FROGS Talk
by Aimee Martin, FROGS President
Aimee Martin, FROGS President
Hello, fellow FROGS,
If you are feeling hot and dry, you are not alone. We’ve all been sweating in our own gardens and at Green Spring Gardens. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who’ve helped the staff keep the gardens alive. And thanks also to those who helped with our Spring Garden Day and the Summer Concert in challenging conditions.
Indeed, the weather gods have not smiled on us. After our Fall Festival was drenched by Tropical Storm Ophelia, our Spring Garden Day was also held in a downpour. And yet many of you came. THANK YOU. Families and friends gathered under the shade in record heat for the Summer Concert. We had a wonderful band, Benton and McKay, who kept the toes tapping. We were delighted to honor long-term FROG and great supporter, former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross. The kids really enjoyed the lawn activities, although no hula hooper could keep up with ‘60s kid Ivy Sinaiko.
Speaking of kids, I’d like to take you BEHIND THE SCENES for the wonderful family activities that accompany many of our events. In a typical year, we entertain and educate more than 150 kids, typically three to nine years old. Volunteers plan months ahead for appropriate games, materials, and prizes. An activity that lets children throw something is always a winner. A big hit at the summer concert was the matching game with the kiddies’ pool filled with rubber duckies, a good spot to hang out in the heat! We have a staging day two to three weeks before the day of the event where we gather all materials and instructions. On the big day, Green Spring Staff helps with setting up tents, tables, and chairs, while the volunteers are assisted by team facilitators. After all the fun, there is clean up and repacking, thank you notes, and reports on the “glows and grows” of the event.
SAD NOTE: Given how much fun we’ve had despite adversity, FROGS regretfully announces that we won’t be having the Fall Festival and Silent Auction this year. A combination of events has made it impossible. We’re exploring some different ways of continuing to raise money to support Green Spring, so please stay tuned. We know you’ll continue to support the public garden we all love.
