Annual Report - Lakewold Gardens

Lakewold Gardens
Financials
for fiscal year 2014-15
3%
11% 8%
Income
The charts are a summary
of annual income and
49%
expense activity used
for
the purpose of day to day
operations of Lakewold
Gardens.
Admissions
6.51%
Membership Garden Shop
2.74%
Income
5.85%
10%
Lakewold
15%
Events
0.81%
Rental of Real
Estate12.47%
Endowment
39.71%
29%
47%
General
Administration
23.07%
Grants
8.56%
Contributions
23.35%
Annual Report
Fundraising
7.68%
Expenses
Program and
Visitor Services
45.24%
Horticulture
and
Maintenance
24.01%
Remembering Wendy
Wendy Wagner Weyerhaeuser
passed away on September 11th
2014 and we would like to take a
moment to look back on her life and
remember her love of Lakewold –
one of the places she called home.
Daughter of Corydon and Eulalie
Wagner, Wendy spent many years
growing up at Lakewold and continued to support the gardens her entire life. Our fond memories include
her bright smile while attending
Picnic & Pops, family gatherings at
Lakewold on Mother’s Day of each
year, positive comments and critical questions asked during
presentations at the gardens, and her enduring and endearing
zest for life.
Our Executive Director remembers a special experience:
I remember having a discussion with Wendy. The
details of the conversation escape me, but at some
point there was a realization by both of us, at the
same time, that the issue at hand was a bit comical.
Wendy gave me this look that seemed to indicate she
was stifling a giggle. I can still see her looking at me
with this bright-eyed, half grin that held some little
secret. The details of our 10+ year old discussion
aren’t important now. However, I remember vividly
the way she made me feel that day. With a lovely look
and few words, she left her magic with me.
We are fortunate to relive and share her glorious spirit
with those visitors who never had the good fortune of meeting
Wendy. Lakewold’s video exemplifies this marvelous woman
who “naturally, instinctively transmitted her love of nature, her
adventuresome spirit, and her good will to all.”
Our deepest condolences extend to the Wagner and Weyerhaeuser families. Thank you for sharing your mother, sister,
aunt, grandmother, and friend with us. The world is a better
place because of her.
In Memory of Wendy Weyerhaeuser
Darla Allen
Alison Andrews
Martin & Evelyn Babare
Dawn Black
Bob & Belinda Bowden
Joe Carman, IV
Charlotte Chalker
Dimmer Family Foundation
Tal & Molly Edman
Fiduciary Counselling, Inc.
Margaret Frank
The William E. Franklin Charitable Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Garrett
Laura Gowen
Joshua & Pamela Green
William & Margaret Greer
Lin Hengyi
Natalie Humphrey
Darrell & Anne Jesse
Jane Johnson
Steven & Kathy Keiper
Anne Kronenberg
Barbara Krusi
Joanne Lilley
Barbara Lindberg
Liz Lufkin
Steven & Yvonne Maloney
Scott & Sandy Marshall
Suzanne Merriam
Andrea Moawad
Meagan Moholt
Stephen Morgan
Camille Ohlson
Thomas Owen
Martha Parfet
Mark & Kate Read Pfeiffer
Richard & Pamela Prior
Charlie & Radell Rasmussen
Barbara Rankin
Kelly Reams
Martha Robbins
Colleen Smart
Bill & Bobby Street
Greg Taylor
Buck & Joanne Thompson
Peter & Marylu Wallerich
Elizabeth Ward
Thomas & Ann Welly
Frederick Weyerhaeuser
James & Muriel Will
Bonnie Wilson
Herb & Joan Winward
Lenore Wyatt
Wyman Youth Trust
David & Mary Young
July 1, 2014
From the Executive Director
For the last month I’ve been reflecting on what to write as
an intro to our annual report. It has been a challenging year,
on so many levels – not just at Lakewold, but throughout the
world. Many have shared with me that they cannot wait for
2015 to be over, so they can relish in the sense of renewal that
comes with each New Year. As I tend to be inclined to find the
silver linings, look for the positive, and lead with encouragement I can’t help
but be reminded that ‘a sense of renewal’ is found everyday at the gardens.
