The Gardens Gate - November 2020

The November 2020 Gardens Gate Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

The Gardens Through The Eyes Of Debra Terrio

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Garden Center, Pavilion & Gift Shop Hours: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am - 1pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm

10-Year Membership Special

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Board Member Spotlight

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2021 FPSLBG Board Election Notice

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2410 SE Westmoreland Boulevard Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: 772.337.1959 Fax: 772.237.5952 Core Volunteers: 772.302.4393 E-mail: info@pslbg.org Web: www.pslbg.org

Garden Center, Pavilion & Gift Shop Hours: Thursday - Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE GARDENS Suggested Donations: Adults $5 Students $2 Children 12 & Under Welcome Free for FPSLBG Members and Active Military with family (IDs required)

Mission Statement...

Friends’ mission is to create and maintain a beautiful, serene sanctuary in the center of Port St. Lucie that is environmentally sound and naturally diverse and to provide educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for all who visit.

Officers & Directors...

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Directors:

Michelle Peterson Heather Furnari Mary Petrone Brenda Gustafson Jeff Chambers John Erickson Dale Johnson Laura Mehr Judy Nash-Wade Tim Sutton

Standing Committee Chairs...

Election Committee:

Stephanie Alessandrini-Giarraffa Brenda Gustafson Laura Mehr Brenda Gustafson

Finance Committee: Gift Shop Committee: Horticulture Committee: Membership & Volunteer Committee: Judy Nash-Wade Resource Development Committee: Heather Furnari Strategic Planning Committee: Michelle Peterson

Newsletter...

Editor & Design:

Mark Barnes

The Gardens is managed and operated by Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization, that was founded to help support the daily operations of The Gardens. Friends volunteers provide hands-on daily oversight of the facility, including staffing to handle the many visitors year round. Please consider becoming a member of Friends. Friends' is a 100% volunteer organization. In all cases, donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Dear Friends, Autumn is often associated with the beginning of happilyanticipated holiday traditions. Because of COVID and the many challenges we currently face, many of those traditions are shifting. Fall festivals and harvest hoedowns are cancelled or have become virtual. Large gatherings of friends and family have become smaller and socially distanced. But regardless of our new way of life, we are thankful for so much.

First and foremost, we’re thankful that our Botanical Gardens has grown and thrived for the past ten years. Our Founding Members and Annual Members have provided a foundation of support for which we are most grateful. And we are looking forward to receiving much needed support from our new Ten-Year Anniversary Members! We hope you’ll help us end the year on a high note by signing up for our Ten-Year Anniversary Membership. I n addition to receiving a ten-year membership, your contribution helps our Botanical Gardens as we do our best to navigate the fiscal ups and downs of this pandemic. Your support means so much!

Please consider making this important investment in the future of the Botanical Gardens.

We are very thankful for our volunteers! We simply couldn’t exist without their incredible efforts. They are unique and selfless individuals who bring their energy, time, and talents, and help make our Gardens bloom. Just saying “thank you” does not convey how much our volunteers are appreciated.

We are also thankful for the City of Port St. Lucie. Ten years ago, City officials put their trust in the Friends, and allowed our organization to manage and improve the 20 acres of property called the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. And the City of Port St. Lucie continues to provide guidance, assistance and support. We would not be successful without them.

If you’re reading this, we are thankful for you. We appreciate your interest in our beautiful Botanical Gardens. We hope you’ll visit our gardens, and experience the enjoyment of nature.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving, Michelle

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What’s Going on at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens in

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H o u r s : T h u r s d a y, Fr i d a y & S at u r d a y 10:00am - 1:00pm & Sunday 12pm - 3pm 9

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And, we’re Selling by the Cart Full!

Thursday: 10:00-1:00PM Friday: 10:00-1:00PM Saturday: 10:00-1:00PM

Very Happy Customers!

NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH

Don’t Miss this Year-end Sale

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All board members started off as volunteers. So, why did you choose to volunteer at the PSL Botanical Gardens?

I submitted my retirement papers the same day I moved to Florida. The first two months were great, everyday felt like a deserved vacation. Somehow laying in the sun and napping in the afternoon lost its appeal by the third month. I googled ‘volunteer activities near me’, the City’s website popped up and there it was – “Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens”.

What made you want to become a director? What are your goals?

I was hesitant to become a director. A working board member involves double, and for several, triple commitments. Ideally, I would have liked to continue and expand previous school, children, and adult education programs however this pandemic altered our lives. I, personally, am struggling to find a balance of keeping others and myself safe while continuing to move forward.

intricate flowers and prominent stamens and styles, it is exotic and peculiar at the same time. Happily, this plant is host to Gulf Fritillary and Zebra long-wing butterflies.

Outside of the Gardens, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Photography is my second love; it is point and shoot here in Florida. Wood storks in their white tuxedos, Great Blue Herons with their elegant strut, Great Egrets stalking their prey with surgical stealth and then there are the cloud formations, the sunsets, the sunrises ….it is endless.

Tell us a little bit about your family I am of Irish and French heritage, a 5th generation American (on both sides), and the 4th of 5 children. I was born, grew up, educated, then returned to teach in the city I still call home, Providence, RI. The neighborhood where I grew up was rich with different cultures, ethnicities, languages, religions, and ‘old school’ in the best way. We walked to school in the What do you find most rewarding about being on snow, swam in the community pool, made friends with the board? the policemen who walked the neighborhood beat, got The most rewarding aspect of being on the board is the home before the streetlights came on and tried, every most humbling: whatever decision I am a part of affects year, to give up peas for Lent. Or liver. Neither the future of the Botanical Gardens. worked. Both my sisters remained in Rhode Island, while my younger brother and I moved to Florida, sadly What do you like to do when you are at the Mom, Dad, and older brother have passed on.

