43 minute read
Letter from the President
Volume 14 Issue 1 Spring 2020
David Price President
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Erica Smith, DBA Editor
James Albo Caley Curchy Graphic Designers
Editorial Contributors Jaime Fogel Philip A. Gonsiska, PhD Marilyn Knowlton Patrick Lynch Tricia Martin Cheryl L. Peterson Melissa Robillard Melissa Roth-Giffen Kari Ruder Melissa Tyrone
Photo Contributors James Albo Philip A. Gonsiska, PhD Max Lindsey
Mission To inspire a better and more beautiful world by sharing Edward Bok’s legacy.
Vision To reach out in beauty to the people, and fill their souls with the quiet, the repose, the influence of the beautiful.
Nature has always been a source of solace and inspiration. Throughout history, man has found centeredness in nature. Jesus went into the wilderness, Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree, and Mohammad climbed Mt. Hira. As beautifully sculpted on the Singing Tower's Great Brass Door, the biblical creation story began with a man in a garden.
In the late 19th century, there was an awareness of the need to protect nature as the modern world consumed the wild into profit and commercial goods. Authors, naturalists, and philosophers were some of the first to call for the preservation of open space. Writers such as John Muir and John Burroughs wrote of the wonders of forests, mountains, rivers, and canyons. Their writing described nature's fine details in terms of beauty, inspiration, and the wonderment of diversity. Burroughs captured his feelings about natural spaces with this powerful statement that continues to be relevant nearly a century later, “I come here to find myself. It is so easy to get lost in the world.”
The author Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote, “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” The spiritual and health benefits of nature have long been intuitively known and later scientifically studied by psychologists, including Rachel and Stephan Kaplan. In a paper entitled The Restorative Environment: Nature and the Human Experience, Stephan Kaplan writes of studies exploring how patients heal faster in a hospital if they have a view of nature from their hospital room. Patients that interacted with the environment were much more inclined to seek positive changes in their lifestyle.
In 1929, Edward Bok created Bok Tower Gardens for visitors to disconnect from the hectic, electrified world. That mission and purpose is even more relevant today. We recognize the importance of wellbeing and have focused our efforts to create improvements and programming that promote health and wellness for both mind and body. As we review and update our strategic plan, we will continue that focus. Recently we entered into a partnership with Wawa, Inc. to promote health and wellness with an emphasis on underserved children.
Nature, conservation, and health are inextricably linked. Places for the public to walk, meditate, explore, and enjoy are vital to our wellbeing, health, and happiness.
David Price, President January 2020
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
During the month of April, Bok Tower Gardens and The Dali are in partnership with a one month Reciprocal Admission Program.
Members of Bok Tower Gardens will receive free admission at The Dali during the month of April 2020. Admission applies for up to two adults and five children based on the visiting member’s membership card. No other member benefits apply.
Located in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, The Dali Museum is home to an unparalleled collection of Salvador Dali art, featuring more than 2,000 works comprising nearly 100 oil paintings; over 100 watercolors and drawings; and 1,300 prints, photographs, sculptures and more.
The Dali Museum is located at One Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. For additional information contact 727.823.3767 or visit TheDali.org.
BEAUTY BEYOND THE GARDENS
Did you know membership is a passport to visiting more than 300 Public Gardens across the nation? Your membership card allows you to participate in our Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) and entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts at 330+ gardens across the nation.
Start planning your next travel adventure at boktowergardens.org/ membership/#reciprocal-benefits.
Things to remember about the Reciprocal Admission Program:
Using your reciprocal benefits is easy. Here are some important program guidelines to remember. Make special note if a garden enforces the 90-mile exclusion. Please contact the garden you belong to or the garden you plan to visit to inquire about their enforcement of this policy.
Present your current membership card at the admissions counter to receive the RAP benefit(s) listed for that garden. Only the members listed on the card receive the benefit. Some gardens may require a photo ID.
The gardens you visit rely on admissions and donations to maintain their collections and gardens for all to enjoy.
Contact Member Services at Membership@boktower.org or 863-734-1226 for more information.
ART OF ASTER CONSERVATION Zen AND THE
PHILIP A. GONSISKA, PHD
– THERESE OF LISIEUX
Bok Tower Gardens has long been a popular place for the public to meditate and enjoy nature. The Gardens also offer courses and events focused on wellness, self-renewal, and creativity that encourage guests to live fuller, more vibrant lives. The Rare Plant Conservation Program extends the Gardens' focus on renewal to the restoration of Florida’s wild areas and the wellbeing of the many rare plant species that grow only in those areas.
Florida is part of the North American
Coastal Plain biodiversity hotspot 1 . Due
to its climate and unique geological
history, Florida has 2,840 native plant
species, 295 of which grow nowhere else
on Earth 1 . Climate and geology also
make Florida a popular place for humans;
Florida’s population grew by 1,766,134
(9.3%) between 2012 and 2018 and is
expected to increase by another 9.5% by
2024 2 . All of those new Floridians need
additional homes, infrastructure, and services. Humans also use natural areas for physical activities and emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth. As natural areas are increasingly developed to supply these diverse needs, Florida’s endangered plants need human intervention to survive.
