WINTER 2019-20
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
In late September, a few of us had the privilege of traveling to Barcelona, Spain to see the progress of the creation of our new sculpture, Utopia. Artist Jaume Plensa is creating this monumental new piece of art for the Garden Pavilion room in the new Welcome Center. The sculpture is being made of white marble sourced from Vietnam. The sculpture will begin arriving in sections early next year and will be installed throughout 2020.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE In late November, Lena Meijer was here helping to decorate the German Christmas tree. It was a fabulous day. Lena shared stories from past years decorating the tree and putting the exhibition together in the early years. She also shared stories from her childhood growing up on a small farm in Amble, Michigan. Volunteers Steve and Mary Hollander have a tradition of helping to decorate the tree. They also bake the springerle cookies that we place on the tree. The film joy, now showing in the Hoffman Auditorium, has a wonderful segment about the German Christmas tree and the story behind the springerle cookies. It was also a great day because Lena was joined by her granddaughter Hanna Tuzzolino and her less than one-year-old twin great-granddaughters. It was magical seeing them all together and having such a great time. The granddaughters are almost exactly 100 years younger than Lena.
Lena Meijer and her granddaughter Hannah Tuzzolino with her twin great-granddaughters.
This is a good time to review the progress of the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love project. The Peter C. and Emajean Cook Transportation Center, Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, Covenant Learning Center and Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden have all come online over the past few years. Just recently, the Meijer-Shedleski Picnic Pavilion became ready and when winter finally leaves us, our guests will enjoy a picnicking experience like no other. The Welcome Center construction will continue for the remainder of this year and all of 2020. We will open most of the new Welcome Center to our guests in January of 2021. The Garden Pavilion room in the Welcome Center, containing the new sculpture Utopia by Jaume Plensa, will open in June of 2021. During 2020, the final section of the new parking lot will be completed and ready for use when the Welcome Center opens in January of 2021. Immediately following the opening of the Welcome Center, the temporary Cook Entryway will be removed, and construction will begin on the TasselWisner-Botrall English Perennial Garden, expansion of the BISSELL Corridor and the reimagined Volunteer Tribute Garden.
View of the Meijer-Shedleski Picnic Pavilion.
Covenant Learning Center opened in Fall 2018.
On November 11, 2019, the annual Connie Snell Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held in the Huizenga Grand Room. A big congratulations to Mark Butler, Betty Kingston, Shelli Wood, Lee Hicks, Monna Essenberg, Catherine Kello, Linda Gidley, Karen Adado, Joe Taber, Paul & Jan Stoub, Rose Perrier for winning various awards and to Dorothy Williamson, our 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Since that day was also the important Veteran’s Day holiday, we honored our veterans and thank them for their service to the United States of America.
Collectively, you all gave Meijer Gardens 86,000 hours of dedicated service this year. Those hours represent enriching the lives of others and giving people joy. It is truly extraordinary and most appreciated. Gratefully,
David Hooker, President & CEO
Exceptional Education: Karen Adado
Special Events: Lee Hicks
Octopus: Mark Butler
Behind the Scenes: Betty Kingston
Mighty Mentor: Joe Taber
Green Horn: Monna Essenberg
Volunteer of the Year: Dorothy Williamson
Not in attendance: Shelli Wood, Catherine Kello, Linda Gidley, Paul & Jan Stoub and Rose Perrier
Steel has finished in the PNC Portico and Cook Entryway.
Granite contines to be added to the outside of the Welcome Center.
FROM THE ARCHIVES Many of you have seen the lovely sculpture that resides in the Peter M. Wege Library: Book-Tower by Wolfgang Kubach and Anna Maria Kubach-Wilmsen. With stones from five continents, this piece is truly lovely and a perfect fit with the library. What you may not know is that the library is not the original location of that sculpture. When it was originally installed, it sat in the hallway that was between the library and what was then storage rooms and offices. The photo here shows the original site. As part of a construction project started in 2007, Michele Oka-Doner created and took part in installing the sculpture Beneath the Leafy Crown and it was before the demolition of the old floor to make way for the new floor that Book-Tower was moved to storage. As an aside, and to counter some stories that have been floating around, this sculpture was not moved because it was too heavy for the floor—it was simply a matter of making way for the new floor and finding an even better location for the piece. In 2010, after all the construction was completed, Book-Tower was moved to its current home in the library. When the library moves to its new home in the Welcome Center, Book-Tower will also move with it, continuing to grace the library with its beauty.
HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make the Holiday Gift Show a great success! We wouldn’t be able to do it without you! —The Gift Shop Staff
WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEES! We added these permanent, full-time staff members to our team since the last issue of Bloomin’ News.
Meghan Burke Annual Funds Manager
Ryan Morgan-Major Kitchen Steward/Dishwasher
Matthew Maier Catering Prep Cook
Wolfgang Kubach & Anna Maria Kubach-Wilmsen. Book-Tower, 1997-98, in its original site.
Michele Oka-Doner. Beneath the Leafy Crown, 2009
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY EVENTS As I’m sure you’ve guessed, we are knee deep in the busiest weeks of the year here at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park! There are holiday parties and fundraisers galore. That means our catering department is as busy as the elves at Christmas prepping food and setting tables in anticipation of guest arrival. If you’ve never worked in this particular department before, it’s hard to imagine the preparation that goes into each and every event. It may seem that we’d have a pattern going in, but as each and every event has its own guideline and timeline, each and every event is different and there’s just no way to adequately prepare ahead of time. No two events are ever the same—imagine that! By the time I arrive for work at 2 pm, the kitchen has already been prepping food for at least a day. So much chopping and seasoning, stirring and cooking, designing and baking. Why, the first week of December alone, we welcomed close to 5,000 people through our doors for scheduled events. Some evenings, we have more than one event and we are spread from one end of the building to the other. Communication with each other can prove to be a challenge if even one of us forgets to grab a handy dandy radio before leaving the office! From the time a client calls in, they’re matched with an event coordinator who helps them plan the event they wish to hold here at Meijer Gardens. Everything from which room will hold their attendees, the menu, plated or buffet meals, music, video presentations, stages, bands or DJ, bar or not! These choices are then secured in files and tweaked throughout the months prior to the actual event. Food is ordered, staff is scheduled. The day of the event, the Food and Beverage coordinators come in and preview the event sheet marked FINAL. We are then charged with implementing all the different moving parts associated with food and beverage. First are the tablecloths. Have you ever noticed that they are placed just so on the tables? We make sure all the seams are facing the same way so as not to disrupt the flow of the room. Tabletop items are then
placed. We have sugar caddies, creamers, water and coffee carafes, salt and pepper shakers, bread baskets and butter plates. These are all placed on the tables in the same spot to continue the pattern. Did you know that all silverware should be placed within the area that is defined by the arms of the chairs? And that the coffee mug handle should be sticking out at the 5:00 position? There’s even a correct way to place the dessert fork or spoon so that the existing fork or spoon is “chasing” it! Once all our tabletop items are placed on the table, they should form a circle around the center of the table. If even one item is out of place, the entire room can look askew! Some have salads and desserts “pre-set” on the tables to save time while others do not. Some choose plated meals while others prefer the “do it yourself” buffet option. Maybe they will have passed appetizers or cocktails. They are on a timeline for their presentations and we are there to help them achieve those goals. Once enough guests have finished their salad, we start sending out staff to serve dinners. We may only have 30 minutes to serve a room of 500 so we need to do it quickly and efficiently. We recently served a room of 493 people in just 17 minutes. That is an amazing feat! What’s even more amazing is that, especially with an event this size, we have a staff of up to and sometimes more than 30 people, and we’re all working together for the greater good. Clean up jobs are assigned at the end and the room is cleared quickly and efficiently. We’re usually out by midnight, rarely after that. To have a staff that works together so well and continuously surpasses all expectations is something to truly be proud of, and we are. So, during this wonderfully, trying, beautiful and busy holiday season, take the time to peer into our world for a moment and see our magic. I think you too will be as amazed and awed as are so many of our guests. Happy Holidays! —Ethel Moreland, Food & Beverage Coordinator
