Volunteers: Our Shining Stars

There are so many contributors that make Birmingham Botanical Gardens a success. And we like to thank those individuals, community partners, and businesses as often as we can. The bottom line is, however, that even if we had buckets of money -- which we don't -- we wouldn't be able to do a fraction of what we do without our loyal and savvy army of volunteers. We thought we'd have a little fun with the theme this year: Hollywood. We're literally rolling out the red carpet for our shining stars.

This Thursday, December 16, we pay homage to these many wonderful people who give back to their community here at The Gardens. The annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is a tradition started years ago, and is still going strong today. You would think that at an event honoring our volunteers, they would want to take the day off and kick back. But true to the volunteer spirit, these givers of time and talent insist on doing a potluck, perhaps to show off their culinary prowess. The reality is it's just in their nature to give, and if that means making a mean green bean casserole to honor their fellow volunteers, well, by golly, that's what they're gonna do!

Education: An Investment in the Future

Today's world is a fast-paced and ever-changing one in which information flies at us from a myriad of media at all hours of the day. Balance, serenity and know-how are musts to survive and succeed in this atmosphere. The old adage "knowledge is power" is even more relevant now than it has ever been. For this reason, and many others, we're very proud of the work we do here at The Gardens. Education is our mission, but it's more than just something we put on a website or a plaque, it's a lifestyle for us. You can help us continue this tradition in several ways such as making a donation, giving a gift membership, or volunteering your time and talent.

Consider that Discovery Field Trips help impart knowledge on schoolchildren from kindergarten through 6th grades, led by our education team's loyal volunteer docents. These fun adventures aren't just an escape from the schoolhouse. Discovery Field Trips are based on National Science Education Standards and Alabama Course of Study, and truly bring the classroom to life. For example, one one of the six field trip options, children learn about Dr. George Washington Carver's life and contributions to science and agriculture. The nitrogen cycle is no longer something in a text book, but rather is animated when kids harvest peanuts, sweet potatoes and cotton. More than 10,000 schoolchildren get a head start on critical science education, laying the foundation for future generations of scientists, activists, botanists, doctors and inventors.

Discovery Field Trips is just the tip of the educational iceberg here at The Gardens. Don't forget about Horticultural Therapy, which helps mentally, physically or emotionally disadvantaged clients from age four to 98 learn crucial life skills, using plants and gardening as a therapeutic and instructional tool. Our classes offer opportunities to learn just everything from botanical history to floral design and cooking to crafts. HollyDay Magic teaches children ways to make gifts, ornaments and decorations using natural materials.

The list goes on and on with other ways we seek to give the most valuable gift there is, the gift of knowledge, to children and adults across the region. And for those already in the know, we strive to inspire them to give back by volunteering as a field trip docent, or a horticultural therapy aid, or a Library assistant, or a class instructor or in any way they can.

This holiday season, we'd like to share our gratitude to all those who make it possible for us to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk." Thank you for investing in the future of Birmingham by helping us bring educational experiences to life. We will all be rewarded as a new generation of knowledgeable leaders use their new-found power to make and impact on our community and our environment for years to come.

Finally, Your Most Pressing Questions Answered

At Birmingham Botanical Gardens, there is always something going on. Whether it's a fundraising event, like this week's Cocktails in The Gardens and Fall Plant Sale, or a Discovery Field Trip or a class, this place is always abuzz with activity. Having said that, it isn't very often we get to delve into botany and etymology at the same time. John Manion, curator of the Kaul Wildflower Garden, wants to change that. He's teaching a class titled "Come Again...What Was That?" on Saturday, October 23 here at The Gardens. Here's a tongue-in-cheek teaser for what should be a fun and enlightening day.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides,
AKA the Dawn Redwood

Do you wake in a cold sweat at night flummoxed by what the real meaning of Metasequoia glyptostroboides(1) is? Do you get indigestion wondering how your neighbors will react when you tell them you have planted Ceratostigma plumbaginoides(2) in your garden? And just how are you going to break it to your children that you have just purchased a Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis(3)?

Learn the solution to these quandaries and others by attending Come Again...What Was That? The mantra for this class will be “I will fear no botanical name!” You will learn how to sound smarter than you are by pronouncing multisyllabic botanical names, and how, when you don’t know a plant’s name, you can make one up with a bunch of gobbledygook and sound like you know what you are talking about! Register Online>>

Don't forget about our other Adult & Family Classes. We have four classes next week alone, including John's:

Feast Your Eyes On This

When it comes to season finales, you're probably accustomed to TV programs pulling out all the stops with cliffhangers, inconceivable drama and unseemly revelations. Well, we're having a season finale of our own next week, and you will be left wanting more from Bonus Round, behold fabulous fall décor and taste absurdly delicious foods. That's right, the 2010 season of Cocktails in The Gardens will end on Thursday, October 14, finishing off yet another exciting successful series of fun, food and music.

Bonus Round is one of Birmingham's
most popular local music acts.

The evening, sponsored by Ford Fiesta Little Big Tour, has a most fitting theme: "Autumn Harvest Feastival." With the recent cooler temps and the gradual transition to beautiful fall colors, it only seems appropriate that we celebrate the changing seasons. (And just two days before the Fall Plant Sale as well!) Bonus Round, known for their array of musical influences, will delight us with a diverse set list with a little something for everyone: from southern rock to hip-hop to pop classics. They'll surprise you with their off-beat set lists, jazzy interpretations and engaging presence.

Occasions by Wynfrey has catered each
Cocktails in The Gardens this year.
In September, they provided us with
a slew of comfort foods.

On to the tasting portion of the night! The signature cocktail will be Black Cherry Rum Punch. I don't know what that is, but I know it sounds delightfully desirable for the occasion. And speaking of occasions, in addition to an intriguing signature drink, Occasions by Wynfrey has put together a stellar menu--yet again! Hors d'oeuvres will include Sweet Potato Fries with Cinnamon Sugar, Fall Apple Slaw, Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Skewers, Cranberry Chicken and Arugula Pinwheels, Miniature Braised Short Rib Pot Pie and Black Pepper Crustini with Herb Cheese. They will also be serving up Warm Apple Cider for those looking for something non-alcoholic or simply trying to get in the fall spirit.