THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020

IN THIS ISSUE… Contribute to McKee’s Future...... 3 11th Annual Motor Car Exhibition ...... 11 Grand Central ...... 4 Education Blooms in the Garden...... 12 The Garden in the News...... 6 The Evolution of McKee’s Volunteers...... 13 Children’s Garden Grand Opening...... 8 GCA Day at McKee ...... 15 The Future Role of Orchids at McKee...... 10 Shopping at McKee ...... 16 www.mckeegarden.org The Children’s Garden AHOY MATEY’S! features include the entry A Message from Christine Hobart, Executive Director Monkey Bridge and Grand anuary 25, 2020 marked another historic day for McKee—the opening of Entry Bridge, Waterlily the Children’s Garden! A crisp morning with the prettiest blue skies greeted Fountain and Karst Splash almost 100 people who came to witness the ribbon cutting. Pride, joy and Garden, Music Maze, Blue J enthusiasm exuded throughout. At last, the Children’s Garden is open! Crab Reading Circle and Stumpery, Fairy Forest and A week ago I started my newsletter article talking about the opening of the Fairy House, Bamboo Children’s Garden, but, as I sit here today, the world, including McKee Botanical Village Boardwalk and Garden, has come to a halt with COVID-19 (the Coronavirus). While I had hoped Bamboo Village Huts, and to keep the Garden open as long as possible, the health and safety of our staff is the pinnacle of the Garden, of utmost importance so we decided today to close until we are assured that it is the Scorpion Pirate safe to reopen. These are ever-changing, unprecedented times so we are making Shipwreck in the Grand the best decisions with the information that we have at the moment. I know that Discovery Tree. we will hear the laughing and giggling again soon, and it will be so welcome!

Throughout the month of This is our first digital newsletter; I hope you will enjoy the new format. Our February, McKee hosted membership base has now grown to over 4,500, so instead of printing and mailing Grand Opening activities the newsletter, we decided to post it on our website and email it to everyone. that included Make & Take With our members staying at home during these trying times, I’m sure it will be Craft Time, Build A Fairy a welcome distraction. Enjoy! House, Pirate & Fairy Temporary Tattoos, Balloon As soon as it is safe for our staff, we will once again open our Garden gates. Twisting, Reptile Discovery McKee has been a destination for 50,000 visitors this year and we’ll be here for you Meet & Greet, Fairy Hair once again. Stay well and thank you for your continued commitment to McKee.■ Applications, Butterfly Blogger, and a Visit from a Gratefully, Magician.

Christine Hobart Executive Director THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 2 J. EARL MORGAN III CONTRIBUTE TO MCKEE’S FUTURE President PETER BENEDICT II Plan a Special Gift First Vice President MATTHEW MCMANUS cKee Botanical Garden is Second Vice President your Garden. This historic ANITA CALABRO Treasurer community treasure is a M STEPHANIE HURTT place for you and your loved ones to Secretary embrace and experience all the magic it offers. A place to revitalize, renew, 2020-2021 and reclaim your spirit. Board of Directors DR. M. ARTHUR BUDDEN MRS. LAURIE W.G. CARNEY If you would like to extend your JOHN D’ALBORA IV support of McKee Botanical Garden MARION DE VOGEL to make a lasting impact to the LOGAN GEESLIN environment and our community, ROBIN JONES BARBARA KAYTES please consider including the Garden CATHERINE KIRBY in your will or estate planning. JOHN KURTZ JEFFREY LOCKHART MISS ALMA LEE LOY The McKee Legacy Society recognizes BARBARA HOLMÉN-MCKENNA individuals who have named McKee Botanical Garden as a beneficiary in their KAREN K. MEYER estate planning. When you join the McKee Legacy Society, your generosity helps JOHN J. SCHUMANN, JR sustain this extraordinary space and ensure the Garden continues to thrive for MS. SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH B. ROBERT WOOD generations to come. 2020-2021 Alumni “Our life in Vero Beach would not be as rich without the history, beauty, tranquility, & Board Council excitement of McKee. Our desire to always be a part of McKee made it easy to provide a MS. ROSAMOND W. ALLEN provision in our wills to the Garden’s future. To leave a legacy is our way of giving back MR. ROBERT W. BAUCHMAN MRS. DEBORAH CRUM to McKee for all its many gifts to us.” MR. DANIEL G. DOWNEY, JR ~ Jeffrey & Donna Lockhart MRS. NATALIE C. JACKSON MRS. E. BRADLEY JONES For more information on making a planned gift to the Garden or if you have MRS. LEE LAPOINTE included McKee Botanical Garden in your will or estate plans, please contact MRS. BARRY MACTAGGART MRS. GAIL L. MALIN [email protected] or call 772-794-0601.■ MS. SUZAN PHILLIPS MRS. SANDRA RENNICK MRS. TONI (LEE D.) ROBINSON MRS. FRANK SCHROEDER In Recognition of our Legacy Society Members MS. CHARLOTTE TERRY MRS. ANN P. WEBBER SUSAN E. AITKEN* SUZANNE LAPAUGH LIGGETT MRS. ARUN WIJETILLEKE ROSAMOND WARREN ALLEN JEFFREY AND DONNA LOCKHART MR.* AND MRS. ROBERT BROADBENT ALMA LEE LOY 2020-2021 MR. AND MRS. RICHARD B. CANDLER JOHN J. SCHUMANN, JR. Honorary Board MR. WILLIAM C. AND MRS. NANCY M. CURTIS SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH MRS. ROBERT DENGLER* MRS. SALLY SPROLE* LUCY AUXIER* MARION DE VOGEL DACE STUBBS MR. AND MRS. JAKE DON ECKERT* MRS. MARGARET WOLCOTT, JR. AND DIANNE* BROWN MR. CAMPBELL C. GROEL, JR.* MR. AND MRS. B. ROBERT WOOD MRS. PEGGY POWERS FORD* CONNIE HARPER MR. JAMES S. HAEGER* STEPHANIE P. HURTT *DECEASED JOANNE HAGOPIAN* THE ARTHUR MCKEE LATTA FAMILY MRS. LUCY JONES* MS. SUZAN PHILLIPS MRS. SALLY SPROLE* MRS. JANE WARD* THE GARDEN *DECEASED MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 3 GRANDGRAND CENTRALCENTRAL