One of the many species in Florida threatened by human activity is the federally and state endangered Florida Goldenaster (Chrysopsis floridana). This member of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae) is one of 11 species of Goldenaster in the state. The Florida Goldenaster is found only in five counties in central Florida, where it grows in scrub habitat, as well as the transition zone between scrub and other types of habitats, such as flatwoods and xeric hammock.
Change is inevitable, and acknowledging this fact allows options to emerge for the protection of endangered species, such as establishing new populations of rare species on protected, public lands. The US Fish and Wildlife Service currently funds a collaboration between the Rare Plant Conservation Program and the Manatee
County Parks and Natural Resources Department to establish a population of the Florida Goldenaster at one of Manatee County’s parks. In 2019, Florida Goldenaster plants were grown from seed, and in early September, a team of 16 volunteers planted 356 plants at the park. Manatee County staff recently estimated that approximately 90% of these plants have survived. While the survival of these plants is a crucial first step, they must reproduce and spread, and it will take many years to know whether the plants have established a self-sustaining population. Establishing new populations of endangered species requires vigilant site maintenance and monitoring, and often multiple introductions of additional plants. If successful, these efforts will help ensure the survival of the Florida Goldenaster for its inherent value, the value of other species, like pollinators, that may depend on it for survival, and the enjoyment and wellbeing of Floridians for generations to come.
1. Cameron Devitt, S.E., J. R. Seavey, S. Claytor, T. Hoctor, M. Main, O. Mbuya, R. Noss, C. Rainyn. 2012: Florida Biodiversity Under a Changing Climate, Florida Climate Task Force. [Available online at http://www. floridaclimate.org/whitepapers]
2. Demographic Estimating Conference. 2019: Demographic Estimating Conference Executive Summary. [Available online at http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/ conferences/population/demographicsummary.pdf]
TAKES ROOT A New Partnership
Aunique partnership with Wawa will help more visitors enjoy Bok Tower Gardens over the next four years. This partnership will provide opportunities for our community to enjoy the benefits of nature and culture that Bok Tower Gardens offers. Together, we will offer three programs designed to welcome underserved children into our Gardens and invite Wawa’s customers to become our visitors.
All visitors will be guests of Wawa on the first Saturday of the month between May-September. These Summer Fun Days fueled by Wawa will feature enhanced programming in Hammock Hollow and other unique experiences.
During the school year, Wawa Adventure Weeks will break down the financial barrier of visiting Bok Tower Gardens for Title I schools in Polk County by offering no-cost, immersive field trip experiences. As a part of Wawa’s commitment to education, area Title I schools will enjoy complimentary field trips and access to the Gardens to enjoy the adventure of learning in the natural world.
The partnership also adds another week to Discovery Days summer camp to expand capacity of the Grow it! Cook it! Eat it! Camp. This experience, fueled by Wawa, invites children to experience healthy foods from seed & soil to pan & plate and introduces them to the joys of both gardening and cooking. Thanks to Wawa, scholarship assistance will be available to make this learning opportunity financially accessible.
DID YOU KNOW? Started in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey, Wawa, Inc., has grown to become one of the nation's most influential privately held companies. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming, and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA, in 1902. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George's grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products.
Today, Wawa is your all-day, everyday stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATMs with more than 860 convenience retail stores.
FUN DAYS FUELED BY
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FUN DAYS: ˇ MAY 2, JUNE 6, JULY 4, AUGUST 1, AND SEPTEMBER 5, 2020.
GOOD NEWS Naturally
MELISSA TYRONE, MNM, CFRE
Did you know a trip to Bok Tower Gardens might help you live a longer, happier life?
Arecent report from the World Health Organization reveals that attending a concert or participation in other cultural activities contribute to extended longevity, social engagement, and improved physical and mental health. The report indicates that the arts can prevent ill health, promote wellbeing, and aid in the management and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including mental health, neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, and support end-of-life care. Not only does the report show that patients benefit from the arts, participating in the arts can have a positive impact on caregivers, as well.
These findings are particularly exciting when considered along with studies that show the positive health benefits of contact with nature. Though it is logical to assume that these health benefits may be the result of an increase in physical activity, studies show that merely viewing natural scenes and being in natural environments can counteract stress and anxiety. These activities provide a sense of well-being and help patients recover from illness.
As powerful as the impact of nature and the arts have on health by themselves, further research will determine how experiencing them together improves health and wellbeing. However, as every visitor to Bok Tower Gardens knows, even without empirical evidence, a walk in the garden while listening to a carillon concert is good for you. In addition to our green spaces, the Gardens offer a wealth of cultural activities, including Bok After Dark performances, Live at the Gardens Concert Series, weekly wellness programming, and many arts & crafts classes. Not only is Bok Tower Gardens good for the soul, it is good for the body, as well.
Learn More Fancourt, D, & Finn S. (2019). What is the evidence of the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report67.
Louv, R. (2011) The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books. p. 303.
Maller, C, & Townsend, M. et al. (2005). Healthy nature health people: ‘Contact with nature’ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations. Health Promotion International, Vol. 21 No. 1 Oxford UniversityPress.
Ulrich, R. S. (1999). Effects of gardens on health outcomes: Theory and research. In C. Cooper-Marcus & M. Barnes (Eds.), Healing Gardens: Therapeutic Benefits and Design Recommendations. New York: John Wiley, p. 27-28.
