“To Plant a Garden Is to Believe in Tomorrow.” ~Audrey Hepburn

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” ~Audrey Hepburn

SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATING MILESTONES AND MEMORIES AT MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN 2001–2021

HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY! IN THIS ISSUE… Pathways to Sustainability...... 2 11 Years of Motor Car Exhibits...... 14-15 Legacy Benefits You and the Garden ...... 4 17 Years of Award Winning Exhibitions....16-17 Happy 20th Birthday McKee...... 5 16 Years of Waterlily Celebrations...... 18-19 A Year of Reflection, Celebration and Donor Spotlight: Matt McManus...... 20-21 Future Visioning for McKee...... 6–8 We Love McKee: The Klim Family...... 22 www.mckeegarden.org A2001-2021 Walk Back in Time ...... 9-13 J. EARL MORGAN III President PETER BENEDICT II First Vice President MATT MCMANUS Second Vice President ANITA CALABRO Treasurer KAREN MEYER Secretary 2020-2021 Board of Directors LAURIE CARNEY MARION DE VOGEL KATE FREEMAN LOGAN GEESLIN KATIE HEINS ROBIN JONES BARBARA KAYTES VERNON KHAIL CATHERINE KIRBY JOHN KURTZ ANNE LINVILLE JEFFREY LOCKHART GAIL L. MALIN BARBARA HOLMÉN-MCKENNA CLAUDIA OWEN ALL PATHWAYS LEAD TO SUSTAINABILITY OF THE GARDEN LIZ SCHROEDER JOHN J. SCHUMANN, JR AND CHILDREN’S GARDEN SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH A Message from Christine Hobart, Executive Director 2020-2021 Alumni Board Council here are many pathways throughout McKee Botanical Garden and each ROSAMOND W. ALLEN will lead you to something special. Some pathways are direct and others ROBERT W. BAUCHMAN circuitous, but there is always something for you to see along the way. DEBORAH CRUM T DANIEL G. DOWNEY, JR McKee’s pathways didn’t just happen, a lot of thought went into their planning NATALIE C. JACKSON and design. ANN J. JONES LEE LAPOINTE This planning began decades ago and continues today. Planning equals progress. BARRY MACTAGGART SUZAN PHILLIPS Let’s use the Children’s Garden as an example. It didn’t just happen overnight. It SANDRA RENNICK was an objective in our Strategic Plan 10 years ago. This was the path that we TONI (LEE D.) ROBINSON wanted to take and the Children’s Garden was what we wanted to accomplish. CHARLOTTE TERRY ANN P. WEBBER With a lot of guidance, support, and planning, the Children’s Garden is now this ARUN WIJETILLEKE magical and whimsical place for children (and adults) to enjoy. B. ROBERT WOOD This year our board of directors hired our long-time Strategic Planning Facilitator, 2020-2021 John Curtis, to help the board decide what ‘pathways’ they want to take over the Honorary Board next five years. LUCY AUXIER* JACOB AND DIANE BROWN* Preliminary results show the pathway to our future involves the younger genera- PEGGY P. FORD* JAMES S. HAEGER* tion who will help cultivate our garden for the future. With the opening of the new JOANNE HAGOPIAN* Children’s Garden in 2020, we are helping stimulate their curiosity, imagination LUCY JONES* and discovery in a natural outdoor environment and reconnecting them with ALMA LEE LOY* nature. Through our ongoing educational workshops and activities, which revolve SUZAN PHILLIPS SALLY SPROLE* JANE WARD* THE GARDEN *DECEASED MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 2 around nature, we can teach them the importance of valuing and preserving nature for their generation and those who follow—for all to become future stewards of the Earth and preserve the wonder of nature.

In addition, all that we do requires a sound financial plan and our Endowment plays a significant role in sustaining McKee. A well-managed endowment sends a message of planned long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability. It also enhances the organization’s prestige and credibility.

We have also embraced a flourishing opportunity with the Garden Café. If you didn’t realize it, the Garden decided this past year to run the Café ourselves. We hired an amazing team We’re excited to invite you to dine and we invite you to come over and at the NEW GARDEN CAFE’! enjoy lunch in the most spectacular setting in Vero Beach. Nestled Our menu features a wide array beneath the beautiful canopy of of items sure to please the most oak trees and among the vast array discriminating palate including of tropical foliage, the Garden Café bountiful salads, flavorful wraps, offers both indoor and outdoor seating with a quiet, relaxing and enjoy- paninis and sandwiches, soup able atmosphere for adults and children. We have received such positive feedback and quiche of the day, savory from our members and visitors of both the quality of food and customer service. sides and homemade brownies, jam bars and other yummy We are always striving to find ways desserts. Fun and tasty children’s to enrich our visitors’ Garden experi- menu items are also available. ence. Again, upon thorough planning To download the complete menu, and design, we will be improving visit www.mckeegarden.org. several of the pathways that were previously damaged due to hurri- ADMISSION NOT REQUIRED TO DINE IN THE GARDEN CAFE’ canes or walked by our over 800,000 TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11 AM–3 PM visitors since reopening as McKee SUNDAY NOON–3 PM Botanical Garden. With the assistance of David Sacks, our historic Landscape Architect, we plan to revitalize several areas providing added beauty and “The early Celtic people inspiration. These areas will include new and enhanced landscape who lived in the British Isles experiences, which will allow for additional inviting areas for relaxation, solitary believed there are so-called enjoyment, and small gatherings. ‘thin places,’ or locations at The Garden must always stay ahead and we’re constantly evaluating, strategizing which our sense of the sacred and looking at what our future might hold. We can’t wait to see where the path leads us next… ■ is more pronounced. For many years, McKee Botanical Sincerely, Garden has been such a Christine Hobart spiritual place to me, where Executive Director I have experienced blessing upon blessing.”

