NOVEMBER 2023
MEMBER NEWSLETTER Dear Members, Wow, it’s already November! It feels like the month of October just flew by. The Gardens are currently bursting with gorgeous fall foliage, especially out at the Formal Lawn Garden and Sycamore Falls. I recommend visiting soon and playing your favorite fall tunes while walking amongst the leaves. If you’re not sure what to play, I highly recommend music by Vince Guaraldi, Harry Connick Jr, and Frank Sinatra. There’s nothing more peaceful than a cozy fall walk at Reiman Gardens.
Allison Anderson Membership Specialist
We just wrapped up Spirits in the Gardens, and now we are heading into preparation for Winter Wonderscape. With December just a month away, our team and volunteers are hard at work getting everything set up to transform the Gardens into a magical, wintery setting. Did you know that members get $2 off regular priced Winter Wonderscape tickets? Don’t miss out on this incredible event that you and the entire family will enjoy. Purchase tickets now at this link.
In this issue: All aboard, members! The RG Express Train Member Preview is just
Volunteer Spotlight (p. 2) Member Bus Trip (p. 7) Retirements (p. 8)
around the corner. This fantastic event will be held on Friday, November 10th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Be the first to view the whimsical train and custom-built miniature ISU buildings. Enjoy a complimentary hot apple cider bar and delicious cookies while exploring this year’s Hughes Conservatory landscape. Sign up for this exclusive members-only event here. Thank you for reading this month’s member newsletter. We deeply appreciate you. Your generous support allows for all these great and exciting events to happen! We are so thankful for all of you.
ISU Student Trevor Hickey Finds Peace in Carving Pumpkins Have you ever wondered who carves all of the pumpkins for Spirits in the Gardens? Nearly 900 volunteers took part in carving more than 1,000 pumpkins for this year’s event. This month, we are featuring an Iowa State University student who has found a new passion (and peace) in his volunteer efforts.
reimangardens.com/volunteer
Trevor Hickey is a junior at Iowa State University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He is from Chicago, Illinois, and is attending ISU as part of the George Washington Carver Scholarship Program. One of his scholarship requirements includes fulfilling volunteer hours, which led him to a new love of carving pumpkins. “I was searching for volunteer opportunities and the first thing that popped up was Reiman Gardens,” said Trevor. “I love trying new things and this is something I had never done before.” Once Trevor started carving pumpkins, he fell in love with it and discovered he was quite talented at it. Even though he doesn’t consider himself an artistic person, just being able to concentrate on creating something unique with his hands and taking his mind off his studies for awhile has proven to be a great thing for him, for Reiman Gardens, and for all the people who get to enjoy his carvings during Spirits in the Gardens.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: ISU STUDENT TREVOR HICKEY (CONTINUED) “My favorite thing about volunteering to carve pumpkins is being able to talk with a lot of people and interact with them. Being able to do this is calming, especially with midterms and finals coming up. It’s also fun to walk around during the Spirits in the Gardens event and see all the pumpkins I carved, and my family comes into town to attend as well and see the work I did.” Reiman Gardens would like to thank all the nearly 900 volunteers who played a role in the Spirits in the Gardens event.
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november 2023
UPCOMING
EVENTS RG Express Train Member Only Preview November 10, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Your first look at the RG Express. Complimentary cookies and hot apple cider. Register by November 6. RSVP required.
DIY Wreath Kit November 24-December 2: Select a time to pick up your holiday wreath supply kit, November 24 through December 2. Instructions and materials provided.
Registration for educational programs has been filling quickly. View more details and registration info at www.reimangardens.com/events
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november 2023
EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS Caterpillar Club Thursdays at 10:15 AM: Dress for the weather for this outdoor Early Childhood Development program featuring stories, followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
Youth Day Camp November 6, 9 AM - 4 PM: Explore the Gardens with STEM activities! Scavenger hunts, crafts, and other Fall favorites. Designed for ages 6-10.
Maker Night November 22, 6-7:30 PM: Make a painted silk kerchief using paint or tie-dye of your choice. Perfect for a group of friends looking to do Book Talk: Gardening Can Be Murder
something fun on a chilly night! October 12: Join bestselling author Marta McDowell for a public lecture and Q&A on the literary influence of pernicious plants!
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november 2023
EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS Floral Design November 21, 6-7 PM: Make an arrangement from dried florals to create a colorful vase display.
Your donations help Reiman Gardens accomplish its mission of educating, inspiring, and enchanting. Click the button below to donate toward a campaign to raise money for our Butterfly Wing!
October 12: Join bestselling author Marta McDowell for a public lecture and Q&A on the literary influence of pernicious plants!
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MEMBERS ONLY BUS TRIP FEBRUARY 18-24, 2024
Arizona Desert Adventure Visit sites such as the Desert Botanical Garden, Japanese Friendship Garden, Tohono Chul Gardens, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (they have a hummingbird house!), Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Saguaro National Park, and the Tucson Botanical Garden. We will take a narrated tram tour through the rich flora and fauna of Sabino Canyon, and walk through the amazing Biosphere 2. Experience delicious Southwest cooking in amazing sites such as Rustler's Roost, situated on top of a bluff; once a hideout for cattle rustlers with the entrance a mine shaft that takes us over a waterfall. For three nights we will be at the Embassy Suites in Tucson, where each room is a deluxe two-room suite. Spots are limited! Register now at the link below.
REGISTER HERE
REIMAN GARDENS NEWS NOVEMBER 2023
RENOVATED PLAZA In September and early October, we tore out dated and decaying concrete and paver areas and replaced them with fresh concrete and paved walking paths. The new area is safer and allows for wider paths and more connections between garden areas!
RETIREMENTS On December 1, Reiman Gardens will say ‘Good Bye’ to two invaluable workers: Marilyn Schnormeier, and Beth Wessel-Kroeschell. Marilyn (lower right) has played a key role in our gift shop since 2017. Beth (upper left) has played a key role in events since 2013. We thank them for their service. They will be greatly missed!
NEW WEB DESIGN! Check out our much-needed website redesign at www.reimangardens.com! This project began about a year ago and we are happy to bring you Reiman Gardens content in a fresh, clean, modern way!