The 36th Annual Garden Walk will be held Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). Sponsored by the Munroe-Meyer Institute Guild
at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, proceeds will support MMIs
therapeutic, training, and research activities benefiting children, youth
and adults with developmental disabilities and chronic handicapping conditions.
Advance tickets are $8 through Friday, Jun. 6. Tickets will be $10 on
the day of the event at all gardens. Children under 12 are free.
Stroller access is limited.
A preview party will be held June 6 at the OKeefe Elevator Building,
1402 Jones St. A silent auction, cocktails and guest tours of the
refurbished facility will begin at 6:30 p.m. The OKeefe Building has garnered
a number of national awards for its renovation. A Cityscape Barbecue
dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., followed by a dessert and coffee bar
on the roof at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75.
Visitors will tour gardens at seven locations. The homeowners are:
· Becky Anderson and Bill Minier, 5611 Leavenworth St. Mature
black walnut trees shade their 1924 English Tudor home and carriage house.
The once flat terrain now features relaxing garden zones defined by elevation,
plantings, screens, benches, paths and other elements inviting the visitor
to stop and linger. Owners do all the gardening.
· Carol and Craig Anderson, 5678 Marcy St. Their garden is a
combination of informal European, oriental and woodsy spaces. Oriental
screens and a delightful pond surround the courtyard.
· Cathy and Michael Collins, 5121 Cuming St. This corner lot
is surrounded by an eye-catching wonder of color. An arch of flowers greets
visitors at the side entrances that open to a private patio, pond and bountiful
beds of glorious flowers.
· Linda and Ed Cummings, 16032 Nottingham Drive. Their home overlooks
a five-acre wooded ravine with a park-like area surrounding the house.
There is a footbridge, trails and a pond. Visitors also will have limited
access to a nature sanctuary. This is an unbelievable setting nestled inside
the Omaha city limits.
· Donna and Paul Knutson, 1722 S. 84th St. They have a unique
garden with sweeping beds of perennials, evergreen trees and shrubs. Separate
garden spaces are created from stone, wood and iron. A childs garden with
butterfly bushes, donkey tails and more surrounds a play area along with
a wonderful koi fish pond that adds a cooling touch to the landscape.
· Jo Ann and Donald Volenec, 5042 Frederick St. The focal point
of this yard is a stand of majestic blue spruce trees. There are
120 varieties of hostas and more than 125 different perennials. The Volenecs
maintain their own garden.
· Joslyn Castle and Arboretum, 3902 Davenport St. This
historic Omaha landmark joins the Garden Walk as part of Joslyn’s centennial
celebration. The Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and is a designated local landmark. In the spring of 1996,
the grounds became the first Historic Landmark Site of the Nebraska Statewide
Arboretum. The site is home of two Nebraska State Champion trees,
an English Oak and a Ginko. Visitors also will be able to tour the first
floor of the Castle.
Nursery personnel will be available at each host garden to answer questions.
Refreshments will be available at various sites, as well as garden-related
vendors with special items to sell.
Tickets may be purchased at: Hy-Vee Stores (all locations); Earl May
Nursery and Garden Center, 9229 W. Center Rd., 13130 West Dodge Rd., 420
N. Galvin Road, Bellevue, and 1718 Madison Ave., Council Bluffs; Havers
Nursery, 8032 Maple St.; Indian Creek Nursery, 303 N. Saddle Creek Rd.;
Lanoha Nursery, 192nd and W. Center Rd.; Moores Landscaping and Nursery,
11999 Cryer Ave.; Mulhalls Home and Garden Showplace, 120th and W. Maple
Rd.; Sherbondys Home and Garden Showplace, 319 16th Ave., Council Bluffs;
Finke Garden and Nursery, 500 N. 66th St. Campbells Garden Center, Lincoln;
and Cornerstone Gifts, second floor, University of Nebraska Medical Centers
Durham Outpatient Center.
For more information contact Phyllis Choat, president of the Munroe
Meyer Guild, at 330-6219. Advance tickets also are available by calling
559-6460 or via mail at: Garden Walk Tickets, Munroe-Meyer Institute, 985450
Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5450.