SPONSORED BY A FRIEND OF MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN GRAND CENTRAL STICKWORK VOLUNTEERS By Patrick and Sam Dougherty

nternationally acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty returned to IMcKee Botanical Garden for his second Stickwork installation in January 2020. Patrick, his son Sam, and a group of dedicated McKee Botanical Garden volunteers worked tirelessly for three weeks climbing on scaffolding, weaving, bending, trimming and shaping willow saplings into a one-of-a-kind sculpture made exclusively for McKee.

Patrick named the new sculpture, which resides in the south end of the Royal Palm Grove, Grand Central. He describes this unique work with great enthusiasm, “It’s a more chaotic line in the CAROLYN ALDHIZER midst of order among the stability of the regal Royal Palms. This work we love! It JANET ANDES seems like maybe the best work we have ever made. It is big and takes over this JULIE BAKER JOHN BOZZA entire grove. We like it because it turns the whole place beneath it into a kind of KAREN BOZZA lounge. There are little cabanas that you can go in and take a look at with the idea MICHELLE BRAHM LISA CAPA of it speeding or whipping around within the space we have here. The sculpture in ELISE CARDAMONE its entirety was directionalized so that it makes it look like it goes from one end of DAVID CARLSON the grove to the other. We love the way that it crosses the top. Sam worked on the LISA CLARK LATRICE COOPER piping that runs along the whole edge of the top, which gives a sense of continuity MARIA COPER to the entire sculpture. I hope you enjoy it, we have!” STEVEN CROZIER JOHN ESHLEMAN LINDA FASANO Patrick and a team of volunteers VALERIE FEEHAN constructed his first installation at McKee, DAWN FISHER SPECIAL THANKS BEV FORD The Royals, over a three-week period in MARTY FRIBERG PRESENTING SPONSOR January 2016. The sculpture featured MIKE GILDEA three tall towers nestled among the stately RICH HALKOVICH A Friend of McKee DARLENE HEISERMAN palms in the Royal Palm Grove. The LOLA HUNTER Royals graced the Garden for two and NAT JACKSON HOTEL SPONSOR BOB JOY Star Suites a half years until succumbing to the CATHY KAISER weather and nature’s elements. LOUISE KELLEY AMANDA KRISTIANSEN Many thanks also to Aiello Landscape GINI ELLIOTT KRUPNICK for their help unloading the truckload Patrick Dougherty’s nature-based JOHN KURTZ sculptures are intended to interact with MARY KURTZ of saplings, and to all of the volunteers LINDA LEMAY their surroundings, adding elements of SUZANNE LIGGETT who assisted Patrick and Sam in whimsy and visual energy to familiar settings. LISA LUGO building Grand Central. MELISSA LYNCH Each installation is unique and temporary JANIS MAINE in its design, built from natural materials BUZZ MARTINO that eventually break down and become part of the landscape once again. DEIRDRE MCDONAGH ED MORRIS Continued next page STAN MURRELL SUE MURRELL LISA O’BRIEN THE GARDEN CINDY PAGELS MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 5 CONTINUED NEXT PAGE STICKWORK VOLUNTEERS