10 QUESTIONS with Brendan Huggins, Director of Horticulture
In August, the Gardens welcomed the sixth Director of Horticulture, Brendan Huggins. Before his new post, Brendan was the Director of Horticulture for Moore Farms Botanical Garden located in South Carolina. Brendan's career has included positions at Greenwood Gardens (New Jersey), National Tropical Botanic Gardens (Hawaii), and Longwood Gardens (Pennsylvania). He is a
graduate of the University of Delaware and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management.
With over ten years of public gardens experience, his diverse background has included management, historic renovations, new construction, plant records, nursery production, and integrated pest management.
Brendan, his wife, Julie, and son Finn have settled into their new home in Lake Wales.
1Tell us about your background. What made you want to become a horticulture professional? I have always loved the outdoors. As I advanced in my schooling, I came to appreciate how my passions related to Horticulture. After taking a class and working an internship my junior year of college, I found the career track I wanted to pursue.
2What has been your most memorable lesson? I would not consider this a lesson, but working within public gardens has taught me that any obstacle can be surmounted when a group of determined individuals comes together to accomplish a task.
3Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of horticulture? I enjoy the outdoors, and any activity that gets me outside is enjoyable. I also enjoy playing the bagpipes and following my favorite sports teams.
4Can you tell us more about the Huggins family? My wife, Julie, is a high school teacher and is currently serving with Polk County Schools. I have one child, Finn (aged 18 months), and he has already made plenty of friends with the staff at Bok Tower Gardens. We have two dogs, Jughead and Archie, who are wonderful additions. As a family, we enjoy hiking and cooking, and generally, any family activities.
5What is your favorite flower or plant, and why? I do not have a favorite plant, as I believe that every plant has a place. As a gardener, you have to think through potential locations, and additionally make sure it will not be a problematic plant. I do have a particular fondness for the genus Taxodium, or what is more commonly known as the cypress tree family.
6What job did you want to have when you were a little boy? I wanted to be a cowboy. Truthfully, I always wanted to work in a career field that keeps me outside.
7What was your favorite trip or vacation, and why? Every year we go to the beach with my family, and recently, my friends have joined the adventures. It is particularly relaxing to be in an area with little technology and truly escape from the hustle and bustle oflife.
8Who do you admire most and why? This is a difficult question to answer. Many people have been genuinely impactful on my life, but in thinking this question through, who do I wish I could emulate the most? If I answer that question, it would be my siblings who have kept me honest and helped to push me beyond my comfort zone.
9What is your favorite movie, and why? My favorite movie is "The Last of the Mohicans." I often watched this movie with my father and brothers. I feel a particular sense of nostalgia when I watch it.
10 What are the words you live by, or do you have a favorite quote? “Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.” Aldo Leopold
AT WORK Sustainability
KARI RUDER
Bok Tower Gardens is working hard to increase our sustainability efforts in 2020. Last year we began looking at how our operations can be improved to promote environmental conservation and launched a stainability audit to identify areas of concern and improvement. From the big picture to specific actions, here is a look at some of the things we have accomplished so far.
We created a Green Team to educate, inspire and empower employees around sustainability. We eliminated our use of plastic straws and lids at the Blue Palmetto Café and plastic bags from The Shop at Bok.
Recently, we tackled a water conservation project. The greenhouse irrigation well was scheduled to be drained and this process usually results in the removal of water to nearby empty fields. Wanting to safeguard this water for better use, the Bok team worked to reroute the water for irrigation to the National Conservation beds and surrounding gardens. We have expanded our efforts to capture rainwater and reuse water in the nursery with the installation of three cistern tanks with capacity to hold 45,000 gallons of water. These cisterns save thousands of gallons that can be used for irrigation.
Together, the facilities and horticulture team installed a network of pipes to capture any remaining well water to be pumped back into the empty cistern for storage. Not only did this action conserve and utilize tens of thousands of gallons of water, this effort prevented potential erosion and flooding issues around the conservation beds and roads.
These conservation efforts are part of our ongoing mission to make Bok Tower Gardens more beautiful and, most importantly, a better partner to our environment. Stay tuned for upcoming editions to learn more about our sustainability progress.
MEMORIES KEEP THE GARDENS GROWING
Celebrate, commemorate or remember loved ones with a unique and meaningful tribute gift. Areas of the Garden can become “a bit better or more beautiful” through your support of an honor and memorial contribution.
Blue Palmetto Café Table & Chair Set $2,500-$5,000 Celebrating a significant milestone or looking for a way to show gratitude for a loved one? Bok Tower Gardens is expanding our seating on the Blue Palmetto Café Terrace. Through your contribution, tables for two, four, or five can include a plaque with an inscription of your choice.
Dedicated Funds Contribution amounts vary. A new way to recognize someone special! Donors to the dedicated funds and their honorees will be listed on the digital donor wall in the Visitor Center. An exclusive Bok Tower Gardens notecard will be sent to honored persons & family to notify them of your generouscontribution.
Tree Fund An ideal opportunity to honor or remember someone with a fondness for sitting beneath a canopy of oaks or who enjoyed the majesty of trees.
Plant Fund Celebrate an individual who spends their days exploring the blossoming beds of Bok Tower Gardens or digging in their own garden.
Land Restoration & Management Fund The longleaf pine & wiregrass ecosystem was once a dominant feature of the Lake Wales Ridge, home to Bok Tower Gardens. Commemorate a loved one who believes in the lasting impact ofconservation.