I’m proud to have hit my 15th year of serving the public through Lakewold.
As I give presentations throughout each year, I happily declare that preserving 10-acres of open space within our burgeoning cities is indeed what gets
me out of bed in the morning. I love this work and all of the people who have
traversed the paths of Lakewold over the years. Some have passed through for
just a bit – finding an inspirational resting spot on the way to their next adventure. Others have been involved since the beginning – making Lakewold a
permanent place in their hearts.
As I look to the coming garden years, my hope for each donor, member,
volunteer, and co-worker is that they, too, will enjoy the sense of renewal that
comes with each season.
Visit soon (and often),
Stephanie Walsh, Executive Director
- June 30, 2015
National Historic Status
Lakewold was added to the National Register
of Historic Places, the official list of the nation’s
historic places worthy of preservation, near the end
of 2014. Already listed on the Washington State
Historic Register and previously designated a City
of Lakewood Historic Landmark, it was natural
for us to apply for national status. The timing was
right as our Encore Fellow, Clark D’Elia, prepared
the extensive nomination package, completing the
application that would ultimately serve our community with this great honor.
Research has firmly established the need for
preservation and sharing of culturally significant
American gardens, which are now considered to be
living museums. Listing in the National Register of
Historic Places reinforces the historical significance
and level of preservation of Lakewold Gardens, and
it recognizes the careful stewardship it has received
from The Friends of Lakewold and the surrounding
community.
The mission of The Friends of Lakewold is to preserve and enhance Lakewold Gardens as a historic estate garden of world class
distinction, offering each visitor an inspirational experience through growth and learning in a profoundly unique settting.
Preserve the Past, Improve the Future
This last fiscal year brought the beginnings of long term
strategy and implementation in regards to public accessibility
and preservation at the gardens. The Board determined that to
fulfill our promise to the community and build upon a tradition
of excellence, Lakewold must overcome existing challenges to
restoring and preserving this regional asset in order for it to
exist for future generations. With a goal of $400,000, the board
began early work and the quiet phase of raising funds to address two very distinct areas:
Historic Buildings and Hardscape: The buildings and
classic landscape architecture at Lakewold are a significant part
of the experience visitors seek when they tour the estate. Time
and weather have created the need to now restore and preserve
key components of the Wagner House, the Thomas Church
designed Quatrefoil Pool, the Teahouse, and other buildings on
the grounds.
Accessibility/Usability: Improvements, to include updating a dated infrastructure that does not currently allow visitors
robust and year-round access to the house and gardens, are
now necessary throughout the 10-acre garden in order that
all visitors, especially those with disabilities, can freely move
through and experience Lakewold. Supporting these efforts will
ensure rewarding, safe, and dignified access for all members of
the public seeking an antidote to a work-obsessed, tech-saturated, frantically busy daily life.
Currently in process, smaller projects specific to visitor safety
are in the works. We look forward to reporting updates to members over the coming year.
12317 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 | Mailing Address: P.O. Box 39780, Lakewood, WA 98496 | 253.584.4106 | www.lakewoldgardens.org
The Year in Review
MayFest 2015
Welcoming new participants along with our cornerstone
participating groups and organizations, MayFest reached a new
level featuring both indoor and outdoor art and sculpture.
The 10 day festivities included a second season of jewelry
sales, floral, art and photography displays, ornamental wood
art, indoor and outdoor sculptures as well as professional musicians, a chocolatire, stone carving demo and a book signing
with a local author. Attendance was strong and steady and
reached its highest point over Mother’s Day weekend. Over
1000 visitors enjoyed MayFest.
Pinkerton Family Youth Program
Green Thumb Explorers monthly workshops included lessons on seeds and soil, birds of the Pacific NW, an Insect Safari,
and planting and cultivating a variety of vegetables in our new
Children’s Garden. Seeds were planted in new galvanized bins
in April and May, by late June the children were harvesting lettuce, radish and sugar snap peas, and learning the nutritional
value of their chosen crops.
