem cutting. This means that there is more than one leaf present, the plant is starting to vine, and there are the infamous “nodes.” If you want to have the plant grow and vine, you must have the nodes. Furthermore, the presence of the nodes allows you to take cuttings from your heart hoya to root and create new plants and Voila – Valentine’s gifts for all your family and friends.

Native to southeast Asia, the Hoya Kerrii is a succulent plant, so it thrives on neglect, especially infrequent watering. Let’s look at the culture of this easy-to-grow plant.

Light

The hoya thrives in bright direct sunlight for several hours a day in a south or west facing window. If you don’t have that kind of lighting available, perhaps consider purchasing a grow light.

Soil and Water

Your hoya will be happiest in a custom mixed soil that is light and fluffy. A mixture of potting soil, a bit of sand, and even some wood chips or vermiculite will help lighten up the growing medium. The plant will do best if it is allowed to dry out between waterings. In fact, it is best to wait for the leaves to appear less plump and even wrinkly. High humidity is favorable for your hoya, so placing the plant near a humidifier or spritzing it occasionally can be beneficial.

Propagation

The spruce.com website offers the following steps to grow additional plants:

Hoya Kerrii can be propagated using stem cuttings. You can either propagate Hoya Kerrii in water or in sphagnum moss. Both methods can be successful, but some people have more success with one medium over another.

Here is how you can propagate your Hoya Kerrii using water or sphagnum moss.

Take a stem cutting from a mature hoya kerrii using a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors. Each cutting should have at least three nodes along the stem. The nodes are where the leaves and roots will grow from.

Remove the bottom one to two leaves from each cutting, so those nodes are left exposed. Ensure that each cutting has at least one leaf left at the top of the stem.

If you are using water, fill a small container with water and place the bottom of the cutting in the water, ensuring that the leaves on the stem remain above the surface. If you are using sphagnum moss, soak the moss in water for 10 minutes and then squeeze out the excess water. Add the moss into a container and gently pack it around the base of the cutting, ensuring the moss covers the nodes, but the leaves remain uncovered.

Place the cutting(s) in a location that receives bright, indirect light.

If you are using water, the water should be refreshed once a week. If you are using sphagnum moss, ensure that the moss remains moist and does not dry out

After a couple of weeks, small roots should begin to form. Wait until the roots are at least 1 to 2 inches long before planting the cuttings.

Pot the rooted cuttings in a well-draining potting mixture and water well. Keep the soil moist for the first couple of weeks to help the new roots acclimate to the soil. Return the potted cuttings to their previous location. They can be moved into a brighter spot to encourage more vigorous growth now that they are established but do so gradually to avoid burning the leaves.

Where can I get one?

Acquiring a Hoya Kerrii may be your greatest challenge. As a horticulturist myself, I am always on the lookout for this precious cargo. Oftentimes, single-leaf cuttings can be found at the local grocery or big box stores. This is probably not the best option, unless they happen to have one with a stem and multiple leaves.

Your best bet can be a local greenhouse that is open during the winter. Just make sure to call ahead to see if they are available. You may be to do some calling around to find one with the leaves and vine.

Another option is online shopping. There are several options available but keep an eye on whether you are buying a leaf or vine, reviews, and shipping costs.

Whichever way you choose to go, keep in mind that a healthy heart hoya vine will be a bit of an investment, with the average price ranging from $20 to $30 dollars. The investment though is well worth it considering the numerous plants you can eventually grow to sell or share with others. <