VOLUNTEER VIEWS  
October-November 2017
On behalf of the Garden, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thanks to you for sharing your time, energy, and talents in helping the Garden grow and prosper. Your impressive dedication that all of us have witnessed during the post-Irma clean-up has been a true testament of resilience. You are indeed the reason for our everyday success and words will never be enough to express our deepest gratitude.
 Isabel Sanchez, Director of Volunteer Services
A CONVERSATION WITH VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIRECTOR 

Fairchild Botanical Garden is pleased to welcome Isabel Sanchez as the new Director of Volunteer Services. She started in her new position on August 1st, 2017. Previously, she was an Educator and Volunteer Manager at Zoo Miami for over 12 years. FTBG Volunteer Julieta Jacob interviewed her for Volunteer Views. Click he re to learn more about Isabel.
VOLUNTEERS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS AND PLANTS IN THE GARDEN
Tom Brown
Tom likes the baobab tree and the gebang palm ( corypha utan ). Both have unique and interesting stories. The gebang palm, from Southeast Asia and located in the Lowlands, lives up to 60 years and dies after blooming once. He also enjoys the shower of orchids (c ongea tomentosa ) in the Vine Pergola. He thinks it is spectacular when in bloom. 
Jean Hawa
The Vine Pergola is Jean’s favorite spot. She takes pleasure in seeing the flowers change as the seasons change. Winter is particularly enjoyable as the vines bloom more often and the sky is a beautiful blue, and it is cooler. She finds it fun looking at the birds, like the cardinal, and the agama agama lizard. Being part of helping  to keep the Garden beautiful gives Jean great pleasure.
Jim Schmucker
For Jim there are many neat plants in the Garden, just check the “What’s Blooming” monthly list. He marvels at the frangipani ( plumeria ), the torch ginger (e tlingera eliator ), and the fried egg tree (o ncoba spinosa ). He also likes the bird of paradise ( strelitzia ), the desert rose, and the cacao tree ( t heobroma cacao ). The Cobalt Heron sculpture by Dale Chihuly in the South Gate pond is also one of his favorites. If he had to pick a most admired plant, it would be the butterfly orchid tree by the Visitor Center. It has a mix of complex white and pink flowers that look like wings. 
RAMBLE DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Got treasure?
The Ramble Antiques and Collectibles and Old Books Committees have been at work for months preparing for Fairchild's 77th Ramble Festival coming up soon - November 10, 11, and 12th. If you have china, silver, art, jewelry, ceramics, heirloom linens, and books to donate, contact Natalie White, nwhite@fairchildgarden.org or call 305.667.1651, x 3391. All proceeds support Fairchild.
Volunteers are needed to help at Ramble. To sign up, contact Niki Saylor, nsaylor@fairchildgarden.org , or call 305-667-1651, x 3324.
FRIENDS OF FAIRCHILD 
Wednesday, December 13th
All volunteers are invited to attend, meet other volunteers, and learn!  Bring a refreshment to share at 9:30 am; lecture begins at 10:00 am, Science Village Classroom.   No RSVP needed. 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR !

2017-18 Fairchild Events

1st Sunday of the month, November - May,
Glasshouse Cafe, 1 pm

Sunday, October 29, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday, October 31, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

A Fall Festival, featuring the 77th Annual Ramble Festival
November 10, 11 & 12, 2017
 
International Chocolate Festival
January 19, 20, & 21, 2018
 
International Orchid Festival
March 9, 10, & 11, 2018
 
Spring Garden Festival
April 8 & 9, 2018
 
International Mango Festival
July 7 & 8, 2018
CLASSES AND TRAININGS
Core Classes

Required for new volunteers . Classes are offered twice per year, Fall and Spring. Classes will be held at Corbin Classroom A. To register volunteer@fairchildgarden.org or call 305.667.1651, x 3360

Natural History of South Florida , Roger Hammer, Author and Naturalist
Saturday, November 4, 10:00 am-noon

Fairchild's Landscape Architecture , Joanna Lombard, PhD, UM School of Architecture
Saturday, November 4, 1:00pm-3:00pm

~ IN MEMORIAM ~
Fairchild staff and volunteers mourn the loss of cherished members of the Fairchild family.

Norman Asmar loved the Garden and showed his support by participating in a variety of volunteer activities. He particularly enjoyed helping with his Palm Brownout team on Tuesday mornings. His dedication, humor, and can-do attitude will be missed.

Leslie Bowe , Director of Corporate and External Relations, will be remembered for his kindness, good humor and eternal optimism. Both staff and volunteers enjoyed working alongside Leslie at festivals and special events. His joyful spirit and enthusiasm for life will be sorely missed by all.

Betty Eber , known to many as ‘The Orchid Lady’, was an educator who shared her talent to excite children and guest as an Explorer Guide and Tram Driver. Betty’s knowledge and love of orchids made her the perfect choice to train volunteers before our International Orchid Festivals. Betty gave over 30 years to the Garden and according to her family, particularly enjoyed conducting tours for schoolchildren.

Betty (Elizabeth) McQuale gave over 25 years of service as a guide and Ramble volunteer. She provided walking tours for guests and supported the Education Department as a guide for school groups. Betty belonged to various plant societies and was always eager to learn about plants.

Larry Schokman , was a dedicated volunteer who gave 45 years of service to Fairchild in many program areas, including the Wings of the Tropics, Plant Sales, and Plant Consultants, in addition to his lifetime of professional achievements outside the Garden.

Patricia Shaw’s gentle demeanor and charm was the perfect fit for our Membership Team. Patricia loved people and was a keen observer, therefore could be frequently heard on the phone or with staff sharing her wit, insights, and stories. We are grateful she joined us for over 10 years as a volunteer and seasonal employee.
ON A FINAL NOTE

We love receiving photos of the Garden taken by our volunteers! Please send us your photos and we will find ways to share them either on the website or in Volunteer Views .
Thank you all for bringing such joy to the Garden. We are so grateful to you- our volunteers!
Photo by FTBG Volunteer Barry Pemsler