1. home and garden

Garden Talk
Vol. Thirty, No. 1
First Edition 2015
REVIEW 2014...PREVIEW 2015!
Amarillo Botanical
Gardens Welcomed Over
53,000 to Christmas
Garden of Lights in 2014!
From Nov. 29th though Dec.
13th., more than 53,000
visitors were welcomed to over
180,000 twinkling lights
illuminating pathways, trees
and shrubs throughout ABG’s
entire 41/2 acres. 2014’s
Christmas Garden of Lights was
underwritten by a generous
donation from Joseph H. and
Arlene Pool. Other community
sponsors included Amarillo National Bank, Happy State
Bank, Reed Distributing, Xcel Energy and Hastings
Entertainment. Community musicians filled the Garden’s
outdoor patio each and the decorated Sybil B. Harrington
Gallery each evening with Christmas carols. Opening
night kick-off featured selections from the Amarillo Little
Theater’s production of A Christmas Story, The Musical.
Christmas Garden of Lights
will run for 3 weeks in 2015!
SPECIAL PREVIEW EVENT, Fri. Nov. 27th
500 Reserved Tickets available for this evening
$10 Adults, Children 12 & under FREE
PUBLIC OPENING, Sat. Nov. 28th thru Sat. Dec. 19th
6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
each evening
Admission is by any
donation possible.
Children 12 and under
are always free.
We were so pleased to bring our Christmas gift of spirit
and excitement to Amarillo again last year to such huge
crowds. Greg Lusk and Travis Testerman worked
endless hours along with many volunteers,
coordinated by Angie Hanna, to pull the magic
together. Volunteers from the Southwest Garden
Club donated and distributed
candy canes to children each
evening, and concessions
were from Pan-Handlers
Café.
Our special thanks go out to
Judy Day and the Mary E.
Bivins Foundation for
allowing our guests access
to the parking field across
from the Gardens and to Dr. Aaron Pan for use of
the Discovery Center ramps! Thanks neighbors!
Kevin Ball, Executive Director
Special Thanks to
All Christmas Garden
of Lights Volunteers
Board Members and Spouses
Jane Meyers
ABG Garden Volunteers
ABG Office Volunteers
Southwest Garden Club
Amarillo Herb Society
Golden Spread Daylily Society
Potter County Master
Gardeners
North Plains Iris Society
Timber Creek Garden Club
Randall County Master
Gardeners
Widowed Persons Services
Musicians, singers and high
schools who provided time and
talent to entertain!
A Sampling of Exciting Community Events and Collaborations Held at
Our Beautiful Gardens the Fall of 2014...
OperaGoofa
Amarillo Opera
poked fun at itself
during an evening
of “Opera Gone
Very Wrong” on
Saturday, Sept.
12th in the
Auditorium. Opera
fans were treated to
a hilarious evening of fantastic opera spoofs and
irreverent fun!
German Tango
at the Gardens
Chamber Music
Amarillo
aficionados were
treated to an
evening of Bach,
Schoenberg and
Piazzolla in the
Auditorium on Sept. 13th. The Schoenberg, not often
Performed, was a huge hit with the Amarillo audience.
CMA is planning annual fall appearances at the Gardens
in the years to come.
Scotch under the Stars
On Sept. 18th, ABG
teamed up with Reed
Distributing, Good
Karma Cigars, Macaroni
Joes and M&R Liquor
Store to host a
fundraiser celebrating
the fall harvest season
with good scotch and
great company. With 80
in attendance, guests were entertained by Jim Gardiner
on piano. The Gardens raised slightly over $3,500 for
general operating expenses.
PumpkinFest
This past year, 1086 pumpkins were beautifully
arranged throughout the
grounds of ABG. Visitors
were encouraged to take
their “Fall and Halloween”
photos in the Gardens. One
hundred-fifty people entered
the “Guess the Number of Gourds and Pumpkins” at ABG.
Facebook Free Friday
An annual tradition continued this year on Oct .17th
as the Gardens was
opened to 326 Facebook
fans in celebration of
reaching 4,750 likes on
Facebook! The day was
gorgeous and many
families took incredible fall
photos at numerous ABG Pumpkin photo-op areas.
