WINTER 2013 - Zilker Botanical Garden
Transcription
WINTER 2013 - Zilker Botanical Garden
WINTER 2013 IN THIS ISSUE... FEATURES The Down Home Ranch Annual Christmas Trees Display Celia Pearson - 100 Years Young! Rosa Godfrey - 101 Years Young! CLUB NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS President's Message Austin Organic Gardeners - Poinsettias being grown at Down Home Ranch Garden Heroes Austin Rose Society Judge Wins Major Award The History of the Violet Crown Garden Club, Part 1: 1924-1954 ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN 2014 Zilker Garden Festival Zilker Botanical Garden FEATURES DOWN HOME RANCH by Steve Blackson, Austin Pond Society Down Home Ranch sits on 340 beautiful acres east of Austin. As you drive into the Ranch, you cant help but notice a long row of large greenhouses on the left. Upon entering the greenhouses in the late fall, you will be amazed to see row after row after row of beautiful poinsettias stretching the length of the interior. September Open House Events at a Glance The Chrysalis Gift Shop at Zilker Botanical Garden The Walk of Friends City of Austin Newsletters KLRU's "Central Texas Gardener" Yelp Reviews Project Site Home The poinsettias are sold to churches and businesses, including 2000-3000 sold to schools for fundraising, and by mail order over the Internet. If you were to visit the ranch in the spring, you would find the greenhouses filled with Easter lilies and spring color baskets. Chances are very good that if you bought poinsettias for the holidays or lilies for Easter, they were grown by Down Home Ranch. Poinsettias of all colors The Ranch also grows other native Texas plants and has begun growing herbs hydroponically. But this holiday story is not about growing plants, it' about the people who grow them. You see, Down Home Ranch is a working farm and ranch where about 40 adults and children, including 32 with Down Syndrome and other disabilities, live year round. The Ranch was founded by Judy and Jerry Horton following the birth of their fourth daughter, Kelly, who has Down Syndrome. The Hortons knew they could provide for Kellys basic needs during childhood, but observed that many adults with intellectual disabilities experience isolation, boredom, and lack of opportunity. After visiting communities around the country, in 1989 they decided to build Down Home Ranch. Kelly and Jerry Horton The Residential Program The principal program at Down Home Ranch is their Residential Program, which serves people with intellectual and development disabilities in a variety of ways: Residency - Every attempt is made to create a standard of living for all Ranchers equal to that of their non-handicapped siblings. Ranchers exercise a great deal of choice day-to-day in choosing the activities in which they wish to participate. Daily Living - Ranchers share responsibility for everything from maintaining the buildings, to preparing lunch for the whole community, to picking the berries that are made into jelly. They feed the stock, clean the barns, gather the eggs and work in the gardens and greenhouses. They help with mailouts and show visitors around the Ranch. Isaiah House Vocational Training - Down Home Ranch provides rich opportunities for growth in mind, body, and spirit for all Ranchers. Each Rancher who wants to work gets a job at Down Home Ranch. It may be in Grounds and Gardens, Barns and Animal Husbandry, Food Service, or Arts and Crafts. The concepts of dignified employment and the chance to earn a real paycheck are fundamental to the mission of Down Home Ranch as a working ranch. Down Home Ranchers Ranchers may work as few as three hours and as many as five hours most weekdays, depending on the work available and the season. Their pay reflects their own experience, diligence, and productivity on the job. Ranchers are re-evaluated every six months and their wages adjusted as necessary under regulations established by the Federal Department of Labor. Special Olympics - Special Olympics runs year round. In late August and early September, the Ranchers gear up for the early fall sports: bocce, golf, and aquatics, practicing afternoons and evenings for upcoming scrimmages, local, and regional events. In October, it's back to bowling, which the majority of the Ranchers compete in (and certainly beat the socks off the staff at the annual Staff-Rancher Bowling Tournament!) Special Olympics The Austin Pond Society Support The Austin Pond Society supports Down Home Ranch with a modest annual monetary donation and by members volunteering their time, efforts, and energy. This past spring, members of the Pond Society spent a day cleaning, repairing, and enhancing the Ranch's two ponds. Before After Working On the Community Pond The Finished Community Pond Dividing into two teams, the members went to work on the ponds and even though they got muddy and wet and tired, they managed to share a mid-day picnic lunch and had a really great time together as a club. Lunch in the Gazebo Before After Working On the Memorial