THE PAINTED BEAUTY FROM LIVING ART • PARADOX OF SUMMER • PARTNER PROFILE: CITIZENS BANK
The Vol. 1 | Issue 3 | Summer-Fall 2009
A newsletter from Bok Tower Gardens www.boktowergardens.org
2 | The Garden Path | Summer-Fall 2009
FROM THE PRESIDENT What a season we have had! The Gardens have never looked better, our attendance is up and we have more member supporters than ever. The azalea and camellia bloom was spectacular with the weather cooperating to give us an extended spring bloom. It has been nice to see so many visitors enjoying the Gardens. The Moonlight Carillon Concert series was well attended, with the March concert drawing an audience of more than 350. With the daylight savings time change coming earlier this year, the concerts started with the setting sun so that guests could enjoy the Gardens in the sweet light of dusk. We started encouraging guests to picnic in the Gardens for these concerts and plan to introduce other changes to enhance the experience in the future. We have been working on a long range plan for the Gardens with several key points identified as goals. Improving customer service and the quality of our presentations are two of these goals. A large part of what we have to offer is the incredible experience our visitors enjoy. All aspects of the Gardens are being evaluated from the dÊcor and food at the cafÊ, to the quality of our plant displays. We want the experience for our visitors to be unique, inspirational and enjoyable for everyone, every time. Gardening can truly be a celebration about the diversity of plants as we’ve seen in our monthly plant celebrations. We have had displays of fruits and vegetables in March, hibiscus in April, pollinator plants in June and sunflowers in July. We plan to make these displays more visible and to have better interpretation in the coming seasons. Nick Baker created a sculptural display of seven varieties of Tillandsia (air plants related to Spanish moss). Our plant shop sold $10,000 of these unique plants in one month. We thank all our members for their support and goodwill ambassadorship. Our members are important to spreading the word and sharing the Gardens with others. Our Share the Gift program continues to provide free family memberships to less advantaged families. I hope you all have a wonderful summer and fall.
David Price, President
www.boktowergardens.org
MEMBERSHIP Marjola Burdeshaw, Membership & Development Manager
A Summer Music Series!
Welcome to our new members and thank
Tickets: $15 (Day of Concert: $20)
you to all members who have renewed their memberships. Your membership
Bok Tower Gardens Visitor Center - 7:30 p.m.
helps to provide a variety of cultural
Limited seating
programs and events which benefit all.
Optional dinner $17 / $15.50 (members)
The
David Price President
Cassie Jacoby Editor
Martin Corbin Graphic Design
We also would like to thank AT&T
AUGUST 22 THE REPEATLES (SOLD OUT!)
Yellow Pages, CSX, GrayRobinson, P.A.,
Editorial Contributors
Max 98.3, The News Chief and WUSF for
Lisa Allen
helping make the Concert Under the Stars on May 2 such a huge success.
SEPTEMBER 11 MUSTANG SALLY & THE HAMJOS
Please take advantage of your membership discount this summer for dinner at our Live at the Gardens music series.
Nick Baker Marjola Burdeshaw Robert V. Burt Cindy Campbell William De Turk Sandra Dent Jane Hink
IN THE MEDIA
Steve Jolley Patricia Jones Cheryl Peterson Sue Paetzold David Price Pirjo Restina Lin Norris Renaud
Mission Bok Tower Gardens seeks to carry out Edward W. Bok’s founding inspiration:
Extensive public relations campaigns have resulted in national, state and local non-paid editorial coverage, but we need to continue spreading the word. If you have a friend in the media, be sure to suggest they consider doing a feature story on the Gardens. We’ve received coverage in the following major media. One of Orlando’s top TV reporters with FOX 35, David Martin calls us “One of Florida’s 5 Best Daytrips” featuring VISIT FLORIDA’s outdoor blogger, Kevin Mims.
AAA’s Going Places Magazine May-June issue has a feature article on our Live at the Gardens Summer Concert Series. Estimated readership is 2.5 million.
