The Garden Path

TRACKING FLORIDA’S BIOLOGICAL PLANT HERITAGE • GROW OUTSIDE INITIATIVE LAUNCH

The

Vol. 3 | Issue 1 | Winter 2011

Gardens of Gratitude:

The Making of Pinewood Estate

A newsletter from Bok Tower Gardens www.boktowergardens.org

FROM THE PRESIDENT

The second annual Boktoberfest Plant Sale started the gardening season off with a plant party that drew nearly 8,200 visitors for the one day fundraiser in mid-October. There were 45 plant vendors selling a wide variety of specialty plants as well as many kid-friendly activities. It was nice to see so many families

Photos by Eric Farewell and Martin Corbin

and children enjoying the Gardens. Sunset & Symphony featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra was attended with close to 2,400. Young children were encouraged to help assist maestro Dirk Meyer in conducting the Harry Potter film score Harry’s Wondrous World. Our Summer Discovery Days were a hit with young children. Many parents also attended the classes and it was hard to tell who enjoyed it more. These family events are so important to reach out to the next generation. We see children as

to achieve in our facilities and programs.

our future and have recently hired Shannon Burgess to build our

The goals work toward preserving the Singing Tower and

programming for children from preschoolers to high school age.

gardens, enhancing the quality of our horticulture, conservation

We have seen our membership program grow to new heights

and cultural programming, reaching out to new audiences and

surpassing 4,100 households. Family memberships are the fastest

gaining financial stability.

growing sector of memberships.

To prepare for our future we have recently completed a long range plan that identifies our strengths and clarifies opportunities that will sustain the institution and keep us relevant in our changing society while being loyal to our mission. The staff and board of directors crafted the Long Range Fundamental Plan that was recently adopted by our board. We stress the word fundamental in the title because we want to focus on the original purpose and intent of the Gardens as well as how to proceed into the future. We want to remain faithful to the vision of Edward Bok which serves as a touchstone for the plan.

Read our Long Range Fundamental Plan online at boktowergardens.org/about/plan I invite you all to visit our website to see the Long Range Fundamental Plan. It is an exciting plan for the future of the Gardens. We will be sharing more with you as we move to implement the plan.

Our mission statement as stated in the 2011-2015 Long Range Fundamental Plan: To share Edward Bok’s gift of a beautiful and serene garden with music, architecture and nature so that all who visit will be inspired by his vision: Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.

Our Long Range Fundamental Plan restates our mission and articulates a vision with goals for our preservation and growth.

Many of the ideas in this plan have been discussed at some point over the last 40 years as this institution faced changes and challenges. None of the goals in the plan deviate from what we are doing now. They prioritize and set a level of quality we want

David Price, President

The

David Price President

Cassie Jacoby Editor

Martin Corbin Graphic Design

IN THE MEDIA

Editorial Contributors Singing Tower photos to be featured in American Follies by Nic Barlow

ell in

We’re thrilled to be included in London’s ITV Studios mini-series, Hidden Gardens of the

Nick Baker Jennifer Beam Marjola Burdeshaw Shannon Burgess Cindy Campbell

World, with production to begin around our peak bloom. More and more international

Megan Chambers

media are enjoying our “Journalist Passport” invitation. We hosted U.K. travel writers

William De Turk

Kieran Meekes and Andrew Mossack. Gillian Birch discovered us through the International

Sandra Dent

Travel Writers Alliance monthly publication. Another U.K. author, Nic Barlow, included

Eric Farewell

us in the new edition of his book, Follies of America. After Italian journalist Luca Centoni’s visit, he called us “the perfect Central Florida family destination” in his Travelscore Magazine. Articles for Spanish-speaking audiences have been written by Madrid’s Cesar Gonzalez and on Univision television which highlighted our wedding offerings.

Christine Foley Steve Jolley Cheryl Peterson David Price Juliet Rynear

National articles appeared in National Geographic’s Undiscovered Florida, Better RVing

Nicole DeMaris Sharp

Magazine, Vietnam Veterans of America’s Veteran Magazine and AirTran’s in-flight Go

Joan Thomas

Magazine as well as issues of AAA Texas Journey and Alabama Journey Magazines. Viacom’s

Cheryl Waters

TV network featured our location in an episode of their MTV national reality series, Made.