PAM PELLICCIA SALLY POLK ANGIE RECORD PAULA SACCO PAM SCHLAMOWITZ ROB SCHLAMOWITZ JAY SCHOFF ART SCHREIER JANE SEASE BRENDA SHERIDAN JANE SHULL LARRY SHULL MELANIE SMITH PETE SPENCER MARIANNE SPERANZA BARBARA STARK JUNE STEINBERG SUZY STOECKEL CAROLYN TIMMERMAN ERIC VAN OS DONNA VOLK BARBARA WALSH WILLIAM WALSH BILL WARGO MEG WENZEL SUSAN WHEELER

Patrick is extremely conscientious about environmental stewardship and hopes that his work will inspire others to care as well. No trees are killed outright in creating any of his sculptures. The willow saplings are harvested from a farm in upstate New York and are cut in such a way that they will all regrow, much as they would after pruning. When Patrick harvests in the wild, it is always done in areas where the sticks would be cut anyway, such as under power lines or along highway right of ways; sometimes where a forest needs to be thinned because the undergrowth is too thick and not all the small trees can survive that way.

For more information about Patrick Dougherty’s work, visit www.Stickwork.net.■

Left: McKee’s Royal Palm Grove adorned the cover of Southern Living magazine’s January/February 2020 issue, which featured Warm Getaways that highlighted Vero Beach, Anna Maria Island and Apalachicola. Center: On January 30, 2020, the WPEC CBS 12 Morning Show featured McKee Botanical Garden when Christine joined Matt and Lauren during their live broadcast at Chelsea’s Gourmet to highlight the new Children’s Garden and Car Show. Not Pictured: McKee Botanical Garden was recently chosen as “Best Tourist Attraction on the Treasure Coast” by Indian River Magazine’s readers. We are grateful to everyone for this honor and support for the Garden. THE GARDEN

THE GARDEN THE IN THE NEWS MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 6 THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING CORPORATE MEMBERS

n Tuesday, February 25, 2020, $1,000 over 80 members attended the RCL DEVELOPMENT, INC. OAnnual Membership Meeting. McKee Board President, Earl Morgan, $500 spoke about the vision that Arthur GARDEN CLUB OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY McKee and Waldo Sexton shared for the SPECTRUM INTERIOR DESIGN Garden. Executive Director, Christine Hobart, presented a Power Point retro- $250 spective of the past twenty years, high- AIELLO LANDSCAPE OF lighting where we started, where we VERO BEACH are now, and what the future holds.■ BEACHSIDE REHAB COMPLETE CLEANING SERVICES OF IRC, INC. CRAVINGS OUR MEMBERS MATTER! FLORIDA COPY DATA, INC. HAYSLIP LANDSCAPE very year, McKee Botanical Garden gives tens of thousands of people INTREEGE, LLC the opportunity to connect with nature and create unique and lasting LEIGH JEWELERS memories. The past year is no exception. The Garden has once again had OSPINAS & COMPANY, LLC E PALM HOUSE GALLERY record-breaking attendance, and our membership is at 4,500 and growing! & STUDIO, LLC VERO CHEMICAL, INC. We hope you are enjoying all the benefits of being a member of McKee, including WATER FORCE IRRIGATION attending our special events and unlimited admission to the Garden. Many of you & PUMP SERVICES, INC. have family memberships and can be seen regularly with your young explorers in the enchanted new Children’s Garden. For those of you who still haven’t seen it, please be sure to! It’s a magical world that will spark your imagination and remind you of the joys of being a kid again.

You may be surprised to learn that this extraordinary Garden is almost entirely funded by private community support. We rely on donations to fund nearly 100% of our operations, exhibits, and cultural programs. That means every plant, every work of art, and every event is made possible by the generosity of members like you.

On behalf of everyone at Team McKee, we thank you. Your support helps sustain the Garden, ensuring that it continues to thrive and be Give A Gift of a place of tranquility and enjoyment for all who walk through its gates. Our hope Membership is when you visit McKee—whether with your children, grandchildren, friends, or You can share the in peaceful solitude—you will be immersed in the Garden’s beauty.■ beauty and wonder of nature all year long with a gift membership to McKee. A membership to the Garden makes the perfect gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and of course, Mother’s Day! For information visit THE GARDEN mckeegarden.org/membership MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 7 or call 772-794-0601. CHILDREN’S GARDEN GRAND OPENING Hip hip hurray!

he long-awaited, highly-anticipated new Children’s Garden at McKee Tofficially opened on January 25, 2020 to a very enthusiastic crowd of local dignitaries, media, the Children’s Garden design team, team of contractors and subcontractors, donors, several members of the Lemonade Brigade, as well as McKee board and staff members, who were all delighted to be a part of the festivities. Guests, both young and young-at-heart, were greeted by the Children’s Garden mascots Minkee (the enthusiastic little imp) and Gordon (the loyal and patient tortoise). These adorable whimsical characters are the creation of local graphic artist, writer, crossword writer and McKee volunteer Patrick Merrell, and they have become synonymous with the new Children’s Garden.