During his first visit here from London, United Kingdom’s Sunday Mirror Newspaper reporter Andy Gardner describes us as one of Florida’s best treasures.
And, the new upscale magazine, Blu Tampa Bay August issue profiles us in a photo essay by senior writer Eric Smithers and photographer Gabriel Burgos.
Cover photo is of the rare and endangered Helianthus carnosus commonly known as a Lakeside Sunflower. Photo by Martin Corbin
Wherever your lives may be cast, make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it. By preserving and sharing the beauty, environment, architecture, music, art and history while inspiring others to carry on the tradition. Bok Tower Gardens, a nonprofit 503 (c) 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, Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. MM/5M/0709
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Called one of the “new masters” of Florida regional art, Keith Martin Johns will display a collection of his oil paintings Celebrated Florida landscape and wildlife painter Tom Freeman has donated a 24 by 48 inch acrylic watercolor of Pinewood Estate now on display in the Visitor Center. “It’s been a long love affair watching Pinewood mature over the years,” says the retired Lake Wales art teacher who fell in love with the Gardens on his first visit in 1942. “I grew up enjoying the transcendent beauty of this natural area and want to share my appreciation for the unique architecture with others who haven’t experienced it.” Utilizing a new concept in painting on canvas, Tom says the acrylic acts like a glass over the watercolor and preserves the artwork much longer than traditional watercolors.
in our Visitor Center August 1 through October 1. Entitled “The Painted Beauty from Living Art,” the exhibit captures the beauty of nature in coastal landscapes, wildlife, vivid sunsets, rivers and colorful landscapes that include paintings of Bok Tower Gardens. Growing up on the Gulf Coast in Charlotte County influenced Keith’s life and left an indelible mark on his work. “My heart’s desire is to help preserve Florida’s natural beauty and
prints. Numerous private and corporate collectors
heritage through the visual arts,” Keith
enjoy this artist’s work by displaying them
explains. The fourth generation Floridian
in such places as the University of Tampa, St.
has painted landscapes of the state
Luke’s Eye Institute, St. Petersburg College,
professionally for 27 years with nearly 300
hospitals and corporate offices.
painting titles and has published more than 100 images into limited edition fine art
Find Keith Martin Johns online at www.keithmartinjohns.com
Summer-Fall 2009 | The Garden Path | 5
ART EXHIBITS
“Interiors of Florida” by Tampa Bay artist Terry Klaaren will be on display in the Visitor Center October 3 through December 3. Recognized for his style of realistic impressionism, Terry will open the exhibit with a demonstration on Saturday, October 3 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. “His work preserves Florida’s most beautiful natural areas,” explains Pirjo Restina, Gardens’ curator of education. “Some have disappeared due to encroaching development and now only exist in his artwork.” An award-winning fine arts painter, Terry’s oils, acrylics, watercolors, pen and inks and pastels have been exhibited at the TECO Plaza in Tampa, the Kotler Gallery and the District offices of Southwest Florida Water Management. Also a cartoonist,
“I am driven to recreate the beautiful scenes of awe and wonder I encounter wherever I am. Every day I meet the dual challenges of finding a scene of visual splendor and creatively translating it with paint. Being an artist is a role I happily play.”
illustrator, wall muralist and an art demonstrator-educator for the Hillsborough County School system for nearly four decades, his
His artwork will be available for purchase along with postcards
murals adorn schools, homes, businesses and public buildings. He
and prints in the Tower and Garden Gift Shop with a portion of
co-created the humorous “Recyclosaurus” icon at the Museum of
the proceeds benefiting Bok Tower Gardens.
Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa where his exhibit, “Painting of Our National Parks: Have Brush-Must Travel,” is currently on display.