Designed for children ages 8 through 12, each Saturday
workshop consisted of a dedicated lesson and related craft project to take home, outdoor time and snack break.
Docents and Group Tours
Lakewold docents were kept on their toes with 33 tour
groups over this past year, and we are forever grateful for their
dedication, flexibility, and good humor when welcoming visitors. From comments on the follow-up surveys, 99% of the
groups were very pleased with their experience – the other 1%
probably just got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning!
The Carroll O’Rourke Library
With the book collection organized and volunteer librarians
in place, members continued to enjoy the benefit of utilizing
this extensive source of horticultural information. Librarians
also acted as Wagner House hosts, welcoming and interacting
with visitors, answering questions, and providing a personal experience for inquiring guests. Open from 11am to 2pm Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, the Library remains a serene space
in which to research, relax and reflect upon the beauty of nature
and Lakewold Gardens.
Lifetime Inspiration Award
The 2014-2015 recipient, Lois Dowling, has been a volunteer
ever since Lakewold opened to the public. Originally a curious visitor, she evolved into a knowledgeable docent. Lois has
shared the history and plants of the gardens with others for
over 20 years. The staff expressed appreciation for her dedication, support, and service with the Lifetime Inspiration Award.
Volunteers
This fiscal year, 260 volunteers contributed 3,415 hours of
service to Lakewold. Notable volunteer-organized projects included: the 2nd annual jewelry fundraiser, which raised $2,700
for front entrance bulbs, and a series of educational gardening
workshops featuring volunteers as both planners and participants. Volunteers were instrumental in the return of Community Kids Day, and collaborated with South Sound Gardens’
partners at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show.
Weddings and Conferences
In February 2015 the rentals department went through
changes in order to meet the parameters of a law change that
took effect at the State level through Senate Bill 6405. Under
the new law, use of property with certain tax exemptions was
clarified and standardized. Lakewold did its part in determining how the law effects wedding and conference room rentals at
the gardens, and spent the remainder of the fiscal year working
through the transition. Currently, we are limiting weddings and
large social events to 15 each year. In addition, some areas of
the Wagner House are no longer available for rent by for-profit
entities. Even with adaptation to Senate Bill 6405, we enjoyed
welcoming many lovely couples down Lakewold’s Brickwalk for
their lifetime commitments.
Learn In The Garden
The Horticulture Committee enjoyed a long-talked-about
idea, coming to fruition. Recognizing the need for a South
Sound horticulture education resource, in addition to Lakewold’s desire for garden volunteers, the Committee married
the two concepts and began a Learn in the Garden series. It’s
inaugural session blended an hour long pruning workshop with
two hours of actual pruning in the garden, and was wildly successful. Over 60 people attended, launching the entire program
with a look towards continued success. Two subsequent classes
produced similar results.
Beautiful Tables Showcase
This event marked the perfect opportunity to see the colorful fall
foliage of the gardens and kick-off the holiday season. The tables
were created by novice and professional designers and include
4 different categories: formal, whimsical, seasonl/holiday, and
contemporary. The Wagner House was adorned with over 30 table
settings and brought 483 visitors and 47 new memberships to the
gardens.
Lakewold’s Garden Shop
In the summer of 2014 we were well into our second season opening, we enjoyed a robust attendance all spring and a
steady flow of visitors purchasing in both the Garden Shop and
Nursery. Learning a great deal from the first two seasons, it was
decided when the season slowed to fall/winter hours a committee was formed to determine the Vision and Mission of Lakewold’s Garden Shop, which can be viewed on our website. With
a knowledgeable group of business, design and horticulture
savvy members participating in monthly meetings we moved
forward into the third season with clear direction. With limited
funds and staffing we began taking small steps to develop and
grow the business.
