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THE GARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT
This is the Garden’s annual report to the membership regarding some of the activities that took place this year. The Garden, located at the corner of Washington Street East and Sidney Avenue in the East End of Charleston, is a unique volunteer project that has been a cooperative effort by our organization, the State, the City of Charleston, and the East End community. The Garden is not only an important East End beautification project, it is a very visible AIDS awareness project. This year we were able to add $2,000 to the Living AIDS Memorial Garden Fund with the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. We anticipate that this fund will require at least $100,000.00 to generate sufficient interest to maintain the Garden now and in the future. Donations to our Fund may be made directly to the Foundation or through the Garden. Unfortunately, our Fund decreased in value in the sum of $4,000.00 during the financial crisis. In an attempt to make up this loss and because of increased operating costs, the Board of Directors voted to increase dues to $15.00. While we now have the funding to pay for some of the maintenance services the Garden requires, we rely on the members of the Design and Maintenance Committee to maintain the Garden through Spring and Fall clean ups. Chair of the Committee and some of the members who have helped this year are: Carl Maxwell, Leslie and Geert Bakker, Jeff Crist, Alex Crist, Michael Sword, Mark Weintraub, Amy Weintraub, Caroline Weintraub, Jeremiah Weintraub, Bob and Amanda Maxwell, Tim Forren, Mike Henderson, Vincent Burke, Frank Grant, Sally Roberts, Lynne Sandy, and Eileen Maroney. Several fundraising events have been held this year. In March, the Broadway hosted the 2009 Miss Red Ribbon Pageant, a benefit for the Garden, which was won by newcomer, Joanna Walters. Bianca Baker served as the 2008 Miss Red Ribbon. Our major fundraiser, the DANCE FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T™, was held in May at the Broadway and hosted by Larry Genrick. The 12th Dance was dedicated to Greg Miller and Roger Cain. The theme was “60 Rocks.” Corporate sponsors of the Dance were Mountaineer Expedite and Covenant House. The sponsoring Circle of Friends included Laura Beth, Delegate Carrie Webster, Delegate Bonnie Brown, Capitol Paging, Hershel Layne and George Bostic, Robert Damron and Dan Faber, and Paul Hayes. Door prizes were donated by Visions Day Spa, Ivor’s Trunk, Charly Hamilton, Long Fork Camp Grounds, Capitol Paging, First Watch, Art Emporium, Broadway, R. Augustus Hamrick, II, DMD, Pro-Art & Framing Center, First Glass, Macy's, Godiva Chocolatier, Carl Boyd Maxwell, AIA Architect, SOHO’s, and Bluegrass Kitchen. Piano music was provided by Newton Hendricks and Larry Bragg during cocktails. DJ Jerry Fletcher coordinated the music for the rest of the show. Tim Forren of Forren Soil did an outstanding job turning the Broadway stage into a 60’s type environment. Jim Fletcher, David Fleshman, and their staff, did a great job setting up and catering the event. In June, we participated in the East End Main Street’s Garden Showcase which is a self-guided tour celebrating urban gardening in the historic East End neighborhood. Also, in June we became part of FestivALL when noted filmmaker, Bob Gates, made a photographic montage of the Garden for the festival’s StreetWorks installation. Amy Williams and Chris Dutch made the Garden a part of their outdoor art installation using language signs. In September, new officers and a new Board of Directors were elected for the 2009-2010 fiscal year at our annual Membership Meeting. The members elected the following persons to the Board of Directors: Dave Bailey, Leslie Bakker, Michael Canterbury, Jim Fletcher, Tim Forren, Larry Genrick, Don Hamric, Carl Maxwell, Bill Richards, Bob Rosier, Lynne Sandy, Bruce Severino, Robert Sheets, David Shumate, Steven Tompa, and Tim Whitener. Following the Membership Meeting, the newly formed Board of Directors met to elect new officers. Following the nomination process, the following persons were elected: Bruce Severino, President; Lynne Sandy, Vice President; Tim Whitener, Treasurer and Larry Genrick, Secretary. In October, we developed the property in the rear of the Garden into a landscaped parking space. The parking space features trees and shrubs to enhance the property, which was a large muddy, vacant lot. The City of Charleston built the parking space, and we used the grants from the Legislature to pay for the various elements of the space. Carl Boyd Maxwell, AIA Architect designed the parking space. Chapman Technical Group donated their services to survey the property and Forren Soil designed the landscaped areas. In November, Tricky Fish included us in their non profit program. Jon and Keeley Steel, the owners of Tricky Fish, donated a percentage of the night’s profits to a different charity each Tuesday of the month. In December, we observed World AIDS Day with a candlelight observance at the Garden concluding an afternoon which included Dan Connery’s Yogaid at the Asbury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Joseph Jarrett said a prayer at the church and we awarded the new Red Ribbon Award to St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Susan Latimer accepted the award on behalf of the church. Chuck Anziulewicz gave a very moving names reading at the Garden. Rabbi Victor Urecki said a prayer in Hebrew and English for those who have died from HIV/AIDS. Sponsors included Covenant House, Rainbow Pride of WV, the Garden, and Asbury United Methodist Church. Food Among the Flowers donated hot chocolate and apple cider. Organizers were Lynne Sandy, Amy Weintraub, Phil Hainen, Jeff Crist, David Shumate, Carl Maxwell, Chuck Anziulewicz and Margo Friend. On December 1, 2009, The Pyles and Turner Foundation gave a generous grant to the Garden to help defray the cost of architectural services incurred in the construction of the Garden’s new landscaped parking area. On December 6, 2009, Mike Duda, owner of the Red Carpet Lounge, organized the fourth annual Soup Day at the Carpet as a fundraiser for the Garden. This year, 18 different soups were featured for a donation to the Garden’s maintenance fund. Mike did a great job putting together this unique and very tasty fundraiser. Also, in December we held the fourth annual Christmas Dance which featured Larry Varney as Santa Claus and his Elves, played by Carl Maxwell, Jasmine Carmichael, and Lynne Sandy. The performers were Laura Beth, Jasmine Carmichael, Bridget Nichols, Joanna Walters, XTC, and Michelle St. James along with Danny May and Ralph Carr. This year, our annual “Light Up the Garden” event was again generously funded by the Bernice Pickens Parsons Foundation. Nature’s Window, owned by Tim Cook and John Long, installed the holiday lights. This year we will continue to raise money for the fund we established with the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. Thank you for supporting the Garden, and we hope all of you have a prosperous and happy 2010.
L. Bruce Severino, President Larry Genrick, Chair, Fundraising Committee
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