Find Terry Klaaren online at www.KlaarenArt.com
www.boktowergardens.org
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Photos by David Price
David Price, President
The summer season in Florida is a paradox. The rains start and
As the moist air rises, the water vapor condenses releasing energy
native plants come out of their drought dormancy to push forth new
as it goes from a gas to a liquid. This added heat causes the air to
growth. Butterflies and insects emerge; frogs sing again, rivers begin
rise even higher and form huge thunderheads up to 40,000 feet. The
to flow, gopher tortoises wander about, swallow-tailed kites soar
massive movement of air generates electrical charges caused by the
on the thermal winds, and the skies light up with fiery sunsets of
friction of the air movement. The charge builds until it discharges as
majestic clouds and flashes of lightning. Yet, just when the main show
a bolt of lightning that can be as hot as 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit and
is beginning, many people leave the theater to trek to cooler climates.
travel 60,000 miles per second. The peak power of a bolt is a billion
By the beginning of May when the ground is dry and the afternoon
watts and lasts less than a thousandth of a second. The air around
heat builds, people put comfort aside and hope for rain. The wet
the bolt can heat up to three times the temperature of the sun’s
season begins in mid May or June as the cycle of thunderclouds
surface. This rapid heating causes the air to compress and results in
builds up in the afternoon. The mornings start out clear and dry. By
a supersonic shock wave that degrades into an acoustical wave we
late afternoon, as warm air over the peninsula rises, humid air from
call thunder. There are about one million cloud-to-ground lightning
the Gulf and the Atlantic is pulled inland continuing to heat and rise.
strikes a year in Florida. Is this Florida at its best or is it at its worst?
www.boktowergardens.org
Summer-Fall 2009 | The Garden Path | 7
Swallow-tailed Kite
The swallow-tailed kite glides and soars on thermal air currents. The graceful birds rarely land, and can glide without flapping their wings. Feeding on mice, lizards, snakes and insects, swallow-tailed kites even fly while they eat. Central Florida is one of the best places to see these birds high in the clouds or skimming a few feet off the ground hunting.
Ponce de León in Florida
The rains bring lush growth and the lightning brings fire that rejuvenates and sustains many of the natural habitats. Without the humidity and wetness of summer, Florida would not be Florida. What Juan Ponce de Leon discovered when he named the state Pascua Florida, meaning “feast of flowers,” is the same thing that inspired and enchanted painters such as George Inness, Hermann Herzog, Martin Johnson Heade, Thomas Moran and Winslow Homer. The raw beauty of the land is in the plants that grow here. There is a certain comfort in hearing the rumble of thunder and seeing the clouds climb high into the stratosphere knowing that the parched ground will be moist, and the land will be verdant again. If you’re lucky enough to stay here for the summer, sit back and enjoy the show.
This work of early Florida history depicts the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León (c. 1474-1521) in the company of native Floridians. Thomas Moran painted this work of early Florida history to hang behind the Speaker’s chair in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. It was to accompany his two other monumental western frontier landscapes that hung in the U.S. Senate chamber.
Thomas Moran (American, 1837 - 1926), Ponce de León in Florida, 1877 - 1878, oil on canvas, 64 3/4 x 115 7/8 in., Acquired for the people of Florida by The Frederick H. Schultz Family and Bank of America. Additional funding provided by the Cummer Council, AP.1996.2.1.
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CONSERVATION
The National Collection of Rare Plants
A
Botanical Noah’s Ark Cheryl Peterson, Conservation Manager
Just as Noah was instructed “to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth,” our Conservation Program gathers seeds of rare plant species to save them from extinction and to save the genetic diversity remaining within a species.
www.boktowergardens.org
Summer-Fall 2009 | The Garden Path | 9
Many rare plant species of Florida exist as remnant populations which can be reproductively isolated from each other causing interbreeding. Each population potentially holds unique genetic material that adds to the genetic diversity within the species. The diversity is essential to the long term survival of a species by increasing its ability to withstand environmental pressures such as drought and disease. As part of the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC), we maintain a National Collection of Rare Plants composed of both living specimens and a seed bank to store and preserve the genetic material, or germplasm. We gather germplasm from rare plant populations throughout northern and Central Florida to create diversity within the Collection. Our priority is to collect species whose populations are so rapidly disappearing that there is a threat of extinction within the next several years. Scrub Lupine, Lupinus aridorum, from near Orlando, Lakeside Sunflower, Helianthus carnosus, (featured on the cover) from the St. Augustine area and Savannas Mint, Dicerandra immaculata var. savannarum, from south St. Lucie County are prime examples. Depending on the species, germplasm may be collected by taking
Juliet Rynear, conservation intern, taking apical cuttings of the rare Lakela’ s Mint to propagate new plants for a population introduction onto protected land.
