John Jorgenson Quintet
Collins Carillon Fellowship
Bring on the Blooms
Concert Under the Stars
Mentoring the Next Generation
Spring is in the Air
Vol. 7 | Issue 1 | Spring 2015
Site work and grading is underway for the children’s garden and edible garden/outdoor kitchen
ON THE COVER: Golden shovels break ground January 9 on new center for education and conservation
SEE WHAT’S GROWING Construction progresses on new center for education and conservation in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension
NEW GARDENS COMING 2016
Letter from the President
providing offices and laboratory space for Gardens and UF/IFAS Extension staff.
Spring came fast this year with mild temperatures and plenty of rain. At my home, our new raised beds provided uninterrupted herbs, greens, lettuce and tomatoes through winter and into spring. Our chicks are growing up and almost ready for the restored and enlarged chicken coop. Dinner time is often preceded by a visit to the garden for a picking, and breakfast soon will depend on a visit to the hen house. My favorite is to pick cold oranges and find warm eggs for breakfast. My wife, Catherine, has been baking sourdough bread with wild collected yeast. Home-grown food is good for the heart, mind and soul. My love of plants, nature and gardening came from my father’s vegetable garden. I, in turn, passed that love on to my son.
Construction on the new gardens is underway. The phased work of this 20-month project allows visitors access to the historic gardens, and we will open new garden spaces as they are completed. Our nursery is full of plants we are raising, as well as those we have moved from construction areas for replanting. The generosity of our supporters has helped us reach nearly 95% of goal to make this project possible. This is an exciting time, and we invite you to come to the Gardens to see what’s growing!
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Introducing children to gardening is important in so many ways. Here at the Gardens, we kicked off a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension for an outreach education program to help schools and communities start edible gardens. The program will expand to cover food and nutrition, as well as natural resource conservation. We will also be able to expand the educational offerings at the Gardens through this partnership, with the new gardens we are creating as the backdrop for onsite programs. A 4,300-square-foot center for education and conservation will be completed this summer,
David Price, President
Bok Tower Gardens
Give to the Campaign by Joan Thomas, CFRE, Director of Philanthropy
Last October, our Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future campaign newsletter arrived in your mailbox* with exciting news and updates. It also signaled the beginning of the final phase of our campaign fundraising with an invitation for you, our loyal members and friends, to give to this campaign and help us make history.
We are so close now, with less than $600,000 remaining of our $12 million goal. We have officially broken ground and the “See What’s Growing” transformation is beginning, which will take place through 2016. This transformation isn’t happening because five or six people made milliondollar gifts. This is happening through the generosity of hundreds making gifts of all sizes—people like you who have a deep connection *If you didn’t receive to this place, a story to tell. Every gift counts. this packet, please request one at the Visitor Center or from Rhonda Todd at rtodd@boktower.org or 863.734.1226.
Last summer, a new donor excited about the vision for the Gardens stepped forward with a $250,000 challenge gift to help us close the gap on fundraising for the children’s garden. All new and increased gifts to this area will be matched, so consider participating in this challenge with a gift above and beyond your membership to help leverage this new funding. We recently updated our award-winning campaign website, www.BokLegacy.org, with the latest information about all the projects, where the needs are the greatest, and ways to give including an online donation form. I urge you to think about where your story is in the Gardens, and to give accordingly. Thank you for joining us to Preserve the Legacy and Steward the Future.
Vol. 7 | Issue 1 | Spring 2015
David Price President
Brian Ososky Editor
Randall Rupert Graphic Designer
Editorial Contributors Jennifer Beam Joey Brink Geert D’hollander Julie Diaz Christine Foley Rachel Henderson Greg Kramer Christopher Lutton LuAnn Mims Katrina Noland Brian Ososky Cheryl Peterson David Price Joan Thomas Clare Thorn Joshua Webb Rose Young
Grammy‑winning John Jorgenson slated for April performance
The Gardens’ annual outdoor live-music extravaganza returns Saturday, April 25 on the Great Lawn! Grab your family and friends and get down to the gypsy‑jazz sounds of the John Jorgenson Quintet. The group’s style has been called gypsy‑jazz after the dynamic string‑driven swing created in 1930s Paris. Jorgenson kicks it up a notch with his blistering guitar licks and mastery of multiple instruments. Prepare your themed picnic and experience an unforgettable April evening under the stars. more on page 15
www.boktowergardens.org
Julie Zhu
Mission To share Edward Bok’s gift of a beautiful and serene garden with music, architecture and nature so that all who visit will be inspired by his vision: “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” 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. CTP/6.2M/0215
Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 3
Membership Membership Matters
Recognizing Our Sponsors & Partners An Amazing 2014!
Matters Helping Helping youyou makemake the of your themost most of your membership membership.
It was an amazing 2014 as we celebrated our 85th anniversary with our longtime members and welcomed many new ones. We saw an unprecedented 10% increase in memberships, which is among the highest since the start of our program back in 1985-86.
Member Opportunities Do you have questions about your membership to Bok Tower Gardens or want to make reservations?
Next time you’re shopping online, be sure to visit smile.amazon.com and select Bok Tower Gardens. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to us.
Contact Christine Foley at cfoley@boktower.org or 863.734.1233
And don’t forget, members always save $5 when gifting a Bok Tower Gardens membership to someone else. On behalf of the Membership and Development staff, thank you for your membership!
