We were delighted to host WGN Radio’s HouseSmarts Live!, featuring home‑improvement expert Lou Manfredini and landscaping ace Bob Bertog, right here in our garden center on Saturday, July 19th. HouseSmarts Radio Live at Lurvey Home & Garden was a morning packed with expert advice, hands‑on demos, behind‑the‑mic excitement, kids’ crafts, and friendly vibes.

What Happened During HouseSmarts Radio Live at Lurvey Home & Garden?

It was an early Saturday morning filled with buzz, both on the airwaves and in the aisles of our garden center, as we proudly welcomed WGN Radio’s HouseSmarts Live! to Lurvey. Broadcasting live from 6 to 10 AM, host Lou Manfredini brought his signature warmth, humor, and home-improvement wisdom straight to our community—right from a stage set among plants, planters, and vibrant summer blooms. Guests enjoyed a rare behind-the-scenes peek at the live radio setup and watched as the hosts answered questions live on air.

Renowned landscaping expert Bob Bertog joined Lou and arrived early to offer in-person consultations to guests seeking guidance on turf health, garden design, and landscape solutions. From 6 to 9 AM, Bob met with homeowners one-on-one, reviewing photos of their yards and offering professional advice. At 9 AM, he joined Lou on-air for a dynamic segment full of tips and lively conversation—giving listeners a taste of the in-person energy that filled the garden center.

More Than Just a Live Radio Broadcast

Throughout the morning, Sue Ryba from Bertog Landscape and our own Lurvey team led hands-on demonstrations and workshops. Children got their hands dirty in the best way—digging, planting, and creating container gardens as part of our Kids Club activities. Sue also provided design inspiration through live planting demos, showing guests how to create their own beautiful container arrangements at home.

Another major highlight was Bertog Landscape’s free landscape design station, where visitors brought in photos of their yards and received on-the-spot sketches and design ideas from the Bertog team. It was a chance for people to walk away with real, actionable plans—and judging by the lines, it was one of the day’s most popular features. Adding to the fun, a custom-designed container created by Sue was raffled off during the event, much to the delight of the lucky winner.

Sue from Bertog Landscape doing a seasonal container demonstration
Sue and Bo from Bertog Landscape with the container raffle winner

Early-arriving guests enjoyed exclusive perks that made the morning even more memorable. From 6 to 8 AM, they got first access to the store, sipped delicious coffee, and grabbed breakfast from Route 66 Diner. They also took advantage of a special 20% storewide discount available throughout the event. With expert insights flowing, kids digging into hands-on activities, and a festive buzz in the air, the morning felt more like a celebration than just a radio show—and we were proud to host it.

Highlights from the Broadcast

  • From Lou: “We haven’t been on the road in a while, so it’s nice to see all of you! You’re the ones that can’t sleep, right?”
  • From Bob at Bertog Landscape: “Partnering with WGN Radio and Lurvey Landscape for HouseSmarts Live!, sponsored by MORE Surface Care, was a tremendous success for Bertog Landscape Co. I’m truly honored to have been a guest on Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmarts Radio – what a fantastic experience!”
  • From Kelly at MORE Surface Care: “We were thrilled to have been a sponsor of the Lurvey/WGN Radio event at Lurvey Home & Garden in Des Plaines. Partnering with Lurvey and WGN Radio gave us a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with homeowners and home improvement enthusiasts, and the exposure we received — from our booth presence to a live interview with Lou Manfredini — truly highlighted our commitment to supporting industry events and our customers.”
  • Attendee feedback:
    “We are up in the Wauconda area and see your location in Volo all of the time, but we have never been down to the garden center – it is stunning! We will definitely be back again!!”
    “It was really cool seeing a live radio show in person. Lou and Bob were so down-to-earth, and I even got to ask a question!”
    “We stopped by just to look around, but the whole place was buzzing—and the plants looked absolutely incredible! So glad we came.”

A Big Thank You

We couldn’t have pulled off such a successful and memorable event without the incredible efforts of everyone involved in the HouseSmarts Live at Lurvey Home & Garden. From our dedicated team at Lurvey to our expert partners, generous vendors, and enthusiastic guests—this truly was a community-powered morning. It’s events like these that remind us how much can be accomplished when passionate people come together with a shared goal: to inspire, educate, and grow. We’re grateful to each and every one of you who helped bring HouseSmarts Live! to life at our garden center.

  • WGN Radio & HouseSmarts for bringing the show to our space
  • Bob Bertog & Team, including Sue Ryba, for their expertise and fun demos
  • Route 66 Diner for fueling the morning crowd
  • MORE® Surface Care, for sharing their sealing and cleaning expertise, and for being an event sponsor
  • Our own staff & Kids Club volunteers—for making everything run smoothly

What’s Next?

This event highlighted the power of community, learning, and real-deal expertise. Keep an eye on our Events page for upcoming workshops, planting days, design talks, and more—or sign up for our Loyalty Club to receive our email newsletter to stay in the loop!