cuttings or seeds of plants. All collections are given accession numbers and are database recorded. Annual collection reports are given to both the CPC and the state of Florida. Although conserving wild populations, called in situ (“on site”) conservation, is the priority for preventing species extinction, ex situ (“off site”) conservation strategies, such as the curation of a National Collection, are increasingly being recognized worldwide as making a critical difference in species survival. There are roughly 2,000 garden institutions in 148 countries which curate around four million accessions representing 80,000 taxa. The goal is for the genetic diversity held within these ex situ collections to represent the diversity within wild populations. This will become more vital as developmental and other pressures lead to the further decline of wild populations. The Center for Plant Conservation’s National Collection works to hold onto germplasm long-term as a buffer against extinction, but also to provide a mixture of genetic material for projects which introduce new populations onto protected lands. National Collections help serve as a “Noah’s Ark” for the survival of the rarest plant species.
Pollination bags are being secured around racemes of Scrub Lupine for the harvesting of seeds. Photos by Cindy Campbell
Visit www.centerforplantconservation.org for more information.
10 | The Garden Path | Summer-Fall 2009
Both cold-hardy and semitropical plants grow here. Our growing conditions
are: acid sandy soil, zone 9a of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map,
annual average rainfall of 52 inches (mainly in the
summer), frost about every
three years and light freezes every five years.
Nick Baker, Director of Horticulture
Century Plant (Agave sp.)
Victoria Water Lily
spike nearly 30 feet tall that reached its peak bloom in early
a pea-size seed each year. A hybrid of Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana,
All eyes were on a 16-year-old Century Plant with a flower
July. Despite its common name, the Century Plant does not take 100 years to bloom, but varies from 10 to 25 years
The Victoria water lilies in the Singing Tower reflection pool are grown from the ‘Longwood Hybrid’ seed is donated by Kit Knox in Cocoa Beach. My daughter Avery is shown sitting on one of the five foot pads.
depending on the vigor of the individual, the richness of the soil and the climate. It’s all up to Mother Nature. The plant determines when the conditions are ideal for the best seed dispersal. The plant uses all of its energy to produce this once-ina-lifetime bloom that resembles a giant asparagus. It’s a spectacular sight, but once the pods open, small white or yellow flowers bloom as the mother plant begins to die and produces offsets or pups that we plant throughout the Gardens. The succulent, native to Mexico, is a member of the genus Agave. Tequila is made from a different species, Agave tequilana. After fielding calls from curious residents who have seen other Century Plants with large stalks throughout the community, a video was posted featuring the plant on www.boktowergardens.org/videos.
Bleeding Heart Vine
(Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
Bleeding heart is a sprawling vinelike shrub with evergreen leaves. Showy
red and white flowers are produced throughout summer. The individual flowers, a half inch wide, are bell shaped with white calyces and crimson red petals. As is typical of the bleeding heart vine, the flowers have stamens that extend beyond the petals.
Sunflower
(Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers are annual plants native to the Americas. Their large flowering
heads follow the sun from east to west throughout the day and return to an eastward orientation at nighttime. Several varieties can be found throughout the Gardens including the crimson ‘Moulin Rouge’ and the rare and endangered Lakeside Sunflower, Helianthus carnosus, featured on the cover.
Summer-Fall 2009 | The Garden Path | 11
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Lin Norris Renaud, Pinewood Manager
With the top down on their convertible, Duane and Edwina Hull are enjoying the ride of their lives. Driving forces behind the scenes at Bok Tower Gardens for nearly 25 years, they’ve donated more hours than any other volunteer. Duane was recently awarded the “Key to the Tower” for surpassing 10,000 volunteer hours.