To explore the dedicated fund options, please contact Kelsey Jaffer, Associate Director of Philanthropy at kjaffer@boktower.org or 863-734-1212
Donations to the funds can also be made online at our website boktowergardens.org/ support-the-gardens/
AND Body Mind
Bok Tower Gardens offers a
variety of wellness programs
designed to nurture both your
body and your brain. These
classes are led by top coaches
and subject experts and provide
participants with the tools needed
to renew, recharge and refresh.
Discover a new you this spring.
COUCH TO 5K TRAINING: Each Mon, Wed, Fri in February at 8 A.M. Walk and jog your way to be ready to run a 5K. Running training designed to motivate someone “out of shape” to prepare for a 5K race. Come out and join us as we prepare for the Carillon Classic 5K (Feb 29). Training sessions are free, separate charge applies for Carillon Classic 5K.
YOGA FOR EVERY BODY: Thursdays, Jan 9- Feb 20 and Mar 12 – Apr 16. 8:30-9:30 A.M. This Hatha yoga class follows core sequence of held postures combined with breath work. Learn to listen to your body and modify postures as needed. Participants of all adult ages, shapes, and abilities will gain strength, balance, and serenity. No prior BY BOK
experience is necessary and classes do not need to be attended sequentially. Included in general admission, free for members.
MOVEMENT AND IMAGINATION NATURE PLAY: Feb 15. 10:30-11:30 A.M. Children can enjoy playing games and telling stories with movement, while learning more about birds of Bok Tower Gardens. Aesop’s fables of the stork and the fox, featured in the carving on the Tower, will be one of the many bird tales that will come alive in this fun kid’s class. Geared for children ages 4 – 10. Included in general admission, free for members.
SINGING BOWLS: Feb 18, March 17, April 21 and May 19. 5:30-6:30 P.M. Join Buffy La Roux as she guides participants inward in this meditation experience incorporating a blend of energy and relaxation modalities, such as crystal bowls, Reiki, positive affirmations and themed guided meditation. This is a time to relax and receive. Bring a mat and/or blanket. Optional items that may enhance your experience: water, journal, pillow and eye mask. $25 members/$35 non-members.
RESTORATIVE YOGA: Feb 8 and April 4. 9-11 A.M. Restorative Yoga provides students the opportunity to "fully rest" while opening the body through a variety of supported poses, meditation and breath work that encourage deep relaxation. Spend the day learning more about this relaxation technique with expert Kelly Andrews. $30 members/$37 non-members.
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN: Feb 8. 1-3 P.M. Today more than ever, we need to develop brain agility to cope with mental fatigue, minimize error under stressful situations, learn with ease and speed, and develop resilience. In this highly interactive session, you will learn the patterns of how the brain processes information, the drivers that impact brain performance, and practice brain fitness activities to develop brain agility. You will leave feeling revitalized and refreshed! This session is appropriate for 12 years and above. $18 members/$33 non-members.
CARILLON CLASSIC 5K RUN/WALK: Feb 29. 7:30 A.M. Enjoy a run or walk through one of Central Florida’s most beautiful courses as the Carillon rings out in celebration. Online registration only. $30 per participant.
HEARTMATH: Mar 1. 9 A.M. -2 P.M. HeartMath® approach to personal resilience is an evidence-based program that will provide you with the tools you need to maintain your energy levels, tap into your intuition & create heart to heart connections. $55 member/$65 non-members.
USUI REIKI I: Mar 28. 9 A.M. -5 P.M. Reiki means Universal Life Energy. This ancient healing energy may reduce stress, relieve pain and facilitate healing. Many hospitals are now offering Reiki to their patients. Reiki may be given to yourself, loved ones, animals, and plants! This workshop includes an overview of the history of Reiki, instruction in hand positions used for treatment and a summary of the energy centers of the body. Each student will receive the Reiki I Placement and become certified as a Reiki I Practitioner. *This educational activity carries 7.5 contact hours. Includes a 30-minute lunch break. Bring your own or purchase a lunch at the café. $150 member/non-member.
USUI REIKI II: Mar 29. 9 A.M. -5 P.M. Second degree Reiki is available to Reiki I Practitioners who would like to strengthen the Reiki energy flow of their sessions. The use of ancient Reiki symbols will be taught to aid in emotional issues as well as distance healing. Prerequisite: Reiki I. *This educational activity carries 7.5 contact hours. Includes a 30-minute lunch break. Bring your own or purchase a lunch at the café. $250 member/non-member.
BRING ON THE Blooms
Bok Tower Gardens rings in the spring blooming season with a cultural and horticultural festival dedicated to the most colorful time of the year. Spring Bloom celebrates the majesty of Mother Nature with a full calendar of events and beautiful floral displays in each room of Pinewood Estate from February 1 through March 31.
Long appreciated as the most glorious time in the Gardens, experience three months of blooms beginning in late January with orange blossoms, followed by camellias and then the grand finale of azaleas. Adding to the horticultural excitement is a collection of blooming annuals, tea olive trees and a display of flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies in the Horseshoe Garden.
During this annual rite of spring, visitors can observe more than 150 varieties of camellias and hundreds of azaleas in bloom. As the exact date range for peak bloom is hard to predict, guests are encouraged to return throughout the Spring Bloom season to experience Mother Nature’s everchanging palette of colors.