Thanks to everyone who attended Founder’s Room and Tower Key Society events, attended our 85th Anniversary Celebration, introduced your guests to the Gardens, and took advantage of our great reciprocal and discount benefits. Thanks also to those of you who completed our member survey. We were happy to learn that 99% of members plan to renew their membership, 75% of respondents brought a guest with them to the Gardens, and 93% have visited a reciprocal partner within the past year.
Summer/Winter Dog Days Veterinary Healthcare Associates, Sun Newspapers, The New Barker
Boktoberfest Winter Haven Honda, TD Bank, TECO Energy, Duke Energy, Visit Central Florida, WEDU, Sun Newspapers, Ledger Media Group, WMNF 88.5, Tractor Supply Co., FL Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Florida Citrus Celebration Duke Energy, Visit Central Florida
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens Winter Haven Honda, Visit Florida, Visit Central Florida, WEDU, WUSF, Ledger Media Group, FL Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Sunset & Symphony Dr. & Mrs. John Salud, Winter Haven Honda, Visit Florida, Visit Central Florida, WEDU, WUSF, Ledger Media Group, FL Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Music at Pinewood, Rising Artist Series Pat & Don Jones, Marilyn Newell, Robin & Jean Gibson, Ruth Marchione Foundation, Cindy & J.D. Alexander, Bok Tower Gardens Amaryllis Club, Lake Wales Arts Council, WEDU, FL Dept. of Cultural Affairs
Valentine’s Day Dinner Family Elder Law
Founder’s Room Tours Florida’s Natural Growers, Terrie Lobb Catering, Lake Wales Medical Center, Chili’s Lake Wales, IHOP Lake Wales
Tower Key Society Breakfast Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, Florida’s Natural Growers
New Membership Policy As ambassadors of this beautiful garden, you refer friends and family to visit and become members, and we’re very appreciative. Memberships are at a record high with more than 5,000 member households! 4 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
To help manage this growth, we implemented a new policy as of January 5, 2015. Each time you come through our Entrance Gate, you will be asked for both your membership card and a valid photo ID. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to seeing you again at the Gardens soon. Bok Tower Gardens
Founder’s Room Tours Once again we’re opening the Tower’s Great Brass Door as a way to thank our Sustainer level and above members with a guided tour of the Founder’s Room following a light breakfast and “State of the Gardens” update.
Saturday, March 14 9:45am, 10:45am, 11:45am, or 12:45pm. Reservations required. Contact Christine Foley at cfoley@boktower.org or 863.734.1233
Join us as we explore the first level of the Singing Tower and see the handiwork of artisans Milton Medary, Samuel Yellin, J.H. Dulles Allen, and Lee Lawrie up-close. If you’re a qualifying member, register now for the last tour date of the season. If you’re not currently at the Sustainer level but would like to take part in this special event, please call to find out how to upgrade your membership.
Take a Seat! New garden construction has opened up a multitude of options to honor someone with a commemorative chair, bench, or table & chair set. With your qualifying campaign gift paid in full, you can reserve your bench or chair to be installed in our new areas.
Rustic Bench - $2,000 each Children’s Garden
23 benches throughout the Fairy House Trail, Heart of the Hammock, and Fence Swift Stumpery
Table & Chair Set - $2,500 each The Wave Hill Chair is based on a design by the acclaimed Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1918, now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The wood is reclaimed locally-sourced mahogany provided by Steve Morrison, son of former Gardens President Ken Morrison.
Café Terrace
21 additional sets in expanded café seating area
Children’s Garden
2 sets in Heart of the Hammock and Fence Swift Stumpery
Wave Hill Chairs - $1,500 each Children’s Garden
10 adult chairs throughout Indigo Pass, Backyard Ramble, River Run, and Stick Stack
Kitchen Garden
6 adult chairs around fire pit
Inventory is limited, taken at the time of publication. We will honor reservations on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Reservations may be made online at BokLegacy.org or by phone with Rhonda Todd at 863.734.1226. www.boktowergardens.org
Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 5
Collins Carillon Fellowship Helps Mentor the Next Generation of Carillonneurs by Brian Ososky, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Two world-class carillon students have the unique opportunity to study under Gardens Carillonneur Geert D’hollander thanks to a new fellowship program made possible by a gift from Paul and Carol Collins for 2014–15.
This also means visitors will enjoy daily live carillon music at the Gardens now through April. For six weeks throughout the recent Christmas season, Julie Zhu studied under Geert and shared holiday performance responsibilities. Julie attended Yale University where she studied art and mathematics, and learned to play the carillon. She loved the instrument so much that she studied at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium for a year. Upon her return to the U.S., Julie played the
Welcome Librarian LuAnn Mims Digital Preservation Expert Joins the Team
6 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
“The six weeks I spent at the Gardens as a carillon fellow inspired me to write new compositions, elevated my playing, and encouraged me to pursue carillon as an integral part of my life. My painting practice also flourished, resulting in two large paintings about music and imagination.” In early January, Joey Brink arrived at the Gardens to begin his fellowship. Like Julie, Joey also began his carillon studies at Yale University, under the guidance of Ellen Dickinson. In 2011, he graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a thesis on the design of realistic‑touch practice carillon keyboards. After graduation, Joey traveled to the Royal Carillon School on a Belgian‑American Educational Foundation (BAEF) fellowship to pursue intensive study in carillon performance,
Joey Brink practices under Geert D’hollander’s direction in the SInging Tower.
