Alumni Spotlight: Buddy Hipp

September 29, 2017July 31, 2023 | randie.hov

Recently I had the opportunity to tag along with my co-worker, Ken Ingram, and his Landscape Design and Implementation students as they went on a field trip to The Hotel at the University of Maryland (UMD). It had been a very long time since I went on a field trip; in my opinion, it was a blast.

The Hotel at UMD is in the final stages of development, and one of Ken’s former students, Buddy Hipp, oversaw the planning and installation of native landscaping on the property. Because The Hotel is conveniently located just across the street from campus, Buddy contacted Ken to offer current students the opportunity to walk over from Jull Hall for a landscaping tour.

Our experience exploring the new building, admiring the recently-installed trees and shrubs, and hearing about Buddy’s experience as the landscaping project lead was very informative. It is obvious that he enjoys his work as a project manager for Ashton Manor Environmental, a company with a focus on sustainable landscaping. To me, it sounds like an ideal job.

I took numerous photos and Buddy graciously agreed to be interviewed for a quick Alumni Spotlight video (see below). If you would like to learn more, here is a news item that I wrote for our website at work.

Oriehls Magic

September 10, 2017July 31, 2023 | randie.hov

What happens when the two biggest Baltimore Orioles baseball fans in the nation meet? They fall in love and get married. ❤

On September 9, the Riehls said “I do” at the Baltimore Hilton overlooking Camden Yards. Their wedding was Orioles baseball-themed — everything from the cupcake tower, to the surprise guest on the dance floor (THE Oriole Bird), to Chris’s heartfelt musical ode to Baltimore – reflected a love of Maryland’s favorite big city.

Jen’s idea was to create an “XO” wedding logo using the Baltimore Orioles’ iconic orange “O.” I enjoyed working with her to create a one-of-a-kind wedding invitation, photo booth image, and other designs. Scroll down for photos and to see the invitation.

oriehls-cake — Oriehls Magic in the form of a cupcake tower.

Chris-and-Jen-Riehl — The first dance. Can I say right now how much I freakin’ love weddings?

usg-reunion — Dining in style at the reception with some of my USG friends.

marc-randie-oriole — Special guest at the dance party: the Oriole Bird! If you know me, then you know I love all manner of birds. #Birdland

Jen and I became friends while working together at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). Through Jen, I got to know Chris by participating in his Baltimore Rent-A-Tour outings that showcase historic sites in the city. Going to their wedding was also a reunion of sorts because some of my favorite USG people were there as well!

Thank you, Jen and Chris, for the opportunity to design your wedding invitation and logo. Congratulations and I wish you many years of happiness. Go birds!

Will’s AND1 Mixtape

August 28, 2017February 5, 2018 | randie.hov

Witness these baller skills! Now presenting William’s And1 Mixtape, the greatest ever.

Starring: William Dyess and Marc Fournier
Written by: William Dyess and Marc Fournier
Stunts: William Dyess and Marc Fournier
Editing: William Dyess
Cinematography: Randie Hovatter

Designing the Choptank River Lighthouse in Stained Glass

randie-hovatter-cambridge-lighthouse-stained-glass-web

July 15, 2017May 11, 2018 | randie.hov

The Choptank River Lighthouse is a historic site on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Situated on the waterfront in Cambridge, Maryland, the lighthouse is a symbol of the town as well as Dorchester County. In the early 1900s, lighthouses like this one guided ships that sailed along the Choptank River.

A family friend who lives in the town of Cambridge commissioned this stained glass project from me in 2016. After many visits to my mom’s house on the Eastern Shore, where I could access my stained glass workbench and materials, I was able to complete this one-of-a-kind project.

Designing an original stained glass pattern is equal parts challenging and rewarding. I made several sketches by hand before scanning and finalizing my pattern in Adobe Illustrator.

lighthouse-final-colored-in-numbered — My pattern, vectorized in Adobe Illustrator. By creating a vector graphic, I can enlarge my design to any size without losing image quality. Please email me at randie.hov@gmail.com if you would like permission to use this stained glass pattern.