West Texas A&M Sybil B. Harrington School of Fine
Arts and Humanities
Production of Full
Bloom: The Debate of
Jazz and Poetry
Oct. 21st.
WTAMU supporters
enjoyed a beautiful
evening of cocktails and
culinary delights as they
strolled through and
were entertained in the
Gardens. Members of the nationally ranked WTAMU
Forensics Team read poetry, created duet acting scenes,
gave speeches and engaged in debate. The WTAMU Jazz
Ensemble presented a fantastic big band concert in the
Attebury Amphitheater! Mother Nature provided a
spectacular evening as a backdrop for a showcase of our
exceptionally talented WTAMU students.
Hunt Dinner
Barry Peterson chaired a wonderful
Friends of ABG fundraising event on
Nov. 13th. The Texas Hunt Menu
included savory smoked beef
tenderloin, quail and bison, with
delicious sides and desserts. Silent
auction items were provided by Duncan and Boyd Jewelers, George
Moore, The Patio Shop, Craig
Urbanczyk, Angie Hanna, Et Cetera,
Lilly Finch, Marcella Furs and Leather,
Rachel Swindell, Roni Swindell,
Janey’s, River Fields, Old West Hats, Reford Ranch Style,
David and Amerlia O’Dell, Macaroni Joe’s, Lanna and Bob
Hatton, Gary Pfeffer, Becca Farabough and the Kritser
Ranch. The fall evening was chilly for the event which was
held in the ABG Auditorium. A huge Thank You to all
Friends’ members who helped make the evening a delight.
Money raised from the event provided much needed
operating funds for ABG programs.
2013 Hail and Storm Damage Repair Update
Significant damages resulting from the 2013 hail storm have been completed. The entire facility has been repaired and repainted. Special thanks go out
to Jennifer and John Buckthall who underwrote additional painting not
covered in the insurance claim.
Gardening with Greg…
Greg Lusk,
Director of Gardens/Horticulturist
Updates from all corners
of the
Franklin
Butterfly Garden
Mary E. Bivins
Tropical
Conservatory
Renovations were
completed by ABG staff
and volunteers. This
Garden is dedicated to
attracting and
promoting
butterflies and
pollinators.
Several new species of
rare or endangered plants
were added to replace
common species
originally planted.
The Monet Garden
Sponsored by the South West
Garden Club, it is the newest
completed Garden. It was
designed and installed by ABG
staff in the style of Claude
Monet’s gardens in Giverny,
France.
Greenhouses Are Back In
Business!
The two existing greenhouses and
potting sheds were entirely
renovated by ABG staff including
new roofs, siding, benches,
heating, air conditioning, watering
systems and flooring.
The Grande
Wedding Lawn
Our beautiful and
popular lawn has
been leveled and
renovated. It will now
accommodate more
guests and is more
stable for chairs and
tables.
Amarillo Herb
Society Garden
This unique Garden
was redesigned by
ABG staff and
replanted by Herb
Garden volunteers.
2015 Goals for Development and Upgrades to the Gardens at ABG
As you visit ABG this season, keep an eye out for many exciting projects in progress throughout
the spring and summer. Some include:
 Developing an education program for youth and adults from the Plant Select ®Collection at the Sybil B. Harrington
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Garden to promote sustainable gardening in the high plains region.
Continuing construction of Jack and Hazel Children’s Garden - phase 1 construction of an Irish Cottage.
Repairing and upgrading the paths and floors in the Mary E. Bivins Tropical Conservatory.
Continuing plans for lighting installation.in the Attebury Amphitheater.
Installing the AMBUCS La Petite Jardin, a new garden sponsored by Southwest AMBUCS and designed by the
ABG staff to display colorful annuals in a contemporary setting.
Renovating and replanting the Rose Garden.
Installing the Stich Garden, an example of a north American woodland meadow garden designed and installed by
ABG staff.
Building the Bivins Greenhouse - the reconstruction of the estate greenhouse of the late Betty Bivins for the
purpose of growing bedding plants for use on the ABG grounds.
