Department of Horticulture,Forestry and Recreation Resources2021 Throckmorton HallManhattan, KS 66506–5506

The Kansas State University Gardens are designed as a lifelonglearning laboratory to encourage environmental involvementwith the university community and the public. An ever- changingdisplay of plants provides an opportunity for education, researchand conservation.

NEWSFALL 2012

The Kansas State University Gardens are located on the cam-pus of Kansas State University at 1500 Denison Avenue, northof Claflin Road. Quinlan Visitor’s Center is part of the historicGlenn H. Beck Dairy Barn.

www.ksu.edu/gardens

Lori Able, owner of Ann-A-Lee’s in Manhattan’s Grand MereVillage, will share ideas for the holiday season which will includedecorations for a festive dinnertable and home, as well as, giftideas. Holiday decorating is thenext program Thursday, Nov. 8, inthe 2012-2013 Friends of theKansas State University GardensLuncheon Series.

The public seminar starts at11:45 a.m. with a buffet lunchserved at Colberts at the ColbertHills Golf Course and concludes at1 p.m., said Sharon Snyder, coor di-

nator of the lunch series andfundraising chair for the Friends organization.

Admission is $30 per person.This includes lunch, a beverage andany educational materials. Net proceeds benefit the KSU Gardens.

Advance paid registration is required by calling Anne Springerat (785) 532-1442, M, T, Th, F 8am–1 pm or e-mail spr@ksu.edu.Please make payment in advance toFriends of the KSU Gardens, 2021Throckmorton Hall, Manhattan,KS 66506.

KSU Gardens Luncheon Seminar Series Continues Nov. 8

us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/kstate.gardens

UPCOMING GARDENS EVENTS

Luncheon Seminar SeriesThursday, November 8, 11:45 am–1 pm, at Colbert Hills“Fresh Ideas for the Holidays” with Lori Able, Ann-A-Lee’s

Tuesday TalkTuesday, November 13, 12:15–12:45 pm, at Quinlan Visitor’s Center “Poinsettias Galore!” with Joshua Graver, Horticulture Graduate Student

Annual Poinsettia SaleLocated in the Quinlan Visitor’s CenterTuesday, November 13, 11 am–3 pmWednesday, November 28, 11 am–3 pm, OPEN HOUSEWednesday, December 5, 11 am–1 pm and 4–6 pm

For more information on the events listed above, see articles on page 1.

SAVE THE DATE: June 7, 2013 for the 9th Annual KSU Garden Gala

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2012 KSU Garden Gala: “Three Coins in a Fountain”With the beautiful Bidwell Family

Fountain as a backdrop and a theme of“Three Coins in a Fountain”, the eighth an-nual KSU Garden Gala was held on June1, 2012 at the KSU Gardens. As the galabegan on an uncharacteristically coolevening, attendees were welcomed to sippeach bellinis while touring the gardensand listening to the wonderful melodies ofWayne Goins. Many also took advantageof the opportunity to have their photo- graphs taken in front of the Fountain, as itwas truly a spectacular setting. Hopefully,all are enjoying their complimentary keep-sakes! After dining on delicious Italian cui-sine, partygoers were entertained by theFabulous Four Tenors of the KSU MusicDepartment. What a treat!

The silent auction provided entertain-ment of a different sort, offering a widerange of treasures available for the taking!The proceeds of the auction, along with thevery generous sponsor donations, allowedfor $18,000 to be given to the KSU Gar-dens for hiring student interns. What atremendous educational gift to our stu-dents! Thank you to everyone who madethis donation possible!

After an evening of fun and friends, thegeneral consensus was that “a good timewas had by all”!! Thank you all for the fan-tastic turnout and your continued supportof the KSU Gardens. Please mark your cal-endars for June 7, 2013 for the ninth an-nual KSU Garden Gala. Hope to see youthere!

Tuesday Talks: Poinsettias Galore!Don’t miss the final Tuesday Talks in the Gardens Nov. 13, from 12:15 to 12:45 pm

in the Quinlan Visitor’s Center. Highlights from the 2012 KSU poinsettia trials will bepresented by Joshua Graver, Graduate Student in Horticulture.

Poinsettias aren't just red anymore! Join Joshua for an overview of some of the mostunusual varieties selected from over 60 cultivars being produced this year by Green-house Management students at Kansas State University. His talk will take you from thebreeder’s greenhouse to selecting poinsettias in a retail outlet.