Volunteering - The Numbers In 2008 we had 457 volunteers who, combined,
contributed more than 31,000 hours to Bok Tower Gardens
Married for 68 years, the pair met, married, lived and worked in North and South Carolina, Ohio, England and Florida while
camera and honed his photographic skills. He combined his love of
raising two daughters. They moved here in 1985 following Duane’s
photography with his interest in plants when he wrote and published
retirement as chief engineer of Wilhoit Steel Erectors in Columbia,
the booklet, Flowers-Plants-Trees of Bok Tower Gardens which is sold at
South Carolina. “He has the mind of an engineer and the heart of a
the Visitor’s Center.
volunteer who can fix just about anything,” says David Price. “I’ve
Edwina was the first Hull to volunteer at our old “Cracker House”
always been able to count on Duane to engineer solutions to the most
in the 1980s. The Singing Tower Information Booth and Pinewood
complex problems.”
Estate soon followed. Both lead tours of Pinewood throughout the
The mere mention of something that needs to be built or repaired will set Duane in motion, always anxious to use his toolbox and
year, and enjoy working as Christmas “Angels” during the holiday season.
engineering skills to complete a project or solve a problem. Some of
Edward Bok’s philosophy to “make the world a bit better” drives
his accomplishments include refurbishing all of Pinewood’s garage
them to continue giving their time, talent and expertise. Their thirst
doors as well as building bookcases, tables and other large furniture
for knowledge as well as life experiences and education, make each
items during his “spare” time. At age 16, after building a darkroom
day a new journey and a joy for all who are lucky enough to share the
in his parent’s home, he engineered an enlarger out of an old Kodak
ride with them.
12 | The Garden Path | Summer-Fall 2009
1
REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST
PARTNER PROFILE
Not long after Citizens Bank & Trust was founded in Frostproof by Latt Maxcy and a group of local businessmen in 1920, Edward Bok began transforming Iron Mountain into one of America’s finest gardens. The dreams of both men
2
that started separately nearly 90 years ago have grown into a partnership that benefits our entire community. “Being a community bank means more than being located
William De Turk, Director of Carillon Services
in a community – it means giving back and helping build that community,” says Greg Littleton, Citizens Bank & Trust president and chief executive officer. “Bok Tower Gardens is a tremendous community asset and we are committed to helping people enjoy this national treasure.” In addition to sponsoring Sunset & Symphony, Christmas
1 In building the Singing Tower, Mr. Bok did not want his name as part of the title or for it to appear physically on the building. It appears only on the largest carillon bell as part of the inscription.
2 Samuel Yellin imprinted his name on the Great Brass Door and
at Pinewood and other events, the 12 bank branches serve
the moat gates like an artist signs a painting.
as ticket outlets for special events and the bank mails event
3 President Calvin Coolidge’s name is carved in the dedication
promotions in customer statements. “Citizens has been a real friend to us and dedicates hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthwhile community endeavors,” explains David Price. “It’s a testament to their sound management that they did not need federal bailout dollars.”
inscription under the sundial.
4 Bok did request the architect, Milton B. Medary, to inscribe his name on the Tower. This was carved into the marble discreetly and artistically below the east window.
Maxcy’s grandchildren continue the family tradition of careful decision making to carry the bank securely into the future. Returning about $6 million back into the local
3
economy through payroll and benefits of its 160 employees, Polk County’s oldest bank prides itself on local people making local decisions. Visit www.citizens-bank.com for more information.
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Awards & recognition given to Bok Tower Gardens
In Memory of Bill Nagel
Congratulations to Milford Myhre for winning the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce 2009 Cultural Achievement Award. As Carillonneur and Director
Our longtime friend and supporter William
of Musical Services for
G. Nagel passed away at his home in Boulder,
36 years, he developed a
Colorado on March 30 at the age of 92. In
program recognized around
1969 he served as executive director of The
the world as one of the very
American Foundation, Inc. and director of the
finest. He established the first
Photo courtesy The News Chief
International Carillon Festival, the Carillon Scholar program,
projects and continues his extensive community service
the Anton Brees Carillon Library
as an active member in the First Presbyterian Church.
and co-created the Music at
Recipient of many honors including the Key to the City
Pinewood series. Although he
of Lake Wales, he was a member of the founding board
retired in 2004, Milford returns
of the Lake Wales Arts Council, the Depot Museum
regularly to work on a variety of
Commission and director of the Lake Wales Chorale.