Renovating and improving the Wagner Japanese Garden.
Follow us on these Social Media outlets:
HONORARIA
DONATIONS
Sharon & Larry Oeschger
Joe and Arlene Pool
Gary Strickland Construction Consultants
Amarillo Herb Society
North Plains Iris Society
Joe Bill Sherrod
George F. Moore
Anonymous
Toot’n Totum
Xcel Energy
Amarillo National Bank
Hastings Entertainment
Happy State Bank
Reed’s Distribution
Marty and John Marmaduke
Jennifer Houston
Burkett Outdoor Advertising – billboards
Southwest Garden Club – candy canes
and Monet Garden
Nativity Scene:
John Merklein
William and Jenean Thompson
Eva Russell
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Lloyd
Catherine Morrison
Roy and Sue Sooter
LE PETIT JARDIN GARDEN SPONSOR
Anne Stich
Jim and Barbara Whitton –
In memory of Bennett C. Kerr
Southwest AMBUCS
CLASSIC CONTAINER SPONSOR
Jennifer Houston
REMEMBER WITH ROSES SPONSOR
F
P
In memory ofLOWER
Gene Clark, Jr. OWER
By Mrs. Ruth Clark
In memory of Eugene and Jerline Halfman
By Vicki Vernon
In memory of Mary Ann Howell, Barbara Curtis
and Shirley Stapleton
By Linda Halfman
In honor of the Randall County Master Gardeners
Lessa Wood Calvi
In honor of Magdalena McMordie
Dr. Victoria Thompson and
Dr. Raymond Martin
In Honor of Katie R. Newton family and Savanna
Mrs. W.R. Richey
In honor of Barry and Tisha Peterson
Mrs. Olla Johnson
Jane Meyers Education Fund in honor of Jane Meyers:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hatton
Ms. Alice Shellberg
Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Myers
Ms. Susan Bezner
Ms. Diane Seitz
Mr. Jerry Middleton
Mrs. Teresa Griffin and family
Ms. Annette Maikoetter
Ms. Lea Nelson
Ms. Beverly Harris
Southwest Garden Club
Ms. Av Bjork
Ms. Diane Bim
Glenn McMennamy Family Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lynch
Ms. Liz White
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hester
Ms. Audre Smith
Anonymous
Ms. Connie McLain
Ms. Shirley Gibbons
Ms. Linda Hill
Ms. Dusty McGuire
Ms. Cheryl Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Horn
Ms. Marilyn McCann
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hanna
Mr. Mike Bezner
Mr. Justin Bezner
CONSERVATORY WISH LIST DONORS
Jennifer Houston
Adam Schaer
Support and celebrate the seasons of 2015...Your generous support and
sponsorship makes ABG community programs available to over 100,000 people
who will visit ABG this year!
Barry D. Peterson Garden
The Board and Staff dedicated a
special Garden to outgoing
President Barry Peterson for his
outstanding service to ABG.