Christine Hobart kicked off the event with a heartfelt recollection of the past two years during the construction phase of the garden and an emotional realization that the project is now complete. She then welcomed Vero Beach Mayor, Tony Young and Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, Susan Adams, to the podium to say a few words about what this special project means to our community. Michael Hawkins of EBL Construction then reflected on the entire process and shared how special this project was to him, his team and all of the contractors and sub-contractors. Emmanuel Didier, Founding Principle and Children’s Garden Designer from Didier Design Studio, spoke passionately about the project, the process, and his vision. “I have loved the challenge of creating a meaningful and inspiring garden for children to play at McKee and explore the nat- ural world…at their scale, at their own pace, and with a sense of wonder. The most meaningful aspect of this project for me is how it promotes public health and well- being, and how it connects children—and families—to nature,” stated Emmanuel.

Christine then welcomed Findlay, a young member of the Lemonade Brigade who helped raise $5,000 for the Children’s Garden by selling lemonade to Garden visitors during special events. Findlay gave an insightful and appreciative child’s perspective of what this new garden means for the younger members of our community and those who visit Indian River County. Christine then asked Findlay and other children in attendance to come assist her in officially cutting the ribbon to celebrate this significant milestone in McKee’s extensive history.■ THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 8 Explore. Discover. Just Be A Kid. THE FUTURE ROLE OF ORCHIDS AT MCKEE by Director of Horticulture & Research Andreas Daehnick

rchids and McKee Botanical Garden have been synony- Omous since the establishment of McKee Jungle Gardens in 1932. This article’s intent is not to review the history, but rather to define the recent and future role of orchids at McKee beginning with the reopening in 2001.

The botanical goal of McKee Botanical Garden is not to be a “garden of gardens,” but rather an integrated Garden that reflects the original design intent of a Jungle Garden as conveyed by William Lyman Phillips to Waldo Sexton and Arthur McKee. How does McKee use orchids in the Garden? We have different types of orchids in our collection: those that are for temporary display (1-4 weeks), event display (1-4 days), terrestrial (planted in the ground as permanent (annually replenished), and integrated orchids (those installed on palms and trees which we hope become naturalized and self-maintaining colonies).

The temporary orchid displays usually coordinate with an event or blooming season for each particular orchid. The integrated orchids in the jungle are not randomly placed, nor are they meant to line all the pathways as often seen in other gardens. These McKee displays are referred to as colonies. The colonies are not single plants, but rather groupings of multiple plants (5-8) of the same species/variety to create large displays of individual flowers at one time. Yet, each colony is also comprised of different species groups that will bloom at different times throughout the year. The colonies are not randomly placed. They are placed in such a way that they are hidden until you come around a corner, change directions on a pathway, or walk under low limbs of a tree and the flower mass suddenly appears—a surprise!

At this time McKee has approximately 300 integrated orchids in the Garden and 300 used for temporary displays. The overall orchid display goal for McKee is to have (in the style Waldo Sexton may have done himself) large notable specimens to display, rather than a multitude of small plants. Presently, we are focusing on the cultivation of large specimens. Achieving this lofty goal requires the efforts of the McKee’s 5-person display team and Horticulture Tech volunteers who construct the large slatted cedar hanging baskets we display, since the large size we need is not available commercially.■ THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 10 KUDOS FROM THE CAR OWNERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT

‘“We want to express our thanks to you for putting on the best classic auto show we have ever partici- pated in or experienced. The Garden is a very special and beautiful place, and the perfect backdrop for a first-class 11TH ANNUAL MOTOR CAR EXHIBITION antique and classic car show. Your team of The Best Cars from 40 Different Manufacturers volunteers was especially friendly and efficient; any n Saturday, February 8, 2020, the Garden welcomed over 3,600 car enthu- request we made to siasts for its 11th Annual Motor Car Exhibition—the highest attendance them was quickly and Orecorded for this event. Visitors from all over Florida and beyond came to cheerfully carried out. marvel at the best cars from 40 different manufacturers. The spectacular weather The breakfast bagels and coffee, followed by the and beautiful tropical setting of McKee provided for the perfect backdrop for each terrific lunch you provided of these remarkable automobiles to be idolized and admired. were delicious and really appreciated by all. The This year’s show featured some of the latest modern exotics like a 2020 McLaren signs created for each and 720S Spider and 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante, as well as a wide every vehicle, which you array of historic racecars including a 1966 Corvette Red Ball Racer, 1957 Lotus 11 gifted, were great. If ever our favorite car may LeMans, and a Porsche 935. Historic road cars on display included a 1913 Buick again be considered to Model 25 Touring, 1915 Case Model 30 R, and 1957 Desoto Adventurer Convertible. participate at the Garden, In addition, guests were in awe of the 1956 Series 62 Pink Cadillac Convertible, please don’t hesitate to which is the same body style as Elvis Presley’s 1955 sedan and the same year as call. Thank you again.” his 1956 Eldorado convertible. Another highlight was the 1983 Twin-Turbo ~John & Bonnie DeLorean with gull wing doors, which is similar to the car featured in the original Back to the Future movie in 1985. “Christine, it was our pleasure to participate in another beautiful and very Each year, McKee’s Car Show Committee, which includes Car Show Chairman, successful show at McKee. John Schumann, Rob Hardie, Richard Kesler, Tom Lockwood, Norm Ridgely, My wife, Michele, and I Chuck Roberts, Wayne Sandlin, and Jerry Weick, select a different theme. Next were just talking about year’s 12th Annual Motor Car Exhibition, scheduled for Saturday, February 13, how fortunate Vero Beach 2021, will be European Cars Featuring the Ferrari and other Italian Exotics. is to have McKee and the opportunity to enjoy all that it has to offer as often Car owners were thrilled with the number of attendees and enjoyed visiting and as we wish. As always, answering questions. Executive Director Christine Hobart commented, “We are you and your staff of so appreciative to all of the car and motorcycle owners for their participation and devoted volunteers treated for sharing these beautiful automobiles, each with its own unique story, with our us like royalty, and that is members and guests. Our car show committee members do an excellent job in truly a reflection of your pre-selecting each of the cars featured in our annual exhibitions. We are so grateful 22 years of leadership there. We thank you, and to the community for helping us reach our highest attendance ever during the all of your volunteers, for eleven-year history of the motor car exhibition!”■ another spectacular day at McKee Botanical Garden!” THE GARDEN ~Fred and Michele MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 11 EDUCATION PROGRAMS BLOOM AT MCKEE By Education Coordinator Amy Shoemaker

his year seems to be going by very quickly! I can’t believe it has almost been a whole year Tsince I started working at McKee. Those of you who have met me while I have been facilitating the programs in the Children’s Garden know I truly enjoy my job! I love interacting with our guests and sharing knowledge about the history of McKee, nature and our environment with everyone I meet. One of the favorite parts about my job is getting to know the families who visit multiple times a week. I also enjoy talking with those who are here on vacation to get away from the cold weather up north.

Our guests of all ages are enthralled with Pond Investigations on Tuesdays. You never know what we will find in our ponds each week. If you visit the Children’s Garden during story time, you will see our guests singing and interacting with our storybooks. P.I.R.A.T.E. Adventure days find participants exploring nature and our environment through hands on activities and treasure (scavenger) hunts. We are learning through explo- ration and having so much fun!

I would like to thank our volunteers who are helping in the Children’s Garden. Our volunteer-staffed Pop-Up Learning Cart has been a hit with our young guests. The volunteers at McKee are the best! Weekly activities will continue through the summer. For more information, please visit our website, www.mckeegarden.org.

McKee’s workshops and educational events have been in full swing these last four months. Participants have enjoyed making wreaths, flower arranging, yoga, art and horticultural classes. This summer we will host a variety of workshops, which include: painting, jewelry making, art classes, yoga, and cupcake decorating. We will also have workshops on Florida bats and honeybees. You can register for classes online!

I look forward to seeing you at McKee! ■

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 12 THE EVOLUTION OF MCKEE’S VOLUNTEERS By Volunteer Coordinator Ro van Dright

n 1932, Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton opened the 83-acre McKee IJungle Gardens to the public and created a “must see” stop for any tourists travelling on US 1, with magnificent collections of rubber trees, palm trees, orchids, ferns and America’s largest collection of waterlilies. Visitors were treated to ladies in antebellum dresses, as well as peacocks, monkeys, elephants and alligators galore. It remained a Vero Beach attraction for forty-four years until the advent of the attractions in Orlando and the completion of I-95 to Miami forced its closing. The property was sold off to developers who built numerous units of condos, but WANT TO BECOME A the front 18 acres were left for a shopping center, which was never developed. And so began the rebirth of McKee Botanical Garden in the 1990s with the purchase of MCKEE VOLUNTEER? the property and the efforts of the “Saturday Morning Gang” volunteers to clear Contact Ro at the Garden and prepare its new look, a major achievement for all those involved. 772-794-0601, ext 113 or by email at Today’s McKee volunteers are as loyal to the Garden and its success as the [email protected] benefactors and “Saturday Morning Gang.” Volunteers are involved in all phases of the Garden. They prepare and man each of the special events we have during the season—especially the holiday events, which require many hours of imagina- tion and preparation. Their ideas and desire to make the Garden look its very best at all times are invaluable. Our mailing team volunteers are super and help keep our members aware of all upcoming events, classes and meetings.

