Y e w t o p i a Your Spring Newsletter 2016 The mission of the Friends of the Topiary Park is the thoughtful preservation and enhancement of the Topiary Park’s landscape

and gardens and to provide a place of beauty and tranquility for Columbus residents and visitors.

The Topiar y Garden, A Work of Art & Cr eati v i ty

Gardens, in every season, are works of art, and in our case, living sculpture, if you will…we were remising

about our unique beginning this winter and came to appreciate that art in the garden can take many forms and

that we, as gardeners, are all intrigued by the ingenuity, skill and risk that fellow gardeners, like Jim and Elaine

Mason, are willing to take. Creating is a very personal process and every time we invite visitors into our gardens

we open ourselves up to evaluation from another’s point of view and sense of taste. We could not have imagined,

over 20 years ago, how well and, to what extent, our garden would be received and viewed. We encourage you to

have confidence in your own likes and dislikes, your own personal style. Be open to new possibilities and willing to

experiment with objects and ideas that please your eye and delight you. Others may not always appreciate your

taste, but a beautiful or interesting garden has intrinsic value apart from its utility. Do enjoy your gardening

journey every season!

Friends of the Topiary Park 2015

We’re glad you’ re here!

Yewtopians ($500 & Above)

Anonymous

David Schooler

Doug Allen

Katherine Gerlach

Marianne Altmaier Coyne

Randy Rudowicz

Thomas and Nancy Gross

Blooming Patrons ($150 to $499)

Anne Powell Riley

Ann Saup

Bob and Beth Hamilton

C. John and Flo Ann Easton

Cathryn and Jeffrey Geppert

Cris Wise

David and Nancy Beck

Donald Dunn

Dorothy Spiva

Garry Clarke

Gary and Sue Holstein

Gavin and Alice Larrimer

Jack and Nancy Edwards

James Mason

Jeanne and Joseph Reed

Joseph and Marjorie Davidson

Judith Czarnecki

Kiehner Johnson

The Board would like to thank you, the donors, for your commitment to the

Topiary Park over the years. We are grateful for your generous support

which allows us to continue our mission. Your donations in 2015 specifically

supported the purchase of annual flowers, the refurbishment of the boats,

our holiday park lighting and, our endowment fund at the

Columbus Foundation.

While we endeavor to include all of you, some might be inadvertently

missed. If your name was accidentally not included on this list, or you have a

correction, please contact us at friends@topiarygarden.org or, 614.645.0197

and we will make amends in the next edition of Yewtopia.

Blooming Patrons continued Mary Stowe

Nancy and Tad Jeffrey

Patricia Drummond

Robin Kumin

Ross George

Sallie Sherman

Tahlman and Elizabeth Krumm

Vanessa Arnold

Budding Patrons ($50 to $149)

Anne Lee

Anne Valentine and Kent Thompson

Barbara Schuberth

Beau Hamer

Carol Haley

Carol Slack

Carolyn May

Charles and Susan Hickey

Chris Andersen

Christo Gegas

Dale Abrams and Elliott Fishman

Dan and Janice Bailey

Dorothy Howard-Flynn

Dr. Jack Dingle

Dr. John Kennedy

E. Bernice McLaughlin

Elizabeth Custer

Elizabeth Eastlake

Ellen Tripp

Floradelle Pfahl

Budding Patrons continued Georgeanne and Michael Reuter

Grant Morrow and Corde Robinson

Harold and Phyllis Duryee

Herbert and Diane Glimcher

Herman and Mary Kuehn

Jacqueline A. Trexel

James Scanlan

Jeff and Elizabeth Cabot

Jessie Dailey

Jill Kramer and Ralph Kramer III

John and Nellie Riordan

John H. Litchfield

John Schoedinger

Julia F. Johnson

Karen M Shea

Karl and Martha Kumler

Kathleen Bruner

Kim Yee

Kristin Wilder

Larry and Kathryn Lane

Laureen Cain Haenszel

Lee Brozgol

Leslie Jankowski

Loann W. Crane

Lorraine Clark

Marc and Margie Hollander

Marcia Miller

Margaret McGee

Mark Miller

Martha and Sherwood Fawcett

Mary Jo Green

Mary Stine

Budding Patrons continued Mitch and Susan Hyde

Mr. and Mrs. John Goff

Ms. Diane Sphar

Ms. Loann W. Crane

Nancy Recchie and Jeff Darbee

Neal and Romayne Kaffen

Pamela Lynn

Pat Morrow

Pauline and Kenneth Scott

R.L. and Barbara Richards

Ralph Wagenhofer

Rebecca Rabb

Ric Brandel

Richard and Marilyn Briggs

Richard Miller

Scott Smith

Shane Hankins

Stephen Wittmann

Steven and Gale Klayman

Theodore and Karen Meyer

Thomas and Margaret Williams

Valerie Paschang

Wilbur Smith

Green Thumbs (up to $49)