MEIJER GARDENS AND YOUR FOUNDATION Never Take A Break—Especially in Winter! In a word, “Brrr!” But let’s be honest—there are myriad other ways to assess the onslaught of winter, that trembling season when we trade out autumn’s sweaters for down parkas, and cider for hot chocolate. Meijer Gardens continues to be bustling, no matter the season and how it affects the landscape. The excitement of the holiday season, Metro Health Christmas & Holiday Traditions, the continuation of Rebecca Louise Law: The Womb exhibit, education programs, and ongoing expansion efforts keep the volunteers busy and the visitors coming to cherish all that Meijer Gardens has to offer. As poet William Blake said, “in seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” Here at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation, we’re continuing our work as well, providing financial funding from the endowment to help sustain this most stunning attraction and all its activities. To do so, we count on people like you, endeared to Meijer Gardens, to support our efforts and another year of growth. Contributions to the Foundation may be made through a wide array of choices that best fit your own plan—via monetary gifts, pledges, life insurance transfers, Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Trusts, IRA charitable rollovers and bequests in wills or trusts. Cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more qualify our donors for permanent recognition at Meijer Gardens. The Foundation also offers an opportunity to join the Perennial Society with cumulative lifetime gifts and/or pledges, including pledges in estate plans, of $10,000 or more, and the Bonsai Society at the $100,000 level. Members of these Societies are invited to the Foundation’s annual diner, a unique experience that provides private insight into Meijer Gardens. As you consider opening your doors to all that the season has to offer, we hope you’ll also consider a gift to the Foundation. And, in so doing, create your own legacy while ensuring future generations the opportunity to cherish Meijer Gardens. Your gifts to the Foundation will grow and bloom forever, regardless of the season. To learn more about the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation, visit www.fmgsf.org or call Sue at (616) 791-3901.
Saralyn Coupe President
Dirk Hoffius Chairman of Development
Susanne Veeneman Executive Director
FROM VALERIE’S DESK Valerie Maciejewski, Volunteer Manager
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS! Please join me in giving a warm FMG&SP welcome to our newest volunteers. We’re glad you’re here! Mary Claire Fu
Suzanne Grasman Ginny Witte
Bonnie Hunter
Carol Wilkin
Bon Czechowicz
Leta Halloway
Corrine VanderSpek
Diana Camozzi
Renee Therriault Paulette Wasel
Wendy Honey Aizat Baitoloeva
Danielle ZuiderVeen
2019 CONNIE SNELL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT This year our theme was Flourishing Through Connection. In the 6 months that I have been with Meijer Gardens, I have both witnessed and participated in the various ways in which one feels connection here. We connect with art and nature through our beautiful facility. We connect with guests from around the world who visit daily. Also, we connect with one another. Both the staff and volunteer experiences here are unique. Meijer Gardens is so heavily volunteer supported that many staff members work closely with volunteers daily. Guests certainly encounter volunteers through every part of their visit. Some roles are in the middle of the action, interacting with guests and having conversations. Others are more behind the scenes, for example, helping the horticulture staff maintain the impeccably groomed indoor and outdoor gardens. The connection between volunteers and Meijer Gardens runs deep. I see our current exhibit, Rebecca Louise Law: The Womb as a physical representation of that connection. Through a partnership with the artist and her team, our volunteers helped create the installation. I find that so powerful.
Cali Huddleston
It has been a privilege learning about the rich history of volunteerism at Meijer Gardens and connecting with you all!
Scott Lingenfelter
Sincerely,
Stephen Ebrom William Jackson
Valerie Maciejewski, Volunteer Manager
VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS Octopus: Mark Butler
Special Events: Lee Hicks
Flower Power: Linda Gidley
Dynamic Duo: Paul and Jan Stoub
Behind the Scenes: Betty Kingston
Green Horn: Monna Essenberg
Exceptional Education: Karen Adado
Seasonal Sunshine: Rose Perrier
Miles of Smiles: Shelli Wood
My Right Hand: Catherine Kello
Mighty Mentor: Joe Taber
Volunteer of the Year: Dorothy Williamson
WINTER 2019-20
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Cover Photo: Photo by Kirstin Volkening.