Gardens?

While I volunteer primarily in the Butterfly Garden, I Tell us something about you that is interesting, or recently became part of a two-person team to that not many people know. rejuvenate the Native Garden. However, when I am on I had the good fortune to have found ways to live my own I marvel at the color of the trees, shrubs, and abroad for several years each in Hungary, Turkey, and flowers; I listen to the calls of different birds, the Sudan. Many of my students in Providence were first rustling of lizards and squirrels on the ground and generation or new immigrants to the United States and watch butterflies dance in the air. Paradise.

I wanted to experience what being a stranger in a strange land felt like. How was it to not know the Who was the most instrumental person who language, the currency, how to shop, where to shop, or influenced your love of gardening? struggle to learn local politesse? Each time I returned Phyliss Brown inspires me. Her dedication to the more impressed with these kids and their families who Butterfly Garden encouraged me to participate in the left their home, forever, for a dream of a different life, a UF/IFAS Master Gardeners program. The information prosperous life. And each time I landed in Boston, I I learned there bolstered my confidence to help Phyllis cried. I still do when I hear the National Anthem. maintain a lush and verdant space.

What is your favorite quote or saying?

What is your favorite tree or plant, and why?

“Never look back and say you should have”. Mildred, a Tough question, there are a few. Most Phalaenopsis nursing home resident, was trying to get up from a orchids look like a little person singing, in a group like a chair. She remarked about her aging body then looked choir; Aloysia Virgata or Sweet Almond has a dreamy directly at me and said that. I was 24. It was the best soft scent, but Passion vines have my heart, advice. specifically Passiflora incarnata or Maypop, with its

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The Gardens The Gardens need donations of the following items in mint to good condition.      

1-Gallon Pots Clay pots Ceramic Planters Yard Art Copy Paper Plants to Propagate

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Home Improvements Gift Cards Spray Nozzles TLC Garden Tools Volunteer New Members

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Board Members Thank Lincoln Investment for their Wonderful Donation!

The Gardens kitchen gets a makeover. Come by and check it out!

A Gopher Tortoise talking a stroll through The Gardens

The Gardens is a GREAT location for your next event. Call Heather or Melinda for more information.

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It ROLLS !! It comes apart! It folds! It makes your breakfast! Kudos and big thanks to our Merv!!

Laura Mehr has our Welcome table looking festive for Fall!

Our very own Bea Cooper graces the cover of St. Lucie West Neighbors Magazine!

Tim, Bree and Mary finish planting the new native garden meadow.

Beautiful Blooms at The Gardens

Jazz returns to The Gardens every other Wednesday.

Special THANKS to the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society.

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We are currently booking Wedding Ceremonies and Events for 75 guests and under inside our Pavilion and up to 100 in our outside venues.

These dates are being booked fast. Email Heather at events@pslbg.org NOW to reserve your date!

As we are in changing times, we will be evolving along with them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Protocol recommendations are in place and required for ALL events. A floor plan with social distancing and signed COVID-19 Addendum is required to book your event. Thank You.

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When you shop at smile.amazon.com

CLICK BELOW

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The Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens proudly announce our 2nd Annual Art Show in The Gardens, which will be held at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens on Saturday, January 2, 2021 and Sunday, January 3, 2021 from 9am to 4pm each day (rain or shine).

The Art Show will highlight local, regional and renowned artists in the mediums of Original - 2D, 3D, Jewelry & Fine Crafts. The show will also include Music, Dancing, Food Trucks and more. A variety of food, snack and beverage vendors will be on hand for your culinary pleasure as well as Art Raffles, Fairy Hair and local Non-Profit Agencies to complete the mix.

Additionally, this year our event will include a Saturday evening “Party With The Artists” Silent Art Auction and Reception. An opportunity to meet and talk with the artists while enjoying a selection of hors d'oeuvres and entrées, adult beverages and good music. The Reception will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021 from 6pm to 9pm at The Gardens Pavilion and Promenade. Tickets will be available soon to the public for $50 per person –or- $75 per couple.

We invite Artists and Fine Crafters (all work must be original and not mass produced) to sign up to be an Artist or Fine Craft Vendor at our 2nd Annual Art Show in The Gardens. The Deadline for artist applications is November 15, 2020.

We are accepting application for artists in the 2D, 3D, Jewelry & Fine Crafts categories. You can apply at www.pslbg.org/artshow **or** receive event updates on our event page at: www.facebook.com/events/753266478766751.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available. For more information contact Mark Barnes at art@pslbg.org or visit our website at www.pslbg.org/artshow.

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Visit Our Gift Shop

for a selection of fine gifts & more, one of a kind items & works from local Artists.

JOIN OUR TEAM:

We have availability in the Gift Shop, Welcome Center, Propagation, Garden Maintenance, Event Planning and Volunteer Scheduler, VOLUNTEER AS LITTLE AS 3 HOURS A WEEK., MEET SOME GREAT PEOPLE, AND HELP YOUR COMMUNITY. Call Judy Nash-Wade at 772-337-1959.

Volunteer Orientation

“Inside the Gardens Gate” ** Friday: 10/2 and 10/16 • 11am to 12pm ** Learn about volunteering at the Gardens, meet other volunteers and offer Suggestions.

Prospective and current volunteers welcome!

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