We’re proud to welcome Librarian LuAnn Mims to the Gardens. LuAnn most recently served as the College Archivist for Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL for five years. Her primary responsibilities included maintaining institutional records and primary collections, incorporating the
carillon regularly at Rockefeller Chapel in Chicago where she was also an economic consultant. She now lives in New York City, studying for an M.F.A. in Painting at Hunter College.
Florida Citrus Collection, Florida Band Masters, Congressional Records, and historic Cypress Gardens. She regularly collaborated with community groups for outreach and collection development, curated public exhibits, digitized various collections, and assisted groups and individuals on research projects.
With an impressive résumé, LuAnn joins the Gardens team having also served as the Executive Director of the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History in North Carolina, as well as a curator/archivist for various other museums, universities and historic sites throughout North Carolina and Florida over the course of her career. She is a digital preservation expert and recently completed training to become Bok Tower Gardens
composition, and instrument design. He graduated with “greatest distinction” in June 2012, and just two years later won first prize in the seventh International Queen Fabiola Carillon Competition. Joey currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and fellow carillonneur, Vera. Carillonneur Geert D’hollander talks about the tradition of music at Bok Tower Gardens: “We have a long history when it comes to composition and carillon students. It started back in the early 1930s with Sam Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti and Nino Rota. All three would eventually become world-class composers, and it’s incredible to think they wrote music for our instrument while studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Some of the most important American carillon composers of the 20th century were inspired by the beauty of this place and wrote music for it.” This year’s Collins Carillon Fellowship supports the Gardens’ mission by promoting the art of carillon performance. “Inviting top performers to Bok Tower Gardens for master classes and commissioning compositions will help
a Certified Interpreter of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. One of the first items on LuAnn’s to‑do list is to begin making some of our digital collections accessible to the public via the Internet, including items related to the history of the Gardens and the art of carillon performance. Welcome LuAnn, we’re glad you’re part of our team! www.boktowergardens.org
keep us at the forefront of the carillon world. Julie and Joey both are fascinating artists with a lot of potential, and the future of this unique instrument relies on our support of their generation.” Reflecting on her time at the Gardens, Julie Zhu was especially grateful for Geert’s mentorship, as well as her opportunity to interact with visitors: “The carillon at Bok Tower is special in its tradition of the carillonneur greeting listeners after concerts, and I was honored to share the moving experience of playing the carillon each time. During Christmas especially, as audience numbers swelled, I felt my personal impact on visitors’ experiences. Geert D’ hollander, as a dedicated and impassioned teacher, not only imparted wisdom bestowed only to those as experienced as he, but also taught by example, in playing
Julie Zhu plays the Travelling Carillon of Prague during one of its European tours
technique, improvisation, and composition. I will certainly miss his precise instruction and walks between concerts amongst the camellias.” Joey Brink is excited to once again be studying with his mentor and friend: “A weekend of master classes with Geert last year helped me take first prize at the Queen Fabiola competition. With several months of lessons and studying ahead, I hope to reach even higher levels of performance. I do not yet know what the future holds for me, but I am certain my time here will be instrumental in shaping a lifelong career around the carillon. Nowhere else in the world am I be able to practice on such a remarkable instrument.”
The Gardens recently bid a heartfelt farewell to Librarian Joy Banks, who held the position for more than four years and made great advancements in cataloging and digitizing an enormous amount of materials in the Anton Brees Carillon Library and Chao Research Center Archives. Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 7
Bring on the by Greg Kramer, Director of Horticulture
Thousands of flowering plants create an explosion of color throughout the Gardens Bok Tower Gardens is beautiful any time of year, but most would agree that springtime is when flowering plants really steal the show. Our hundreds of azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) are the first that come to mind, but we have several other plant varieties that boast exuberant blooms sure to impress.
Mexican Cardinal Flower, Lobelia laxiflora
The Mexican Cardinal Flower is a new introduction to Bok Tower Gardens. This perennial was added this past fall and has grown well, reaching heights of two feet with a three-foot spread. This is a carefree and non-demanding plant offering nearly continuous blooms from spring through winter. Its flowers are borne on the stem tips and are tubular in shape. The inside portion of the flower is yellow and the outside is red. Hummingbirds love nectaring on the Mexican Cardinal Flower, so adding this plant to a sunny spot in your garden almost guarantees their presence.
More than 150 varieties of camellias, along with nun’s orchids, salvias, irises and other flowering plants, show off their colors from late fall until late spring. However, our Peak Bloom takes place now through mid-March. It’s an extraordinary display that immerses the senses. Don’t forget your camera!