“My favorite blooms have always been the camellias,” said David Price, President, Bok Tower Gardens. “And the best time to visit is February through the first few weeks of March while the bloom period for camellias and azaleas are overlapping,” said Price.
ABLOOM WITH MUSIC, TOURS AND MORE! Like the blooms that fill the Gardens, live music will delight visitors throughout the two-month festival. The 60 carillon bells ring every half hour and during daily concerts at 1 and 3 P.M. This year’s festival introduces bell fans to the Florida Carillon Festival that unites the Florida towers with a series of performances.
SPRING BLOOM WALKING TOURS Visitors can enjoy a complimentary guided walking tour of the Gardens in bloom Monday-Friday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m from January 7 through April 14. Tours depart from the Visitor Center.
SPRING BLOOM AT PINEWOOD ESTATE The jewel of Bok Tower Gardens, Pinewood Estate will blossom with elegant fresh floral displays by local artist Heather Coscia of The Wild Hare Flowers. Each room throughout the 20-room, Mediterranean-style winter retreat will be filled with blooms. The estate is open for historical tours daily from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tickets are $5 for members and $7 for non-members.
GREAT REASONS TO Spring INTO THE GARDENS
FLY INTO THE GARDENS: SPAIN: Feb 8. 12-2:30 P.M. Enjoy live music with SON2 on the Blue Palmetto Café Terrace. FEB. 8
BOK AFTER DARK “VALENTINE’S DAY”: Feb 14. 5-8:30 P.M. Spend the most romantic evening of the year in the Gardens and experience live music on the Terrace with AcousticDose 5:30-7:30 P.M. followed by an 8 P.M. carillon concert with Geert D’hollander. FEB. 14
Elevate your romantic evening by purchasing Chef Fulwood’s Valentine’s steak dinner served in the Outdoor Kitchen featuring live music from Swing Boutique from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Enjoy a 6oz grilled filet mignon, a baked potato bar with fresh toppings, green beans with almonds and chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
“BEE” A BEEKEEPER: Feb 22. 10 A.M. -12 P.M. Join experts from Red Roof Farms for this hands-on workshop and learn all the things you need to know to “Bee” ready and prepared for your own backyard bees. FEB. 22
FLY INTO THE GARDENS: FRANCE: Feb 22. 12-2:30 P.M. Enjoy live music with Steamin on the Blue Palmetto Café Terrace. FEB. 22
CARILLON CLASSIC 5K RUN/WALK: Feb 29. 7:30 A.M. Enjoy a run or walk through one of Central Florida’s most beautiful courses as the Carillon rings out in celebration. Registration begins in December. $30 per runner/walker. FEB. 29
BUMBLEBEE JAMBOREE: Mar 7. 10:30- 11:30 A.M. This unique musical experience is perfect for toddlers and caregivers. Children are invited to dress as a favorite pollinator such as a bee, butterfly or bird and dance and sing along with the musical guests. MAR. 7
FLY INTO THE GARDENS: UNITED KINGDOM: Mar 7. 12-2:30 P.M. Enjoy live music with Rich Mistretta on the Blue Palmetto Café Terrace. MAR. 7
FLOWERS TO WEAR WITH LIVING FLOWER CROWNS: Mar 7. 1:30-3:30 P.M. By BloomBox Floral: Laurel LeMaistre and Michael Lopes. In this hands-on class, students will be provided with all the materials they need and professional instruction on how to create a stunning, long lasting fresh flower crown. MAR. 7
MAKE AND TAKE—GARDEN HOSE WREATHS: Mar 11. 12-1 P.M. Do you enjoy garden crafts? Join us for this workshop where we will teach you how to make a garden hose wreath to take home. Preregistration is required. MAR. 11
HAMMOCK HOLLOW FAIRY FESTIVAL: Mar 14. 10 A.M. -1 P.M. Join the Hammock Hollow fairies for a special day exploring the magic of the Garden with activities for elves and fairies. MAR. 14
FLY INTO THE GARDENS: CELTIC CELEBRATION: Mar 17. 12-2:30 P.M. Enjoy live music with Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder on the Blue Palmetto Café Terrace. MAR. 17
BOK AFTER DARK “CELTIC CELEBRATION”: Mar 17. 5-8 P.M. Experience live music on the Terrace with Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. followed by a 7:30 P.M. carillon concert with Geert D’hollander. MAR. 17
SPRING BLOOM FESTIVAL WINE WALK: Mar 28. 2-5 P.M. Sip and stroll through the Gardens while enjoying 10 carefully curated wines from around the world and light nibbles at each stop. MAR. 28
Spring Bloom at Bok Tower Gardens is supported and sponsored in part by Visit Central and The State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
CREATING A Lasting Legacy
MELISSA TYRONE, MNM, CFRE
Upon Edward W. Bok’s death in 1930, he left a portion of his estate to help preserve Bok Tower Gardens into the future. His estate became the bedrock of our financial security. Since then, numerous donors have made gifts to the Gardens, sharing in the legacy that Bok began. Honored as members of the Edward W. Bok Society, these donors have kept our gardens growing for more than 90 years.
Creating a lasting legacy at Bok Tower Gardens is an opportunity to express a deep
and abiding commitment to ensure the Gardens will thrive for future generations.
