Grapevine - Rotary Botanical Gardens

Meet the Grounds StaffLarryOlsenLarry iscurrently theLandscapeManager atthe Gardensand has thelongest tenureas a paidemployeeof RotaryBotanical Gardens (since early 1998).Larry started volunteering as a“Grumpy” in 1995 after retiring from30 years at General Motors. He ranhis own small engine repair businessfor 10 years and was in the U.S. Navyfor 4 years. Larry also maintains theirrigation systems, water features and isthe resident “handy man.” His hobbiesinclude woodworking, enjoying his 7acre prairie and his grandkids.Cottage Garden Gift ShopArtist FocusJoella MillerAlways Wired Bead LadyBracelets, Pendants & NecklacesI started designingjewelry a few yearsago after beingattracted to beadswhen a glitzy redbeaded watch calledmy name fromacross the counter atMarshall Field’s.A gardener for many years, I work with mybeads in much the same way that I plannedand planted my flower beds – using theshapes and colors to guide me. My jewelryis constantly changing as I learn newtechniques and find new materials.I am a member of 14 South Artists and theInternational Jewelry Designer’s Guild.My work is also on display on the Portal ofWisconsin, a non-profit web site created bythe Cultural Coalition to promote culture,arts, humanities and history in Wisconsin.Iris Sale Set for August 28thRotary Botanical Gardenswill be holding their iris salefrom 10 am until 4 pm at theHorticulture Center Saturday,August 28th. For two years,RBG has been growingspecialty irises for the American Iris Societynational conference that met this past Junein Madison. Attendees to this conferencecame to RBG for a tour and a look at the iriscollection. These irises were initially sent toRBG from iris breeders for display as partof this conference.Spotlight on VolunteersName: Georgie DavisHusband: DaveDaughter: Jackie BagleySon: Todd JansenGrandchildren: Lauren, McKenzie,Kendyl, Brandy & DylanWork: Retired from JC Penney,Jewelry ExpertVolunteer since 2007Volunteer areas: Gift Shop scheduling,sales & merchandizing, special eventsand children’s educational programs atRBG. St. Paul Lutheran Church Women’sGroupHobbies: Traveling, ceramics, knitting,Sports activities, helping others, jewelry,playing cards and celebratingFavorite Reading: Books by Max Lucado,John Grisham and the “Chicken Soup”books#1 on your “Bucket List:” Cruise to Alaskaand tour the New England statesGreatest Gift: The ability to enter a roomof strangers, introduce herself and find commoninterests to chat about. Very outgoingand friendlyIt’s easy to know when Georgie’s in thebuilding. Her energy and enthusiasm keeppace with her sense of celebration and passionfor life. Georgie’s dazzling personalityis only bested by her sparkling jewelry.Dave, Georgie’s husband, has contributedto her jewelry collection, over the years,but has been grateful for her chosen lineof work, jewelry sales professional forThe bulk of this iris collection has beendonated to RBG and we will be dividing upover 450 varieties of irises and will offerall divisions for $5 each. Available irisesare primarily bearded (Iris germanica) butthere are other species as well. Color tagswill allow customers to see what they areconsidering and the 10% off discount willapply for all RBG Friends Members. CallMark at 608-754-1779 with any questions.J.C. Penney’s. He tells me, because of herdiscounts, he’s saved himself some pretty“penney’s!”Georgie volunteers in the Gardens’ GiftShop. Organizing, scheduling & recruitingGift Shop volunteers takes quite a bit of herweekday time. Developing an e-mail listhas made communication much easier whenrequesting shift coverage. Georgie is alwayswilling to re-arrange her schedule to helpout with an open shift.Joe Viertel, also a retired J. C. Penney’semployee, and Georgie team up to help withseasonal merchandising in the shop. Mostly,Georgie tells Joe what to do while he danglesfrom a ladder and Joe re-does whateverGeorgie’s already set up. It’s always greatfun with much laughter and comradery.Moving back to the area in 2006 allowedDave and Georgie to be closer to their childrenand grandchildren. Volunteering at theGardens was a great way to meet new peopleand gain the sense of accomplishment helpingothers brings. When Georgie first startedvolunteering, she was asked if she preferredinside work or working in the Gardens. Shetold the volunteer coordinator “if you wantthe Gardens to be dead overnight – turn meloose out there.”Dave & Georgie are snowbirds, leaving behindthe cold of Wisconsin for the warmth ofCalifornia, in early January returning sometimein April. Traveling with their miniatureschnauzer, Angel, they hop in their 40 footmotorhome, which I understand is equippedwith everything but a dishwasher.Georgie is proof you don’t have to be amaster gardener to be a valuable volunteerat the Gardens. Working in the gift shop,helping with tours and educational programsor special events are all important to the successand beauty of the Gardens.2