THE GARDEN ~EARL MORGAN, III

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 3 CURRENT BOARD PRESIDENT REFLECTIONS MCKEE LEGACY SOCIETY The McKee Legacy Society honors those individuals who have expressed their dedication to McKee by making the Garden part of their lasting personal philanthropy. These members, individually and collectively, have built a legacy for McKee. We thank all those who have joined for their generosity, vision, and commitment to ensuring the Garden thrives for generations to come.

SUSAN E. AITKEN* ROSAMOND WARREN ALLEN MR.* AND MRS. ROBERT R. BROADBENT RICHARD AND MEGHAN CANDLER KAREN CONNORS MR. AND MRS. C. WILLIAM CURTIS MR. AND MRS. ROBERT H. DENGLER* MARION DE VOGEL LEGACY GIFTS BENEFIT YOU AND MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN DON ECKERT* MR. CAMPBELL C. GROEL, JR.* Since 2001, McKee Botanical Garden has been an evolving and enchanted CONNIE HARPER STEPHANIE P. HURTT world in the heart of our community. THE ARTHUR MCKEE LATTA FAMILY SUZANNE LAPAUGH LIGGETT equests made through your estate, either by will or MR. AND MRS. JEFFREY LOCKHART by trust, can provide financial benefits to you and ALMA LEE LOY* will help ensure that this extraordinary place of MATT AND OLIVIA MCMANUS B LINDA ORR natural beauty continues to enrich our community. LEE D. “TONI” ROBINSON JOHN SCHUMANN, JR. SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH MAINTAIN CONTROL OF YOUR CURRENT ASSETS DURING SARAH KNAPP SPROLE* YOUR LIFETIME DACE B. STUBBS MAXIMIZE TAX ADVANTAGES BARBARA SUTPHEN MRS. ROBERT WOLCOTT, JR. CHANGE BENEFICIARIES AT ANY TIME MR. AND MRS. B. ROBERT WOOD DESIGNATE ANY AMOUNT *DECEASED LEAVE A LEGACY OF PRESERVING THE BEAUTY AND UNIQUE HISTORY OF Kindly let us know if you MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME have already included We are honored to discuss with you or your estate planning professional ways McKee Botanical Garden to make a planned gift to McKee that are aligned with your individual goals. in your will or estate so To learn more, please contact Christine Hobart, Executive Director, 772.794.0601 we may recognize your or [email protected]. ■ commitment. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our mission.

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 4 MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN Happy 20th Anniversary! It’s hard to believe that this year we celebrate the 20th AN AWARD-WINNING HISTORIC TREASURE Anniversary of the reopening of McKee Botanical Garden! What an amazing journey it has been! Since 2001, more than 800,000 visitors and 4,500 members have enjoyed this wild place of natural beauty where over ten-thousand tropical plants thrive, internationally renowned exhibits excite, the newly-opened Children’s A Florida Landmark and listed on the National Garden captivates, and numerous educational programs Register of Historic Places Recognized by the Garden Conservancy as a for adults and children abound, year-round! preservation project of national significance Your support makes this possible. AN IMPORTANT HAVEN FOR BIODIVERSITY Twenty years ago, had it not been for the determination of a group of passionate Vero Beach community visionaries and a historic effort to save an important piece of Vero Beach history, this extraordinary Garden that you love would not exist. As with every garden, McKee is an evolving oasis that A renowned horticultural collection of over must be curated and maintained to ensure its natural 10,000 tropical plants beauty continues to thrive for generations to come. One of the largest and most celebrated collections of water lilies in the state of Florida A CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY HUB In honor of McKee’s 20th Anniversary year, we are focusing on our greatest asset, our 18-acre botanical paradise, which we hope you will support. McKee’s 20th Anniversary Revitalization Project will enhance key areas by adding bursts of color and diversity throughout the Garden’s lush jungle landscape. Our goal is Host of award-winning exhibitions and popular to create even more inviting spots to discover for small signature events. Full schedule of classes and workshops for all ages. gatherings or solitary enjoyment of the Garden’s beauty. The only Children’s Garden of its kind on the Treasure Coast. Please make a gift today. https:///mckeegarden.org/donate/ Your donation will enhance the Garden you love and help ensure this unique natural treasure is preserved for generations to come. Thank you for supporting the magic of McKee. Celebrate, Explore and Discover the Many Wonders 2001-2021and the Magic of McKee THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 5 “Saving the Garden was the biggest hurdle. So many said it couldn’t be done. That’s all we needed to hear. We just knew it needed to be saved. Watching the development of the restoration plans by our landscape architect, David Sacks, was inspirational. I knew it would be magical, but it has exceeded all expectations under the leadership of Christine Hobart, our executive director.” TheThe MagicMagic ofof McKeeMcKee ~SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH BOARD MEMBER THE NEXT GENERATION

“Reflection of Suzan Phillips A YEAR OF REFLECTION, CELEBRATION AND FUTURE to go in this space…” VISIONING OF MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN ~SUZAN PHILLIPS A Message from David Sacks, Landscape Architect PAST BOARD MEMBER he first time I saw the “McKee Jungle Gardens” site, in 1994, it was a warm (is there any other kind?) May Tafternoon. My boss and I had driven up from Miami to interview with the save-McKee committee of the Indian River Land Trust about helping with a “Conceptual Site Plan” to support their fund-raising campaign. Suzan Phillips and Susan Smith graciously interrogated us about our experience with botanical gardens and what our proposal would cover, and offered to show us the site. What an enchanting maze it was!