Discovery Days
Summer Fun for Kids! Looking for a fun, hands-on program for your child to attend this summer? Children ages 6–12 will spend quality time investigating and learning about the Gardens while discovering the mysteries and magic of nature. Each three-day adventure features different themed activities and projects to keep young minds engaged. 8 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
Discovery Days are four different, three-day sessions. Choose the number of sessions or topics that work best for you, your child, and your summer schedule. Parents attending with children are encouraged to have their own fun exploring the Gardens.
tact rmation con For more info or n Coordinat our Educatio at Clare Thorn tower.org cthorn@bok 221 or 863.734.1
Bok Tower Gardens
explosion of color throughout the Gardens ‘Amistad’ Purple Salvia, Salvia guarantica hybrid
The ‘Amistad’ Purple Salvia is a true performer. This variety is a hybrid of Salvia guarantica and blooms continuously throughout the year. The deep purple flowers are surrounded by a calyx that is so dark it almost appears to be black, and they are enjoyed by hungry pollinating insects and hummingbirds. This plant makes a great addition to any garden for its beauty and source of nectar for wildlife. Camellia japonica ‘Higo’ variety
The ‘Higo’ variety of Camellia japonica has origins in Japan and is thought to have been cultivated in the age of the Samurais. Often referred to as the Japanese camellia, this evergreen shrub typically grows six to 12 feet tall on stems clad with oval, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves. It is highly sought after for its range of colorful flowers featuring five to nine large petals and a profusion of up to 250 yellow stamens in each. With a mixture of culture and mystery surrounded by great charm, Camellia ‘Higo’ can be found blooming in various locations throughout the Gardens.
Fairies & Gnomes 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m . June 16 –18, 2015 Magica l times will be had as we discover th e mystical world of fairie s & gnomes! Go on fai ry hunts sprinkled with fairy dust, create fairy gard ens, and tinker only as fairie s& gnomes can. www.boktowergardens.org
rdens Art in the Ga 0 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 12:0 15 June 23 –25, 20 ty of Bok Using the beau as the Tower Gardens explore backdrop, we’ll ul media a variet y of artf very own and create our ta ke home. treasured art to
Creatures of Bok 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. June 30–July 2, 2015 Whoo, whoo lives at the Gardens? Feathered, furry, scaly and slithery friends, that’s who! We’ll follow clues, tracks and other evidence as we detect the answers.
Bugs Ga
lore
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. July 7–9, 2 015 Wow, it’s h ot outside, but bugs and sp iders love th e heat of sum mer! We’ll spy on them an d creep into their world to investiga te what it’s a ll about. Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 9
Bok Tower Gardens and UF/IFAS partner to teach a new generation about plants, gardening and the environment UF/IFAS Dean and Director for Extension Nick Place and Bok Tower Gardens President David Price
Amidst the music of carillon bells, beneath a lush oak canopy, a new partnership is emerging between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Bok Tower Gardens. The partnership between the state’s preeminent land-grant university and our historic garden will provide on‑site demonstration gardens, education programs and conservation research, as well as outreach programs to help people better see, appreciate, and connect with plants. A new school and community gardens program has already begun operations to teach food gardening to students and residents. “This beautiful, serene place will become a hub for UF/IFAS Extension programming, allowing our agents and faculty, along
10 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
by Brian Ososky, Director of Marketing & Public Relations excerpts by Cheryl Rogers, Central Florida Ag News
with Bok staff, to teach new generations of people an understanding of where their food comes from and how it is grown, along with taking care of the plants and trees around them,” says Nick Place, UF/IFAS Dean and Director for Extension. “Once the program is operational at the Gardens, we plan to bring it to regional schools and communities and, eventually, the entire state.” Through this long-term partnership, Bok Tower Gardens and UF/IFAS Extension will promote school and community gardening, native plant and wildlife gardening, and garden classes through existing IFAS programs such as Florida‑Friendly Landscaping™ .
change in the larger community,” says David Price, president of the Gardens. “Edward Bok’s legacy has been to affect ‘make the world a positive bit better or more change in beautiful because the larger you have lived in it.’ community There is a need to connect people with plants on which our survival and quality of life depend. Food production and the environment are determined by the plants we grow.” “We are in the midst of implementing a master plan that will create new garden experiences, and the opportunity to partner with UF/IFAS Extension
“This partnership is an exciting chapter in our history to be able to affect positive
UF/IFAS and Bok Tower Gardens officials break ground on new conservation and education center January 9, 2015
Bok Tower Gardens
Former Senator J.D. Alexander addresses a crowd of nearly 200 visitors
enhances these spaces and the programming that we will be able to offer,” says Price. UF/IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. With agricultural Extension offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and extension. The partnership evolved after Gardens staff approached UF/IFAS with the idea. Discussions began in 2011 with then state Senator J.D. Alexander, who chaired the Senate Budget utilize Committee; gardens as a teaching Dr. Jack Payne, tool and UF’s Senior a place of Vice President for learning Agriculture & Natural Resources and the administrative head of IFAS; and Gardens President David Price. “Across the nation, there is a disconnect between farming and picking up food at the grocery store,” explains Alexander, a Lake Wales citrus grower and advisor to www.boktowergardens.org
Construction plans for new conservation and education center on display
the Polk County Farm Bureau. “I hoped they would be able to work out the partnership they have.” UF/IFAS Extension and Gardens officials celebrated this partnership and the start of construction on a new conservation and education center this January. The new facility enables UF/IFAS to expand its presence at the Gardens and will house regional Extension agents, faculty and program staff, as well as Gardens education and conservation staff. It gives the Gardens a greater opportunity to offer programming while providing UF/IFAS with a physical platform for its outreach. “We don’t go to an elementary or high school and not expect to see a library,” said Nicole Walker, Polk County’s director for UF/IFAS Extension and local partnership liaison. “Why couldn’t we utilize gardens as a teaching tool and a place of learning just as we would a library?”
