Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter
Vol. 6, No. 1
People
Volunteer News
By Frankie Fanelli, Volunteer Coordinator
 |
Oh how the seasons come and go taking our favorite flowers while leaving us with a promise of new ones to take their place! It is sad to see the fabulously colored tulips and the intoxicating fragrant viburnums diminish. Fortunately, JCRA volunteers are here every season, year after year sharing their time, talents, and friendship with the staff and each other. This steady dedication, especially now when so much change is upon us, keeps the Arboretum on track.
JCRA Volunteers do work hard but you can be assured fun is not far behind! I have made a special effort in this issue to give thanks (not sure if I can ever give enough) and recognition to those non-gardening groups that give and give on a regular basis but may not always be featured. Some of these tasks are not the most desirable, however, they are absolutely necessary to support the efforts of the JCRA! In addition, I have made a point of mentioning a few of the fun activities so that you get the total picture.
You too can become part of the JCRA volunteer force. It takes a minimum of 30 hours of your time each year. For details, please contact me at (919) 515-3132 or <frankie_fanelli@ncsu.edu>. Read on to see what you are missing!
Volunteers at Work...
The Plant Patrol
Keeping up with a plant collection of 6,000 plus taxa as well as keeping labels in place is a massive effort and a never-ending task. This is a two-track process led by Val Tyson, Plant Recorder, and Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist. Val has overall responsibility for labeling and mapping with Tom Bumgarner, Labeling Curator, who coordinates the labeling task. The Tuesday labeling and maps crew includes Patrice Cooke, Carolyn Fagan, Margaret Jordan, Laddie Munger, Bill Satterwhite, John Schott, and Dora Zia. Recently, this group has been reviewing all of the bulbs coming up, helping to "clean up" the Narcissus collection. Judy Morgan-Davis and Carolyn Lewis have begun helping with the mapping and inventory task on other weekdays. Also working with Val on a weekly basis is Ann Stellings who enters plant data information.
 |
 |
Nancy oversees the engraving of the permanent labels making sure that all of the information is complete and accurate. This goes way beyond just the plant name. Every week Virg Birkin, Judy Elson, and Bob Roth work their magic with the computer making the permanent labels and nametags.
These two groups put in over 1,500 volunteer hours a year keeping the garden mapped and labeled! Take special notice of the labels the next time you visit. A special thanks to these dedicated volunteers for their commitment week after week, month after month, and yes for many this has been a year after year endeavor!
Jeanette Redmond has been updating the Winter Garden maps with Co-curator, Doris Huneycutt. We will miss Jeanette and wish her well as she leaves behind North Carolina and turns another of life's pages. Thank you for contributing your time and talents to the JCRA!
Stick'em, Stack'em, and Send'em
These are the unsung volunteers who file into that dark, dank classroom at the Arboretum on very short notice to get all of the JCRA mailings out to you - including this newsletter. A thank you to everyone that has popped in to help. A special thanks goes to those that seem to always find the hours to pitch in time after time: Dale Allen, Dollie Glaum, Kathleen Glenister, Noel Griffin, Laddie Munger, Mary Peters, and Bee Weddington. I also know that whoever is staffing the Volunteer Office gets involved by calling for volunteers, pushing boxes around, and helping with the mailing itself: Mary Edith Alexander, Colin Daniels, Carolyn Fagan, Viv Finkelstein, Jean Mitchell, Edna Munger, Elaine Pace, Beth Parks, Dee Welker, and Dora Zia.
The Visitor Center?
The Entrance Arbor and Visitor Center that stood for 20 some years is now gone. Over the years many volunteers have kept it clean, planted, watered, and maintained! Most recently, Sharon Mackey assisted by Barbara Kennedy, took care of these responsibilities. Kathleen Thompson and Sharon faithfully tackled the tasks for over two years as well! Thank you, ladies! All continue to volunteer in various areas.
A Walk in the Winter Garden
This February event was a delightful opportunity for showing off the Arboretum in what is thought to be a slow time in the world of plants! The event's focus was the Winter Garden, co-curated by Doris Huneycutt and Dick and Judith Tyler. In addition, the Winter Garden team of gardeners includes Susan Andrews, Dave Duch, Harley Mudge, Jeanette Redmond, and Marvin Thompson. The garden was in high form thanks to all of their hard work!