The dedicated volunteer corps, the “Saturday Morning Gang,” had made great progress in taming the growth of nearly 20 years of the land being left to its jungly self. They’d har- vested truckloads of invasive vegeta- tion, reclaimed a rudimentary network of trails, and uncovered the historic stone bridge. Nonethe- less, seeing the property required picking our way through thickets of palms and over-our-heads shell gingers, ducking limbo-like under THE GARDEN

REFLECTIONS MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 6 tangles of Brazilian pepper, and step- “From the time McKee was ping carefully through soft, muddy rescued by the Indian River patches rampant with giant elephant- ears. We wanted to see it all. Our Land Trust in 1994, volunteers interviewers later told us they “knew have been critical to the rebirth we were the guys for the job” when they saw us cheerfully continuing of this tropical paradise. our explorations, still dressed in what I call the consultant’s uniforms (khakis, blazers, white shirts and Clearing out 25 years of debris neckties), using Chinese Fan Palm that accumulated while the fronds as makeshift umbrellas in the late-afternoon rain. Garden was closed was a major Fast-forward more than 25 years and it is such an honor and a delight to be once effort by many people to begin again working with this group of people—some the same, and others new to me— to restore it to its tropical beauty who serve as the caretakers and nurturers of this garden. McKee is one of those places that inspires deep affection and a passionate sense of stewardship in its for all of the world to see. community. While many towns and cities may boast of such special, beloved spots, this one truly is exceptional. The personal visions of founders Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton were brimming with a love of Florida’s natural beauty and a Today’s volunteers are active in far-sighted appreciation that it would only become more rare as time went on. the new Children’s Garden, Genuine delight in seeing plants and animals—what today we call biophilia—and the spring and summer camps, artistic creativity and whimsy also informed the spirit of the place. special events for all ages, The resulting oasis has enchanted generations. helping the horticulture staff, Those dedicated campaigners of the 1980s and 90s succeeded resoundingly, rescuing the the construction of the Grand Garden and gaining recognition for it from the Central exhibit by Patrick National Register of Historic Places, the Trust for Public Land, the Garden Conservancy and Dougherty, assisting in the the Cultural Landscape Foundation. In the administration office, and years since, with the love and hard work of its preparing mailings to our 4,500 community, leadership and staff, the Garden has only grown more magical. members—just to name a few of their many roles. To honor the 20th anniversary of McKee’s re-opening, our current design projects focus on revitalization and enrichment of three key areas. Enhancements along the Outer Banks Trail will carefully open Our volunteers’ love of the up views to the little stream that wends its way through this heart of the jungle, while enriching the stream bank Garden, their willingness to plantings with a more diverse selection of ferns and keep it looking perfect all low-growing flowering plants. Judicious pruning of through the year, and their the tree canopy will increase light levels in key spots, creating glades in the forest. Palms will be added as attentiveness in answering well, inspired by the original McKee Jungle Gardens’ questions for our guests is “cathedral of palms,” a term its first landscape archi- tects used to describe a long stream corridor lined on unlimited. A round of applause both sides with tall Sabals that reminded them of a nave for a super crew.” in a cathedral. continued page 8 ~RO VAN DRIGHT THE GARDEN VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 7 REFLECTIONS “The Garden is still growing and is tended to by stalwart shepherds who continue to strive to protect its uniqueness and place in history. Now our children can easily wonder and wander ever more than before, our residents can seek educational opportunities for diverse interests and connect with friends and family at our very own McKee Café. Our aging visitors can enjoy the Garden and utilize scooters and wheelchairs. McKee through its leadership has found a way to Along the Banyan Trail, we want to re-create a more immersive, nature-focused experience, harking back to make the Garden a place for all— McKee’s earliest days. Part of this area today is a remnant from first seed to full bloom!” fern thicket, which can be expanded and enhanced with other moisture-loving ferns, ~SANDRA RENNICK trees and native ground covers. We also see PAST PRESIDENT these two areas as great opportunities to strengthen McKee’s display of orchids and other epiphytes (“air plants”), something that the Jungle Gardens were famous for throughout their original run, from 1932 to 1976.

Finally, at the “Folly”—the arched stone and metal structure at the far end of the Royal Palm Grove—we will be enhancing this area as a small gathering space and resting spot. We will be adding seating, with benches under the Folly itself, and a small raised platform just across the path from it; and lush plantings, in large pots as well as in the ground.