Arnold Jack

Ashlie Hannah

Bette C. Dare and Jerome

Carissa Jenkins

Charles J. (Jeff) and Evelyn McKit-

rick

Christina Rogers

Daniel and Katy Hill

Frankie and Mary Louise Casanta

Gabe Tippery

Galen and Ruth Gonser

J.D. and M. Low

James D. MacDonald

Jane Harris

Jean Hayward

Jill Fetters

Kairsten Thies

Kate Polak

Lamonte and Sharon Retz

Marilyn Paulsen

Mary Joy Rose

Marilyn Paulsen

Mary Joy Rose

Robert Wandel

Shirley Bauhaus

Virginia Tyler

Waneita Dipner

Community Gifts

Discovery District Civic Association

Discovery District Special

Improvement District

Friends of the Columbus

Metropolitan Library

Jennifer M. Keefer Memorial Fund

at the Columbus Foundation

Corporate Gifts

The Motorists Insurance Group

State Auto Insurance Co. Foundation

In-Kind Gifts

Columbus Recreation & Parks

Columbus School for Girls

Call Carlene Palmquist at

614.645.0197 if you would like to

upgrade your current membership

to a higher level or have questions

concerning Topiary Garden

membership. Renew or purchase

membership gifts using the enclosed

envelope or online at

www.topiarygarden.org.

N ew thi s year for

ALL members !

We are pleased to offer a new opportunities to

our valued members, old & new!

New Member Orientation: For those who are new (and not so new),

to the Topiary Garden, we invite you to join us on Saturday, April 30th,

from 10 am to 12 noon for a continental breakfast followed by a brief

presentation about the history of the garden, membership benefits,

volunteer opportunities and, information about our events. We will

also offer a special docent garden tour. Please plan to join us for this

brand new event exclusively for our Topiary Garden members!

Call 614.645.0197 by Friday, April 22 to reserve your spot!

Orientation Breakfast & Tour

Did you know you can support the Topiary Park just by shopping at Kroger? It's easy when you enroll in Kroger

Community Rewards®! To get started, sign up with your Plus Card, and select the Friends of the Topiary Park.

Once you're enrolled, you'll earn rewards for the park every time you shop and use

your Plus Card! And, the best part is... it COSTS YOU NOTHING!

Here is a brief description of the HOW TO...

Go to the Kroger website—www.kroger.com

* Select the community tab near the top of the page, from the drop down menu select Community Rewards.

* Sign in if you have an account, or create a NEW account. If you already have a nonprofit selected you

must delete that one to have your dollars going solely to the Topiary Park.

* Then type in either Friends of the Topiary Park or # 81431 (our Kroger charity number).

Kroger is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Their program was designed to make our

fund-raising the easiest in town…all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card! THANK YOU!

Gardening Fun Facts

Did you know?!

The name daffodil means “that which cometh early,”

which is quite fitting since it’s such an early bloomer.

The daffodil’s other name, narcissus, is after the

beautiful hunter in Greek mythology who fell in love

with his own reflection. He turned his back on the

woman who loved him and gazed downward into a

pool of water until he died. Daffodils also have a

tendency to turn their faces downward and turn their

backs on their admirers.

The yew tree is very poisonous – wood, leaves, seeds

and pollen. Birds can eat the berries and survive

because the seeds go right through them without

being digested and come out in their poo.

Tomato juice is the official state beverage of Ohio,

honoring the part A. W. Livingston of Reynoldsburg,

Ohio, played in popularizing the tomato in the late

1800s.

In France, May 1st, is La Fete du Muguet, the festival

of the lily-of-the-valley. The celebration includes

giving bouquets of lily-of-the-valley to loved ones,

wishing them health and happiness.

Volunteers Grow Lots of ways to grow, lots of

ways to contr ibute. As a

vo lunteer a t the Garden, you

have unl imi ted opportuni t ies

to share your ta lents, explore

new areas and connect wi th

people of a l l ages . Spec ia l ized

t ra in ing may be of fered to

prepare you for your vo lunteer

ro le , in other cases ,

experience may be necessary

(or not) ! Vo lunteers greet

v is i tors, serve as tour

docents , ass is t w i th specia l

events , work in the garden

and Gatehouse and, many

o ther th ings . . .ca l l

614.645.0197 to f ind out

where you can help! I t ’s fun,

i t ’s exc i t ing , and i t ’s a g i f t for

everyone! We need YOU!

Plant the Park. . .

Saturday, May 21, 9am!

Kroger Supports the Topiary Park.. .you can too!

FOTP: Jill, I hear you have some news to share...