Place says. “If kids can really start to change their behavior and desires in what they want to eat, they go back home and start talking to their parents about these sorts of things.” January’s groundbreaking is the second of such events in recent months. An earlier groundbreaking ceremony on October 24 launched the largest expansion in the Gardens’ 85‑year history and will feature several new spaces: 2.7‑acre children’s garden; outdoor kitchen & edible garden; oval walkway and special event lawn; pollinator garden; wild garden with boardwalk; and more. Construction of the new facility is expected to be finished this summer, while the garden expansion work should be completed in 2016.
A crowd of over 300 gather October 24, 2014 for the groundbreaking of the largest expansion in the Gardens’ history
“Our goal with this partnership is to reach adults and children with an important message about eating healthily,” Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 11
We were saddened by the July 13, 2014 passing of Louise Adams, age 96, a resident of Lake Wales and Bok Tower Gardens Board Member Emeritus. Louise served on the Board from 1982 to 2010 and was an energetic volunteer, friend and patron of the Gardens. She was passionate about connecting young people with nature and for improving visitor amenities such as café seating and accessibility. A successful campaign to update café seating and replace our motorized wheelchairs led to a 2011 dedication of the back patio of the Blue Palmetto Café in her name. Louise touched many lives through her volunteer work, her philanthropy, and her vivacious personality. She inspired those around her to live life to the fullest with a positive attitude and a smile. Her passions
were golf, nature and travel. A competitive golfer her entire life and Connecticut State Champion many times, Louise played courses all over the world—Scotland, Canada, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, and many others. She also started the golf team at Webber College in nearby Babson Park, FL. Always up for an adventure, Louise photographed birds and animals in Costa Rica, enjoyed safaris in Kenya, Tanzania and Borneo, and trekked in the Himalayas. Many of her summers were spent sailing in the Scandinavian archipelago and along the Atlantic coast. In Louise’s honor, a large group of friends and family gathered for a celebration of her life on November 5 at the Gardens, which included a carillon concert and reception. The family has suggested that donations made in Louise’s memory may be sent to Bok Tower Gardens or the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut.
Garden Enhancements Update by Christopher Lutton, Director of Facilities Garden construction projects are being strategically phased to have the least amount of impact on visitors while maintaining an efficient construction schedule. Last summer, we finished grading and resurfacing the primary paths in the historic core garden around both sides of the Tower’s reflection pool to improve accessibility and provide better sight lines to the Great Brass Door. 12 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
A few months ago, Window by the Pond was closed for much-needed restoration work. The man-made pond was created 60 years ago and is in need of relining to prevent leaks. The pond has been drained and cleaned, and some exotic invasive weeds removed. Soon it will be relined, and then replanted with native wetland plants to attract and sustain wildlife.
On February 16, we began construction on the new entry sequence into the Gardens behind the Visitor Center, a new shuttle path, and a small node that will connect pathways around the reflection pool. Because increasing numbers of visitors with limited mobility utilize wheelchairs and families with young children require the use of strollers, our primary path is being Bok Tower Gardens
The Board Welcomes
the last several years, Josh has been recognized amongst the young lawyer rankings of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and Florida Super Lawyers.
Joshua C. Webb Born in Winter Haven and raised in Babson Park, Joshua Webb’s family has lived in the Lake Wales area for four generations. He now resides in Tampa with his wife, Andrea. Josh graduated from Lake Wales High School in 2000, and then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, earning his B.A. in Economics in 2004 and a J.D. from the College of Law in 2007, both with honors. During his time at UF, Josh was an active member of the university community, serving in various roles within student government and his fraternity. Now a lawyer in Tampa with the firm Hill Ward Henderson, Josh’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial disputes and the defense of professional liability matters for clients throughout Florida. His client list includes some of the state’s largest law firms as well as directors and officers of small, local companies and large multi-national corporations. Over
Josh and Andrea are dedicated to investing in social, cultural and charitable endeavors in their community, including Metropolitan Ministries and the Gasparilla Music Festival in Tampa. More particularly, they have a strong commitment and deep connection to Bok Tower Gardens. Josh grew up visiting the Gardens and has some of his best childhood memories of times spent here. Andrea first visited on the day that Josh proposed to her, inspired by his own parents’ wedding at the Gardens 30 years earlier.
re-graded and paved to meet ADA compliance, using a material and color that blends with the garden setting. A temporary mulched path featuring interpretive signage directs guests around this construction activity, from the Blue Palmetto Café terrace through longleaf pines, and back up to a newly installed path to Pinewood Estate. Mostly confined to the east overflow parking area, major site work to address storm water drainage is nearing completion. This project will help www.boktowergardens.org
Joshua Webb attends UF/IFAS groundbreaking event January 9, 2015
A Fond Farewell Two longtime Gardens Board members completed their terms earlier this fall. Frank Hunt II, of Lake Wales, served on the Board for 17 years and was a past Chairman. Evans Hubbard, of Orlando, served on the Board for 12 years. The Gardens has benefited greatly from their leadership, generosity, and knowledge of agriculture and horticulture. Thank you Frank and Evans for your hard work and dedication!
prevent flooding during heavy rains and serve as a natural filter for runoff into the adjacent children’s garden hollow. The area has been re-sodded and soon will be planted with Spartina grass, pine trees, and other native plantings. Also part of this project, the clay road entrance from the parking lot to Pinewood Estate is being relocated to an area just south of its current location.
children’s garden, edible garden and outdoor kitchen. Our goal is to complete all work in the core gardens as soon as possible to provide visitors a gentler walk to the Tower. The entire Gardens expansion is expected to take 18 to 20 months, with the children’s garden culminating the project in 2016.
