The Gardens Gate – December 2021

The December 2021 Gardens Gate Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

The Gardens Through The Eyes Of Deanna Masselli

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Out and About with The Gardens

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BOOtanical Halloween in Pictures

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How-To Seminars and Upcoming Holiday Events

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2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Phone: 772.337.1959 Fax: 772.237.5952 Email: info@pslbg.org Web: www.pslbg.org

Pavilion, Gift Shop & Garden Center Hours:

Wednesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE GARDENS SKATES, BOARDS & BICYCLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE WALKWAYS IN THE GARDENS

Suggested Donations: Adults $5 • Students $2 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:

Jeff Chambers Heather Furnari Mary Petrone Brenda Gustafson Mark A. Barnes Valerie Davis-Bailey John Erickson Laura Mehr Judy Nash-Wade Arthur Pearlstein 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: Mark A. Barnes Resource Development Committee: Heather Furnari Strategic Planning Committee: Arthur Pearlstein

Newsletter...

Editor & Design:

Mark A. 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, Happy Holidays to everyone!

This year has been a test of our endurance and patience. We have managed to stay the course and keep our heads up and continue on. I know the Gardens has been a source of comfort and tranquility for me, not just because of the serene setting, but the people who have become family.

Gardening is so much more than just growing things. It brings visual beauty, spiritual comfort and a sense of accomplishment. Working together as a team enhances this beyond measure. We have built stronger relationships with our Garden clubs and the public in general. While we have some challenges ahead of us, it is the spirit of the volunteers, members and the support of other organizations that will carry us forward.

We have started being more focused on health and art in the Gardens. Yoga has turned out to be a highly successful venture. From this we hope to expand on the concept of healthy mind and body. Tim Sutton is heading up the Art & Cultural Enhancement subcommittee to bring in different aspects of art and culture to the Gardens.

I remember many years ago when we had our meetings in the Community Center on Airoso. Never did I envision the incredible way in which the Gardens would develop.

From a plain open field to the amazing destination point is has become today. It has been through the dedication and hard work from all of you that has made this a reality.

Thank you all for everything you do!

Jeff Chambers, President

Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

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

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Available NOW!!!

Are You Looking for Fun and Educational Children’s Activities?

The Gardens is the Perfect learning environment!!!

Our NEW Discovery Back Packs will be available to the public starting on Wednesday, September 29th, inside the Pavilion, for parents and kids to take an exciting adventure and learning experience through the Gardens.

Adults may sign-out backpacks each Wednesday & Saturday between the hours of 10:30am & 2:30pm, with a Valid State ID, for use within our Gardens.

Children’s activities have begun on select Saturdays and continue monthly.

Inquire at our front desk.

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Visit The Garden Center and check out our Holiday Plant Specials Our Garden Volunteers propagate, trim, weed, haul debris and take time to have fun and smell the roses.

Come join our team of wonderful, dedicated Volunteers. Thank you, Shari, Cheri, Cathy, Veronica, Nancy, Jeanne, Claudia, Marty and Christine.

Brenda Gustafson

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Hours: Sunday 12pm - 4pm Wednesday thru Saturday 10am - 4pm Closed Mondays & Tuesdays WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE GARDEN CENTER Stop by the Garden Center and see our new ‘Earthy Chic Boutique’.

Thanks to Laura Brady, who headed up this project, Volunteers, Kelly & Brigette, John, our Maintenance Chair and the Trustees for their heavy lifting. This is a work in progress and there will lots of great changes moving forward.

Brenda Gustafson

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who influenced my love of gardening but I did have an instrumental moment. The experience that pushed me to be so fond of gardening was purchasing my first home and having a blank landscape to create my own paradise.

What’s your favorite tree or plant, and why?

The one flower I miss seeing here in Florida is the Daffodil. When living up north it was a sign of spring and warm weather.

Why did you choose to volunteer at the PSL Botanical Gardens?

I have always had a passion for the outdoors. I enjoy landscaping my own home and admire other places with exotic and interesting plants. Although what really made me decide to volunteer at the botanical gardens happened during the pandemic. I visited the Gardens many times because it was an outdoor activity that anyone could enjoy, despite state and national restrictions. I found it to be such a beautiful place and wanted to be able to help others have the same experience.

Do you have any goals for your time here as a volunteer?

My goal is to entice younger adults and families to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the outdoors that the gardens showcases.

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering at pslbg?

I have the privilege of working in the events department, and the interactions I have with so many people is certainly the most rewarding.

It is so enjoyable to help plan significant moments in people’s lives, whether it be a wedding or celebration of life, or any other event. It is truly an honor being able to arrange such events and play a role in these pivotal moments in people’s lives.

I sincerely hope to continue the privilege of coordinating these events next year.

What do you like to do when you’re at the Gardens?

I genuinely enjoy walking around and taking in the scenery, as well as interacting with the friends I have made here.

Who was the most instrumental person who influenced your love of gardening?

I unfortunately didn’t have an Instrumental person 10

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

Spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, and I am a budding new photographer. I enjoy taking in the sunset, especially at our local beaches, and of course tending to the plants in my yard.

Tell us something about you that’s interesting, or that not many people know about you.

I am big sports fan, and actually participated in many sports when I was young. My favorite being softball. I was a pitcher, played first base, coached and umpired.

What’s your favorite quote or saying?

“Not all who wander are lost.”

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One Gallon Pots and Smaller. Drop them off on one of the back tables.

We currently have plenty of 2 and 3 gallons.

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

New Sweet Almond Bush New Tropical Sage Plant All Donations Tax Deductible

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Lobby table creatively decorated for Halloween by our very own Laura Mehr.

Volunteer Extraordinaire - She was able to make a baby hat while a baby shower was going on in the pavilion.

The Gardens all set up for a quinceanera.

It’s the perfect location for your next party!

Sandy from Puerto Rico takes first pic with mascot Lucie after Lucie’s yearly Spa treatment at Laura Brady’s spa - come see her new younger look !!

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The Gardens all set up for a quinceanera.

It’s the perfect location for your next party!

New PSLPD Vehicle to honor veterans

Plant Donation - Thank You

We hope you got to meet our guest volunteer this Halloween at the Gardens. Don’t worry, he’ll be back again next year.

Donation to the Garden Center—Thank You

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St. Lucie Cultural Alliance Second Annual Young Hearts To Arts Youth competition held at the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens

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