Pond The Finished Memorial Pond Volunteers Volunteers have played a very significant role in creating the Down Home Ranch, and volunteer opportunities abound for those interested. Volunteers can help the Ranch by teaching a class for the Ranchers, helping them grow food, cutting down trees to prevent wildfires, or helping the Development Office with data entry or special events. Whatever your area of expertise, your schedule, or the size of your group, there's a place for you! Each and every minute our volunteers spend at Down Home Ranch is changing the future for people with disabilities. You can visit Down Home Ranch web site at http://www.downhomeranch.org for more information about the Ranch, the residents, the programs and volunteer opportunities available. Dont forget you can also order your poinsettias for the holidays! ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREES SHOWCASE November 18 through January 2 It's that time of the year again... Time for the annual AAGC Clubs' Christmas Trees Showcase. Each year the AAGC buys the trees and the individual clubs decorate them in a style representative of their club. Town Lake GC Tree Check out the African Violet's tree with all purple decorations... Or the Pond Society's tree swimming with fish ornaments. Then there's the Heart O'Texas Orchid Society's tree covered in beautiful orchids! Bogonia Society & Orchid Club The trees will be up in the Greene Room from November 18th through the end of the year. So bring your friends and family for a beautiful little holiday treat. CELIA PEARSON - 100 YEARS YOUNG! by Wilda Campbell, Docents of Zilker Botanical Garden "My garden brings me happiness: Working in it and looking at it." Mrs. Celia Pearson, 100 years old, November 29, 2013 Born 100 years ago, the youngest of three children with both an older sister and brother, Celia Pearson has always lived in East Austin. And for all those 100 years, she has attended the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Her first home with her family was at 1162 Angelina. Celia has owned and lived in her current home for the past 50 years. Celia looks much younger, hears perfectly, is lean and fit, her eyes are good, her memory is sterling, and she still drives. Every day she is out in her garden, perhaps to water or just talk to her plants. Particularly, she talks to her ruellia to tell these 4 foot giants to stop growing so tall! 100 years of good health and happiness is worth celebrating and reviewing. Celia Pearson in her beautiful backyard. Celia was raised by a single mom who worked as a cook in a boarding house behind the capitol and lived only to 91 because she insisted on having bacon, sausage and eggs every morning for breakfast, causing her heart troubles. This was a lesson that Celia took to heart. She forgoes such food and eats cheerios, with a banana, coffee and a doughnut every morning for her breakfast. While Celia's mom may have taught her what not to eat for breakfast, she mostly taught her how to live. She required of her daughter an agreeable behavior. She also saw to it that her Celia went to college, with her freshman year at Prairie View for her to gain a bit of independence and then back home to Tillotson College where she obtained a degree in Homemaking. She went on to teach at Dunbar High School in Temple, Texas. She taught cooking, sewing and other skills during the week and returned to Austin for her weekends until she retired in her mid sixties. Her mother and other family members lived in her home, tending garden and taking care of things in her absence. Celia' College Graduation Celia was always a beautiful woman, a fact supported by the photos of her with family and friends from her college days onward. During her career years, she married and divorced twice. She left her second husband when he insisted she leave her job and home so that she could move to his house in Missouri while he worked mostly away from home for a railroad company. Never one to give up, much later at 83, Celia met the love of her life, Robert Lee White, a handsome tall man, who was a good deal younger than she. They spent lovely times at church, parties and dances. She sewed him a shirt to match her skirt for one party. Less than 3 years after they met, Mr. White died suddenly. 