This year, more than 50 volunteers also had the pleasure to work with Patrick Dougherty and his son, Sam, on the Grand Central stickwork project in the Royal Palm Grove. They assisted with the creation of the structure—a true work of art.

The opening of our new long-awaited Children’s Garden in January has created new programs and needs for volunteers. Many retired teachers and educators have joined us to assist our Education Coordinator in working with the next generation.

We are so truly grateful to every one of our volunteers and I am sure Messrs. McKee and Sexton are just as proud and gratified to have them dedicate so much of their time to our enchanting Garden.

Wholehearted thanks to each and every one!■

THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 13 IN RECOGNITION OF OUR GATEKEEPERS OF THE GARDEN GATEKEEPERS DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE–$10,000 ANNUAL DINNER JEAN THOMAS LAMBERT FOUNDATION MR. AND MRS. PAUL D. KANEB n Wednesday, MR. AND MRS.* WHITNEY MACMILLAN November 6, 2019, VISIONARY–$5,000 Oover 100 McKee MRS. DAVID BALDWIN Botanical Garden donors MR. AND MRS. R. WILLIAM BECKER MR. AND MRS. PETER CHERRY attended the Gatekeepers of the MR. AND MRS. WILLEM DE VOGEL Garden Appreciation Dinner MS. ELIZABETH FRAPPIER STEPHANIE P. HURTT hosted by the Garden to MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM W. LANE MR. AND MRS. BARRY MACTAGGART celebrate our most dedicated MR. AND MRS. ROSS MCCONNELL and visionary supporters. The MRS. KAREN K. MEYER OLIVIA DELACRUZ FOUNDATION § evening began with a special TED AND CAROL PRICE § behind-the-scenes preview of MR. AND MRS. DONALD B. RIEFLER MR. C. GRAYDON ROGERS the new Children’s Garden. MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. SCHUMANN, JR. DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM K. STUBBS MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. STUTT After the tour, everyone proceeded to the MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. TAYLOR III MRS. DAVID K. WELLES Spanish Kitchen to enjoy cocktails and hors MR. AND MRS. B. ROBERT WOOD d’oeuvres prepared by Elizabeth D. Kennedy BENEFACTOR–$2,500 & Company. Christine gave a brief recap of MR. AND MRS. ROBERT ALLEN the past year, highlighting the growth and ANONYMOUS progress of both the main Garden and the MRS. JANET A. BAINES MRS. HERMAN BECKER new Children’s Garden. She pointed out that MR. AND MRS. PETER B. BENEDICT II DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BLACKBURN II the Garden celebrated several milestones in 2019—a new visitation record since MR. AND MRS. JAMES H. CARNEY II reopening in 2001, with over 66,000 visitors and 3,500 members. THOMAS AND CAROL CORR MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. DOBBS, SR. MR. WILLIAM F. GLAVIN MR. AND MRS. GEORGE MARSHALL Designer Emmanuel Didier spoke briefly MR. AND MRS. ROBERT F. MCCABE about his original intent for the Children’s MRS. PATRICK C. O’BRIEN, JR. MR. AND MRS. PETER O’MALLEY Garden and how thrilled he is to finally see MR. JOHN H. ROBERTS MR. AND MRS. ALFRED SCOTT his vision become a reality. A savory dinner MRS. HELEN E. STONE followed in the historic Hall of Giants. Special MR. AND MRS. JAMES T. UELTSCHI thanks to Matt McManus and Fidelity Invest- GATEKEEPERS–$1,500 ments for sponsoring this event.■ MS. ROSAMOND W. ALLEN AND MR. PAUL E. LANDRY FRANCESCA AND BRADLEY ANDERSON MRS. LOIS W. APPLEBY MRS. MARILYN P. ASPLUNDH MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM S. BAHRENBURG, JR. HOLIDAY NIGHTS OF LIGHTS MR. AND MRS. PAUL A. BECKER MR. AND MRS. JAMES S. BECKWITH IV § MR. AND MRS. PETER B. BENEDICT We welcomed over 9,600 members and visitors! MR. AND MRS. H. K. BENHAM III MR. AND MRS. DUDLEY BLOSSOM III MS. VIRGINIA BLOSSOM he Garden sparkled and shimmered during MR. AND MRS. DOUGLAS BRANSON McKee’s Holiday Nights of Lights, which was MR. AND MRS. LAWRENCE BRASHEARS MR. AND MRS. THEODORE BRICKMAN held from December 10–22 and 27–29. While MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. BUCK T DR. AND MRS. M. ARTHUR BUDDEN the wet and sometimes chilly weather tried to DR. AND MRS. DONALD BUEBENDORF dampen our holiday spirits, it was no match for Team RICK AND MEGHAN CANDLER MRS. E. TAYLOR CHEWNING, JR. McKee’s cozy matching pajamas-clad staff and volunteers. The Garden welcomed MR. AND MRS. J. SHELDON CLARK MR. AND MRS. EVERETT COOK over 9,600 members and visitors during the extended 17-night event, which was MRS. JOAN GANZ COONEY § our best-attended holiday event ever! MR. EDWARD N. DAYTON MR. AND MRS. GUY O. DOVE III § Continued next page MRS. EDWARD DU PONT MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. EDWARDS MR. AND MRS. CHARLES S. FORESMAN § MR. AND MRS. JOHN AND PATRICIA FORELLE § THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 14 We sold an astonishing 307 new GATEKEEPERS–$1,500 (CONT) memberships! The Garden was