We invite you to join Edward Bok in making a lasting legacy for the future of Bok Tower Gardens through a gift planned to maximize your impact.
There are many ways to structure your gift to maximize impact while reducing your tax burden and simplifying your estate for your loved ones. It is essential to discuss your philanthropic plans with your
legal counsel and financial advisors to create an approach that best meets your individual needs.
To help start your conversation with your advisors, consider a few common giving strategies:
• You can make a gift through your
estate by making Bok Tower Gardens a beneficiary of an insurance policy, trust, or a retirement account. To make a beneficiary gift, complete the
beneficiary designation forms for your account and indicate that Bok Tower Gardens is your primary or contingency beneficiary.
• Individuals who have an IRA and are required to take an annual required minimum distribution (RMD) can make a tax-free distribution by transferring funds directly from their IRA to a qualified nonprofit. Donors are limited to $100,000 in charitable distributions annually.
• Savvy donors often make an annual contribution through their IRA to manage IRS requirements and designate their favorite charity as beneficiary to continue supporting their organization well after their lifetime. Talk with your tax advisor to determine if this approach meets your needs.
• Making a provision in your will is another common giving strategy. Donors utilizing this estate-planning tool enjoy significant flexibility in the way they allocate their gifts within their will. With an option to designate a specific amount for the Garden, allocate a percentage of the value of their estate, or direct that the residual of their estate be given to Bok Tower Gardens.
Your advisors can help you determine what giving strategies best meet your needs. Challenge them to think outside of the box. Making gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable trusts, and annuities are all opportunities to simplify your estate and manage tax liabilities.
When you are ready to make your gift, contact the Department of Philanthropy & Membership to learn how you can make a lasting impact at Bok Tower Gardens. When you document your intentions, you become a member of the Edward W. Bok Society, our way of recognizing donors who have planned for the future of the Gardens—just like Edward Bok himself.
Learn more about planning your estate from experts in the field at upcoming Estate Planning Greenhouse luncheons.
Thursday, February 13 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M.
Thursday, April 20 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M.
Space is limited, and RSVP is required. jgoodwin@boktower.org or (863) 734-1226
FLORIDA CARILLON FESTIVAL Unites Bell Towers FOR SPRING PERFORMANCES
Celebrating more than 90 years cultural heritage, Bok Tower Gardens joins musical forces with bell towers across the state for a spring series of recitals. The series includes performances by some of the world’s best carillon artists at Bok Tower Gardens, the W. Crawford Memorial Carillon (Venice), the Century Tower at the University of Florida (Gainesville), and the Dimmitt Memorial Carillon (Clearwater). This is the first time the Florida carillons have come together for a series of performances.
Gijsbert Kok (The Hague, The Netherlands) 3 P.M. Performance was on January 21, 2020. Gijsbert Kok studied organ, church music, improvisation, and music theory at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and at the Codarts Conservatoire in Rotterdam. He studied the carillon at the Netherlands Carillon School in Amersfoort, and he won prizes at several international carillon contests. Currently, he is a carillonneur of The Hague, Scheveningen, Voorschoten, and Zoetermeer (The Netherlands).
Since 1999, has toured the USA; however, he has never played a concert in Florida!
FEB. 14
Roy Kroezen (Centralia, Illinois) 3 P.M. Roy Kroezen was born in Enschede, The Netherlands, in 1967 and was appointed carillonneur of the Centralia Carillon in 2016. He is organist at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon and the Fox Theater in St. Louis. He studied organ at the Conservatory in Arnhem, carillon at the Netherlands Carillon School in Amersfoort, at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven, Belgium, and at the Royal Carillon School with Geert D'hollander. Mr. Koezen is the chairperson of the Music Committee of the NKV (Netherlands Carillon Association).
Mr. Kroezen will also be playing concerts on February 13 at the W. Crawford Memorial Carillon, February 15, at the Century Tower at the University of Florida, and February 16 at the Dimmitt Memorial Carillon.
APR. 17
MAR. 13
Austin Ferguson (Rochester, Minnesota) 3 P.M. A native of Longview, Texas, Austin Ferguson played the Kniker Carillon at the University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to 2015. In 2015, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory, a minor in government, and certificates in European Studies and Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies.
In February of 2017, Mr. Ferguson was named the fourth Carillonneur of the Mayo Clinic, where he plays eight weekly concerts on the 1928 Rochester Carillon, the only instrument of its kind in North America owned by a medical center.
Mr. Ferguson will also be playing concerts on March 12 at the W. Crawford Memorial Carillon, March 14, at the Century Tower at the University of Florida, and March 15 at the Dimmitt Memorial Carillon.
Elisa Tersigni (Toronto, Canada) 3 P.M. Elisa Tersigni began studying piano at the age of five and later picked up the clarinet and flute. She took up carillon five years ago when a friend introduced her to the instrument. She first studied carillon with Roy Lee and Margaret Pan at Soldiers’ Tower in Toronto, Canada, and later with Eddy Mariën at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium.
While completing postdoctoral studies in Manchester, she played at the Cadbury Carillon in Bournville and St. Mary’s Church in St. Helen. She now lives in Washington, DC, and regularly plays the carillons located at Arlington Cemetery, Virginia; Luray Caverns, Virginia; Baker Park, Maryland; and Mercersburg Academy, Pennsylvania. When she is not playing carillon, Elisa is a researcher of rare books and currently holds a postdoctoral fellowship at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Ms. Tersigni will also be playing concerts on April 16 at the W. Crawford Memorial Carillon, April 18 at the Century Tower at the University of Florida, and April 19 at the Dimmitt Memorial Carillon.