The Sebring teenager being made into a beauty pageant winner has a Dutch heritage and was inspired by Edward Bok’s legacy. Special thanks to Brian Satchfield for producing high definition video requested by the Weather Channel in Canada. AAA Southern Traveler and AAA Midwest Traveler have a prominent features in the spring issue distributed to one million members.

Statewide, we were featured in a 10-page photo essay along with the cover of the inaugural issue of Florida’s new Weddings Illustrated Magazine; Orlando’s Playground Magazine and Jacksonville Home Magazine featured Christmas at Pinewood; Orlando’s Where Magazine is featuring us in issues located in area hotels, Westgate Resorts promotes us to their

Mission To share Edward Bok’s gift of a beautiful and serene garden with music, architecture and nature, so that all who visit will be inspired by his vision: “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”

time-share guests and in I Love Orlando Magazine, Orlando Sentinel garden writer Tom MacCubbin continues offering weekly family four-packs of passes on his Better Homes and Gardens network of 21 radio stations statewide; Bay News 9 anchor Bill Murphy profiled Bill De Turk in his new TV series, Murphy’s Journal, and Miami travel writer Charles Greenfield is promoting us in his travel blog and NPR radio program on WLRN.

Bok Tower Gardens, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is supported by tax-exempt gifts and contributions and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

ST/5.5M/1210

Mark your calendars Founder’s Room tours continue to be one

MEMBERSHIP

of the most popular benefits of Sustainer and above membership. The spring tour dates are scheduled for February 19 and March 19. Watch for your invitation and remember to sign up quickly.

Join Nick Baker, our director of horticulture, for a delicious breakfast and behind-the-scenes tour of our greenhouse for sponsor level members and above in April. Upgrade your membership today to experience this exclusive member benefit.

Contact Marjola Burdeshaw at 863.734.1212 or by email at mburdeshaw@boktower.org with questions about your membership.

Private Tower tours are now available for Bok Tower Club and above members, a wonderful way to introduce new friends to the timeless treasure that is Bok Tower Gardens.

Sponsor thank yous We appreciate the support of our dedicated summer and fall sponsors who have enabled the Gardens to present

We’re proud to announce that our membership has grown to include more than 4,100 member households and we expect to welcome many more throughout the year.

Thanks to additional gifts from our members, we will be able to “Share the Gift” with more than 100 local families in need through partnerships with the Lake

quality cultural and special events, and

Wales Literacy Council and the Florida Chapter of National Alliance on Mental

to underwrite repair work on Pinewood

Illness.

Estate’s Steinway piano.

Steinway Piano at Pinewood Estate: Charitable contributions by Mary Beery, Gordon Henderson, Marian Meditch, Marilyn Newell and Pirjo Restina.

Live at the Gardens Summer Concert Series: Allen & Co., Apothecary Shop, Dr. & Mrs. Roy Braunstein, Chalet Suzanne, Circle of Friends, Crazy Fish Restaurant, Florida’s Natural Growers, Lake Wales Veterinary Hospital, Terrie Lobb Catering and Urban Trust Bank.

Boktoberfest: Allen & Co., Alliance Capital, Bob Evans of Lake Wales, Family of Mary Combs, The Lake Wales News, Lanier Upshaw, Met West Capital and Progress Energy.

Sunset & Symphony: Florida Refuse, Lake Wales Medical Center, Ledger Media Group, Peterson & Myers, P.A., WEDU and WUSF Christmas at Pinewood: AT&T, Cap Trust Advisors, Ledger Media Group, WEDU and Winter Haven Hospital.

More ways to stay in touch in 2011 Stop by the membership table in the Visitor Center for the latest in membership news and events. Our membership associates will be on hand to help you make the most of your membership. In addition to encouraging new memberships, they can upgrade your own membership, or provide gift memberships for friends and family.

Be on the lookout for the new membership tent at our special events. Visit throughout the year for a special gift of gratitude just for being a member. While you’re there, make sure to update your contact information so we can ensure you are receiving all the news about what’s happening at the Gardens.

As part of the Gardens’ going “green” initiatives, members will have more opportunities to interact with us online. Not only will it reduce waste and save a tree or two, it will make renewing your membership and registering for events quick and easy.

From all of us at the Gardens, thank you for your membership and best wishes for the New Year!

Joan Thomas, Director of Development & Membership

Winter 2011 | The Garden Path | 5

Remnant scrub habitat in Highlands County where Dicerandra frutescens is found.

A close-up of a Dicerandra christmanii bloom.

Cheryl with backpack GPS unit collecting cuttings of Scrub Balm.