Compared to many of those folks who rescued the Garden “back then” (and to some of you reading this), I still feel like a relative newcomer to McKee. There is always more to learn and to see, and—as in any garden—always more to be done! ■

THE GARDEN

REFLECTIONS MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 8 MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN A WALK BACK IN TIME…2001–2021 IN RECOGNITION OF OUR PAST BOARD MEMBERS KAREN ABELL TOMMY AIELLO ROZ ALLEN CHUCK BALL ELIZABETH GRAVES BASS A WALK BACK IN BOB BAUCHMAN MARCIA BLACKBURN ART BUDDEN RICK CANDLER JACK CHAPMAN ALICE COLE BILL CURTIS JOHN D’ALBORA DAN DOWNEY GINNI EDWARDS LIZ FARNSWORTH BILL GLAVIN NANCY GREENE JILL GRIMALDI JOANNE HAGOPIAN* SUSAN HALE JEANNIE HERAN 2001 SANDY HOW 2001 2002 20 STEPHANIE HURTT PATTY HUTCHISON* NAT JACKSON ANN JONES LISA KAHLE JILL KANEB LEE LAPOINTE ALMA LEE LOY* MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN Bamboo Pavilion is the first permitted 35’ Mahogany tab NANCY LUTHER OPENS TO A CROWD OF engineered structure of its kind in the to the Garden from t ROBIN MACTAGGART U.S. built to withstand hurricane The Garden Fol 700 VISITORS force winds. HELENA MAHONEY McKee Botanical G PETER MANZ 1st Holidays at McKee Event from the Indian LALA MARESI 1st Gatekeep LESLIE MCGUIRK RAFAEL OSPINA ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 14,577 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 22,064 ANNUAL ATTEN LANSE PADGETT SUZAN PHILLIPS DR. CHARLES (BUCKY) PIECK JANET POOR* SANDRA RENNICK 2006 2007 20 TONI ROBINSON WIL SACHTJEN* PAM SCHLAMOWITZ FRANK SCHLITT, JR. SAYRE SCHWIERING HEATHER SEMON BETH SMITH WILLIAM (BILL) SNYDER* Christine Hobart promoted to Gary Darrough’s Dinosaur North parking lot ex ROBERT L. STOTT* Executive Director Invasion Exhibition DACE STUBBS Bugs & Slug CHARLOTTE TERRY PETER WALLACE 1st Camp ANN WEBBER ARUN WIJETILLEKE PEGGY WOLCOTT ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 21,395 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 46,929 ANNUAL ATTEN BOB WOOD

*DECEASED THE GA MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | “We have been increasingly impressed as we watch the growth of McKee since its TIME AT MCKEE! reopening 20 years ago. We are delighted to be a part, from conception to reality, of adding a separate Children’s Garden to an already natural venue to create a whole new world of enjoyment for children of all ages. Families throughout our area will be able to enjoy watching their children explore 2021 such a fun place and help pass on 03 2004 2005 this experience to following generations over time. We wanted to be a part of something very special in our community. ble is donated back Administrative Office and Horticulture McKee Hosts 1st Exhibition: The natural beauty of McKee the O’Malley family. Buildings are complete. Dave Rogers’ Big Bugs Exhibition ly is completed. is already being reinforced by Hurricanes Frances and Jean cause 1st Annual Waterlily Celebration Garden separates major damage to the Garden and trees. the magnetic charm of its new River Land Trust. 1st Community Appreciation Day eper Dinner Children’s Garden. Families of DANCE: 17,548 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 19,934 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 20,464 all ages are able to participate in the full McKee experience, which is benefitting the entire 08 2009 2010 Vero Beach Community.”

~BOB AND CONNIE WOOD

xpansion completed. Hans Godo Frabel Guy Darrough’s Return of Reflections on Water Exhibition the Dinosaur Exhibition gs Exhibition 1st Annual Motor Car Exhibition p McKee

DANCE: 28,619 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 32,118 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 29,696

ARDEN

SPRING 2021 | PAGE 10-11 REFLECTIONS NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS 2002 THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE FLORIDA TRUST PRESERVATION AWARD FOR HISTORIC LANDSCAPE ARCHEOLOGY 2013 A WALK BACK IN THE GARDEN IS THE WINNER OF THE TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPER/ TCPALM.COM “BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION” 2015 THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2016 THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” AWARD FROM TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPER/TCPALM.COM FOR “BEST LOCAL ATTRACTION AND BEST LOCAL TOURS”

THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2001 2017 THE GARDEN RECEIVES ITS FIRST 2011 2012 20 MILLION-DOLLAR GIFT TO THE ENDOWMENT

THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2018 THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE MCKEE CELEBRATES ITS Sculpting Nature Exhibition Champion Tree 2019 10TH ANNIVERSARY Hans Godo Fr THE GARDEN RECEIVES THE TRIP ADVISOR Dr. Seuss’s A Season of Seuss Reimagined HALL OF FAME AWARD FOR FIVE Exhibition CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF RECEIVING A 1st Annual Fairy & Pirate Festival CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 30,589 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 29,619 ANNUAL ATTEN FEATURED IN 2002 NEW YORK TIMES: A 1930s Florida Attraction Blooms Again 2005 2016 2017 20 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER MAGAZINE: 22 Secret Gardens Soothing Places of Surprise and Sanctuary in the U.S. and Canada 2006 SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE: Ta ke a Break for Sunshine and Flowers Capital campaign for new First million dollar gift to the McKee Construction beg Children’s Garden begins. endowment is received. Children’s 2007 New storage building is completed. BETTER HOMES & GARDENS MAGAZINE: Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® It’s a Jungle Out Guy Darrough’s Roar of the Florida Treasures A LEGO® Exhibition Dinosaur Exhibition 1st Annual Gar 2012 Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork Show an sculpture The Royals is constructed. HORTICULTURE DESTINATIONS GARDENS: Visitors Welcome ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 67,440 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 56,424 ANNUAL ATTEN 2013 PALM BEACH POST: Vero Beach, The Hamptons of Florida 2014 THE GA USA TODAY: Florida’s Best Beaches MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | FEATURED IN (CONT.) 2015 PALM BEACH ILLUSTRATED: Balance SUN SENTINEL: Florida is Coming Up Flowers at Spring Fest TIME AT MCKEE! 2017 COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE: Top Ten Most Romantic Places in Florida 2018 ORLANDO SENTINEL: Explore Florida’s Indian River County: Lilies and Bamboos Stars of McKee Botanical Garden TRAVEL + LEISURE: Escape the Crowds and Discover the Best of Florida’s Treasure Coast 2020 SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE: Warm Getaways TRIPSTODISCOVER.COM: Recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens that Florida Has to Offer 2021 TRAVELAWAITS.COM: 9 Reasons Vero Beach is an Incredible Vacation Destination 013 2014 2015 and 8 Beautiful Gardens to Visit in Florida WIDEWORLDOFTRAVEL.COM: Explore Florida’s Magical McKee Botanical Garden MYNEWS13.COM (ORLANDO): Florida on a Tankful: Botanical Garden Debuts Children’s Garden NARCITY.COM (MIAMI): You Can Fall Down the Rabbit Hole at this Whimsical Garden for Just $15 es are named. Renovations made to the waterall Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® on the Main Jungle Trail. Art with LEGO® Bricks Exhibition 2021 rabel’s Frabel MARTHASTEWART.COM: 14 Destinations to d Exhibition Rainy day fund established. Visit and See Gorgeous Spring Flowers VISITFLORIDA’S INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN: Seward Johnson’s Sculpture LoveFL Exhibition DANCE: 36,892 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 37,961 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 58,741 THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS $1,000 NORTH SOUTH SUPPLY 018 2019 2020 STRUNK FUNERAL HOME $500 SPECTRUM INTERIOR DESIGN DALE SORENSEN REAL ESTATE $250 BERSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESSERVICE FLORIDA REALITY gins on the new Seward Johnson’s Celebrating NEW CHILDREN’S GARDEN OPENS CAFE 1902, LLC MEALS FOR KIDS s Garden. the Familiar Exhibition featuring COVID-19 Closes Garden for 6 weeks. COMPLETE CLEANING SERVICES OF IRC, INC. Embracing Peace DYER MAZDA There Exhibition Fire in the Horticulture Building. Ocean Sole Africa’s FLORINROEBIG TRIAL ATTORNEYS rden & Antique Flip-the-Flop Exhibition GEORGE E. WARREN LLC nd Sale Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork GOULD COOKSEY FENNELL PLLC sculpture Grand Central is constructed. ATTORNEYS AT LAW HAYSLIP LANDSCAPE DANCE: 60,490 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 66,773 ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 59,501 LEIGH JEWELERS NORTHERN TRUST BANK OF VERO BEACH PALM HOUSE GALLERY & STUDIO, LLC ROB ATKINS ARCHITECTURE RYDER’S GOURMET MARKET ARDEN VERO CHEMICAL, INC. SPRING 2021 | PAGE 12-13 WATER FORCE IRRIGATION & PUMP SERVICES, INC. “I would like to thank you for the opportunity of displaying my car on Saturday. The weather was absolutely beautiful, a great time was had by all who attended. The McKee Volunteers that assisted with all functions on Saturday are to be commended for the dedication and hard work they provided for the owners. The entire event was well done as McKee Garden is the ideal location for car shows. Thanks again for having a great event!” REFLECTIONS ELEVEN YEARS OF THE ANNUAL MOTOR CAR EXHIBIT ~CHARLES E. VERO BEACH This popular event has raised over $218,000 in support of the Garden and has helped to generate over 760 new memberships!

t seems like yesterday board member John Schumann observed that the Garden would be a beautiful place for a car show. He then found himself Iappointed to organize the event. While the first show held in 2010 drew a small but enthusiastic crowd of 300, over the years, the event has grown exponen- tially year after year and in 2020, the Garden welcomed over 3,600 car enthusiasts during its 11th Annual Motor Car Exhibition, which is the highest attendance record during its eleven-year history.

McKee Botanical Garden’s motor car exhibitions have become a highly-anticipated, must-see annual event. Not only do they gather noteworthy cars from around the state into one unique show, they also serve as an important friend and fundraiser for McKee, with proceeds benefiting this non-profit botanical paradise. Over the past eleven years more than 28,000 visitors have attended this annual one-day event, which has helped raise over $218,000 in support of the Garden’s educational programs, annual events and exhibitions. This event has also helped to generate over 760 new memberships.