As we all have noted this last summer was a very unusual
season. During the weeks, turning into months of unending
heat, visitation slowed. Staff and volunteers did a fabulous job
maintaining and watering plant inventory as best they could
and much to their credit our inventory looked excellent. However with a decline visitors, our sales suffered. As a new business we continue to learn, are looking into what changes are
to be made in all areas, especially in the event we have another
hot summer next year. Rather than discouragement we are all
gearing up for our next season opening and a strong, profitable
2016!
Thank You to Our Partners and Donors
Donors 2014-15
Up to $99
Robert Allard
Marion Armstrong
Carole Axtell
Christa Bellefleur
Bonnie Boyle & Paulina Adams
Gwen Carlson
Mary Brasseaux
Ken & Lana Childs
Doris Claypool
Nancy Cook
Dorothy Dedrick
Lois Dowling
Robert & Ann Edington
Ray Gardner
Linda Heiser
Carolynn Howard
Betty Hyde
Michael Jarvis & Craig Larson
Virginia Jones
Don & Maggie Kaperick
Elaine Kinzel
Tharon Kirby
Frank Marshall & Kathleen Plato
Barbara McLean
Linda Murns
Paul Nechols
Carol Lynn Ockfen &
Patricia Roberts Dempsey
Shirley Seeley
Selinda Sheridan
Barbara Sullivan
Chris Townley
Josine Vanderlaan
Barbara Werschkul
$100-$249
Aloha Club, Inc.
Vic & Jan Anderson
Allan & Merry Avery
Sharon Babcock
Patricia Bailey
Alan & Sally Black
Jack & Lisa Butson
Diane Chick
John & Maggie Cunningham
Shane & Marsi Doran
Paul Shelley, Jr & Diane Downie
Lila Early
Mark & Phyllis Griggs
Dan Fannin & Mary LaTourelle
John & Buzz Folsom
Marta Glen
Joe & Carolyn Ghilarducci
Leslie Gracey & Ruth Stevick
Paul & Ruth Anne Hickey
Ross Hoyle
Bob & Ann Ingham
Michael & Cheryl Killen
Winona Knutsen
Florence March
Laura Morrison
Henry Schatz
Ben Sclair
Joan Shalikashvili
Richard Smith
Nancy Stolz
R. Bastian & Barbara Wagner
Scott Witt
Harriet Wolverton
$250-$499
Douglas & Karen Bales
Duncan & Joan Cook
Dwyer Pemberton and Coulson, P.C.
Charlie Hyde, III
Robert Mast & Marilyn Lamont
Sue Pederson
Tim & Barbara Tucci
William & Gail Weyerhaeuser
Ernie & Sherran Whatley
Dave & Barbara Young
$500-$999
Dimmer Family Foundation
Paul & Deborah Doty
Robert & Renay Fisher
Doug Helland
Chuck & Sue Hellar
Andy & Toni Loomis
Pamela Mayer
Mark Pfeiffer & Kate Read
Dorothy Robbins & Patricia McGill
Liz Ward
Ann Wyckoff
$1000-$4999
Joe & Sally Carman, IV
John & Nancy Chase
Lu Coburn
Clark & Eileen D’Elia
Clara Ladd
Robert & Maria Kelly Stewardship
Ed & Betty Larson
Joe & Doris Leister
Terry & Walli Roarke
$5000+
Betty Pinkerton
Martha Robbins
Robert Ryman &
Merrill Wagner Ryman
Endowment
Martha Robbins
Liz Ward
Foundations
The Dimmer Family Foundation
George L. Davis Fund
George & Jo Marie Pessemier
Family Endowment Fund
The Titus Will Families Foundation
In Memoriam
In Memory of Larry Humphrey
Diane Chick
Molly Tuohy
In Memory of Chauncey Lufkin
Diane Chick
Tal & Molly Edman
Molly Tuohy
Colleen Smart
Charlotte Chalker
Lenore Wyatt
Buck & Joanne Thompson
Andrea Gernon
Natalie Humphrey
In Memory of Lea Richter
Alfred & Amy Andersen
David & Barbara Bell
Charlotte Chalker
David Craft
James & Linda Gallinatti
Henry & Ann Herrod
Suzanne Herrod
Project Partners
Jerry Cahill Photography
City of Lakewood
Judy Davis
Naomi Fanshier
Ikebana International #147
Kiwanis Club of Clover Park
Lakewood Arts Commission
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
David Lobban Photography
Northwest Stone Sculpture Assoc.