The Bobby
Harper
Memorial
Garden
This beautiful addition
to ABG features a
lovely display of native
Texas wildflowers and
art on loan from Ann
Crouch of Sunset Art
Galleries.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
In Memory of George Lokey
Mr. and Ms. Lawrence Oeschger
Betty Farrell
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Botsonis
Mr. and Mrs. Michael McBroom
Toot‘n Totum - Greg Mitchell
Richard Ware
Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Hare
In Memory of Dean Blackwell
Jane Meyers
In Memory of Gladys Risinger
Jane Meyers
In Memory of Rosemary Roach
Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Hare
In Memory of Jo Rush Mozola
Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Hare
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Countiss
In Memory of Joanne Alder
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Norman
In Memory of Dorcas Dean “Dot” Beck
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Pickens
In Memory of Velma Ruth Mueller
Debie White
Barbara Aplin
Charlie Anderson
In Memory of Mary Alice Brasfield Wheatley
Mr. and Mrs. Roland J. Melinsky
Liz Brasfield
Thomas Melinsky
IN KIND DONATIONS
Elzine Quandt – plants
Mrs. Wendy Marsh – orchids, plants
Mary Jane Blackwell – Christmas lights
Brenda Rush – lexan panels
Dr. Carroll Moore – indoor beehive display
Jerry Casida – outdoor fountain
Roy Sooter – wheelbarrow, garden tools, garden pots
Chuck Lynch – blueprints for Children’s Garden
Glenn McMennamy — metal Christmas Star
Bob Hatton – plants for Monet Garden
Jane Meyers – plants for Monet Garden, gardening
books, tulip bulbs
Dusty McGuire — floral art, art supplies,
hibiscus, coleus
M&R Liquor – liquor for Scotch Under the Stars
Reed Distributing – liquor for Scotch Under the Stars
Macaroni Joe’s – food for Scotch under the Stars
Janean Thompson – antique seed planter
Peggy Urban – 2 large ferns and hanging plants
Angela McCarthy – Christmas lights
Mary Wallace – flower seeds
Shirley Gibbons – tulip bulbs
MEMORIAL SERVICE PACKAGES
When it comes to the loss of a loved one, choosing the
right setting to celebrate their life can be overwhelming.
The natural setting of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens
offers an atmosphere of beauty and tranquility for a
Memorial Service. The Gardens offers packages to
accommodate most guest lists. Please call 352-6513 for
details.
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece”...Claude Monet
Oasis Society
Night of Lights Dinner
Forty-eight members of the ABG Oasis Society enjoyed
cocktails and dinner amidst beautiful silver and white
lighting at the Second Annual Night of Lights on Jan.
27th. Our thanks go to these special
community leaders who have ensured
continued success of the Amarillo
Botanical Gardens. Become an Oasis
member, and keep your eye out for
many special Oasis Society events in
2015!
Community support of the Gardens is crucial
throughout the year. It is especially rewarding during
the prime growing seasons when all 4 1/2 acres are
brimming with beautiful flowers, shrubs, trees and
lawns. Below are beautiful options for your personal
support of ABG. Call 352-6513 for more details on
customizing your Garden!
LE PETIT JARDIN
Underwriter Gift - $1,000
Your gift supports the care and maintenance of a specific
area of the Garden for one growing season through
Christmas Garden of Lights. Funds from this gift program
provide for exceptional annual and perennial plantings in a
prominent garden. Your $1,000 gift provides for educational
plant identification signage, mulch, plants, maintenance
and irrigation expense as well as Gift Underwriter’s
signage (underwriter’s name and honoree’s name).
CLASSIC CONTAINER
Underwriter Gift - $300
2015 Oasis Society Members
Therese and Malouf Abraham
Dusty McGuire
Dana Bagot
Jane Meyers
Roxann and Kevin Ball
Jennifer and John Miesse
Marlies and Bert Ballengee
Cristy and Jack Miller
Bruckner Family Foundation
(Peggy Bruckner)
Kathy and Stan Morris
Jennifer and John Buckthall
Sharon and Larry Oeschger
C.C. Burgess
Tisha and Barry Peterson
John Mozola
Barbara and Tom Burnett
Madge and Harry Phillips
Alice and Robbin Dawson
Tennessee and Larry Pickens
Paul F. & Virginia J. Engler
Tarrie and Ken Pirtle
Foundation
Arlene and Joe Pool
Betty and Richard Farrell
Eleanor Glazener
Victoria Thompson/Raymond
Martin
Lanna and Bob Hatton
Myrna and Dan Raffkind
Leroy Hill
Anne Stich
Joan and Joe Horn
Joan and Steve Urban
Janice and Bud Joyner
Lisa and Neil Veggeberg
Mays Foundation (Stacy and
Randy Sharp)
Sandra and Ron Watts
Glenn McMennamy
Emily and Casey Wood
Your gift supports the expense of one large container on
the Garden’s grounds for one growing season. Your $300
gift enables ABG to fill the vessel with seasonal plantings,
maintenance and irrigation expense through Christmas
Garden of Lights and will provide Gift Underwriter’s signage
(underwriter’s name and honoree’s name). This donation
will enable ABG to emphasize annuals and seasonal color
while placing unusual plantings in priority locations.