With more than 3,000 square yards of soil moved to date, site work and grading is also well underway for the Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 13
Rising Artist Series Features Harrison School for the Arts Presented in partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council
Music at Pinewood Estate this season features our new Rising Artist Series with upand-coming musicians from Harrison School for the Arts. These hand-picked scholars perform a variety of classical programs with piano, strings, woodwinds, guitar and vocals. A portion of the funds raised from these performances will support Harrison School’s music programs and nurture young talent in Polk County.
Harrison School for the Arts provides an opportunity for talented students to develop their artistic and academic abilities to the fullest extent, instilling in each student self-discipline, self-esteem, and a working knowledge of and greater appreciation for the arts. The final concert of the season is March 22. Visit our website or call 863.734.1222 for more information.
Thanks to our Rising Artist Series sponsors: Pat & Don Jones, Cindy & J.D. Alexander, Marilyn Newell, Jean & Robin Gibson, Ruth Marchione Foundation, Bok Tower Gardens Amaryllis Club
Jewel of the Ridge Jazz Night with Omar Sosa Presented Thursday, April 9 in partnership with the Polk State College Lake Wales Arts Center
You don’t really listen to an Omar Sosa concert so much as experience it. This Cuban-born pianist’s demeanor exudes a sense of calm, while a spiritual connection to music breaks through in his music. Omar Sosa is a composer, arranger, pianist, and percussionist. His Afro‑Cuban based mix of jazz and world music is broadly expressive, full of power and passion, subtlety and grace. From each culture he touches, Sosa draws the energy and storytelling of
hip‑hop, the free‑spirited experimentation of jazz, and the sensuality of popular Cuban music. The result is a modern, urban music with a Latin-jazz heart. Join this world-renowned musician and band on Saturday, April 9 for an unforgettable Pinewood Estate performance, followed by a reception with the artists. Only 50 seats are available, and advance reservations are required, $50/person. Visit our website or call 863.734.1222 for information.
20th Holiday Home Tour Hosts 15k Visitors Jennifer Beam, Director of Visitor Services & Programs After Bok Tower Gardens purchased the 1932 Mediterranean‑style Pinewood Estate in 1970, staff and volunteers spent years masterfully restoring the property’s architecture, furnishings and gardens. In 1994, Pinewood Estate & Gardens was opened to the public for guided tours. That same year, an 14 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
Bok Tower Gardens
Calendar of Events march
‘Gypsy-Jazz’ John Jorgenson at Concert Under the Stars
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Save the date! Saturday, April 25
Known for his blistering guitar licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, John Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician who has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan. At Concert Under the Stars on April 25, the John Jorgenson Quintet will create a unique musical experience to equally enthrall the most discerning and casual music fans. The group’s style has been called gypsy-jazz after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris.
brilliant work is leaving a lasting legacy in the art of guitar performance. Prepare your themed picnic and experience an unforgettable evening under the stars. Advance tickets are $20/adult and $8/child ages 5-12. Visit our website or call 863.734.1222 for information.
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Today, the Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate is our single largest fundraiser. During the recent 20th anniversary edition, 15,124 visitors toured the home over a fiveand-a-half-week period and enjoyed rooms boasting design themes from the past 19 years in true “Best Of” fashion. www.boktowergardens.org
Moonlight Carillon Concert Easter Sunrise Service Lunch & Learn Jewel of the Ridge Jazz Festival Night Discovery Cart Saturdays Lunch & Learn Concert Under the Stars
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Jorgenson has continued to honor Reinhardt’s legacy by bringing his unique brand of gypsy‑jazz to the masses. With soaring melodies and driving rhythms, his
event called Christmas at Pinewood was introduced to immerse visitors in the spirit of the season with a spectacular showcase of holiday décor and a single, unifying design theme that changes each year.
Moonlight Carillon Concert Lunch & Learn Wildflower Walk MEMBERS ONLY Founder’s Room Tour Saturday Gardening Series Lunch & Learn Music at Pinewood Family Camping Adventure Discovery Cart Saturdays Intermediate Watercolors
Gardens! Live ! s n e
Gard
Bok Tower Gardens wishes to thank The Amaryllis Club, a new patron group that raised funds this year to purchase new decorations and whose members decorated the Living Room as part of their contribution. The Amaryllis Club is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history and heritage of Pinewood Estate and Bok Tower Gardens, and their work is greatly appreciated.
Carillon Classic 5K Run/Walk National Public Gardens Day Mother’s Day at the Gardens Lunch & Learn National Endangered Species Day
AT THE
Attention music lovers...
Beginning this June, there will be a Live at the Gardens concert inside the Visitor Center every three weeks. That’s a total of six incredible performances throughout the summer season.
