Gatekeepers of the Garden, the dedicated supporters affectionately regarded as McKee Botanical Garden’s “living endowment,” were welcomed to an invitational dinner last Wednesday evening to thank them for their support and celebrate the start of another exceptional season.
“We have a record 120 Gatekeepers,” said Christine Hobart, McKee’s executive director. She noted that while McKee had to close for six days over the summer due to heavy rains, the Garden lapped it up, growing even more lush and lovely than ever.
With a full moon overhead, guests mingled outdoors for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the picturesque Spanish Kitchen. They were entertained by Harmonic Progressions, a talented quartet of Vero Beach High School musicians, before moving into the Hall of Giants for dinner.
A delicious surf and turf dinner with a southern spin – beef filet with shrimp and grits – was prepared by Osceola Bistro Chef Christopher Bireley. On Nov. 1, Bireley also assumed management of the Osceola Bistro at McKee Garden, which will serve lunches Tuesday through Sunday.
“We’re going to keep a very small chalkboard menu; we’re keeping it fresh every day,” Bireley said, noting that customers needn’t pay Garden admission to dine in the café.
Hobart said all are looking forward to this year’s wonderfully inventive exhibition – Nature Connects, A LEGO Brick Exhibition by New York artist Sean Kenney, which begins Jan. 16 and runs through April 12.
Durable enough to withstand the elements, the LEGO nature-themed sculptures of plants and animals, ranging in size from 6 inches to almost 8 feet tall, will be positioned throughout the Garden’s trails and waterways, connecting art and nature one LEGO brick at a time.
McKee is encouraging LEGO aficionados to enter their Build Your Own LEGO Brick Creation Competition, which will feature youth, adult, and professional categories; registration deadline is Dec. 15. Sculptures, which must represent an original creation of a plant, animal or local landmark, will be displayed at the Garden with winners chosen by visitors.
“We’ll be bringing our grandchildren who love LEGOs; they’re coming down from Connecticut,” said longtime supporter Roz Allen, adding that she might just try entering the competition herself.
Also upcoming, Holidays at McKee, Dec. 20–22, will help kick off the season with nighttime viewings of the Garden trimmed in his holiday finest, with thousands of twinkling lights, music from a Wurlitzer organ, the always amazing garden-scale model train display, and of course a visit from Santa Claus. The illuminated magic continues with Nights of Lights, Dec. 27–29.
For more information, call 794-0601 or visit www.mckeegarden.org.