May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee

Many thanks to Cindy Williams for her initiativeas a volunteer in partnering with the University ofTennessee Press to provide Friends and Gardensinformation in their booth at the Women TodayExpo in March. We could not have afforded thebooth rental and so are very appreciative of theUniversity of Tennessee Press to let us share abit of their space.Welcome, information and donor cases new locationThe very first contractor to donate work inthe Entrance Plaza on Phase 3 was TerrenceMcDonough, who moved the welcome, informationand donor cases to new locations in the Gardensaway from heavy equipment with the assistance ofhis son, Gardens student intern Nick McDonough.The McDonough family has three children at UT.When we thanked Terrence for his help, he toldus he was thankful, in turn, for the opportunity togive back to a university that meant so much to hisfamily. What a great thing to hear!Also on the Entrance Plaza front, there is no way tothank Tom Boyd adequately for what would havecost us nearly $10,000 in grading and demolition.Despite being ill with flu just a few days prior, hedid the job quickly, safely, thoroughly and expertly,over the course of three days. We also had the mostcompetent and pleasant volunteer work force forthe demolition cleanup March 10 you’d ever want tohave—James Newburn, Faye Beck, Matt Wampler,Deedee Blane and Craig Behling. They left the siteclean as a whistle. Claiborne Hauling took awayfour full roll off containers at a value of $1,600 forthe removal and disposal (following a similar contributionin Phase 1). Cortese Tree Specialistscontributed in kind work valued at $2,500 inconnection with removal of part of the holly hedge toaccommodate the new Plaza footprint.We are also grateful to Nancy Rennie for hercareful work in reproducing the Donald B.Williams wildflower prints. The latest release ofthe Williams prints will take place at Blooms Days2007 in June.Special thanks to Jack Neely for his meeting withand assisting Theresa Pepin and Terumi Watsonwith research in library collections and referralsto people still living in connection with historicalgardens and landscapes in Knoxville. SandyMcNabb, Mary Spengler, Mrs Ralston (Cecil)Matheny and Mrs Herbert Carter Van DeventerSlatery all helped us to finally find the elusivelast of the four Jens Jensen designs in Knoxvilledating back to the early 20 th century. If any of ourreaders has knowledge of the gardens of John E.Oberne (1917), Hugh W. Sanford (1917), HughF. Van Deventer (1923) and James Van Deventer(1928) in Knoxville, please call the Infoline at865-525-4555 and we’ll put you in touch withTerumi Watson, who is doing her master’s thesison this subject.Welcome new Business Friend PittmanProperties and be sure to thank them for theirmembership. They have become a member inhonor of James Newburn.The new Tennessee east of 75 magazinefeatured the University Gardens in a full colorspread in their Spring Gardens 2007 issue. Hownice to get this chance to see the Gardens incolor in such a beautiful publication. For moreinformation on this new magazine visit www.eastof75.net. Thank you to editor CandiceDurman and east of 75 for giving us a chanceto let more of the state of Tennessee know aboutthe University Gardens. We are acknowledgingMorrison Printing as a Business Patron for thisin kind contribution.15