There is no charge for Tuesday Talks; however an RSVP is required by Monday, Nov.12. Reply to Judy F. Unruh at gfriends@ksu.edu. Your RSVP will be confirmed by email.Bring your lunch to enjoy in the Gardens before or after the talk.

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit #221

Manhattan, KS

Friends of the KSU Gardens and theUnger family gathered on a beautiful Satur-day morning, September 1, to dedicate awonderful new addition to the KSU Gar-dens. The bronze sculpture, created by artistKwan Wu was sponsored by Dr. ElizabethUnger. The Experiential Learning sculptureis a memorial to Beth’s son Mark BryanUnger and the Conservatory Gardens Col-lection Garden Urns are in memory of herhusband Samuel Unger.

The bronze Experiential Learning sculp-ture greets visitors as they enter the KSUGardens from the parking lot. A toddler ageboy in the squat position observing a dragon fly on the rim of a planting urndemonstrates the true wonder of a garden.There is a learning experience for everyoneand it happens the moment they arrive.

The Collection Garden Urns have anamazing floral relief to compliment the col-lection they represent. The rose, iris, daylilyand peony collection gardens will have oneof these beautiful urns permanently placedat their entry.

The sculpture was on display in the Conservatory Garden for the dedication ceremony. Scott McElwain, the Director ofthe KSU Gardens, started the ceremony by

welcoming everyone and introducing BethUnger for opening comments. Beth intro-duced each speaker, starting with K-StateProvost April Mason, K-State AgronomyHead Gary Pierzynski, Bill Riley (one ofSam’s friends), Geoff Johnson (a friend ofMark’s), and Geraldine Unger (Mark’swidow).

For those who attended the dedicationceremony, it was clear that Beth Unger is aremarkable woman and that K-State is verygrateful to her for this contribution to theKSU Gardens. The ceremony was high-lighted by Sam and Mark’s friends and fam-ily as they shared their memories and theaccomplishments of two amazing men thatwere intelligent, thoughtful and compas-sionate individuals who made a positive im-pact on the lives of everyone who knewthem.

These sculpture additions to the KSUGardens were perfect memorial pieces thatfit with Sam’s love for the arts and Mark’spassion for gardening. Beth wanted theplaques at each sculpture to recognize Samand Mark but she also wanted the plaques toraise public awareness about bipolar disease, from which Sam and Mark bothsuffered.

Kansas State University

GARDENSConstructed and maintained

by the Department of Horticulture,Forestry and Recreation Resources

Stuart WarrenDepartment Head

Scott K. McElwainKSU Gardens DirectorThomas D. Warner

Professor and Projects DirectorKim Schirer

KSU FoundationDirector of Development

College of Agriculture(800) 432–1578

Students:Lisa Angell, Student GardenerGeorge Dille, Student Intern

Corwin Draper, Student InternJoe Hong, Student Gardener

Kinnedy Keating, Student InternBrooke Stamm, Student Gardener

Bob Odle, Student Intern

2012–2013 Board of Directors:Polly Stoecklein, President

Deloris BerlandMarcia Cooper

Elizabeth EnglishNancy Farrar

Janice FlanaryMarilyn Galle

Lori LevinTim LindemuthJim Lindquist

Jo LyleMarti MeekCindi Morris

Frank SchmeidlerAnn Scott

Sharon SnyderSteve ThienBeth UngerJudy UnruhCheryl Yunk

George Dille, KSU Student MemberRuth Ann Wefald, Honorary Member

Garden Gala Chairs:Eileen HinkinJane Pringle

KSU Gardens2021 Throckmorton

Manhattan, KS 66506(785) 532–3271 phone

(785) 532–3273 faxksugardens@ksu.eduwww.ksu.edu/gardens

I am honored to be the Chair of theKSU Gardens this year. During theFriends Host Membership Reception atmy home in May of 2011, I was quoted asstating “If it doesn’t bark or bloom I amnot interested”. I was joking but in hind-sight it was true. I do have a passion formy own garden and that passion haspoured over for the KSU Garden as I havebecome increasingly involved over thelast few years. Many of you are awarethat I also have a passion for animals andtheir welfare. I think the two have muchin common in that they cannot speak forthemselves, we must advocate for them.

