June 13, 2009 ~ 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This year's gala was a truly wonderful evening celebrating the garden's 25th anniversary. Thanks to all of our generous sponsors (listed to the right), auction item donors, and delightful guests! Funds raised from the Gala are essential to our day-to-day operations, including student wages, maintenance expenses, and repairs and renovations of garden features. Thank you again to all involved!
Gala Planning Committee 2009: Dawn Lerch, David Pippin, Elissa Steeves, Linda Fiedler, Paul & Sonya Westervelt, Lori Greiner, Kathy Duncan, Stephanie Huckestein, Paul Chumbley, Dabney Blanton and Holly Scoggins.
Guests were greeted with a bubbly "welcome!" in a commemorative champagne flute.
Lots of red carpet action with the Hokie Bird!
'
Honorary Hosts Robert McDuffie ( below left) and Robert Lyons shared some stories with the crowd about the garden's early days.
Guests were dazzled by the array of unusual plants, original art, and other unique items in the silent auction.
More auction action - the bidding became more competitive as the evening went on!
Marshall Hahn chats with Jean and Ray Smoot on the water garden bridge.
Paul and Dot Torgersen enjoying the shade garden.
Music from Twin Cities Jazz made the lovely evening even better.
2009 Gala Sponsors
Through May 17, 2009
***Platinum***
Bennett's Creek Nursery
Wayne Sawyer
Suffolk, Va.
(757) 483-1425
www.bcnursery.com
***Gold***
Jeff Francis
Hardy, VA
Dr. Robert E. Lyons
Director, Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture
Landesburg, Pa.
Aztec Rental Center, Inc.
Blacksburg, VA
(540) 552-7474
www.aztecrental.com
***Silver***
Grigg Design, Inc.
Steve & Juanita Grigg
Manassas Park, VA 20111
(703) 368-7539
James River Nurseries, Inc.
Mike Hildebrand
Ashland, Va.
(804) 798-2020
www.jamesrivernurseries.com
Dawn and Gary Lerch
Midlothian, Va.
"Go Hokies!"
David Pippin, Inc.
David O. Pippin
Richmond, VA
(804) 278-9006
www.davidpippin.biz
Southern Landscape Group, Inc.
Mark Maslow
Evington, Va.
(434) 821-6004
www.soscapes.com
Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
Jeff Miller, Exec. Dir.
Christiansburg, VA
www.vnla.org
***Bronze***
Brookmeade Sod Farm, Inc.
Louis & Ginger Brooking
Doswell, VA
(804) 883-6338
www.brookmeadesod.com
The Leppervelts
Sonya Lepper Westervelt & Paul Westervelt
Roseland, VA
Dr. Mary Marchant and Jim Marchant
Blacksburg, VA
Jim May
I.V. Tree Care
Radford, Va.
(540) 320-4911
Saunders Brothers, Inc.
Tom Saunders
Piney River, VA
(434) 277-5455
www.saundersbrothers.com
Stonewall Construction, LLC
Eliot Clark
Ashland, VA
(804) 869-6600
Mike Woods & Assoc., Inc.
Mike and Dottie Woods
Blacksburg, VA
Our sponsors are critical to the success of the gala! Complimentary tickets come with sponsorships at all levels, from $250 to $2000. For more information, contact Holly at 540.231.5783
2009 Gala Auction
Our silent auction includes fantastic plants, garden art, and many other goodies. If you're interested in donating items, contact Stephanie at 540.231.5970