15195949_10157798964385402_1887723564748155582_o — A photo of me cutting the glass as my mom grinds the edges of each piece. This allows for the pieces to fit together like a puzzle. The next step is to wrap the edges of each piece in copper foil.

15167446_10157800310900402_8203798024130542697_o — After each piece is cut and ground, it’s time to start fitting them together. A perfect fit is important; it allows the solder to strongly hold the pieces together.

18423820_10158649348005402_8401874985559434517_n — This project was so large, that I could only fit half of it at a time on the flat wooden frame that I use for squaring (my wooden squaring frame is from Glass by Grammy of Salisbury, Maryland). This is the bottom half of the panel. The final stained glass panel measured approx. 22″ wide x 32″ tall.

18423857_10158653309870402_6511116352423358998_n — Here I go with the soldering of the top half! Each piece has its edges wrapped in copper foil. The solder is then applied to the copper foil. This chemical reaction results in a super-strong joint between the foil-wrapped glass pieces. Eventually, the entire project was placed in a sturdy wooden frame for hanging. In my opinion, a glass project is not finished until it is beautifully framed.

18422328_10158654814440402_1169678175320768284_o — Whoa! I was so proud when I could finally lift up the finished panel and see the sunlight streaming through.

Grow Your Best Basil

June 19, 2017February 5, 2018 | randie.hov

Basil is not only delicious, but easy to grow and manage with the correct approach. Over the weekend, I produced this short video of my Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) co-worker Meredith Epstein giving expert advice on proper plant care. She is the Sustainable Agriculture lecturer and advisor at the IAA, and also manages the University of Maryland’s Community Learning Garden. Meredith is also the one who chose basil as the topic for our first how-to video; I think she made a great decision!

Making a how-to video was a great way for me to get back into using iMovie. I had a lot of fun producing this using only my iPhone and the iMovie app. I found that the app doesn’t have all of the features from the desktop version, but still enough.

I have mentioned in previous posts that the Community Learning Garden is one of my favorite spots on campus. I hope that after watching this video, you will see why I love to spend time there.

Please do enjoy le film. Get ready to grow some expert-level basil!

Around the Block

May 18, 2017February 5, 2018 | randie.hov

Just cruisin’ with my friend Meg in her Toro Workwoman vehicle. I interviewed her to find out the best way to get into volunteering with the University of Maryland’s Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Meg graduated from the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA), where I currently work. The experience that Meg gained through studying Ornamental Horticulture at the IAA led her to become the arboretum’s Volunteer Coordinator. We both work on North campus, so it is easy for us to pester each other. 🙂

Want to help beautify UMD? Email arboretum@umd.edu to sign up!

Sunflower Painting Party at Flanagan’s

March 10, 2017March 28, 2017 | randie.hov

Last night I taught a painting party at Flanagan’s Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda, Maryland. Our theme was a sunflower, but I spy a Luigi and two elephants!

Flanagan’s meets my ideal restaurant trifecta of great service, convenient parking, and optional outdoor seating. I guess it’s important to note that the snacks and drinks are great too. 😉 Needless to say, I will be back!

flanagans-sunflower — A meeting of creative minds at Flanagan’s Harp and Fiddle. Special shout-out to our phenomenal server Lenora, as well as Jenny, the manager who booked my party.

Collaboration with Foster’s Flags

February 1, 2017May 17, 2018 | randie.hov

I will attempt anything for a friend, even if it means managing to draw straight lines with acrylic paint!

My friend Aaron Foster of Foster’s Flags and Wildfire Creations creates custom wooden flags in addition to working full-time as a Washington, DC firefighter and teaching fitness boot camps on the side. Let’s call him King of the Side-hustle.

Aaron has created many styles of flags, but this particular order came with a unique request in honor of a Vietnam veteran. The giver of the flag asked if Aaron could incorporate the recipient’s military stripes into the design. Aaron asked me to paint the stripes, and I was happy to oblige.

This flag was completed and given to the veteran at his surprise 70th birthday party. I am excited to have played a part in such a special and unique gift. If you are interested in ordering a flag of your own, check out Wildfire Creations on Facebook.