by Peter Longley

Several local artists are now featured in our growing collection of art at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Gardens. Our latest addition is a fine wood carving Praying Mantis by Jim Stewart of The Sculptured Gourd.

Jim’s giant sculpture was created out of one log that includes the fine details of antennae and legs. The Praying Mantis is captured sitting among lily blooms also carved from wood. The piece is exhibited in the Atrium at the Botanical Center and is quite a talking point. Jim Stewart is retired and at sixty-five years young has loved creating from mediums all his life. He had no formal training, but obviously has a great eye for detail. As he says: “The good Lord blessed me with natural talents and skills. I carve, paint—watercolor and pastel, create gourd lifelike pieces as well as vases, pitchers, bowls and centerpieces, plus much more.” He also custom builds furniture and repairs antique items. He is a juried member of The Sculptured Gourd in two categories: Wood and Specialty. Examples of his other work can be found at www.bestofmissourihands.com/sculpturedgourd.htm#S

 

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Bettine Clemen, celebrated International solo flautist, preformed a captivating benefit concert at the Botanical Center for the Friends of the Garden's planned Edible Sensory Garden Sunday afternoon that brought tears to the eyes of some concert goers.

After a long career as a celebrated orchestral and solo flutist and recording artist, Bettine Clemen has made her reputation as a true healer with her unique concert programs. By bringing together images of nature, animals, children and people from all over the planet with her personal interpretation through her flutes, Bettine evokes the healing power of music and is a perfect artist to highlight the healing power of our future Edible Sensory Garden. For more information and where to order Bettine's music click here http://www.joyofmusic.com/home.htm

This garden will truly be a garden for healing. It will be completely accessible to the disabled. Plants will be specially selected for the senses so that the garden can be appreciated by the blind and partially blind and provide fragrance, taste, touch and feel. It will be a place of peace and beauty with seating capacity to accommodate those who are convalescing from illness.

This concert was a fundraiser for our future Edible Sensory Garden and was the finale to the three-day celebration of the first anniversary of the Botanical Center, which opened in October 2010. To make an additional contribution to this garden please make a check payable and mail to Friends of the Garden, P.O.Box 8566, Springfield MO, 65801. Note "Sensory Garden" on the memo line. Your investment will help us reach our objective of starting phase one.

Bettine, thank you !

The new Botanical Center in Springfield, Missouri now has a new Horticultural Library. Center Coordinator Katie Steinhoff, shown below, says "It's a fantastic resource. We have books on every subject of existing and future gardens as well as specific interests for gardening in Missouri and the Midwest, and ideas that would be great for the homeowner."

Funded by a generous grant from the Susan Boswell Foundation in memory of Susan's mother, Lois K. Boswell, the library also includes a laptop computer and Internet access. Susan, a Friends of the Garden member, says many private individuals and organizations have donated books and money to buy books, which gifts are much appreciated.

Note: Anyone wishing to donate books may do so by calling Katie Steinhoff at 417-891-1515. To donate tax deductible funds to the library send your check payable and mail to Friends of the Garden, P.O. Box 8566, Springfield, MO 65801. Please note on the check's memo line and include a note that it's a library donation. Friends of the Garden, Inc is a 501(c)3 corporation.

Editor's Note: Make sure and read this entire article. It lists virtually every opportunity available to us as Friends of the Garden members.

For more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Something truly special happens when you share yourself with others…. You’ll have opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, share interests and hobbies with others, work in a beautiful and stimulating environment, and make your community a better place to live.

An added benefit is the satisfaction that comes with helping the Gardens fulfill its mission by providing valuable services and programs for school children, gardeners, nature enthusiasts, professional horticulturists, home owners, and others in the community.

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Breaking News

(Editor's Note: Contributions to the Joplin Recovery Fund can be made online at: Give Online – please note “Joplin Recovery Fund” in the Fund/Program box. Checks can be mailed to: Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO, 65801. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.)

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, with its Joplin-Carthage area affiliate, today established the Joplin Recovery Fund for donors interested in supporting mid- and long-term community redevelopment efforts to rebuild the devastated city.

The CFO will seed the fund with a $10,000 contribution on behalf of its affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, Inc., which covers Barton, Jasper, McDonald and Newton  counties through the CFO’s regional office in Joplin.

 

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10,000 Garden Challenge - A New Program from AgriMissouri

We have registered most of the gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park in the AgriMissouri 10,000 Gardens Challenge. Have you registered yours yet? It's fun, fast and easy!

"Whether it's a home, community, church or school garden, we are challenging Missourians to get out and garden this spring. The 10,000 Garden Challenge encourages people to connect with agriculture, promotes local foods and healthy eating." Register here: 10,000 Garden Challenge