As Ohme Gardens 81^st year winds down, reflecting back over the season we saw many positive things happen.

Thanks to President Bonnie Orr and the Ohme Gardens Friends' Society, two new garden projects were completed this season.  The newly paved service road parking lot and ADA path allows easy access for all guests to enjoy better access to the Gardens and also participate in events.  This was made possible by a grant from the Wenatchee Central Lions Club's Dr. George Kingston Fund.   The completion of the sunken lawn waterfall and pond has added a special new feature for the Gardens.  A grant from the Community Foundation of NCW made this possible.

Many volunteers and several organizations helped with a variety of tasks from nursery and garden maintenance to renovation and replanting areas. AmeriCorps volunteers help plant over 100 flats of plants from our nursery.   Local Boy Scout Eagle projects by Rogan Eugene Clay, Keegan Dahlquist, Alex Boswell, Blake Stone, Collin Valison, John Delong, and Clayton Moss made significant contributions to the Gardens.  Gail Cerenzia logged in many dedicated hours each week.  Community service volunteers also helped out. 

Subaru of Cascade Auto Center sponsored our 2^nd Annual Summer Music Series which gives the community a special venue to enjoy live music.  Also, Tastebuds provided refreshments for concert patrons during the concerts this season. Thanks again to Sally Brawley for rounding up a great line-up for the 2010 Subaru Summer Music Series.

The Wells House players continued with three evenings of their popular Shakespearean plays under the direction of Rod Molzahn.  This year featured Love's Labour's Lost, the perfect play for an outdoor setting.

 Mother's Day Tea had chef Richard Kito's from the Ivy Wild Inn provide delicious refreshments for Mom's special Day. Michael from Michael's Photography was there taking memorable pictures for Mothers and their families.

Father's Fun Day: Golfing in the Gardens was the first ever event which included ten holes of putt-putt golf on six different garden lawns with lots of door prizes given away by generous donations from our event sponsors.

This season brought a brand new Information Kiosk to the Gardens.  Collin Valison, his helpers and New Generation Construction worked hard to build it. The Ohme Gardens Information Kiosk was made possible by the donations of materials by Home Depot, Western Materials, Big R and Glen Lueders, Wenatchee Sand & Gravel, Overall Construction and the design by Complete Design.

Collin working on the Information Kiosk for his Eagle Scout Project

This year's 8^th Annual Wine and Food Gala, on July 10th, was a sold out event! Thanks to Jan Lutz, of Wenatchee Wine Country, for her exceptional efforts organizing this year's Gala and the great pairings of wineries and food establishments at this special annual event.  Click Here for photos and video of this year's 2010 Wine & Food Gala.

Overall attendance has been steady, despite the economic downturn.  Thanks to all those who recommend us to friends and acquaintances.  Word of mouth is still our number one advertiser.

The future looks very bright as we continue to develop new partnerships and establish new relationships with businesses and people who are willing to help sustain and enable the Gardens to remain a memorable experience for future generations.

Please join us on Saturday, October 23rd for Make a Difference Day from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.  Several projects and maintenance tasks will be undertaken.

Sincerely,

Mike Short

Garden Administrator