A close-up of a Dicerandra frutescens bloom.

Photos by Cheryl Peterson, Cindy Campbell and Juliet Rynear

CONSERVATION

Tracking Florida’s Biological Plant Heritage Cheryl Peterson, Conservation Manager

Our Rare Plant Conservation Program is tracking two endemic mint species found only in scrub habitat within Highlands County. Garrett’s Mint (Dicerandra christmanii) and Scrub Balm

Many of Florida’s most unique plant species have limited range and are found only in a few locations in the state. With the changes the landscape of Florida has experienced, the impact on many of Florida’s unique plant populations is often unknown. Some of these species may have been discovered and taxonomically described many decades ago but few, if any, return visits have been made to their location over the years.

(Dicerandra frutescens) have aromatic, minty leaves, and bloom

The unique genetic composition of each population is preserved

October through November. One of our priorities is to revisit these

through the collection of existing specimens. In addition to using

historically recorded populations and take a current inventory of

them as propagation materials to create new populations on

Florida’s biological heritage of plants.

protected lands, the seeds and cuttings help biologists expand

As part of a year-long project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state of Florida, we completed a survey of all known populations of both plant species. With permission from

their knowledge of the species’ life cycle and propagation requirements while furthering the public’s education about Florida’s natural communities.

numerous public and private landowners, we also surveyed

As a participant in the Center for Plant Conservation, we maintain

areas of suitable habitat on which a new population might be

a National Collection of germplasm of Florida’s plant species

discovered. Our biologists recorded plant numbers, collected a

through seed storage and living specimens. Seeds collected

sample of seeds and took stem cuttings from each population

during these surveys are stored in the National Collection for

located. We provide the updated population data to the Florida

preservation. New plants are propagated through the stem

Natural Areas Inventory (www.fnai.org) which manages a state-

cuttings for inclusion in the National Collection’s growing beds

wide database on Florida’s plants and animals.

and our Endangered Plant Garden.

6 | The Garden Path | Winter 2011

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Bok’s First Blooms

by Nicole DeMaris Sharp

What’s blooming in the Gardens now?

Thanks to Lois Bice, Mary Lee Weimer and Irene Wolf, the answer is right outside the Visitor Center lobby. The dedicated volunteers who maintain the “What is Blooming?” table arrive before dawn

Blooms are arranged on the “What is Blooming?” table so visitors can get a glimpse of the variety of plants currently in bloom throughout the Gardens.

Mary Lee Weimer makes a cutting of an azalea bloom to be placed on the “What is Blooming?” table.

Mary Lee Weimer and Irene Wolf search for the correct plant identification tag so visitors will know the common and Latin name of each plant they collect.

three days a week. As they drive their cart along the garden paths, a rabbit scurries into the bushes. Through encounters with

What makes these special volunteers so

other creatures, swarms of mosquitoes and devoted? For seven years, Irene Wolf says

nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing

reaching through lots of prickly bushes,

the camaraderie keeps her coming back.

around in boats,” Irene, Mary Lee and Lois

nothing stops their quest to find the most

Mary Lee Weimer says the blue skies,

heartily agree that there’s nothing quite so

beautiful, prolific and unique blooms.

plants and peacefulness of the gardens

fine as messing around in our garden. We

have kept her returning for the past five

give thanks to all our volunteers. You truly

years. A volunteer for two years, Lois

are our finest blooms.

Beauty Berry, Golden Shrimp, Tree Dahlia, Julia Childs roses, Firecracker plants and more fill the table today. The trio of bloom hunters wait for the perfect time when each plant is ready to burst into its full bloom. Identification tags with the Latin and common names are strategically placed in front of each bloom. All the tags are kept in alphabetical order in a book that frequently changes as new plants are added to the Gardens. Once the glass vases are cleaned and filled with fresh water so the delicate petals will keep their staying power, the arranging begins with the tallest

Bice enjoys updating the labels and has purchased her own laminating machine to keep them intact. They all agree that the learning process is the best part and give nursery manager John Arnett credit for his wisdom, experience and, most of all, patience. His 24 years of horticulture experience include 15 years as Disney World’s grower and propagator for the bedding plant trials. Also in Orlando, he was the horticulture manager at Harry P. Leu Gardens.

blooms in the back and the smallest in the

Much like whimsical characters in The

front.