The success of the event involved the talents of many others - both staff and volunteers alike. Todd Lasseigne, Assistant Director, along with Nancy Doubrava worked on the plant information included in the tour brochure that Nancy produced. Chris Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator, pulled all of the pieces together - as usual. The following volunteers helped in different capacities, from greeting to guiding to refreshments: Carolyn Fagan, Viv Finkelstein, Kathy Hafer, Barbara Kennedy, Carolyn Lewis, Catherine Poff, and Kathe Rauch. Kudos to all for a successful and fun event.
What a Talented Lady!
The talents among the JCRA volunteer force never cease to amaze me! What is even more heartening is the unselfish sharing of both time and talents by volunteers. Mary Edith Alexander, who staffs the Volunteer Office every Thursday afternoon, is one of our amazing volunteers with an array of talents. Donna Walker, Development Associate, asked Mary Edith about new cloths for our display tables. That is all it took. Mary Edith grabbed the ball and did not stop until we had four fabulous new custom fitted cloths. Donna asked me to pass along that Mary Edith chose a wonderful fabric with a terrific design and a custom fit that allows the cloths to fold like a Chinese puzzle so as not to wrinkle. What ingenuity! Thank you, thank you, Mary Edith!
New Volunteers
Edna Munger has joined the Volunteer Office staff. Stop by on Mondays and introduce yourself to her. Judy Morgan-Davis is assisting Val Tyson with a special mapping project as well as several other volunteer needs. Both volunteers are already regularly logging hours. Welcome to you both!
Volunteers at Play...
Volunteer Celebrations
Holiday cheer was in order at two December events! On December 2, 2001, volunteers showed up to deck out the Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') in the Paradise Garden. It seemed most fitting to have a Charlie Brown type tree with all of the goings-on at the Arboretum! A number of volunteers came and went throughout the afternoon - some of the young at heart participating included Carolyn Fagan, Viv Finkelstein, Jean Mitchell, Bonnie O'Connor, Nancy Simonsen, and Ginny Welton. Graham Dean, Nancy Doubrava's son, aptly pointed out the lack of an angel topping off the tree and the absolute necessity for one. Thanks to CJ Dykes, Vine Curator, for solving this dilemma. Anyone that knows Harry knows this was not a simple feat, as Harry has no central leader to top!
On December 9, 2002 Bob Lyons, Director, hosted a holiday open house for the JCRA Volunteers. Approximately 40 volunteers shared in the season's cheer, good food, and companionship. Many left with great door prizes, including fabulous poinsettias donated by Homewood Nursery. Thank you, Joe Stoffregen. And thank you, Bob. We all appreciate your hospitality!
Earning Plants...
One of the benefits of being a JCRA Volunteer is the opportunity to accumulate hours that earn plants via the Connoisseur Plant Program. You see, volunteers earn membership benefits through their volunteer hours. Once a volunteer completes 250 hours in a year, they qualify for the fall Connoisseur Plant Program. This is easier than you think - once a volunteer completes 30 hours in a twelve month period, the hours for the previous years of volunteer work are added into the total. This makes it easier for volunteers to qualify for benefits at the 250+ or perhaps the 500+ membership level. In 2001, twelve volunteers received two plants (250+ hour level) and fifteen received five plants (500+ hour level). It is fun to get plants - especially the unique specimens offered in the Connoisseur Plant Program.
Garden Tripping...
Twenty-three volunteers joined the JCRA staff on a day trip to Pine Knot Farms <www.pineknotfarms.com> on February 16, 2002. Dick and Judith Tyler treated us to a special preview of Hellebore Days. The day was filled with tours, learning, and just wandering about the Tyler's fabulous nursery. The weather was beautiful, allowing for a tour (see photograph below) and a leisurely outdoor lunch. We headed home with our hellebore and perennial purchases tucked under the seats of our private coach and relaxed. Thank you, Dick and Judith, for the refreshments (out of this world double chocolate brownies), the education, and for sharing your part of paradise!
Volunteers with 30 plus hours over the previous 12 months were invited to participate. Get your hours in - there is more planned for the 30 plusers!
Previous
Director's
Letter | Arboretum
Trips | Horticulture
| Development |
People
Next
Formatted into HTML
by Christopher
Todd Glenn
Programs & Education Coordinator
JC Raulston Arboretum
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7609
© The JC Raulston Arboretum, May 2002