REMEMBER WITH ROSES
Underwriter Gift - $100
Your gift will be acknowledged and recorded in the
Remember with Roses Roster in the permanent records of
ABG. Funds from this gift program are used for the
restoration, beautification and upkeep of the ABG Rose
Garden. Your $100 gift enables ABG to honor your loved
one with a glorious rose bush maintained for your
enjoyment as well as the community’s for many years to
come. A garden admission pass is also included for a one
time family or group visit to the Rose Garden.
Joan and Ben Weber
Call 352-6513 for
membership details.
“The earth laughs in flowers”...
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We LOVE our Volunteers...Their hours were up 39.5% last year!
2,215 hours were recorded in 2014.
Come join the fun!
Take a break...
Clip out this coupon for
Upcoming 2015 Events
March 15-21 — Spring Break— Come visit!
March 20 — Southwest Garden Club Meeting
March 31 — Volunteer training / Harrington Gallery
April 17 — Southwest Garden Club Meeting
ONE
FREE
ADMISSION
...bring a friend, bring a picnic and
visit the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
Not valid on May 9th
or for any Music in the Gardens performances.
April 22 — Earth Day
May 2 — AMBUCS Derby Day Private Party
May 3-Aug 15 — Celebrate ABG Photo Contest
May 7— Friends of the Gardens Membership Party
May 9 — GardenFest Plant Sale / Garage Sale
May 10 — Mother’s Day Iris Show—Free!
June 4-Aug 27— Music in the Gardens, every
Thursday evening @ 7 p.m.
Aug 27– Oasis Night @ Music in the Gardens
Plant Sale Saturday, May 9th
Special Event
Rentals
Join us for summer fun at Music in the Gardens –
2,435 people attended 2014’s successful Music in
the Gardens featuring 10 sensational performances
by many of the Panhandle’s most talented and
popular musicians and groups. Music in the
Gardens 2015 will begin Thursday, June 4th and run
through Thursday, August 27th.
Garden summer hours begin May 10th:
Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Are you looking for an
outstanding place to hold your
next event? ABG specializes in
beautiful weddings, rehearsal
dinners, corporate events,
business luncheons, graduation
parties and other unique and
exceptional events. As a member of the Association of
Bridal Consultants, Events Manager, Misty can help you
plan your event details from A to Z. Call 352-6513 today
and schedule an appointment. Space and dates are
limited!
Admission:
Members & Kids 12 & under are Free
Non-Members are $5 Adults/$4 SeniorS
Nonprofit Org
US Postage PAID
Permit NO. 527
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo Botanical Gardens
1400 Streit Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79106
First Edition 2015
VOL Thirty, No. 1
Photos courtesy of Ralph Duke, Krzysztof Snazyk, Misty Lloyd and Kevin Ball.
You are invited to join us for
2015 Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Dana Bagot
Chuck Lynch
Keith Crawley
Cortney Reed
Barry Peterson
VOLUNTEER
ORIENTATION
AND TRAINING
Tuesday, March 31st, 10 a.m.— Noon
DIRECTORS
Brenda Graham
Wendy Kritser-Howard
Ken Pirtle
Gentry Woodburn
Bob Hatton
Jane Meyers
Paula Steele
Britny Zambrano
Joe Horn
John Mozola
Craig Urbanczyk
STAFF
Executive Director
Director of Gardens/
Horticulturist
Office Manager
Events Manager/
Education Coordinator
Maintenance Engineer
Custodian
We welcome all current and
prospective volunteers
to attend ABG
spring training class.
Have fun learning about our
practices, policies and plans.
Kevin Ball
Greg Lusk
Bob Hatton will speak on the history of ABG.
Lisa Cross
Misty Lloyd
Garden, Conservatory and Ticket Booth Volunteer
positions available this spring and summer.
Travis Testerman
Casey Moore
Call 352-6513 for
more details.
Phone: 806.352.6513
Fax: 806.352.6227
www.AmarilloBotanicalGardens.org
Email: abg@abgardens.org