Wind in the Willows who say “there’s

Contact Lisa Allen at 863.676.1408 or by email at lallen@boktower.org to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Keep an eye out on boktowergardens.org/bloom for the most up-to-date photos and descriptions of what’s in bloom and also download a copy of our bloom schedule!

Winter 2011 | The Garden Path | 7

“It affects the senses of the visitor gratefully, creates a poetic mood, induces feelings of reverence and stirs the mind to rapt admiration … A more striking example of the power of beauty could hardly be found; better proof that here beauty exists could not be asked for.”

William Lyman Phillips’ description of Bok Tower Gardens’ Olmsted design

Gardens of Gratitude The Making of Pinewood Estate

by Cassie Jacoby, Director of Communications

8 | The Garden Path | Winter 2011

The tiled frog fountain on the front terrace was purchased in Cuba, a replica of one found in the old town of Panama, Canal Zone.

A photograph of William Lyman Phillips.

Large terra cotta tinajones (jars) were brought from Cuba where they had been used to transport olive oil from Spain.

The walled Oriental Moon Gate garden was conceived as an extension of the dining and breakfast rooms.

Lovers of nature inspired the creation of Pinewood Estate. Owner

lands, but with American conveniences. Spanish, Venetian,

Charles Austin Buck was a genius in chemistry with a passion

Tuscan, North African and Moorish motifs were reflected in

for wildflowers. Vice president of Bethlehem Steel, Buck was

the building design that featured many characteristics of an

one of the world’s most acknowledged metallurgical experts.

antique villa—a red barrel-tile roof, thick stucco walls, substantial

When his wife died in 1925, the widower with nine children and

carved doors and woodwork, fountains, towers, ornate trim and

18 grandchildren wanted a place where he could enjoy winters

intricately detailed wrought iron.

with his family and nurture the love of gardening learned from his father, head gardener and grounds superintendent for Lehigh University.

Following the completion of the garden design, architect Charles Wait, an affiliate of the firm, was hired to design the 12,900-square-foot home. One of the finest examples of

Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. had designed

Mediterranean-style architecture, the house is noted for its

Edward Bok’s Sanctuary on Iron Mountain and many of the

handmade Cuban floor tiles, hand-painted ceramic tiles based on

private gardens inside the neighboring community of Mountain

floral and geometric patterns of Tunisia, carved wood doors, and

Lake. After visiting his sister’s Mountain Lake home, Buck

intricate wrought iron sconces and chandeliers. The family room,

purchased the 7.59 acre property on February 24, 1930, and

called the Loggia, has large arched pocket doors that slide into the

engaged Olmsted’s firm in an unhurried creative collaboration.

walls. Most of the decorative accessories and furnishings, original

William Lyman Phillips was Olmsted’s representative supervising

to the house, are French, Italian and Spanish antiques.

the completion of Bok’s Sanctuary. He had been Olmsted’s star student at Harvard in 1910 and joined the Olmsted Brothers firm after graduation. Olmsted, Phillips and Buck literally broke new ground using tropical plants to create a harmony of nature.

Buck’s daughter, Lucy Buck Fox, gave us her father’s red leatherbound guest book in which the family’s visitors signed their names from December 25, 1934 until Buck’s death on July 13, 1945. Eight to 10 house guests would visit the family during

Buck believed the garden design should guide the architecture of

their six week stay each winter. After playing golf every morning

his 20-room mansion and wanted a home that reflected the easy

on the private course at Mountain Lake, they would gather by

Latin lifestyle he enjoyed as a young man working in Cuba, Chile

the fireplace in the music room at 11 a.m. for a game of bridge.

and Venezuela. In the early 1920s, Florida’s new Mediterranean-

Carillonneur Anton Brees would join them for a lunch buffet

style architecture was the rage. It promised the romance of exotic

every Wednesday and play the piano. A formal dinner was served

Winter 2011 | The Garden Path | 9

in the dining room. Buck enjoyed his grandchildren, giving them the run of the house except for his private bedroom suite.

Originally named El Retiro, Spanish for “the retreat,” the estate was owned by two other families: the Kerrigans who named the estate Encierro, “retreat” or “seclusion,” and the Keens who called it Keenwood. When Nellie Lee Bok, Edward Bok’s daughter-inlaw who was president of the board of directors, led the drive to acquire the property in 1970, it was renamed Pinewood Estate for its 165-year-old longleaf pines (Pinus palustris). In 1985, the estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds have been restored to the original design by renowned

Self-guided walking tours of Pinewood are offered daily for an additional fee.

