Job Well Done - All You Folders & Stuffers!

With the help of a good turnout and some white wine & trail mix from June, the job was done in no time! The non-resident invitations were mailed out tonight; the resident invitations will be distributed on Tuesday, September 6th.

Flyers were edited, ground rules for the Silent Auction finalized, and the Program reviewed. We are waiting for contracts for 3 musicians--a harpist, a violinist, and a soloist. Non-residents will be expected to contribute a minimum of $10 to the FOG fund.

The color scheme for the decorations are based on Autumn. Quite appropriate since the Autumnal Equinox is on September 23rd. Mums for Fall planting will be used as decorations throughout the Lobby.

Do I have something in my portfolio to go with the scheme? Of course. These are a few real autumn leaves found on one of my jaunts down the street towards Central Avenue in Fall 2004.

Garden Nymph Gains Weight - Gets on TV!

Big news - Members of FOG. At Kevin's suggestion I sent a photo of our Garden Nymph to CBS . They are running a series called "Show Us Your Garden." Our photo was one of the ones selected for the slide show. If you go to:

http://wcbstv.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_223113524

you will see our photo...it's the third one from the left. CBS may do a live show from one of the gardens selected. Keep your fingers crossed.

I sent a vertical photo of the statue which they stretched out to fit a horizontal format. So now our slender nymph is sporting thunder thighs!

Who knows...we may show up in a movie set next.

Don't forget - 7:00 PM Wednesday....Community Room....Folding & Stuffing Time!

Instead of a photo how about an artist at work? What..you want music?

Gale's Day Meeting Reminder

All FOG members are invited to the Community Room at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 31st.

The Invitations for Gale's Day need to be folded & stuffed into envelopes for distribution throughout the building on September 6th.

I came across a watercolor & ink drawing that I did of some Orange Poppies that were growing in the back of our Garden, near the Cooling Tower. Look for it in the Silent Auction.

Gale's Day - Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

What did they say about the camel? It's really a horse built by a committee?

Believe it or not, some final decisions were made.

1. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. August 31 - Community Room
Invitations - Fold & Stuff! ALL ARE WELCOME!!
Invitations will be delivered in the building on Tuesday, September 6.
Invitations to non-residents will be mailed on September 1.
Mailing envelopes for non-residents - Irene

2. The wording on the engraved plaque - simply:

Gale Barter

He gave us back our Garden

Plaque & engraving - Fran

3. Mistress of Ceremonies - Gerry

4. Vocalist - Tyrone

5. Silent Auction winners must be present, and must pay their bid amount by
cash or check. If not present, the item will go to the next highest bidder.
Minimum Bid will be stated on the Bid Sheet.

6. Brief History of the Garden - Irene will write it

7. Refreshment Donations Request - Kevin

8. Silent Auction Donations Request, What Is A Silent Auction, and The
Bid Process Notices - June & Kevin
Donations for the Silent Auction - Yvonne
Friday, September 23 - A committee will review the donated items and set up
the auction display & determine minimum bid accepted.
Saturday, September 24 - The Silent Auction will take place in the Board Room
Final bids & Door Locked at 4:00 p.m.

9. Story Board - Fran (from Becky's Album)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Cocktail Hour with Music

Did I forget something or get something wrong? Well, blog me!

All these words and no pictures??? This is called: "View While Waiting for the Midtown Direct." Look familiar, all you commuters out there?

Yes--It Really Is a Sunrise!

Taken from my balcony at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Why was I up? Belle & Ariel were bugging me--their water dishes were empty!

Gale's Day Progress Report

First, take time to smell the roses!

Yes, they are in our beautiful Garden.

Now for the updates:

The Invitations are printed....all we need are folders & stuffers! Any volunteers? They will be distributed on Tuesday, September 6.

Music - A violinist has been engaged. Still working on a harpist.

Program - Assignments made

Gale's Garden Bench - Expected before the end of the week

Now take a stroll in the Garden.....it's calorie free Soul Food!

Update on Gale's Day - September 24, 2005

The Committee met and more plans were finalized:

The Garden Bench will be delivered in a few days.

The Invitations will be distributed on Tuesday, September 6, 2005. A flyer asking for donations of refreshments, cash and items for the Silent Auction will follow. Committee members are working on a Story Board, Program, and music.

One of the FOG members has donated the cost of a Harpist during the Cocktail Hour.

There will be finger foods, wine, punch and soft drinks. Tables of refreshments will be set out in the Rear Lobby, Back Terrace and (weather permitting) on the Garden Path.
Potted Fall flowers used to decorate the tables will be transplanted into the Garden.

And just as a reminder of what this day is all about, here are a couple of pictures of beautiful daylilies planted by Gale:
Who said Orange and Purple clash?

More About September 24th!

Save the Date....You'll stroll the garden, participate in the dedication of a beautiful stone bench in a shady nook, think about Gale--digging, planting, weeding and dreaming about how he wanted his garden to grow. If you didn't get to know him, just walk about the garden and you will.

The Date: Saturday, September 24, 2005
The Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
The Place: Harrison Park Garden & Lobby

There will be light refreshments and music. A Silent Auction will be held in the Board Room from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

I'll keep you posted as more details are available.

Celebration in The Secret Garden

September 24th will be a special day - celebrating the Garden and the Gardener, Gale Barter!

The "Girls"

Belle & Ariel

Greetings from "the girls."

A Room With A View - Paris New Year's 2005

Perhaps it was the chicken sandwich from Burger King -- suddenly I found myself thinking of Paris this past winter. Paris - "in the Winter, when it drizzles." Actually, the skies were a beautiful shade of gray and not drizzly at all.

Another Painting in My Gallery

Another little girl in red. Do we see a pattern here?

A Spectacularly Dramatic Sunset

The sunset on Friday August 6th was amazing. I thought I'd take a chance and photograph it by supporting my arm against the window. It worked!

There's enough inspiration here for several abstract watercolors--but when?