JB: Yes...it’s with mixed emotions that I tell you that I

received a promotion to Regional Manager over the

Fairwood, Lindon and eventually, Gooddale sections for

Columbus Recreation and Parks. I will be leaving when a

replacement for this position has been named. But rest

assured, like all the past gardener supervisors who have had

the good fortune of working in the park, I will let keep an eye

on the garden and let you know my thoughts and

observations. It was a very difficult decision.

FOTP: We are happy for you and will miss you. You

have been wonderful to work with and you have

added so much to the garden, the park and the

Friends. I guess that means you’ll miss the Launch of

the Goldfish this spring!

JB: Oh No! I will be here...with my girls in tow! And, I know

Mark Case will be there too as he is/was the “golden’s”

caregiver and BEST friend for the last two years!

FOTP: The garden is finally draped in white! This has

been an odd weather year….

JB: Indeed, who would have thought that this would be one

of the warmest and sunniest Decembers and Januarys on

record! But after the last two previous years, the garden

really needed a much deserved break! I know we are going

into spring with healthier shrubs.

FOTP: Jill, what should our home gardeners be

working on right now to prepare for spring?

JB: At home, I use these winter days to review and repair my

garden tools. I try to buy good equipment, and good

maintenance prolongs their life and usefulness. I take care

of my garden tools as I take care of my kitchen and house-

hold utensils; most of them can last years if well serviced

and well cared for. Another task that can be done now is

planting seeds indoors. This is a fun way to involve the kids.

We use half-pint milk cartons from the school cafeteria.

With their tops cut off and bottoms pierced, they make

perfect “pots” for starting the larger seedlings—tomatoes,

peppers, eggplants, pumpkins, cucumbers, and the like. Fill

them with your potting mix, sow the seeds and place them in

a sunny spot. By mid-May your sill will be a jungle of plants,

each straining to reach the sunlight. It’s really fun!

FOTP: Well, Jill, this is our fond goodbye! We have

enjoyed you being part of the esteemed history and

family of the Topiary Garden. Our very best to you

and, our heartfelt thanks to you and, all your team,

who have worked besides us in the garden.

JB: Thank you and also thank you for all the work the

Friends do for the park as well. I will still be around and

leave you in the hands of a great team who will continue

to improve upon the gardens year after year.

Jill’s Picks for MUST HAVE

garden tools!

Like any hobby, tools are usually a major key to your success!

Here are the ones I happen to

enjoy and love to use...mostly at

home, but I also have a “version”

of these at work too!

A GOOD pair of sharp pruners...a

MUST have for any gardener.

You are always cutting back

something! Get a pair that fits

your hand and are easy for you

to use!

A Hori Hori, (Japanese for diggy diggy) soil knife. These are

sold by a number of companies, again, you have to find one

that works for you and your garden soil! I find that with all

equipment, you do get what you pay for!

A CobraHead, a curved shank weeder that can usually get ANY

weed, any where. This tool comes in two handle versions, long

and short...admittedly, this was a luxury for me!

A gardening apron...there is nothing worse than being in the

garden and realizing you don’t have one of your favorite tools

with you! I keep my garden apron ready to go at all times!

Hope these tools will be of use to you and your garden!

Jill

Tête-à-têt e in the Garden. . .Ta Ta for Now!

Post Cards from the

Topiary Park

Minding your Manners

in the Park

Dear Board of Di rectors :

Spring is here! Two paws up! I can’t

wait to get to the park because I know

this year I will meet a lot of new friends!

But, this winter, I noticed that some of

my “friends” owners were not on their

“Best” behavior! They would let my

friends do their “business” and not pick

up! Can you imagine?! What can we

do?! Wyl ie Wags,

Unoff ic ia l Ambassador ,

F r iends o f the Topiary Park

Dear Wags: Thank you for bringing

this to our attention! The Friends are

having some “poop” bag stations

installed this spring courtesy of our

friends at the Discovery Special Improve-

ment District. One will be installed near

the Gatehouse and the other will be

installed by the big back gate on

Washington! This will help make it

easier for our human friends to maintain

the park for everyone’s enjoyment!

The Board

Authentic French Meringues

Although most historians agree, that meringue was not

created in France, it is also agreed that, “Queen Marie

Antoinette had a great liking for meringues and court

lore has it that she made them with her own hands at

the Trianon, where she is also said to have made

vacherins, which are prepared from a similar mixture.”

Meringue can be prepared using three different

methods: French, Italian and Swiss. French Meringue,

which is used in this recipe, is the simplest of the three

methods. Fine white sugar is beaten into room

temperature egg whites until peaks are stiff and glossy.