Institute of Corrections. His work reflected the Foundation’s focus on prison reform along with the support and operation of Bok Tower Gardens. His book, The New Red Barn: A Critical Look at the Modern American Prison, was published in 1973 by the Foundation. The copy in our archives is dedicated to Nellie Lee Bok with the inscription, “This book is something of an attempt to bring the values of Bok Tower
Blue Palmetto Café assistant manager Carmen Pineda received the 2009 Polk County Tourism Hospitality Award. For nearly five years, Carmen has demonstrated sincere and remarkable acts of hospitality welcoming all who enter our Café with a bright, cheerful and genuinely warm greeting. Volunteer Freddie Robinson was named the 2009
She always goes above and
Volunteer of the Year by the Florida Retired Educators
beyond the call of duty
Association. A member of Polk County Educator’s
while managing stressful
Polk Unit II, Freddie was chosen as the top volunteer
situations with a smile. A true
from District 8 which includes Central and North
hospitality “star,” we applaud
Brevard, Orange, Polk and Seminole Counties. In
her personal acts of kindness
addition to donating her time in our Visitor Center,
toward others and we’re
Freddie volunteers for the Lake Wales Care Center
proud of her well-deserved
and Polk Avenue Elementary School.
recognition.
Gardens into the most dismal of societies’ institutions.” In 1979 his title was changed to the newlycreated president of the Foundation, and the Institute of Corrections was terminated. During the transition period when the Foundation headquarters moved from Philadelphia to Lake Wales in 1980, Bill Nagel’s leadership set our course as a Florida institution. A tireless supporter and advocate who often visited with his wife Ethel, Bill was always interested in how things were going, from the pay scale of the gardeners to the health of the endowment. From his background in prison and social work, he had a strong sense of the human side of the organization. He was very practical and methodical in his approach to getting things done and always compassionate. We will miss him. David Price, President
2009
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming events at the Gardens!
CHAIR
Robin Gibson, Senior Partner
Gibson & Valenti PA – Lake Wales, FL
VICE CHAIR
William G. Burns Lake Wales, FL
TREASURER
PLANT SALE Be sure to save the date for our fall events including the 1st annual Boktoberfest Plant Sale & Show on October 17. Celebrate the joy of gardening with free admission and
Hon. Patricia C. Fawsett, Chief Judge Emeritus
fun for the whole family. Learn how to grow a green thumb and check out a variety of
SECRETARY
entertainment will be offered.
U.S. District Court – Orlando, FL
Frank M. Hunt II, Chairman of the Board Hunt Bros. Cooperative – Lake Wales, FL
BOARD MEMBERS Louise B. Adams Lake Wales, FL
plants, gardening products and natural art for purchase. Education, refreshments and
On November 7, the Sunset & Symphony Fall Concert features the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Singing Tower carillon.
Cindy Alexander, Community Volunteer
Bring your family and a picnic to enjoy the
Michael Aloian, President
as the sun sets atop Iron Mountain.
Lake Wales, FL
Charlotte State Bank Trust Department – Tampa, FL
outdoor concert at 6 p.m. on the Great Lawn
Tomas J. Bok, Ph.D.
GMO LLC – Somerville, MA
J. F. Bryan IV
The Bryan Group – Jacksonville, FL
Nancy J. Davis, President and CEO
McArthur Management Company – Miami, FL
Derek Dunn-Rankin, President
Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. – Charlotte Harbor, FL
Sen. Bob Graham
Christmas at Pinewood
November 27 through January 3, capture the holiday spirit when you tour the 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion at Pinewood Estate. Come see what’s new and different when Central Florida designers transform the 1930s winter
United States Senator – Miami, FL
retreat into a glittering holiday showcase
M. Lewis Hall Jr., Partner/Attorney
with this year’s theme, Joy to the World.