The Christmas at Pinewood holiday home tour begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts for five weeks. Each year, Central Florida interior designers and a team of 200 volunteer Angels transform the estate into a holiday showcase with a new theme.

Find out more about upcoming events at Pinewood at boktowergardens.org/calendar

landscape architect, Rudy Favretti.

Timeline of Pinewood Estate History Feb. 24, 1930:

Property purchased

Sept. 3, 1930:

Property blueprints revised

Mar. 6, 1931:

Property planting plan

Dec. 25, 1934: Buck family’s first guest book entry

Dec. 25, 1957: Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. died Oct. 18, 1966: William Lyman Phillips died 1970:

Bok Tower Gardens acquired property, renamed Pinewood Estate

Dec. 12, 1985: Listed in National Register

of Historic Places 1987:

Phase I Restoration of Pinewood Estate completed Phase II Restoration of Pinewood Estate initiated

July 13, 1945:

C.A. Buck died

1989:

1947:

Esther Slater Kerrigan purchased property, renaming it Encierro

Aug. 26, 1993: Mountain Lake designated

a U.S. historic district

1952:

William Keen family purchased property, renaming it Keenwood

1995:

First Christmas at Pinewood

10 | The Garden Path | Winter 2011

Nick’s Picks: Bok in Bloom

Nick Baker, Director of Horticulture

Tree Daisy

Cane Begonia

Lemon Marigold

Throughout the spring and summer, this

The shade-loving cane begonias are

Tagetes lemmonii is a large plant that

tree grows quickly to a height of 12 to

grown for both foliage and their flowers.

reaches up to six feet in diameter, with

20 feet. During the fall and beginning of

Similar to bamboo, cane begonias grow

very aromatic, airy foliage and vibrant

winter large white daises begin to appear

long stems with nodes from which the

yellow daisy-like blooms. Foliage has

and eventually cover the whole bush

leaves and flowers arise. Its foliage is

a distinctive lemon-like scent. If you

until the foliage is barely visible.

showy with textures and variegation.The

touch the foliage the scent becomes much

flowers bloom in large cascading clusters

stronger. This sun-loving plant attracts

for much of the year.

many butterflies with its strong fragrance.

Montanoa grandiflora

Begonia

Tagetes lemonii

Education in the Gardens: Meet Shannon Burgess Plants have always connected me to home, despite my tendency to wander and explore.

Recognizing and appreciating the unique arrangement of plants I encounter brings both inspiration and comfort. After I received my bachelor’s degree in biology, I began working with high school students on field biology projects. Over the past 15 years, I have worked with zoos, nature centers, state agencies and schools to combine my love of learning and nature.

I encourage nature exploration as a way for children and adults to express creativity while learning about science.

Shannon Burgess, Education Coordinator

I am so excited to be a part of Bok Tower Gardens. Through Edward Bok’s example and gift to us all, the Gardens offers an intimate opportunity to nurture and inspire personal connections with both nature and one another. I look forward to meeting many new people and hope that you will share personal experiences and insight you have gained from your visits to the Gardens.

Summer 2010 | The Garden Path | 11

REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST

Carillon Library Librarian Joy Banks is the new librarian for the Anton Brees Carillon Library. A native Floridian from Stuart, Joy received her master’s Bill De Turk conducts research in the Anton Brees Carillon Library. While president of the board of directors, Nellie Lee Bok funded the library’s new home on the fifth level of the Tower in 1976.

degree in library science from Clarion University in Clarion, Pennsylvania.

“It’s an honor to be able to bring my skills to the world’s largest carillon library,” Joy explains. “The comprehensive collection contains thousands of scores, books, audio and visual recordings, and other carillon materials.”

A former catalog librarian at Florida Southern College, Joy also has musical skills in voice and piano. With a background in French, she looks forward to learning the Dutch language as well.

Anton Brees Carillon Library William De Turk, Carillonneur

“I’m excited about the opportunity to make the collection more visible so the public will know what’s available.” Once she catches

The Anton Brees Carillon Library is the largest and most comprehensive

up getting magazines, journals, scores and

carillon library in the world. It was established in 1968 and named after our

other accumulated items into the system,

first carillonneur, Anton Brees. It houses books, periodicals, recital programs,

she plans to digitize old newspaper articles

music scores, recordings, photographs, vertical files, as well as personal

and other archival material through optical

archives of carillonneurs. The Library also houses the Archives of The Guild of

character recognition software.