Ingredients: 4 egg extra large whites, 2 1/4 cups

confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F

Butter & flour cookie sheet or use parchment paper

Using a glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until

foamy (big bubbles). Sprinkle in sugar a little at a time,

while continuing to whip on medium speed. When all

the sugar is in the mixture, turn up to high speed. When

the mixture becomes stiff and shiny like satin, stop

mixing, and transfer to a pastry bag. Pipe the meringue

out onto baking sheet. Place in oven and crack the door

to keep it from closing all the way. Bake for 3 hours or

until the meringues are dry and can be easily removed

from the pan. Cool completely and store in an airtight

container. En joy!

Melapmpodium …

A Plant the Park Favorite Annual

Cheery melampodium has sunshine

-yellow flowers on deeply green

leaves. It’s a mainstay for hot,

sunny spots, where it will produce a profusion of

yellow daisy-shape blooms all summer. While it

likes heat and sun, it doesn’t like dry conditions, it

must be kept moist until it’s established. See this

great little plant around the pond this summer!

Jo in the Garden today!

Take a look at the great benefits you receive as a

Garden member and know that your annual member-

ship contribution supports the Garden’s mission, to

thoughtfully preserve and enhance the Topiary Park’s

landscape and gardens, and to provide a place of

beauty, and tranquility for Columbus residents and

visitors.

As a member your benefits include:

* FREE Garden Bag (Gifts of $300 or more)

* Discounts on Gatehouse Rental

(Gifts of $300 or more)

* FREE Quarterly newsletters & membership card

* Recognition in the spring Yewtopia Giving

newsletter

* 10% discount in the Gatehouse shop

* A Members Only Orientation Breakfast

* Discount admission to over 200 botanic gardens

nationwide

* Plus, your membership contribution is fully tax

deductible

It’s easy to order a membership for yourself or as a

gift...call 614.645.0197. If you leave a message after

hours we will get back to you promptly...or, you can visit

us in the Gatehouse (call for seasonal hours). Or, you

can mail a donation by filling out the enclosed envelope!

Or, go on-line and visit...www.topiarygarden.org., select

the DONATE button. Thank you!

Sm

art L

ookin

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Du

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ag.

Gift or K

eep!

Charm

ing French Inspired

Room

for Meetings, P

arties &

More!

Columbus Metropolitan Library Re-Opens

Saturday, June 25th

One of our favorite neighbors and partners will be re-

opening their doors after over nine months of renovation!

On Saturday, June 25th, the Topiary Park is joining in on

CML’s Grand Re-Opening celebration with music, crafts,

movies and more!

Our PBJ & Jazz Family Concert series will kick

off that day...starting with storytime at 1:30 pm, with

Columbus Metropolitan Library, followed by the jazz

concert at 2pm...followed by Columbus Museum of Art

children’s art activity. All of these events will be staged

closer to the library that day! But the day isn’t over for

the park! At dusk, in partnership with the Discovery

Special Improvement District and Gateway Film Center,

we will be kicking off our movie series with

The Lorax , by Dr. Seuss. An art activity will be part

of the movie festivities plus a lot more. So mark your

calendar, bring your blankets and see you in the park and,

the library too!

The Friends of the Topiary Park

Founded in 1992, Friends of the Topiary Park is a group of active volunteers and sustaining contributors dedicated to supporting the

unique topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte, in Deaf School

Park. Located at E. Town Street & Washington Avenue in downtown Columbus, the Park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Admission is FREE!

The Topiary Garden was included in The Smithsonian Institution’s,

Archives of American Gardens, Horticulture Services Division in 2003

Board o f Truste e s

President, Doug Allen, Vice President, William Bronson, Treasurer, Cristopher Wise, Secretary, Dayna Jalkanen,

Tonia Derring, Cathryn Geppert, Marcie Mathews, Mark Miller, Randy Rudowicz, Jacqueline Trexel

Honorary Trustees, Cherie Lucks, Kitty Morton Epler, Jim Mason

Staff - Administrator, Dan Huff, Executive Director, Carlene Palmquist,

Columbus Recreation and Parks Representative, Eric Hinkle

480 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.645.0197 friends@topiarygarden.org

Note to Self...mark these dates on the calendar...

Mulch Madness, Saturday, March 26

Gatehouse Opens, Saturday, April 16

Plant the Park, Saturday, May 21

Columbus Metropolitan Library Re-Opens, Saturday, June 25th

PBJ & Jazz Family Concert Series, Saturday, June 25, 2 pm

July 9, August 13 & September 10 at noon.

Topiary Theater, Saturday June 25, THE LORAX , July 30, PADDINGTON ,

August 27, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS & September 24, THE HUNGER GAMES

Gatehouse Closes, Sunday, October 16

Light the Park, Thursday, November 17

DDCA Trolley Hop, Saturday, December 10