Garden Fund Newsletter 2012
GARDEN FUND OVERVIEW
Since its founding in 2007, the Community Garden Charitable Fund’s sole purpose has been to assist in the beautification of Pinecrest Gardens, a historic property that consists of fourteen acres of winding pathways, ponds,rivulets,limestone outcroppings, and a dramatic topography. This unique and historic site is a destination for local residents and visitors who find a place for natural discovery within the wonder of rare sub-tropical plant life. The work of the Fund is to continuously help to enhance this ever changing piece of paradise by targeting and funding specific botanical improvement projects there. To date, we have raised significant funds and have used them to noticeably improve several of the Gardens’ most frequented areas.
GARDEN FUND SOIREE-STEPHEN MARLEY FEBRUARY 24, 2012
For the past five years, the Garden Fund has hosted a mid-winter soiree on 
the beautiful grounds of the Gardens. This event is our largest fundraiser, and people have come to look forward to an enchanting and entertaining evening that benefits one of the most spectacular natural gardens in all of South Florida. This year’s fete will take place on Friday,February 24, 2012. The gates will open,and guests will roam beneath the stars and twinkling lights where they will experience the Gardens when it most shines.
For the admission price of $125 per person, attendees will be wined and dined, have a chance to purchase art, jewelry and trips at drastically reduced prices, and to be entertained in the beautiful Banyan Bowl by 2012 Grammy nominated recording artist Stephen Marley, ”acoustic and unplugged”. Concert only tickets are available for $40 per person.
The Fund’s board is honored to be presenting Stephen Marley, who is known throughout the world for his original and classic take on upbeat reggae music. The Banyan Bowl is an acoustically superior venue that seats over 530 guests, and we anticipate a sold out evening.
We are accepting sponsorships for this annual fundraiser. Sponsors will be given advance recognition in all of our publicity. To sponsor the soiree, or to purchase tickets, call 305-669-1028, or visit our website at gardenfund.org.The Garden Fund thanks the sponsors who have supported us both in the past and presently. They include the Village of Pinecrest, NCL Cruise Line,Whole Foods Market, BacardiUSA, Maurice’s Jewelers, and the Corradino Group.
Tickets are on sale, and can be purchased by calling the Garden Fund’s office at 305-669-1028. We look forward to seeing you there for one of Pinecrest Gardens’ rare and magical nighttime events.
GARDEN FUND FOUNDER HONORED
Several years ago a woman named Karen Mashburn had a vision. She was a master gardener and long time community activist, and when the Village of 
Pinecrest purchased the old Parrot Jungle property, she was enthralled with the potential this wondrous garden held. That mood was soon dispelled, as budgetary realities and the ravages of two hurricanes left their toll, leaving the Gardens in terrible disrepair. The newly anointed Pinecrest Gardens clearly needed help, and using the skills that she had honed over the years, a group was gathered, non-profit status was obtained, and the Community Garden Charitable Fund was born.
Many bumps and obstacles later, the Garden Fund is now an established entity in the village of Pinecrest, and local government heartily embraces the vision and the work that Karen began. Health issues have dictated that Karen now takes a temporary back seat, but her intentions and drive have inspired those of us who continue her work. A recent article in the Pinecrest Tribune focused on Karen, what she has accomplished, and the huge impact that she has had on our community. Her tenacity and unwavering love of a garden has been contagious, and because of her a light now shines on fourteen ever-improving acres in the heart of a little village. The Garden Fund’s board of directors is gratified that through this article Karen has received the recognition that she so deserves, and we look to her example as we carry on in her stead.
PROJECTS UNDERWRITTEN BY FUND
• Purchase of hundreds of orchids for the tree canopy.
• Refurbishing of the colonnade area adjacent to the meadow.
• Purchase and installation of royal Poinciana trees.
• Creation of a “Hidden Garden’ and pathway into the hardwood hammock.
• Clean-up and replanting of a large tract adjacent to the terrace area.
• Creation of a “rainforest grotto” in the lower garden.
• Work will soon begin on our latest project which is the planting of the area around the western perimeter of the Banyan Bowl. We will also be funding the installation of a mosaic surface on the Hidden Garden’s pathway.
MEMBERSHIP PARTY DRIVE
In November at a reception at Pinecrest resident Diane Patrick’s beautiful 
home, Garden Fund supporters and members came together to celebrate and endorse the Garden Fund’s work. It was the official kick-off of the season, and a chance to reaffirm commitments by once again joining us. Our membership program offers an opportunity to those who understand that a world-class botanical garden is constantly growing and changing; always in need of vision in order to move forward, and loving care in order to be maintained.
For a yearly contribution of $60, Garden Fund members become part of a dynamic organization that works closely with local government to ensure the continuous support and evolution of beautiful Pinecrest Gardens. Membership has its rewards as well. Twice yearly we will be offering our members an orchid or bromeliad which will be distributed from our office at the Whilden-Carrier cottage on the Gardens’ grounds adjacent to the library. For information on how to join the Fund, call 305-669-1028.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lynn Wille Fichman, President
Pat Vandenberg, Vice-President
Candy McDonald, Secretary
Ricardo Garbati, Treasurer
Paul Sasso, Esquire
Karen Mashburn, Chairman Emeritus
Christian Armstrong
Annette Bonnier
Ellen Book
Sharon Kujawa
Cedella Marley
Betty McCarthy
Stella McLaughlin
Debra Wellins
NEWSLETTER CREDITS
Written by Lynn Wille Fichman
Edited by Debra Wellins
Photos & Design by Annette Bonnier