I am surrounded by a Board of Direc-tors that shares that passion, as well as acommitted KSU staff including Stu War-ren, Tom Warner and our dedicated Di-rector, Scott McElwain

If you are reading this newsletter thenyou are likely already a Friend of theKSU Gardens. If you are just learningabout the Gardens, then will you pleaseconsider becoming one. The Gardens justcannot have enough Friends. You mighthave also received a letter from JimLindquist who chairs the MembershipCommittee and myself elaborating on thebenefits of being a Friend as well as whatyour membership helps us accomplish atthe Gardens. If you need help becoming aFriend, give us a call at 785-532-3271 andask them to get a message to me and I willpersonally visit with you about the bene-fits as well as the personal rewards thatcomes from seeing the Gardens grow.

If you have not visited the Gardensthen you need to come and take a look atthe fall colors. In that visit you will seethe Bidwell Family Fountain which wasdedicated earlier this year. Another “mustsee” is the statue, urns and dedicationplaque in memory of Mark Unger and hisfather, Samuel Unger.

Your visit will help you see “where weare” and provide you a greater apprecia-tion of “what is to come” in the futurewith the Phase II of the Gardens, thepeony collection, the Conservatory reno-vations, and much more.

Rudyard Kipling said “Gardens are notmade by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ andsitting in the shade.”

Thank you for what you do and thankyou in advance for what you are about todo to benefit the KSU Gardens this year.

Sincerely,Polly Stoecklein, PresidentFriends of the KSU Gardens

New Membership Yearfor the Friends

A new year for the Friends of theKansas State University Gardens beganSeptember 1st. We hope you have re-sponded to the Friends renewal letter andhave decided to become a “Friend” againfor the 2012-2013 year. If you haven’t re-sponded yet, or misplaced the letter, youcan still join by sending your Friendsmembership to: 2021 Throckmorton Hall,Manhattan, KS 66506. If you have ques-tions, you can call 785.532.3271, or speakto any of the current Friends of the Gar-dens Board of Directors.

We hope you have been by the gardensrecently. They can’t look much better thanthey did during the early September, butthe gardens are always beautiful and thereis always something different to see andenjoy, whenever you stop by.

Friends of the KSU Gardens receivespecial invitations to all kinds of gardenactivities during the year so watch yourmail, the newsletter, and visit our website: www.ksu.edu/gardens so youdon’t miss out on any of the excitingevents that will be available to you. Youcan even “like us” on Facebook:www.facebook.com/kstate.gardens.

From the President of the Friends

Online membershipregistration now available:www.ksu.edu/gardens

New Sculpture Dedicated to KSU Gardens

Friends and family of Samuel and Mark Unger at the dedication of the experiential learn-ing sculpture at the KSU Gardens. Sixth from the left is Dr. Elizabeth Unger.

Our Friends membership is growingand thanks to all of you Friends members,we look forward to additional growth ofthe Gardens during this next year.

Jim LindquistMembership Chair

Fundraising NewsThe fundraising committee has

planned another fabulous luncheon Nov.8 to kick off the 2012-2013 season. LoriAble, owner of Ann-A-Lee’s in GrandMere Village, will share ideas for the hol-iday season, including decorations foryour table and home, as well as gift ideas.There will be a wonderful buffet lunch atColbert Hills with the chance to win somevery special door prizes. (Registration in-formation can be found on page 1 of thisnewsletter.) Plans for additional luncheonprograms will be shared at a later date.

In addition, our committee is planninga field trip in the spring to the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, Kansas. Manyof you may remember Robin Macy’s per-formance at the Manhattan Country Clublast March and her story about BartlettArboretum, its past and its future. Herstory was so inspiring, we thought itwould be a real treat to actually visit thebeautiful gardens in Belle Plaine. Detailswill be forthcoming.

Finally, mark your calendar for the annual Poinsettia sale and Open House onNov. 28 from 11 am–3 pm in the KSUGardens Quinlan Visitor’s Center, 1500Denison. Additional sale dates are onNov. 13 from 11 am–3 pm and Dec. 5from 11 am–1 pm and 4–6 pm.

Sharon SnyderFundraising Chair

Thank You Reception for 2012 Gala SponsorsOn September 23rd Pat and Rita

Keating hosted a reception for thesponsors of this year’s garden galaat their beautiful home overlook-ing Colbert Hills Golf Course.Sponsors were treated to a fab u-lous spread of goodies prepared bymembers of the Friends of the Gardens Board.

In addition to the lovely sur-roundings on the mild autumnevening, guests were pleasantlysurprised by the arrival of a bag-piper strolling from the golf courseto the Keatings’ home. This spe-cial touch provided the perfectending to the evening.