Hall & Hedrick – Coral Gables, FL
L. Evans Hubbard, Chairman of the Board A. Friends’ Foundation Trust – Orlando, FL
Dorothy Chao Jenkins, Community Volunteer Lakeland, FL
Arva Moore Parks, President
Arva Parks & Company – Miami, FL
Dick Wood, President
Mountain Lake Corporation – Lake Wales, FL
EMERITUS MEMBERS J. Shepard Bryan Jr., Attorney
Holland & Knight LLP – Atlantic Beach, FL
John Germany, Attorney
Holland & Knight LLP – Tampa, FL
D. Burke Kibler III, Partner/Chairman Emeritus Holland & Knight LLP – Lakeland, FL
Joan Wellhouse Newton, Chairman Emeritus Regency Centers Corporation – Jacksonville, FL
Summer-Fall 2009 | The Garden Path | 15
WHAT’ S NEW
Milford Myhre CD Bok Singing Tower carillonneur emeritus Milford Myhre has produced a new carillon CD, “Sacred Selections for Carillon.” The recording includes selections from Advent, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving along with American folk hymns such as Amazing Grace, Land of Rest and Wondrous Love. Other favorites include Dix (For the Beauty of the Earth) and Simple Gifts. “Beloved perennial favorites to interest carillon buffs as well as the general public,” Milford explains as to how the selections were chosen. Two other recordings by Milford are available at the Tower and Garden Gift Shop, “A Carillon Recital at the Bok Singing Tower” and “Christmas Carillon from Bok Tower Gardens.”
America’ s Taj Mahal by Edward W. Bok The third edition of America’s Taj Mahal is now available for sale. With the history and inspiration for the creation of the Singing Tower written by Edward W. Bok, architect Milton B. Medary and sculptor Lee Lawrie, the softbound reproduction of the original 1929 edition contains detailed photographs of the Great Brass Door, Founder’s Room and many of the architectural elements carved in marble.
YouTube Channel Launched Bok Tower Gardens is excited to share the beauty and experience of the Gardens to everyone online with our new YouTube channel. The Bok Tower Gardens YouTube channel can be found at www.youtube.com/boktowergardens and serves as a home for unique content, including behind-the-scenes tour of the Tower, interviews with our horticulture director and other special videos relating to the Gardens.
September Shopping Spree All members will receive a special one-time only 20 percent discount off purchases in the Tower & Garden Gift Shop and a free freshly baked cookie or soft drink with the purchase of lunch at the Blue Palmetto Café. Offer runs September 1-30, 2009.
MEMBER SH NOTICE IP
You can now log on to boktowergardens.org to make a donation, renew your membership or give a gift membership to friends and family!
Visit boktowergardens.org to sign up for monthly updates of what’s new at the Gardens!
www.boktowergardens.org
OFF
1151 Tower Boulevard Lake Wales, FL 33853
INSPIRED VISITORS 1
Our Tillandsia display in the River of Stone inspired many visitors to purchase their own from the Tower & Garden Gift Shop
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1,500 bicyclists began their two day journey to Orlando and back during BikeMS on May 16 & 17
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Melissa and Chris Kern with their son Matthew and Melissa’s mother Brenda Petrey, visit the Gardens twice a year from Atlanta, Georgia. Melissa has fond memories of visiting as a child and wanted to share the Gardens with her son Matthew.
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Honorary Dutch Consul Peter Groenendijk and staff enjoyed a tour of the Tower
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Thousands sit on the Great Lawn during Concert Under the Stars on May 2
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Worshippers celebrate the 83rd Annual Easter Sunrise Service on April 12 with inspirational music from the Lake Wales Chorale Photos 5 and 6 courtesy The News Chief
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phone 863.676.1408
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www.boktowergardens.org
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fax 863.676.6770