For the past eleven years a dedicated group of car enthusiasts (our Motor Car Exhibition Committee) have worked tirelessly, carefully selecting the vehicles and motorcycles to be featured in conjunction with McKee’s annual exhibitions. The caliber of cars and unique venue are what distinguishes McKee’s show apart from

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 14 others. There is a great deal of “behind the scenes” work that goes into hosting an “Let me thank and congratulate annual event of this magnitude and we are so fortunate to have a dedicated group of gentlemen who have a passion for everything automobiles and want to share it you and your staff for the with our guests. The current Car Show Committee includes John Schuman, Jr. outstanding experience of attending (Chairman), Richard Kesler, Bill Maule, Norm Ridgely, Chuck Roberts, Wayne your show. Your organization Sandlin, and Jerry Weick. and support for the entrants was The Annual Motor Car Exhibition’s themes have been as diverse as the spectacular way beyond my wildest automobiles that grace the Garden. From modern exotics and sports cars, muscle expectations! Thanks again!” cars, Corvettes, rods and customs, fabulous Fords from Model Ts to Ford GTs, and an invasion of British automobiles. This annual event draws car enthusiasts from ~DAVE P. around the state. MERRITT ISLAND

Next year’s 12th Annual Motor Car Exhibition “European Cars Featuring the “I wanted to take a moment to Ferrari and Other Italian Exotics” is scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2022 express my appreciation for being and promises to be as spectacular as all of those before it. Mark your calendars now! in your car show. Very well run

Special thanks to our Motor Car Exhibition Committee for all that you have done and organized and a beautiful during the past eleven years to benefit McKee Botanical Garden. Gentlemen…start setting of course. All your your engines! We can’t wait to see what ideas you all have in store for us! ■ volunteers were great, very helpful and personable! ”

THE GARDEN ~BOB L.

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 15 PALM CITY REFLECTIONS A SPECIAL THANK YOU To all the amazing A LOOK BACK ON MCKEE’S 17 AWARD-WINNING EXHIBITIONS sponsors and volunteers cKee Botanical Garden is well known for its who have made award-winning exhibitions. Since reopening in M2001, the Garden has hosted 17 exhibitions these exhibits possible! by various world-renowned artists. These popular events include three of Guy Darrough’s Dinosaur Exhibits: Dinosaur Invasion, Return of the Dinosaur, and Roar of the Dinosaur, two exhibits by Seward Johnson: Seward Johnson’s Sculpture Exhibition and Celebrating the Familiar Exhibit featuring his iconic “Embracing Peace” sculpture, two of Hans Godo Frabel’s glass sculpture exhibitions: Reflections of Glass on Water and Frabel Reimagined, and three of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® LEGO® Bricks exhibitions. Other exhibits include A Season of Seuss, Big Bugs, Bugs and Slugs, It’s A Jungle Out There, Sculpting Nature, Ocean Sole Africa and two of Patrick Daugherty’s Stickworks exhibitions: The Royals and Grand Central. The most well attended exhibition was Guy Darrough’s Roar of the Dinosaur Exhibition in 2015-2016 that was seen by over 67,400 guests who visited the Garden that year.

Currently the Garden is hosting Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks exhibition, which uses LEGO bricks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems and mankind’s relationship with nature. The exhibit features 13 gravity-defying and astounding sculptures

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 16 “We love volunteering at McKee, ‘Our Happy Place.’ Since 2016 we’ve been happy to help with Garden tours, mailings, storm clean up, holiday decorations, filing, Camp McKee, Stickwork sculptures, Children’s Garden activities, made from over 800,000 toy bricks. Produced playing Santa during the by Imagine Exhibitions, Nature Connects pres- ents a playful spin on traditional sculpture art— holidays…wherever making it accessible to guests of all ages and you need us.’” backgrounds. ■ ~SUE & STAN MURRELL LONG TIME VOLUNTEERS REFLECTIONS

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 17 ANNUAL WATERLI

aterlilies have been McKee’s most striking plant collection from the Garden’s inception in the 1930s. Today McKee Botanical Garden Wstill has one of the largest waterlily collections in the state of Florida. McKee’s waterlily collection consists of over 80 varieties and over 300 potted and 100 free-range plants, including night and day-blooming varieties. The 1st Annual Waterlily Celebra- tion was held in 2005. Over the past 16 years, this event has grown significantly. From 2005-2008, we averaged 150 visitors each year for this event, and from 2016-2019, the Garden has welcomed over 800 photographers, horticulturalists, plant enthusiasts and artists each year.

The Annual Waterlily Celebration is hosted in the warmer summer months, when the waterlilies are at their most abundant and vibrant stage, for the enjoyment and education of our members and visitors to the Garden who come to admire their beauty, vibrant colors, and fragrance. This popular event also provides us with an opportunity to educate our visitors on the various types, growing periods, blooming patterns and the important role the waterlilies play in maintaining the well-being of our ponds and waterways by providing shade to keep the water temperatures down during the

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 18 ILY CELEBRATIONS

hot summer months, which helps keep the algae growth down. The plants also provide shelter to the fish in our ponds by protecting them from the extreme sunlight and any predators. Finally, the annual celebration speaks to the core of the Garden’s overall mission to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all.

Unfortunately last year’s Annual Waterlily Celebration was canceled due to COVID-19. This year’s 16th Annual Waterlily Celebration will take place on Saturday, June 19 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. This year, out of an abundance of caution and concern for our members, staff and visitors, a few changes have been made to the normal lineup for this event. We have decided to forego the annual waterlily photography contest and have limited the number of vendors that will attend. We have also decided not to have plein air artists painting in the Garden. As always, we are encouraging social distancing and limiting crowds gathering in one location. Guests will still have an opportunity to observe a waterlily repotting demonstration and to speak with our plant experts on site. ■

