Crafting for the Holidays

As we head into the holiday season the Botanical Gardens is gearing up for some fun crafting events in December!

First, on Thursday, December 6, we have two sessions for you to prepare and take home several small containers of lotions, salves and lip balms, all perfect ideas for the holidays!  You will leave with a great deal of knowledge to create your own goodies at home.
Session 1 will be held from 9-11 am and session 2 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  This event is $27.

Get ready on Friday, December 7, to learn how to make a live wreath at the Greenery Wreaths Workshop!  Participants will use greenery collected from the Garden and wire frames to build wreaths that will last through the holiday season.  Please bring your pruning shears.
The workshop will be held 5:30-7:30 pm and is $27.

On Thursday, December 20, come out and make your own holiday centerpiece!  Make sure to bring your favorite container and pruning shears and the Garden will provide a range of materials for you to use for your design.  The event will be held from 9 am- 12 pm and is $27.

So grab your friends and family and join us as we celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Please visit botgarden.uga.edu for more information.

Holiday Open House Sunday, December 2, 2012

The community is invited to celebrate the holidays at the State Botanical Garden of Georiga’s annual Holiday Open House and enjoy free, family-friendly entertainment in the decorated tropical conservatory. Holiday music by the Georgia Children’s Chorus, the Solstice Sisters, and the Classic City Band will fill the room. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photographs and wishes from 2-5, with photography available from Mark Parsons Photography.



Children can enjoy puppet shows that will teach them about nature. Parents can browse through the Garden shop for ornaments and gifts and visit Donderos’ Kitchen to indulge in house-made hot chocolate and treats.


Musical performances will begin with the Georgia Children’s Chorus from 2:15-3, followed by the Solstice Sisters 3:15-3:50, and concluding with the Classic City Band from 4-5. Puppet shows will be offered at 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 in the Children’s Classroom.  Come out with the family and enjoy an afternoon of fun with us!


For more information please call 706-542-1244 or visit botgarden.uga.edu. The event is free to the public.

An Unforgettable Run

 

This is a guest blog post by UGA student Maggie Harrelson.

I can feel the slight breeze moving along with me as I watch the leaves fall around me with each step. I keep thinking I have found my own private path to run on until I see an occasional passerby. Before I know it, I have completed my routine run at the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia.

 

I had one of Georgia’s most captivating sites at my back door, and it took me until my sophomore year at the University of Georgia to finally explore the gardens.

 

After deciding to start my millionth diet for the year, my roommate convinced me to go on a run with her on one of the trails at the Botanical Garden. I honestly was not too thrilled about our planned run, but I was on my “diet” so I agreed to go with her.

 

Once we arrived at the Garden, we made our way to the White Trail and started our run. We kept a slow pace to take in the early spring weather and to figure out the path. I quickly began to forget that I was exercising, and I focused my attention on my surroundings.

The path was challenging, but I was so distracted by the scenery that I did not even care how much longer we had till we were done. We would come across the river or a rugged area of the trail, and we would take a quick break and walk the path.

 

When we made it to the end of the trail, we were surprised to find that we had covered three miles during our run. We were so excited about our discovery of an enjoyable workout that we made a point to keep the Garden as a habitual part of our college life.

 

In the weeks that followed I became more familiar with the Botanical Garden and realized it had several different attractions.

 

The Botanical Garden features several different types of gardens for its visitors including an amazing indoor garden that features water fountains and tropical plants.

 

A café can also be found at the visitor’s center, and it has free WiFi which makes for an ideal place to study.

Believe it or not, you can avoid having to fight for a study room just to find a quiet area to concentrate.

 

One of the best stories I have heard about the Garden was from a friend recently that told me about the “perfect date” her boyfriend surprised her with. He drove her to the Garden and took her on one of the trails to find a picnic set up by the river.

 

After hearing her story, the Garden did seem like the perfect place to have the perfect date with the perfect guy. Let’s all hope her boyfriend has brothers.

 

While I can’t promise a perfect date for everybody’s first experience at the Garden, I can say that it will be a memorable one. It is a landmark of Athens that we have the privilege of experiencing, so take a little time out of this picturesque fall season to visit!