The Florida Carillon Festival is supported and sponsored in part by Visit Central and The State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
COLOSSALLY CARNIVOROUS (Sarracenia)
PATRICK LYNCH
Carnivorous plants have long captivated plant enthusiasts for their remarkable evolutionary ingenuity. While the notion of a meat-eating plant turning the tables on a would-be predator seems almost too fantastical to believe, there are hundreds of carnivorous plant species in existence around the world. These plants have varying and often elaborate methods of capturing and consuming insects and even the occasional small reptile, bird, or rodent. While the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is probably the best-known carnivorous plant, trumpet pitchers (Sarracenia spp.) are an equally fascinating and diverse group of herbaceous, carnivorous plants native to eastern North America. Trumpet pitchers have developed modified leaves (i.e., pitchers) to capture and consume insects in response to the nutrient-poor environments in which they grow.
Trumpet pitchers occur in a variety of seasonally flooded habitats, including wet pine flatwoods, savannas, seeps, fens, and bogs. These habitats tend to have highly acidic soils and perched water tables, with permanently saturated soil within 3-6” of the surface. They are intolerant of dry soils, but do not like permanently flooded conditions either; experts often quip that trumpet pitchers
traversing the slippery, inner surface of the pitcher where hungry insects invariably fall to the bottom of the trap. Unlike the Venus flytrap, which actively subdues its prey, trumpet pitchers are passive traps and must rely on a combination of physical obstacles, trickery, and chemical warfare to ensure trapped prey do not escape.
Once inside a pitcher, insects encounter a slippery, waxy surface covered with downward-pointing hairs. Some pitchers will secrete wetting agents that inhibit flight, while others possess translucent cells that allow light to pass through and function as windows. Insects become confused by these windows and quickly tire trying to escape through them. Exhausted insects eventually fall to the bottom of the pitcher, where a slurry of bacteria and digestive enzymes await. This digestive concoction facilitates the decomposition process and provides the plant with critically needed nutrients.
Despite our fascination with carnivorous plants, six of the eleven known species of trumpet pitcher are either federally endangered or threatened. Fire suppression and conversion of swampland has destroyed over 97% of their original habitat. Preserving existing habitat and restoring natural hydrologic conditions and fire regimes is critical to their long-term survival.
like their feet wet and their ankles dry. Trumpet pitchers are also relatively intolerant of shade and are adapted to frequent fires.
Pitchers perform all the normal functions of a leaf (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration), but also double as pitfall traps, accumulating insect prey to access nutrients that are lacking in the soil, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Pitchers are flower mimics and attract insects using a combination of bright colors and fragrance. Arriving insects find microscopic nectaries strategically located at the base of the hood. Accessing these nectaries requires THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CARNIVOROUS PLANTS
APRIL 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Charles Darwin first began researching these curious plants in the late 1800s and the classification of carnivorous plants includes hundreds of species that attract, trap, and kill prey. Explore the world of carnivorous plants with largerthan-life sculptures created by Central Florida artist Rick Sgrillo and a living display of pitcher plants, sundews and more in the Wild Garden.
Nature INSPIRED BY
INSPIRED BY PINEWOOD ESTATE A local potter from Lake Wales, Chuck Byer has been creating art pieces since the early 1970's. He strives to create comfortable and beautiful hand-built or wheel-thrown pieces for everyday use. Byer created a line of pottery for Bok Tower Gardens inspired by the pottery found at Pinewood Estate.
The Shop at Bok is collaborating with celebrated artisans to offer one of a kind products inspired by the history and natural beauty of Bok Tower Gardens. Discover jewelry, home décor items, and garden accessories handcrafted by these talented artists.
INSPIRED BY THE SINGING TOWER
Local blacksmith artist, Stephen Berglund has been forging wrought iron originals since 2005. Influenced by master blacksmith Samuel Yellin, Berglund’s expanding collection features candle holders, garden stakes, and more.
INSPIRED BY PLANTS Artist Neena J. creates handmade pottery from botanicals collected in the Gardens. Each piece is made from fresh flowers, leaves, and herbs that are pressed into clay and fired, resulting in a glazed fossilized finish. The pottery is then hand-painted to enhance the natural beauty. Her business, Nina J Design Studios, is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where she creates pottery, mixed media paintings, limited edition “wearable art” made from fine silk and cotton, and table linens.
INSPIRED BY FLOWERS World renown jeweler, Michael Michaud has partnered with Bok Tower Gardens to bring his Magnolia collection. He describes his work “as copies of nature” as his work is created directly from natural elements. Michaud uses a casting technique similar to the lost-wax method. By creating these molds directly from the plants themselves, he creates copies of nature that reflect the exquisite beauty and intricate detail of the natural world.
INSPIRED BY NATURAL MATERIALS As a family-owned company, Rafa Natural offers locally crafted, natural, vegan, and organic skincare. Working with The Shop at Bok Team, Rafa's skincare professionals created a signature scent combining the fragrances of orange blossom and magnolia.