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 19 IN RECOGNITION OF OUR GATEKEEPERS OF THE GARDEN DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE–$10,000 JEAN THOMAS LAMBERT FOUNDATION MR. AND MRS. PAUL D. KANEB MRS. WHITNEY MACMILLAN VISIONARY–$5,000 MRS. DAVID BALDWIN MR. AND MRS. R. WILLIAM BECKER MARINA G. CARNEY MR. AND MRS. WILLEM DE VOGEL MS. LAURA FADDEN § MS. ELIZABETH FRAPPIER STEPHANIE P. HURTT MS. KAREN KATEN AND MR. ROBERT WILLIAMS § MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM W. LANE MR. AND MRS. BARRY MACTAGGART MR. AND MRS. GEORGE MARSHALL MRS. KAREN K. MEYER OLIVIA DELACRUZ FOUNDATION MR. AND MRS. DONALD PATTERSON MR. JAY PETERSEN AND MS. LIZZIE HALLINAN TED AND CAROL PRICE MR. AND MRS. DONALD B. RIEFLER MR. C. GRAYDON ROGERS MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. SCHUMANN, JR. DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM K. STUBBS MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. STUTT MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. TAYLOR III MR. AND MRS. JOHN F. TURBEN MRS. DAVID K. WELLES MR. AND MRS. B. ROBERT WOOD BENEFACTOR–$2,500 DONOR SPOTLIGHT ANONYMOUS MR. AND MRS. ROBERT ALLEN MRS. JANET A. BAINES MATT MCMANUS (AND FAMILY) MRS. HERMAN BECKER MR. AND MRS. PETER B. BENEDICT II Board of Director, Second Vice President MR. AND MRS. D. THEODORE BERGHORST DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BLACKBURN II Gatekeeper of the Garden MR. AND MRS. JAMES H. CARNEY II MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. DOBBS, SR. MR. WILLIAM F. GLAVIN When did you get involved with McKee? We found McKee shortly after we moved MRS. NATALIE C. JACKSON MR. AND MRS. DAVID KAYTES from Dallas, ten years ago. We immediately fell in love with the beauty and the MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. KIRBY Garden’s story. MRS. ROBERT F. MCCABE MR. AND MRS. JOHN V. MCCLURE MRS. PATRICK C. O’BRIEN, JR. MR. AND MRS. PETER O’MALLEY What attracted you to the Garden? Olivia and I loved bringing our children to the MR. AND MRS. DAVID N. MOULTON Garden. The kids really loved the exhibits such as Frabel, Lego and Dinosaurs— MR. JOHN H. ROBERTS MR. AND MRS. ALFRED SCOTT and my boys love the annual Car Show! It was also our top spot to bring visiting MRS. HELEN E. STONE family members from across the country. MR. AND MRS. JAMES T. UELTSCHI MR. AND MRS. SCOTT J. ULM GATEKEEPERS–$1,500 What motivates you to stay involved? I see the joy and serenity that McKee MS. ROSAMOND W. ALLEN AND delivers to our visitors. That was so very clear in 2020 when we had to shut down MR. PAUL E. LANDRY temporarily for COVID reasons. People love the nature and frankly, need it. The FRANCESCA AND BRADLEY ANDERSON ANONYMOUS visitation and increased memberships, following our reopening, have been MRS. LOIS W. APPLEBY MRS. MARILYN P. ASPLUNDH tremendous! MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM S. BAHRENBURG, JR. MR. AND MRS. PAUL A. BECKER MRS. PETER B. BENEDICT In your opinion, what is the most important work that McKee Botanical Garden MR. AND MRS. H. K. BENHAM III I think of McKee as not a gem of Vero Beach or even Florida, but more of a MR. AND MRS. DUDLEY BLOSSOM III does? MR. AND MRS. DOUGLAS BRANSON destination for the world! McKee connects people to nature, to history and to one MRS. MARGARET H. BRAGG MR. AND MRS. LAWRENCE BRASHEARS another. That is pretty special. MR. AND MRS. THEODORE BRICKMAN MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH BRIGGS MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. BUCK DR. AND MRS. M. ARTHUR BUDDEN THE GARDEN DR. AND MRS. DONALD BUEBENDORF MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 20 RICK AND MEGHAN CANDLER GATEKEEPERS–$1,500 (CONT) MR. AND MRS. PETER CHERRY MRS. E. TAYLOR CHEWNING, JR. MR. AND MRS. J. SHELDON CLARK MR. EDWARD N. DAYTON MR. AND MRS. GUY O. DOVE III MRS. EDWARD DU PONT MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. EDWARDS MR. AND MRS. JOHN ESHLEMAN MR. AND MRS. JOHN AND PATRICIA FORELLE MR. AND MRS. CHARLES S. FORESMAN MR. AND MRS. GUY FRITTS MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. FURRER MR. AND MRS. EUGENE A. GARGARO “We hope you enjoy the MRS. MARGARET CONE GASCHE MR. AND MRS. L. NICHOLAS GEESLIN Children’s Garden as much MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. GOODALL, JR. as we do! Christine and the MS. JANEL GRIFFIN § MR. AND MRS. HERBERT W. GULLQUIST design team wanted to create MRS. GEORGE F. HAMNER, SR. a whimsical spot where MRS. ROBERT P. HAUPTFUHRER KATIE AND JOHN HEINS § children can explore in an MR. AND MRS. LOUIS L. HOYNES, JR. entirely new way. Here’s to MR. AND MRS. JEROME HUNSAKER the next 20 years at McKee!” MR. AND MRS. R. SCOTT HURLEY § MRS. ELIZABETH S. JACOBSEN ~Matt McManus MRS. CRISTINE W. JAMISON MRS. E. BRADLEY JONES 2nd Vice President MS. ROBIN JONES MR. AND MRS. HENRY K. JUSTI MR. AND MRS. GEORGE KAHLE MS. LISA M. KAHLE AND MR. THOMAS TIERNEY MR. AMD MRS. VERNON KHAIL § MRS. CHESTER KOTKOWSKI MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. KURTZ MRS. ARTHUR MCKEE LATTA Of what contribution or achievement are you most proud? I am most proud of MR. AND MRS. JEFFREY LOCKHART MRS. ELEANOR P. LLOYD our work on the Children’s Garden. We proposed and studied it for years before MRS. ROBERT MALIN finally committing to it. We interviewed some of the best designers in the country. MR. AND MRS. PETER MANZ MR. AND MRS. HENRY J. MARESI We then created a very consultative process where many different stakeholders MRS. MARILYN P. MCCONNELL MR. AND MRS. ROSS MCCONNELL could weigh in on the project (including kids!). In the end, I believe we have a DR. AND MRS. DAVID J. MCKENNA magical, whimsical, place that complements the rest of McKee perfectly! MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW MCMANUS MR. JAMES J. MCNULTY MR. AND MRS. RICHARD METZLER I would like to see McKee MR. AND MRS. EDWARD A. MICHAEL What do you hope McKee will achieve in the future? DR. AND MRS. PAUL V. MINOTTY maintain its world-class exhibits and other annual events such as Holidays at MR. AND MRS. J. EARL MORGAN III MS. CLAUDIA OWEN § McKee and the Car Show. On the financial side, I would like to see the endowment MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. O’STEEN continue to grow. The endowment, visitors and membership (especially our Gate- DEBORAH H. PENISTON § MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM PENNEY keepers) are key reasons the Garden will be sustainable for future generations! MR. AND MRS. KEN POTTER MR. AND MRS. RONALD J. RENNICK, JR. MR. AND MRS. RANDALL D. ROGERS Who in your life plays a role in supporting your involvement? In providing MR. AND MRS. G. ALEXANDER ROSS GAVIN AND MARCIA RUOTOLO Inspiration? I am inspired by current Board President, Earl Morgan. When I MR. RICHARD E. SAMETH arrived at McKee nine years ago, Earl was also President. He loves the Garden so MR. AND MRS. ROBERT A. SCHNEIDER MR. AND MRS. FRANK C. SCHROEDER much. He would give tours of the Garden, which demonstrated knowledge of the MRS. SUZANNE M. SCULLY history of the area, as well as knowledge of the horticulture. He later went on to MS. SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH MR. AND MRS. GORDON STEWART write, and act in, a play about Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton. His passion is MRS. HENRY G. STIFEL MRS. SHELLEY S. SWEENEY really incredible! MR. AND MRS. EDWARD TAPLEY MR. ROBERT J. THEIS, SR. MR. AND MRS. LARRY TIMMERMAN Do you have a message to share? As a board member for the last eight years, I DR. AND MRS. GLENN AND EMILY TREMML get a glimpse behind the scenes into the team that makes all of the magic happen. MR. AND MRS. W. JAMES TRUETTNER, JR. MRS. ANNE D. WALLACE Christine Hobart deserves a ton of praise for the climate that she has created for MRS. ANN P. WEBBER MR. AND MRS. ROGER U. WELLINGTON, JR. the McKee employees. They love what they do, and that has such a significant MR. AND MRS. PATRICK J. WELSH impact on the experience our visitors receive at McKee! ■ MR. KENNETH L. WESSEL MRS. MARY LOU H. YOUNG