Carillonneurs in North America.

“It’s so amazing to come to work in this

The Bok Singing Tower and Carillon were featured in the 463-page book,

architectural treasure.” As to her spectacular

“Singing Bronze: 500 years of Carillon Music in the Low Lands and the New

view from the fifth level of the Singing

World”. The author sent us a copy of the book with the reply, I’m glad the book

Tower, Joy adds, “Today I enjoyed watching

can be part of the most important carillon library in the world. – Luc Rombouts,

a scattered shower roll through the skies and

Carillonneur of the University of Louvain, Belgium.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”

12 | The Garden Path | Winter 2011

Louise Adams Garden Terrace Dedication There are many days when you will see our board of directors member Louise Adams having lunch in the Blue Palmetto Café or strolling the gardens. The long-time resident of Lake Wales is the only person with her own gate as a private entrance to the Gardens.

Louise is so active and young at heart that few can believe she’s 93 years old. As part Louise Adams has served on our board of directors for 28 years.

of a surprise celebration for her birthday, the Louise Adams Garden Terrace was

Louise often reminded staff that the chairs in the garden terrace weren’t very comfortable and they should be replaced. The 16 new table and chair sets purchased for the outdoor seating area by the Café are not only durable, but also much more comfortable for visitors.

commitment to the Gardens. Many of Louise’s friends and family attended the event

dedicated to honor not only her service to the board, but her ongoing support and as an added surprise. The dedication plaque reads: “In honor of a great friend whose lively spirit and love of the gardens and its visitors has made the world a bit better and more beautiful.”

Singing Tower Photo in Orlando Ritz Carlton Winter Haven photographer Richard Pezzimenti proves over and over again that a picture is worth a thousand words. His photo of the Singing Tower that won a place in the National Parks Service calendar featuring National Historic Landmarks has been selected to be placed in 522 rooms of Orlando’s Ritz Carlton, Grande Lakes.

Using a 4x5 Sinar camera and Fuji Velvia film to capture the winning photo, Richard took the photo on a bright and sunny day. “The zenith of the summer is the best time to shoot the Tower because the sun is in the northernmost position. I waited for a light cloud to pass in front of the sun which acted as a giant light box illuminating it. Out of the hundreds of photos I’ve shot of Bok Tower, this is one of my favorites because the ideal clouds appeared just as the swans posed in the perfect position while being fed natural vegetation.”

Owner of Pezzimenti Photography, Richard has several other large format photographs hanging in the Blue Palmetto Café and Gardens’ offices.

Edward Bok Youth Peace Award Congratulations to Destiny London, the first recipient of the Edward Bok Youth Peace Award. The 10-yearold Cleveland Elementary School student pioneered the effort to raise $1,000 for Haiti earthquake relief.

The award was presented by Tampa community radio 88.5 FM WMNF. As a partner with common goals with WMNF, we appreciate the opportunity to recognize those in our community who are working for peace and share the gift of Bok’s legacy.

In addition to being an environmental activist and public health crusader, he was an advocate for world peace. In 1923, he created the American Peace Award, providing $100,000 for the best plan for international cooperation to achieve and preserve world peace.

We applaud Destiny for leading the way at her school and being a shining example of the words that inspired Bok’s life: “make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”

Winter 2011 | The Garden Path | 13

: e d i ts ure u O Fut w o Gr aping ions Sh nerat Ge Jennifer Beam, Director of Visitor Services & Programs The sights and sounds of nature have captivated the imagination and sense of wonder for our visitors for more than 80 years. Learners of all ages feel a great sense of place while walking up the hill to the Tower or trekking the winding garden paths of Iron Mountain. Many of our visitors tell us their connection to the Gardens began during a childhood visit. Today, we’re taking that important connection to the next level.

To help kids become more creative, healthier, happier and connected to the natural world, we’ve launched the “Grow Outside” initiative to completely reorganize our education department.

Our “Grow Outside” initiative is in response to national movements, such as the Children & Nature Network (C&NN), which is concerned that children are losing touch with the natural world. In the most recent study prepared for the C&NN, researchers found adults are happy and

The new mission of the Garden Campus is to connect and engage learners of all ages in quality programming that creates appreciation, knowledge and awareness of the environment, art, history and culture. natural environments such as ponds, waterways and woods. We provide the perfect place for learning about nature through authentic experience and play, while providing a safe and secure outdoor environment.

willing to promote nature experiences for

Our staff includes new science educators

their children but are concerned about

who plan to introduce new interpretive

their safety and security around certain

materials in the Gardens just for children

and families, including free discovery areas, field trips and FCAT science curriculum-based programming for classroom outreaches. Age specific activities for three- to five-year-olds and varying instructional levels for advanced concepts and open-ended discovery areas are being created.

Financial support for the growing education department is needed to help sustain these new children and family education initiatives. Each year our members are invited to make gifts to the Share the Gift Fund, and this year, these new education initiatives are one of our Share the Gift Fund priorities. Please consider making a donation today.

PARTNER PROFILE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

Sun Coast Media Group

When Owen Brice founded the Lake Wales News

William G. Burns Lake Wales, FL

in 1927, Edward Bok had just started building the

VICE CHAIR

Singing Tower. For nearly 82 years, the hometown

Robin Gibson, Senior Partner

paper of the City of Lake Wales and its surrounding

Gibson & Valenti PA – Lake Wales, FL

communities of Babson Park and Frostproof has

TREASURER

Hon. Patricia C. Fawsett, Chief Judge Emeritus

played an important role in documenting the history

SECRETARY

Group (SCMG), whose chairman and CEO, Derek

Hunt Bros. Cooperative – Lake Wales, FL

Dunn-Rankin, also serves on our board of directors,

U.S. District Court – Orlando, FL

of the Gardens. Today, owner Sun Coast Media

Frank M. Hunt II, Chairman of the Board

BOARD MEMBERS Louise B. Adams

keeps alive the family tradition of newspapering while providing us invaluable resources to insure our future.

Lake Wales, FL

Many of the nearly 8,200 who attended our second annual Boktoberfest Plant Sale

Cindy Alexander, Community Volunteer

heard about the event through publications owned by SCMG. As our media partner,

Lake Wales, FL

Michael Aloian, President

Charlotte State Bank Trust Department – Tampa, FL

Tomas J. Bok, Ph.D.

GMO LLC – Somerville, MA

J. F. Bryan IV

they published a 12-page Boktoberfest special advertising section that was inserted in area newspapers. SCMG ran full-page ads as well as editorial coverage in its 11 newspapers statewide.

Derek’s appreciation of the Gardens began long before he joined our board. He

The Bryan Group – Jacksonville, FL

began his newspaper career delivering the Miami News when he was 11. Derek

Nancy J. Davis, President and CEO

was the editor of his college newspaper at Rollins College when he would pass the

Derek Dunn-Rankin, President

who had achieved great success, was one of his role models. A portrait of Mary

McArthur Management Company – Miami, FL Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. – Charlotte Harbor, FL

L. Evans Hubbard, Chairman of the Board

Singing Tower while driving home to Miami during college breaks. Bok, an editor Louise Curtis Bok hanging in Rollins’ Annie Russell Theater was another reminder

A. Friends’ Foundation Trust – Orlando, FL

of the Boks during his college years.

A. Bronson Thayer, Chairman of the Board

Derek continues to follow in Bok’s footsteps as a leader in the publishing industry.

Bay Cities Bank – Tampa, FL

Dick Wood, President

Mountain Lake Corporation – Lake Wales, FL

SCMG publishes the highly successful Charlotte Sun and Venice Gondolier Sun. In addition to Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, the newspaper has local editions

EMERITUS MEMBERS

covering North Port, Englewood, Arcadia and Wauchula. At a time when many

J. Shepard Bryan Jr., Attorney

Bradenton, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Wales and Lake Placid.

M. Lewis Hall Jr., Partner/Attorney

When asked to serve on our board, Derek generously offered to partner with us to

Holland & Knight LLP – Atlantic Beach, FL Hall & Hedrick – Coral Gables, FL

John Germany, Attorney

Holland & Knight LLP – Tampa, FL

Joan Wellhouse Newton, Chairman Emeritus

newspapers are struggling, SCMG has acquired weekly papers in Bartow,

help promote the Gardens. The future of Bok’s legacy is in good hands thanks to our partnership with SCMG.

Regency Centers Corporation – Jacksonville, FL

Thank you to our native plant donors:

Heribert Arce, Lake Placid Janice Marks, Fort Myers Nageen Ali, Port St. Lucie Franklin Colangelo, San Diego, CA Patricia Wilson, Boone, NC Barbara & Richard Pakan, Davie, FL

Winter 2011 | The Garden Path | 15

WHAT’ S NEW

“Blue Angels” Mobility Carts Thanks to the outpouring of support by Louise Adams friends and family, four new mobility carts, dubbed the “Blue Angels,” were unveiled at the dedication of the Louise Adams Garden Terrace.