Scan this QR code to sign up for our eNewsletter to stay up‑to‑date on upcoming events throughout the year or sign up at www.boktowergardens.org Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 15
Flower stalks of Lakela’s Mint, Dicerandra immaculata
What’s Bugging The Mints? by Cheryl L. Peterson, Conservation Manager It’s hard enough being an endangered plant with nearly all your habitat destroyed and few remaining places to call home. The home you do have gets less hospitable over time, with invasive and competitive species taking over. Even if you are lucky enough to live on protected, public land, the prescribed
20x microscopic photograph of Neortholomus koreshanus
Nikki Bouldin collects samples
burns and land management necessary to maintain your home often cannot take place. Diseases and herbivory are a constant threat, and many of your brethren do not survive hurricanes, droughts and other increasingly common weather extremes. Even in the best of years, there is another severe threat: seed predators—a variety of insects, lurking during flowering season, waiting to prey on developing seeds. For the very rare Lakela’s Mint (Dicerandra immaculata var. immaculata), the challenges to survival are particularly great, and the majority of seeds are destroyed before they
disperse. To learn what insects may be the culprits in this seed destruction, the Rare Plant Conservation Program teamed up with Vero Beach High School student Nikki Bouldin, who initiated a research project to characterize its seed predators. Throughout the fall months in 2014, Nikki secured drawstring bags around ten reproductive racemes at each of four stages of seed development within two populations of Lakela’s Mint. She also secured bags around ten racemes prior to flowering, to use as controls. She then collected all 100 bags for data collection.
Rare Plant Conservation Program Wins “Livable Polk” Award This past summer at Polk State College in Lakeland, Polk Vision and the Polk Transportation Planning Organization presented the 2014 Livable Polk Awards. Polk Vision is a broad, community-led partnership of organizations, businesses, government and individuals acting collectively to ensure implementation of Polk County’s community vision. Conservation Manager Cheryl Peterson and Rare Plant Specialist Juliet Rynear accepted one of only three Judges’ Choice Awards on behalf of the Bok Tower Gardens Rare Plant Conservation Program (RPCP). The RPCP defines the Gardens’ conservation mission and its commitment to conserving and enhancing our understanding of Florida’s rarest plants. Bok Tower Gardens is partnering with communities throughout Polk County and other conservation groups to preserve and restore rare plant species and habitats, thereby helping to make Polk a better place to live. We are one of 16 | Spring 2015 | Garden Path
only 39 institutions nationwide that participate in the Center for Plant Conservation, a national coalition dedicated to conserving and restoring the rare native plants of the United States. Approximately 64 of Florida’s rarest plant species are housed at the Gardens. Living material is carefully collected from the wild and maintained in one or more of our 60 endangered planting beds or dry seed storage facilities. Endangered plants that are being protected through the Rare Plant Conservation Program grow in only a few known Florida locations, and most can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Congratulations Cheryl and Juliet!
Bok Tower Gardens
The trapped insects were counted, sorted, then identified with the expertise of entomologists at Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. With an average of ten insects recovered per flowering stalk, 31 different insect species were identified. The predominant insect was Neortholomus koreshanus, a known seed predator in Florida from the Lygaeidae (seed bug) family, followed by another known seed predator, the Harvester Ant. Most insects were recovered from the stages when the seeds were just beginning to ripen. Almost twice as many insects were captured from one of the populations than the other. Though the reasons for this are unclear, one factor may be habitat quality: The population with high insect counts is greatly in need of management, whereby the other population has been more recently managed by removing overgrowth and invasive plant species. Nikki’s findings were presented in the senior botany division of the Vero Beach High School science fair, in which she took first place. Her results will help us understand more about the biology of this species and with luck, we may be able to learn how to help protect its seeds and make life a little easier for this immaculate mint.
Thank You Special thanks to the following donors of native Florida plants and the property owners who allowed the Gardens to survey for and collect native plants this year. Mountain Lake Estates, Lake Wales, FL
Kerina Parkside, Orlando, FL
Indian River County, FL
City of Orlando, FL
Wish List The efforts of the Rare Plant Conservation Program are primarily funded by grant awards and private donations. Below is a list of supplies we are currently seeking to study and preserve Florida’s rare plant species. Req’d Funds $ 275 $ 1,400 $ 1,900 $ 7,000 $ 25,000
Item Desired Mini Horizontal Gel Electrophoresis unit Blue light transilluminator Dual Purge pressure regulation system Microsatellite development for Bellflower genetics Crew Cab 4wd pickup (used)
www.boktowergardens.org
Air potato vine, Dioscorea bulbifera
Good Beetles, Bad Vines
Air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris cheni
by Katrina Noland, Land Steward Did you know there is an air potato leaf beetle (Lilioceris cheni) being released in Florida as a biological control for an invasive exotic vine? The air potato vine (Dioscorea bulbifera) is native to tropical Asia and is labeled a noxious weed in Florida. It is one of the state’s most invasive plant species and can displace native habitat. The plant has an incredible growth rate, is difficult to eradicate, and lacks natural enemies. Following intense research at the University of Florida, the USDA approved the beetle to be released into any vine-infested areas that will voluntarily accept the hungry critters. Research has shown that the beetle will not eat any other plants or species of Dioscorea, two of which are native.
a few weeks. They drop to the ground and pupate, then adults emerge a few weeks later and really begin munching away. The adults can live up to six months, and females may lay as many as 4,000 eggs! During the winter as the plants die back, the beetle population declines and they go into a resting phase called diapause, hiding in the leaf litter to reemerge in spring when the plant begins to grow again. Our horticulture staff was excited when this good little beetle found its way here to a small patch of air potato vines just north of the Gardens, as it will greatly assist our efforts to reduce the spread of the vine.