In Memory of George Walther
Donald Olsen
Robert Hansen
Ornamental Wood Turners
Jean McClure
Petal Pushers Garden Club
Grants
Keith Phillips
City of Lakewood Lodging Tax Fund
Rainier League of Arts
The Gottfried & Mary Fuchs Foundation Edie Rahlf the Sonsie Chocolatier
Northwest Horticultural Society
Becky Scholz
Florence Kilworth Charitable
Randi Stumpp Photography
Foundation
Tacoma Regional Convention and
William Kilworth Foundation
Visitors Bureau
Social Venture Partners
The Greater Tacoma Community
Foundation
Book Donations
Twyla Eddins Worthy
Bill Baxter
Deborah Christy
Preserve the Past, Improve
Margaret Cruse
the Future Campaign
Betsy Fotheringill
Donations and Grants
Matthew Guss & Cheryl Hart Guss
Bill Baxter
Carolynn Howard
Joe & Sally Carman, IV
Joe & Doris Leister
John Caulfield
Andy & Julie Martin
Ed & Gloria Chaffee
Victoria Nelsen
Diane Chick
Mark Pfeiffer & Kate Read
The Colonial Dames of America
in the State of Washington
In-Kind Donations
David & Florence Covey
Claire Cockcroft
Paul & Deborah Doty
Robert & Meghanne Davis
Tal & Molly Edman
Clark & Eileen D’Elia
Carol Else
Lois Dowling
Robert & Natalie Findlay
Carol Else
Forest Foundation
Far Reaches Farm
Nelson Gooding
Matthew Guss & Cheryl Hart Guss
Mark & Phyllis Griggs
William & Cheri Hansen
Roger Hansen
Mark Hinton
James & Enid Harris
Dick & Juley Hoffmeister
Doug Helland
Joe & Doris Leister
Chip Hellar
Ned & Betty Lowry
Chuck & Sue Hellar
Rick Lupp
Dick & Juley Hoffmeister
Andy & Julie Martin
Natalie Humphrey
Sue Olinger
Jim & Eileen Kelley
Loren & Diane Pease
Ed & Betty Larson
Mark Pfeiffer & Kate Read
Mike & Rebecca Larson
Rhododendron Species Garden
Robert & Sally Lefeber
Martha Robbins
Andy & Toni Loomis
Robinwood Nursery
Liz Lufkin
Neil & Karla Shaw
Kathy McGoldrick
Silvia Smith
Miller Charitable Foundation
Terranova Nurseries, Inc
Mark Pfeiffer & Kate Read
Vital Signs
Elizabeth Rand
Cordy & Judy Wagner
Janice Reeder
Margaret Walther
Terry & Walli Roarke
Kelley Ward
Martha Robbins
Event Sponsors
Buck & Joanne Thompson
American Party Place
Kathryn Van Wagenen
Carr’s Restaurant
Mary Jane Wagner
Columbia Bank
Wendy Warborg
Dwyer Pemberton and Coulson, P.C.
Harry & Jan Welling
The News Tribune
Merrill Weyerhaeuser
Printing Control
George Weyerhaeuser
Valet Parking Systems
Leilee Weyerhaeuser
Shelley Hovind
Natalie Humphrey
Roger & Shirlee Johnson
Barbara Lindberg
David & Pamela Loving
Liz Lufkin
Cynthia Pierce
Mary Lou Ristine
Colleen Smart
Cynthia Thompson
We have made ever effort to accurately include all donors for the time period July, 2014 - June, 2015. We apologize for any inadvertently omitted names or information.