Rotary Botanical Gardens Newsletter Late Summer/Fall 2010Upcoming Eventsand Opportunitiesat the GardensFor more information pertaining to any of theseevents, please call (608) 752-3885 or visitwww.rotarygardens.org. All events subject tochange or cancellation.• Volunteer Workdays8:00 am to 12:00 pmAug. 21, Sept. 18 & Oct. 9• Storytime and StrollDavid Jennings10:00 am to 11:00 amAug. 4 - RainAug.18 - VegetablesSept. 1 - HarvestSept. 15 - SquashOct. 6 - SunflowersOct. 20 - Pumpkins• Thursday EveningHorticulture Program7:00 pm to 8:00 pmAug. 5 - Parsley, Sage,Rosemary & Thyme• Member Bus TourChicago Botanic GardensAug.12, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm• Garden FestivalAug. 28, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm• Iris SaleAug. 28, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm• Fall Plant Pre-Salefor Members OnlySept. 10, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm• Fall Plant SaleSept.11 -17, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm• Volunteer Recognition EventSept. 21• Halloween Walk Oct. 21 - 23Upcoming GardenWork DaysDon’t forget that August 21st, September18th and October 9th are all Gardenwork days from 8 am until noon. Dressfor the weather, bring gardening glovesand meet at the Parker Education Centerpromptly at 8 am. Tasks will vary, but allmaterials and tools will be provided (aswill donuts at 10 am break!). We hopeyou’ll come and help out in the Gardens.The first six workdays of the year haveaveraged over 30 volunteers each, solet’s keep up that trend. Call Mark at608-754-1779 with any questions.Garden Festival 2010This year’s Garden Festival, brought toyou by the Rock Prairie Master GardenerAssociation, will be held Saturday, August28th from 11am - 4pm. The 2010 festivalwill feature informal presentations, handsonactvities, and one-on-one discussionabout garden-related topics at eachexhibitor booth. There will also be:• Tomato Tasting, Pepper Roasting,Salsa, Fried Green Tomatoes & Recipes• Bee Husbandry• Garden Q & A• Tours (Tree, Vegetable Collection,Garden & Prairie)• Music• Art & Craft Vendors• Food Vendors• Kid’s StuffInterested in being an educationalexhibitor or a volunteer at the festival?Contact Mike Maddox, Director ofEducation at 608-752-3885 [ext.17]. Formore Garden Festival information visitwww.rotarybotanicalgardens.org.Electronic or Paper?If you wish to receive the next issue ofGrapevine electronically send AngieHaber an e-mail at angie.haber@rotarygardens.org.Autumn Wish ListThe items below are being requestedby the grounds department. We hopepotential donors will consider the valuein donating these items as they will helpdefray expense from the grounds budgetor may be items that would be otherwiseunavailable without support from a donor.Each item has an indicated expense.Please call Mark at 608-754-1779 withany questions.• Used golf cart ($3000)• LCD Projector for travelling programs($1500)• Tulip Fund (every $500 sponsors1000+ tulips out in the Gardens, we’llaccept any amount though!)• Fall fertilizer program ($400)• Garden hose replacements ($250)• Hand pruners ($30 each, need 15)• Japanese Hand Hoes ($20 each, need 20)• Garden Gloves ($5 per pair, need 50 pairs)• LED Lights for Holiday Light Show($100+)12th Annual Fall Plant SaleTurn your calendar to September andmark down September 11th through the17th for our fall plant sale. The sale willbe held from 9 am until 5 pm daily at theHorticulture Center. Friday, September10th will be the presale for RBG FriendsMembers from 9 am until 5 pm with10% off all purchases and of course, first“dibs” on the plant selection. The 10%discount for RBG Members (bring yourmembership card!) will apply for theduration of the scheduled sale.This sale will again offer a wide range ofperennials for sun or shade, ornamentalgrasses, native plants, roses, shrubs, bulbs,huge mums, bagged compost and otheritems. This is a very important fundraiserfor RBG and all proceeds benefit thecontinued operation and improvement ofRBG. Call Mark at 608-754-1779 withany questions. We will be needing lots ofvolunteer assistance for this event. CallAngie at 608-752-3885 [ext. 20] if you areinterested in volunteering to help with thisevent.Home Garden TourThank YouThank you to everyone involved withmaking our 16th Annual Home GardenTour and Luncheon a great success. Aspecial thanks to the homeowners thatoffered their wonderful gardens for thisevent; Peg & Ed Kures, Dave & KathyCullen, Lynda & James Short, Quint &Rishy Studer, Stephen & Sue Van Galder,Dave & Penny Petranek and Theresa &Todd Ikard.This event would not have been possiblewithout the assistance of our HomeGarden Tour Committee, many volunteers,the Rock Prairie Master Gardeners andthe many sponsors of this event andthe tour booklet. Thank you to ourmajor event sponsors; K&W Greenery,DWG Landscaping, Petranek BrothersLandscaping, Inc., Evergreen Irrigationand Sullivan Signs.3