The beetles’ life cycle begins as an egg, hatches as larvae, then feeds on air potato leaves for Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 17
2015
Board of Directors Michael Aloian, Chair
President - Charlotte State Bank Trust Department Tampa, FL
Cindy Alexander, Vice Chair
Community Volunteer - Lake Wales, FL
Tomas J. Bok, Ph.D., Secretary
President - Cambridge Analytics LLC - Somerville, MA
Board Members J.F. Bryan IV
The Bryan Group - Jacksonville, FL
William G. Burns
Retired - Lake Wales, FL
Paul Collins
Retired - PJC Partners - London
Frank Driscoll
President/CEO - Driscoll Group - Winston-Salem, NC
Derek Dunn-Rankin
President - Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. Charlotte Harbor, FL
Chip Elfner
President - Mountain Lake Corporation Lake Wales, FL
Robin Gibson
Senior Partner - Gibson Law Firm - Lake Wales, FL
Heather Jordan-Holmes
CEO/President - The Omnia Group, Inc. - Tampa, FL
Joshua C. Webb
Attorney - Hill Ward Henderson Law Firm Tampa, FL
Richard D. Wood Jr.
Retired - Wawa, Inc. - Wawa, PA
Emeritus Members
Kids Photography Contest Winner Adam Jacques of Dunedin, FL took top honors in our fourth “Reflective Tower” by Adam Jacques annual Kids Photography Contest this past summer. Now 11 years old, Adam’s photo entitled In one of the nicest “thank you” cards “Reflective Tower” received the most we’ve received, Adam wrote: votes by our Facebook community Thank you for a really fun day. I out of 12 weekly winners and won had a great time. Thank you for the grand prize. Adam took home a letting me play the carillon. It was canvas print of his winning photo, the best day of my life. Thank you a $100 Gardens gift card, and the for the gift card and canvas print privilege of having his photo published and the tower tour. in The Garden Path. As an added surprise, Adam and his family received a VIP tour of the Singing Tower, where he had the chance to meet Carillonneur Geert D’hollander and actually play the carillon alongside him.
Love, Adam. Way to go, Adam. Keep up the good work!
J. Shepard Bryan Jr.
Attorney - Holland & Knight LLP - Atlantic Beach, FL
Nancy J. Davis
President & CEO - McArthur Management Company Miami, FL
John Germany
Attorney - Holland & Knight LLP - Tampa, FL
Robert Graham
Senator - U. S. Senate - Miami, FL
M. Lewis Hall Jr.
Partner/Attorney - Hall & Hedrick - Coral Gables, FL
Joan Wellhouse Newton
Chairman Emeritus - Regency Centers Corporation Jacksonville, FL
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1151 Tower Boulevard Lake Wales, FL 33853 Main 863.676.1408 Tickets 863.734.1222 Members 863.734.1233 www.boktowergardens.org
Bok Tower Gardens
Award-Winning Volunteers! by Rachel Henderson, Visitor Services & Volunteer Manager Even though they are both in their 90s, Duane and Edwina Hull are the embodiment of outstanding volunteers. The couple generously gives of their time and skills, assists with the Holiday Home Tour each season, and works at numerous Bok Tower Gardens events throughout the year. You might even see Duane working around the Gardens on various handyman and photography projects.
His knowledge and ability has saved the Gardens thousands of dollars during the course of his tenure. Thank you Duane and Edwina, and congratulations!
The Hulls have been volunteers at Bok Tower Gardens for 29 years, achieving the longest tenure in the history of the Gardens. For these reasons and more, the couple was recently nominated and won the 2014 Florida Association of Museums Outstanding Volunteer Award, a statewide honor awarded only once each year. Volunteers Duane Hull, Duane and Edwina moved to Lake Wales in Dianne Miner, Edwina Hull and Al Miner 1985 after Duane retired as chief engineer from Wilhoit Steel Erectors in South Carolina. Upon their arrival, they immediately fell in love with Bok Tower Gardens and became volunteers.
Edwina volunteered in the Cracker House, the original visitor center at the Gardens. During her years here, she has shared our history and beauty with a myriad of visitors. Duane has used his engineering skills on various Gardens projects, including refurbishing Pinewood Estate’s garage doors and building bookcases, brochure racks, and other furniture items.
Partner Profile: We would like to thank our newest sponsor, Winter Haven Honda, for their recent support and sponsorship of Live at the Gardens featuring Leo Lopez, Boktoberfest, and Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens! www.boktowergardens.org
Conveniently located at 6395 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven Honda is a new and used Honda dealership that has served the Winter Haven, Orlando, Brandon, and Lakeland areas since 2009. Bok Tower Gardens is excited to partner
with Joe Wagner and the Winter Haven Honda team and appreciate all their support for the Gardens and our local community!
Garden Path | Spring 2015 | 19
Non-Profit U.S. Postage
PAID
Lakeland, FL Permit No. 1
National Historic Landmark 1151 Tower Boulevard Lake Wales, FL 33853
The Gardens’ new billboard says it all—located on U.S. 27 South, about a mile north of Cypress Gardens Blvd.
A Garden of Plenty photo: Randall Rupert
by Taylor Ikin
on display thru April 16
A true love of nature leaps off Taylor Ikin’s synthetic painting surface called YUPO, a tree‑free paper that is the basis of her nature‑based artwork.
photo: Tyler Jones
A painted bunting, Passerina ciris, pauses for a snack at Window by the Pond this past January photo: Sarah Lingwall
Gardens President David Price leads a site tour of upcoming garden spaces