15 years later he is very much present in her photos and in her memories. Celia and Robert White Celia came to gardening in childhood, learning from her mother. In the early years, her next door neighbor gave her their back yard to garden and they raised greens, beans, okra, tomatoes and the usual vegetables. For flowers they always grew her mother's favorite, zinnias which Celia continues to grow along with her beloved rooster combs, ruellia, 4 o'clocks, crotons, cosmos, begonia, cannas, caladiums, datura and crape myrtle. During her career days, there was less time for gardening, and so she really only started serious gardening when she retired. Celia had read articles in the Austin American-Statesman about the new Austin Area Garden Center and its member garden clubs. One of Celia's many Rooster Combs She realized that there was no garden club for Black women, as those were the days when social groups were segregated. She thought this wrong and one week she hosted a breakfast for 12 friends and then brought up the question of starting their own club. They thought this a good idea, but only if Celia would be president. She protested but finally agreed and the East Austin Garden Club began meeting as it does now on the 4th Saturday of the month. Celia is the only founding member still in the club and will host the club at its next meeting in her immaculate and cheerful home. At their meetings they discuss what they are growing, what problems they might have with their plants and what hints they can share with the other members. Celia's hint is to take good care of them and to feed them a solution of Miracle Gro twice a year, her key to healthy plants and lots of flowers. Celia and her family at her AAGC Birthday Party Recently, Celia was outside when 2 teenage boys were walking by her house. She overheard one saying to the other: "...Man. this is beautiful!" said the first teenager. "Yeah, but I know somewhere even prettier than this!" said the other teenager. "Where?" asked the skeptical first teenager. "Her backyard!" exclaimed the second. Celia is always smiling when in her backyard. So Celia invited them to her backyard where she proudly showed the teenagers her gardens and all their gorgeous blooms. Happy 100th Birthday Celia! ANOTHER ACTIVE CENTENARIAN IN THE AAGC... MEET ROSA GODFREY - 101 YEARS YOUNG! by Nelda Moore, Austin Begonia Society Rosa Godfrey is a very active member of the Austin Area Begonia Society Branch and she celebrated her one hundredth birthday last February, first during one of the Austin Begonia Society meetings and then later in the home of her son. She is a spry young-looking caring woman with a ready smile and a great sense of humor. Rosa works in her garden at home, where she cooks for herself and does her own laundry, and even works at the Zilker Garden Festival as well! Rosa Godfrey Rosa was born February 2, 1913, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Usually Betty Godfrey, her daughter-in-law, takes her to church, goes out with friends and family, and at least once a month, they attend the begonia meeting. Rosa and an older sister attended public schools, where she excelled in sports. After graduation Rosa attended college, earned a license in cosmetology, and eventually married her sweetheart from high school—Melvin Godfrey in 1935. When World War II started, Melvin, who had one good eye, was not accepted in the army. Melvin and Rosa and their young son named George moved to Texas and then to California, where Rosa worked sewing tents for the soldiers. Soon Melvin’s job took the family around the world as he worked on gas refineries. For the next 25 years Melvin worked in Venezuela, South Africa, Italy, India, Bolivia, Argentina, Jamaica, St. Martin, Haiti, Iraq, Jamestown, and Chile. After all these exotic destinations, they settled in Newton, Texas, where they managed Corps of Engineer Parks around Jasper. Rosa worked... Melvin fished! Rosa Godfrey In 1992 they moved to Austin to be near George and Betty, who live west of town. Melvin passed away a year later, but Rosa still calls the 20 year-old trailer her home. Rosa and Melvin’s whirlwind honeymoon had lasted for 58 years. Every evening Rosa celebrates life by drinking 2 Scotch and sodas. Happy 101th Birthday Rosa! CLUB NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE from Marion Alsup, President, Austin Area Garden Council It's fall - the best time of the year in Austin! It's time to get outside in the garden, and remember that gardening is good for you! Numerous studies have shown that gardening improves mobility, flexibility, stamina and mental awareness. It builds muscle and decreases stress. We certainly have evidence of that at the Garden Center - two centenarians are active garden club members. Celia Pearson and Rosa Godfrey will gladly tell you how their lives have been enriched through gardening. Marion Alsup If you're not a member of a garden club, join one! If you're already in one club, join another! • You could try the Organic Gardeners, the oldest continuously operating organic garden club in the USA. • Or try the Cactus & Succulent Society, where members keep their cool in the hottest, driest months of the year knowing that their favorite plants are thriving. • Try gardening on a smaller scale with bonsai, begonias, orchids or African violets. • Then there is the art of flower arranging with the Creative Designers or Ikebana Study Group. There are thirty different garden clubs who are members of the Austin Area Garden Center and offer something for almost everyone! So remember this the next time you're cursing those weeds or bemoaning our erratic weather: Gardening keeps you young! Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Celia and Rosa, and keep up the good work! AUSTIN ORGANIC GARDENERS - GARDEN HEROES by Catherine Robertson, Austin Organic Gardeners MARILYN FINNEGAN Marilyn is the gardener in her family. Her love of the garden started early while taking directions from her mother in their vegetable garden. She has been a member of the Men’s Garden Club and the Xeriscape Club. Marilyn has been in the Austin Organic Gardeners for twenty five years and became a master gardener in 2006. Soil amending, and propagation are just some of the techniques at which she excels. She shared how to take fig cuttings in January and simply split the bottom into quarters about two inches up, spread them and put them in your medium.... so easy! Marilyn Finnegan I throughly enjoyed learning about many more techniques Marilyn uses. Fruit trees, tomatoes, spices, radishes, beets, leeks, and flowers are just a few things she provides for her family and friends. The pleasure she receives from growing plants for others is her motivation. ANNE CHORLEY I called to inquire about Anne raising so many organic seedlings for our spring sale. The twinkle in her voice was clear as she shared memories of her heroes. Anne never tired of hearing her father talk of his love of growing plants and the pleasure it gave him. Anne Chorley It was obvious the time on her aunt’s farm was dear to Anne: recalling the first time she reached the pedals of the tractor and the later driving skills which made her an important part of many jobs. The power of self sufficiency was brought home to her in seeing the use of found objects in the tractor's maintenance. Anne lived in the United States, England,and Italy, learning different gardening techniques. The years she spent around all the animals and plants led her to a Botany Major and later, to teaching High School, brought her great joy. The excitement the children experienced growing their own food was one of the reasons Anne quoted for raising the plants for our club; the other was for the promoting of food as a social system. Anne said she wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the experience of growing their own food. AUSTIN ROSE SOCIETY JUDGE WINS MAJOR AWARD from Pat Freeman, Austin Rose Society In October, 2013, in San Antonio, the South Central District of the American Rose Society awarded Don Freeman their "Outstanding Judge Award". Congratulations Don! Editor's Note: In this and future issues of "Down the Garden Path", we will be presenting a series of articles on the history of the Austin Area Garden Center and the clubs that comprise the Austin Area Garden Council. The Violet Crown Garden Club was one of the original clubs who were so instrumental in establishing the Garden Center and creating what we now know as Zilker Botanical Garden. Therefore, we felt it only fitting to begin our series with "The History of the Violet Crown Garden Club". THE HISTORY OF THE VIOLET CROWN GARDEN CLUB Part 1: 1924-1954 In the early spring of 1924, Mrs. Clara Driscoll Sevier called a meeting at her home, Laguna Gloria, on the shores of Lake Austin, for those interested in community beautification. The group decided to form a garden club for that purpose. Poet O'Henry called Austin "...the city of the Violet Crown", so the name Violet Crown Garden Club was adopted. Laguna Gloria This group began setting up the Constitution, Rules, and Bylaws for the new club. They participated in civic beautification and conservation through out the Austin area. For the first 26 years, the club's meetings were held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Driscoll Hotel as well as other areas in Austin. Clara Driscoll was an avid gardener. She designed the terraced gardens of Laguna Gloria herself over a period of many years, incorporating plants native to the region. She served as President of the new club for four years. Another original member of the club was Mrs. Goodall Wooten. The landscaping of the Wooten home reflected the splendor of the era. Baskets of lush green ferns hung from the Ionic columns on the principle facade of the home, while the garden courtyard allowed for outdoor entertaining. The Wooten Home Hanging Baskets 1931 1931 was the year of Voilet Crown's first flower show. Monies from Flower Shows and pilgrimages went to the planting of the grounds around Elisabet Ney Museum. Foot bridges were built and a rock wall was added surrounding the property which cost $380.38. Elizabet Ney Museum Violet Crown also assisted with the State project to landscape the grounds and entrances to and around the Longhorn Caverns. The project was under the direction of Jacque L. Gubbles, Landscape Architect for the Texas Highway Dept. Shrubbery was planted around the new library and the Y.W.C.A. buildings in the city. The club landscaped the triangle around the World War II memorial and fountain located at 12th and Colorado Streets. Other plantings were done by club members around the Red Cross headquarters and the Cerebral Palsy Center. 