aglow MR. AND MRS. GUY FRITTS MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. FURRER with professionally-installed LED MRS. MARGARET CONE GASCHE lighting provided by Holiday MR. AND MRS. L. NICHOLAS GEESLIN MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. GOODALL, JR. Lightscapes, which featured an MR. AND MRS. DUKE HABERNICKEL MS. LIZ HALLINAN AND MR. JAY PETERSEN animated tunnel of lights in the MRS. GEORGE F. HAMNER, SR. pergola, large vibrant spheres and an MRS. ROBERT P. HAUPTFUHRER MR. AND MRS. LOUIS L. HOYNES, JR. assortment of colorful trees in the MR. AND MRS. JEROME HUNSAKER § MRS. ELIZABETH S. JACOBSEN main greeting area, special effects MRS. CRISTINE W. JAMISON throughout the Garden’s paths, and MRS. E. BRADLEY JONES MS. ROBIN JONES illuminated hanging meteors, starbursts, snowflakes, dripping icicle luminaries, MR. ROBERT JUREIT § MR. AND MRS. HENRY K. JUSTI spiral-wrapped trees and up-lighting throughout the Garden. McKee’s Horticulture MR. AND MRS. GEORGE KAHLE Team added additional spirit with their holiday-themed lantern displays. MS. LISA M. KAHLE AND MR. THOMAS TIERNEY MR. AND MRS. DAVID KAYTES § MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. KIRBY MRS. CHESTER KOTKOWSKI The First United Methodist Handbell Ensemble, the South Vero Imagine School MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. KURTZ Instrumental Ensemble, and McKee’s Melody Makers helped add to the festivities MR. AND MRS. JAMES LARGE, JR. § MRS. ARTHUR MCKEE LATTA during several of the Nights of Lights. Guests also enjoyed the large-scale model MR. AND MRS. JEFFREY LOCKHART MISS ALMA LEE LOY train display hosted by our passionate and dedicated “Train Guys,” plus a minia- MRS. ELEANOR P. LLOYD § ture holiday village display, snow blower, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. MR. AND MRS. ROBERT MALIN MR. AND MRS. PETER MANZ The true magic behind this event was created by McKee’s dedicated elves (our MR. AND MRS. HENRY J. MARESI volunteers and Ro) who spent countless hours creating all of the ornaments and MRS. MARILYN P. MCCONNELL DR. AND MRS. DAVID J. MCKENNA the train on display in the Hall of Giants, setting up the holiday village, decorating, MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW MCMANUS MR. JAMES J. MCNULTY § lighting all of the luminaries, setting up and manning the train display, and MR. AND MRS. RICHARD METZLER § welcoming our members and visitors. We greatly appreciate everyone’s help in MR. AND MRS. EDWARD A. MICHAEL DR. AND MRS. PAUL V. MINOTTY ensuring that our guests had a very memorable experience at McKee.■ MR. AND MRS. J. EARL MORGAN III MR. AND MRS. DAVID N. MOULTON MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. O’STEEN § MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM PENNEY MR. AND MRS. KEN POTTER § MRS. EDWARD PREIN § MR. AND MRS. RONALD J. RENNICK, JR. 17TH ANNUAL GCA DAY AT MCKEE MR. AND MRS. RANDALL D. ROGERS MR. AND MRS. G. ALEXANDER ROSS GAVIN AND MARCIA RUOTOLO Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life MR. AND MRS. RICHARD E. SAMETH MR. AND MRS. ROBERT A. SCHNEIDER his year’s annual GCA Day at McKee was MR. AND MRS. FRANK C. SCHROEDER MRS. SUZANNE M. SCULLY held on March 5, 2020 with over 80 women MR. AND MRS. RAY SMITH MS. SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH Tin attendance, all current or past members MR. AND MRS. FRANCIS C. SMITHERS § of GCA (Garden Club of America) clubs across the nation. This enthusiastic group MR. AND MRS. GORDON STEWART MRS. HENRY G. STIFEL gathered in the spirit of friendship to lend support to McKee Botanical Garden, MARY AND CLAY STOBAUGH § THE SURDNA FOUNDATION a jewel of the Treasure Coast. The day was filled with an inspiring lecture, MRS. SHELLEY S. SWEENEY delicious luncheon, and an optional walk through the Garden where 2 entertaining MR. AND MRS. DOUGLAS TANSILL MR. AND MRS. EDWARD TAPLEY § installations, Ocean Sole Africa Sculpture Exhibition and Grand Central stickwork MR. ROBERT J. THEIS, SR. MR. AND MRS. LARRY TIMMERMAN § sculpture, awaited them. DR. AND MRS. GLENN AND EMILY TREMML § MR. AND MRS. W. JAMES TRUETTNER, JR. MR. AND MRS. JAMES T. UELTSCHI Marta McDowell, an award-winning author who is also a lecturer at the New York MR. AND MRS. SCOTT J. ULM § MRS. ANNE D. WALLACE Botanical Garden and an historic landscape consultant, hosted this year’s presenta- MRS. ANN P. WEBBER tion based on her book Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life. She focused on Emily’s MR. AND MRS. ROGER U. WELLINGTON, JR. MR. AND MRS. PATRICK J. WELSH passion for gardening, and explored how the “pen and trowel” shaped her poetry MR. KENNETH L. WESSEL MR. AND MRS. MACAULEY WHITING, JR. § and empowered her life. Autographed copies of Marta’s book were available for MRS. KATE BECKWITH WOODY § purchase. After the lecture, guests enjoyed a wonderful luncheon served by MRS. MARY LOU H. YOUNG

Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co, in the historic Hall of Giants, which was once home REVISED MARCH 2020 to the McKee family’s exotic animal collection.■ * DECEASED § DENOTES NEW GATEKEEPER THE GARDEN MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2020 | PAGE 15 GREETINGS FROM THE GIFT & BOOK SHOP By Gift & Book Shop Manager Michele Carvell

he Gift & Book Shop has been bursting at the seams with visitors from near and far! Our staff Tis enjoying wearing their brightly colored tee shirts and they look great! Good news…we have ordered some more of the Ocean Sole Africa reef fish, octopuses, turtles and turtle door stoppers…this will be our last order of these items for the Gift Shop. 16TH ANNUAL WATERLILY Our whimsical wind spinners that are at the front of the shop are CELEBRATION beautiful, but quantities are limited. We ordered several of the SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 large metal birds—these beautiful sculptures were one of our best 8:30 AM–2 PM sellers—to adorn your yard. Our biggest selling items are the ■ miracle visors. We just placed another large order featuring a The state’s largest collection variety of themes and choices. of waterlilies, comprised of over 80 varieties and more than 300 potted and 100 free-range Our new Children’s Garden themed merchandise has been plants, including night- and a hit too, like Minkee the monkey, with the detachable day-blooming varieties parrot Crackers on his head, and Gordon the turtle, with a ■ removable pirate hook that my child likes to put on Gordon’s Hands-on repotting demonstration head. And last but not least, is Allie the alligator, with her ■ Plein air artists creating beautiful smile that makes for great imaginary play! original works of art ■ The Tervis cups have also been popular and make a great bring-along during your Plant experts visits—the Garden has two water refill stations, one behind the Gift Shop and one ■ in the Children’s Garden. Our McKee travel stainless steel water bottles hold ice Annual Waterlily Photo Contest for 24 hours—we tested and love them—they fit into any car cup holder and have on display a built-in straw for easy use while traveling. This project is funded in part by While the Gift & Book Shop is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19, we’re already planning for next season (I see a fairy garden in our future…Hmmm!!!). Once we reopen, please come by and visit us, we would love to see you! ■

PHOTOS IN THIS ISSUE: ©JPR IMAGES, ©MCKEE ARCHIVES

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR MEMBERS AND VISITORS WHEN THE GARDEN IS ABLE TO REOPEN. IN THE MEANTIME, BE SAFE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

350 US HIGHWAY 1, VERO BEACH, FLORIDA, 32962 | 772-794-0601 | [email protected] Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am–5 pm | Sunday Noon–5 pm | Closed Monday | Last Admission Sold at 4 pm Admission: $15 Adults | $13 Seniors | $10 Children ages 2-12 | Members & Children Under 2 Free www.mckeegarden.org 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).