Louise had expressed concern for visitors with special needs being able to enjoy greater access to the Gardens. Produced by Pride Mobility Products Corporation based in Exeter, Pennsylvania, the stateof-the-art Victory line of scooters are stylish and high performing for long battery life. Our rental rates are $10 for one hour or less; $30 for four hours; or $60 for the entire day.

New Live at the Gardens Mural The stage is set for our Live at the Gardens concert series now that we have a new mural backdrop. Lake Wales artist Lisa Moore volunteered her talents to create the 10 feet by 16 feet scene depicting a night sky under a full moon with the Singing Tower overlooking the surrounding rolling hills of citrus. Owner of LaMoore Visions, Moore also volunteered to design the Gardens’ new membership cart. She was able to replicate in stunning detail many of the floor tiles in the Founder’s Room of the Singing Tower.

The self-taught artist began drawing more than 18 years ago when she moved away from her family to Texas. Realizing she had a talent, Moore started painting murals Tammerlin performs in front of the new Live at the Gardens mural. Artist Lisa Moore brings a beautiful vista of orange groves and the Singing Tower into the Visitor Center for each performance!

in people’s homes. Her first area mural is located in downtown Lake Wales. What Moore enjoys most is the interaction with many people and gaining their perspective on art. She especially enjoys seeing art through the eyes of children because “they bring a genuine and unique perspective.”

Plant Shop Hot Sellers

Sales in the plant shop have increased 32.9 percent over the past

Tillandsias are tiny bromeliads that sell big. The Tower & Garden

offered by Cheryl Waters, plant shop host, who, along with other

Gift Shop sold $34,016 of these plants during eight months last

staff and volunteers, offers advice, answers questions, gives care

year. Two years ago, Nick Baker, our director of horticulture,

sheets and suggests the right plant in the right place.

came up with the idea to hang a curtain of the air plants outside the Blue Palmetto Café. The plants are sold individually or displayed on grapewood. Ornamental peppers including purple flash, black pearl and calico peppers are always hot sellers.

Other popular plants include sweet almond bush, tea olives, firecrackers, camellias, Dutchman’s pipe, passion vine, walking iris, orchids, red powderpuff, mondo grass, creeping fig and a variety of Florida natives. Look for new varieties of bamboo, nun’s orchids, Chinese hat and magnolia trees for sale this year.

year. Much of the credit is due to the excellent customer service

We offer hard-to-find, unusual plants that are excellent quality.

Many of the most unusual plants are grown here by John Arnett, our nursery manager who provides unusual plants that are on display outside the Visitor Center and the River of Stone. We also keep plants affordable by getting the best price from local nurseries. In addition to delivering plants to our parking area, we try to fulfill customer’s requests for plants that not available at the time of their visit.

1151 Tower Boulevard Lake Wales, FL 33853

SAVE THE DATE INSPIRED VISITOR

Moonlight Carillon Concert Series

January 18, February 17, March 18, April 15 Experience the Gardens in a different light during the 2011 Moonlight Carillon Concert series. With moonlight streaming through moss-draped trees and flambeaux illuminating the pathways, romance fills the air as you stroll through the meditative gardens or relax on a blanket while listening to the Singing Tower carillon performed

Creating Lasting Memories Member and volunteer Jeanne Gayhart first visited the Gardens with her parents and a younger cousin in 1955. She recently found an old picture taken by the Singing Tower gate and recreated the

by carillonneur William De Turk.

Easter Sunrise Service April 24 at 7 a.m.

Easter morning worshippers will be offered free admission from 6 to 8 a.m. to greet the dawn of this special day with the music of the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon and the Lake Wales Chorale. The beauty of the gardens during spring bloom provides a tranquil setting to enjoy the sacred day.

pose. “I fell in love with the Gardens

Concert Under the Stars

55 years ago and am happy to be a contributing volunteer now so many

April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

years later.”

Bring your family and a picnic to spend an

We welcome your submission of other

enchanted moonlit evening on the Great Lawn with a

such historical photo recreations.

performance by the Imperial Symphony Orchestra and the Singing Tower carillon.

Visit us online at www.boktowergardens.org

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Shop online at shop.boktowergardens.org