11th and Colorado 1932 Mrs. Pressler, Chairman of a Municipal project gave plans suggested by Texas Garden Clubs to landscape Elizabet Ney Museum. She gave as much assistance as possible and had the support of State Garden Clubs. Violet Crown pledged support of this work and gave monetary assistance. Mrs. Butler of Dallas, became so enthusiastic that she pledged the support of her club (a State Garden Club). 1933 Mrs. J. Frank Dobie, new President and 2nd VP, Mrs. Marion Fowler along with Mrs. Pressler gave enthusiastic reports of the excellent work done on the Ney landscape. Shrubby and trees were planted throughout the grounds. With the addition of the bridge, and meandering flagstone walkway this greatly improved the grounds making it a beautiful place to visit. 1934 - 1935 Violet Crown began to hold a Tea for their first meeting of the year. Those attending were requested to bring plants to be planted on the grounds. This became a tradition, and each year plants were brought to beautify the Ney Museum. 1936 Violet Crown participated in the Treaty Oak project. Caldwell Landscaping was awarded the job of cleaning the area and treating the oak tree. Mrs. J. F. Dobie, a member of Violet Crown, is credited with the slogan “Save the Treaty Oak”. 1938 By 1938 there were 200 paid members. 1940 – 1942 By 1940, there were over 800 members. A concern for safety around corner plantings on property, prompted the club to ask the City Council of Austin to endorse an ordinance for property owners to keep hedges and shrubs planted at corners cut to a height of three feet or less to allow for better visibility to the traffic. Corner Plantings 1952 In January, 1952, Violet Crown voted to contribute $275.50 to help build a rock wall around the French Legation building. Other plantings and landscape work was also done. French Legation Wall and Gate 1954 1954 marks the year that the Violet Crown Garden Club began working with Beverly Sheffield, Director of Recreation for the City of Austin, to plan for a permanent building to be built on city property for holding garden club meetings. This was a major goal of Violet Crown Garden Club and much money was earned to help make this possible. Zilker Clubhouse Drawing We will end "The History of the Violet Crown Garden Club, Part 1" here at the planning and construction of the Zilker Botanical Gardens Clubhouse and offices. A future article will focus on the construction of the clubhouse, along with the formation of the Austin Area Garden Center and the Austin Area Garden Council. The Violet Crown Garden Club still meets at 9:30 am on the 4th Thursday of the month at Zilker Botanical Garden. A 35 page history can be found in the office at Zilker Botanical Garden that tells about many other projects that the Violet Crown Garden Club has participated in. This information was compiled by Sandra N. Holt, President of Violet Crown Garden Club, from many original records. ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN 2014 ZILKER GARDEN FESTIVAL Saturday March 29 and Sunday March 30, 10:00 to 5:00 $7 Adults, $3 Children (age5-12) Zilker Garden Festival attendees enjoying one-stop garden shopping. For over 50 years, the annual Zilker Garden Festival has been a one-stop, garden shopping destination when spring arrives in Austin and Central Texas. A family-friendly event, the garden festival offers something for everyone: Annual Flower Show in the Garden Center, featuring judged designs and an array of horticultural specimens. Gardening Talks where novice and seasoned gardeners will enjoy talks from local gardening experts. City of Austin Information tables where you can learn about growing healthy, earth-friendly, sustainable gardens, caring for trees, and using environmentally safe pest management. Zilker Garden Festival Flower Show There are many activities for the whole family to enjoy! The Food Court in the Oak Grove on the Escarpment Trail There are tasty food offerings at the Food Court in the Oak Grove on the Escarpment Trail. And the Kids' Corner in the Rose Garden is always fun! Interactive kids can build a birdhouse, have their faces painted, make dinosaur masks and butterfly wings Vendors from across Central Texas will fill the garden, selling a variety of plants: annuals, perennials, cacti & succulents, vegetables and herbs, and tropicals. Festival goers can also shop for garden-themed arts and crafts, ceramic pottery, unique jewelry, herbal products, baskets, birdhouses, and colorful garden benches. Plan to arrive early and bring your wagon! So many plants to choose from! The Zilker Garden Festival is the primary fundraiser for Austin Area Garden Council, and proceeds support Zilker Botanical Garden. The Zilker Garden Festival is co-sponsored by the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC) and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD). ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN SEPTEMBER OPEN HOUSE Was held Saturday, Sept. 21 The Austin Area Garden Council hosted an Open House for the Austin public to learn more about our many garden clubs in the greater Austin area. Many of the AAGC clubs set up tables with information and examples of their club's activities. Wilda Campbell and Marion Alsup at the Open House Welcome table. Though attendence was a little lower than organizers had hoped for, there was one comment heard repeatly afterwards: members of the clubs had to chance to meet each other and discover more about their clubs. So a good time was still had by all! Visitors to the Open House EVENTS AT A GLANCE November 2013 Sunday, Nov 17, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Monday, Nov 18 through Wednesday, Jan 4 Holiday Tree Display in Greene Room Thursday, Nov 28 ZBG Closed - Thanksgiving December 2013 Sunday, Dec 1, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Sunday, Dec 15, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Tuesday, Dec 24 - Wednesday, Dec 25 ZBG Closed - Christmas January 2014 Wednesday, Jan 1 ZBG Closed - New Year's Day Sunday, Jan 5, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Saturday, Jan 11, - 10 to 12 pm Travis County Master Gardeners (TCMG) Educational Workshop Sunday, Jan 19, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden February 2014 Sunday, Feb 2, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Saturday, Feb 8, 10 to 12 pm Travis County Master Gardeners (TCMG) Educational Workshop Saturday, Feb 15, 8:30 to 4:30 pm Rose Workshop Sunday, Feb 16, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Saturday, Feb 22, 9 to 12:30 pm Herb Society Seminar Sunday, Feb 23, 1:30 to 4:30 pm Celebrate Urban Birds March 2014 Saturday, Mar 1, 9 to 2 pm Austin Organic Gardeners' Plant Sale Sunday, Mar 2 Kite Festival ZBG Open but No Parking Sunday, Mar 2, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Saturday, Mar 8, 10 to 12 pm Travis County Master Gardeners (TCMG) Educational Workshop Sunday, Mar 9 Daylight Savings Times Begins ZBG hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Mar 15, 10 to 4:30 pm Sunday, Mar 16, 11 to 3:30 pm Austin African Violet Society Show & Sale Sunday, Mar 16, 12 to 4 pm Afternoon in the Garden Saturday, Mar 22, 10 to 5:00 pm Sunday, Mar 23, 10 to 5:00 pm Heart O' Texas Orchid Show & Sale Thursday, Mar 27, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm ZBG Closes at 5:00 pm Zilker Garden Festival Setup Friday, Mar 28, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm ZBG Closed to Public Zilker Garden Festival Setup Saturday, Mar 29, 10 to 5 pm Zilker Garden Festival Sunday, Mar 30, 10 to 5 pm Zilker Garden Festival Events scheduled at the Zilker Botanical Garden-Austin Area Garden Center are always posted, and kept updated, on the Calendar of Events page on the web site. THE CHRYSALIS GIFT SHOP AT ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN Where can a visitor purchase post cards, cookbooks, jewelry, puzzles, Gatorade, framed prints, and unique gifts? Drive to Zilker Botanical Garden and shop at The Chrysalis Gift Shop, where your shopping experience will be satisfied with such great gifts as Remarkable Plants of Texas, The Garden Guide, Food by Design from the Violet Crown Garden Club, New Braunfels Garden Club Cookbook, books about trees, butterflies, snakes, or dragonflies. Then there are cool towels, shopping bags that can be stuffed inside themselves to form a ball that can be attached to a purse, tee shirts, very special Austin gifts for the person who has everything, beautiful jewelry, night lights of nature, boxes that look like flowers. Bring your birthday child along and let him shop for himself in the children's section for wooden snakes, dinosaurs, puzzles, books, cardinals that sing their song, or perhaps he will purchase a framed nature print for his room. It is all there and some of the items are fashioned here in Austin by Austin artists The Chrysalis Gift Shop THE WALK OF FRIENDS DONATE A BRICK TODAY! Order forms are available at the Garden Center or downloaded from http://www.zilkergarden.org. Click on Support and then Walk of Friends. It's easy! Select the size of brick you would like, choose your message and return the form with your payment. Contact Sandra Holt at 512-345-3164 for more information, or visit: http://www.zilkergarden.org/support/friends.html. The Walk of Friends AUSTIN NOTES KLRU'S "CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENER" KLRU's "Central Texas Gardener" Sign up for Austin Notes, the City's dynamic e-mail update system and get news about Austin neighborhoods, parks, road closures, and more. Read More... This weekly gardening show is a rich source of information for all Austin and Central Texas gardeners. Check out their weekly show schedule for topics and air times, the "To Do List" for monthly gardening tasks, and much more... Read reviews from visitors to Zilker Botanical Garden on Yelp.com. 4½ stars out of 5 makes our garden sing! "Down the Garden Path" is a publication of the Austin Area Garden Council, Zilker Botanical Garden. Contact us at [email protected] with comments or suggestions. ©2013 Austin Area Garden Council, Zilker Botanical Garden www.ZilkerGarden.org