INSPIRED BY TREES Earl Maslin captures the majesty of the ancient oak trees found throughout the Gardens with his hand-turned wooden treasures. His ink pens and perfume holders are small works of art from wood found at Bok Tower Gardens. Maslin is a retired Industrial Arts teacher from Binghamton, NY, whose award-winning creations have appeared in many museums.
INSPIRED BY CREATURES A Florida native, Toni Muirhead has been creating pottery art for over 30 years. Her pieces include impressions from leaves found in the Gardens pressed into the clay. She also includes tiny sculptures of the lizards and other creatures into her designs.
A CONVERSATION WITH GEERT D’HOLLANDER
We conclude our three-part series, speaking with Geert D’hollander who has served as Bok Tower Gardens’ carillonneur since 2012.
(Responses have been edited for length and clarity.)
What first drew you to the carillon?
the carillon all the time the students can’t focus.
What drew me to the carillon was the adventure. You have to imagine that you’re 4 or 5 years old, your Dad is a carillonneur, you’re living in Europe, and you have an opportunity to climb medieval towers where nobody else has access to. You go up the steps and it’s scary and a little dark, and there are secret doors that nobody’s opened in hundreds of years, and you see bats and owls, and giant bells and clockworks and it’s an adventure! Your heart is beating and you don’t know what to expect if you open this door or that door. So my Dad is playing for one hour and during his concert I’m free, and I’m exploring everything and opening every door and it was just so much fun. And that was what drew me to this profession; access to places that nobody ever has access to. Of course, and then before you know it you get familiar with the music and that’s how you get into it.
What do you think makes Bok Tower Gardens’ carillon so special?
Location would be the first thing. A lot of instruments are in the middle of a city, which is nice for people to look at their tower in their city, but it’s not so nice for a musician because the first thing you hear when you stop playing music is noise and traffic. Or it’s in the middle of a campus at a university, which is nice too, but then you’re usually restricted because if you play
Here it’s like a paradise for musicians - and a paradise for visitors also. Very quiet, no noise, nothing. Just a little squirrel and bird, and that’s it. I can play and my carillon fellows can play as long as they want to, even until midnight, we don’t disturb anybody. They often refer to my carillon fellows as the “midnight musicians.” The instrument is one of the oldest instruments in the U.S., and one of the best ones ever built. The largest when it was built in 1928.
Then the Tower - I mean, I’ve seen so many towers in my life, but I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than this one. Every day when I come here, I look at the Tower and it’s jaw dropping – it’s so beautiful. Unique. That’s the basic thing; it’s a very unique place. All the stars are aligned here.
How would you compare the attitude toward the carillon in America vs Belgium?
Carillon is less known here so I think it’s more mysterious, and that leads to people being more interested also. They want to know what it’s all about, how it works… A lot of people that visit the Gardens, it’s their first encounter with an instrument like this. In Belgium, there are so many – every town has a carillon – so everybody knows what it’s like, how it’s played, and it’s like background music for a lot of people there. They’re not fascinated anymore because carillons have been there for like 500 years. It’s so common that it’s not special anymore. And that, I think, is the biggest difference with old Europe and then the New World here.
What is your favorite song or type of music to play on the carillon?
That’s almost impossible to answer. I like to find pieces that work really well on bells and that people enjoy at the same time. But the selection is from Bach and Mozart all the way to Taylor Swift and everything in between so there’s so much to choose from it’s impossible for me to say ‘that’s the one piece’ or ‘that’s the one composer.’ I think you just have to look at what kind of music works well and what kind of music do people like and you try to find your way there.
What do you think the biggest challenge is facing the carillon today?
Raising awareness. For people to appreciate it and promote the art of the carillon. To find passionate students to continue the tradition – I think that’s the most important thing.
What is your hope for the future of the carillon?
I hope that the next carillonneur will continue the tradition of excellence that has been established over the last 90 years here and that it will go on for visitors to enjoy for another 90 years.
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Members receive a 10% discount at The Shop at Bok, the Blue Palmetto Café, and on most programs and events.
Bok Tower Gardens, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is supported by tax-exempt gifts and contributions and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Live Gardens AT THE
SUMMER
CONCERT
SERIES
PRESENTED BY INTERIOR BUILDING SPECIALTIES
doors open 6:00 p.m. concert begins 6:30 p.m. LOCATED IN THE VISITOR CENTERLOCATED IN THE VISITOR CENTER
LET’S DANCE!LET’S DANCE!
JUNE 13 THINK BIG JUNE 13 THINK BIG
JULY 18 sponsored by Gessler Clinic FLASHBACK FOUR JULY 18 sponsored by Gessler Clinic FLASHBACK FOUR
AUGUST 8 JOHNNY WILD AND THE DELIGHTS AUGUST 8 JOHNNY WILD AND THE DELIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 12 sponsored by Forni Dental PAISLEY CRAZE SEPTEMBER 12 sponsored by Forni Dental PAISLEY CRAZE
Come early for shopping at The Shop at Bok and dinner at the Blue Palmetto Café! Come early for shopping at The Shop at Bok and dinner at the Blue Palmetto Café!
Purchase your tickets and read more info online at:Purchase your tickets and read more info online at:
BOKTOWERGARDENS.ORG/LIVE-AT-THE-GARDENSBOKTOWERGARDENS.ORG/LIVE-AT-THE-GARDENS