§ DENOTES NEW GATEKEEPER THE GARDEN REVISED JANUARY 2021 MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2021 | PAGE 21 WE STACEY,LOVE KEVIN, JACKSON MCKEE!AND SYLVIA KLIM

Dear Ms. Hobart and Usually, our version of McKee Board of Directors, accessibility doesn’t match My family has been McKee members since others. We were moving here in 2017 and were frequent visitors absolutely delighted in the 17 years prior to moving here. My husband’s that Jackson could grandfather was also a big supporter of the Garden wheel up to the top of the when he moved here in the late 1950s. He loved it and pirate ship and access the would go weekly. I have pictures of him at McKee Children’s Garden like Jungle Gardens in the early 1960s on our refrigerator. neurotypical children. He absolutely loved it and splashed in the water fountains for quite a while. One of the reasons we choose to be members is because of our son, Jackson. Jackson is 12 years old and a This may not seem like a big deal to you to receive 7th grader at Storm Grove Middle School. Jackson was this letter of thanks. But for my family, accessing the born with a brain malformation and subsequently has Children’s Garden was a big deal. You may not realize developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities. this, but there is only one park in Indian River County The pathways at McKee are easy for his wheelchair to that has accessible equipment. That equipment is one navigate and Jackson LOVES the waterfalls throughout swing. One swing in the county is all my son can access. the gardens. He also calms down and relaxes whenever To have another option is wonderful. we come to McKee. It is a sensory calming environment for him. Great work! And Thank You! You’ve given us even more reasons The reason I am writing today is to thank you. This past to love McKee! weekend we came to the gardens and for the first time took Jackson to the Children’s Garden. Whenever we ~Stacey, Kevin, Jackson and Sylvia Klim take Jackson to places where there are playground settings, we are always discouraged by accessibility. I had been told many months ago that the pirate ship would be accessible, but honestly had my doubts.

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, The Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes).