With the understanding that all gardens need to be continually nurtured and revitalized in order to grow, McKee Botanical Garden is hoping to cultivate the next generation of leadership – McKee Avant Gardeners.
Former board president Matt McManus and wife Olivia were recently joined by Pete and Davis Benedict and Mike and Cathy Curley as hosts of an invitational, family-friendly BBQ and a Movie Night as the first of a series of activities and events designed to attract younger supporters.
The choice of the movie “Night at the Museum” was the perfect complement to the latest display at McKee, Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors Exhibition.
Once inside the gates, children broke free from their parents and scattered about. The young paleontologists were whisked back in time as they explored the lush foliage with flashlights, on the hunt for the exhibit’s ultra-realistic dinosaurs.
“And here is a big area of freedom!” exclaimed one young boy to his father, before darting off to join his friends.
There were squeals of delight as school friends and cousins greeted each other, many sitting together, sans adults, of course, to enjoy the delicious 14 Bones BBQ dinner with yummy chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Their parents were equally happy to socialize and enjoy the food and each other’s company, knowing that their children were safely occupied.
Eerie growls emanated from the exhibition’s 10 animatronic dinosaurs, whose heads and tails move, to the delight of the youngsters. Many could identify the creatures, which include the “mighty T. rex of North America, the bi-pedal predator Herrerasaurus, one of the first dinosaurs to appear on Earth, and the bizarre, bony-crested Oviraptor from Mongolia.”
“I just love McKee,” said Cathy Curley. “We’re trying to do some events for young families to get them more involved. It really does have something for everyone.”
She said the recent addition of the McKee Children’s Garden, a place where children can let their imaginations run wild, has been a godsend to parents.
“When your kids are little, this is a lifesaver,” said Curley. “It keeps them busy and they’re worn out by naptime.”
The creation of McKee Avant Gardeners is part of the strategic plan to establish McKee as “an environmental, cultural and educational leader in the community.” Their hope is to attract leaders with the “right blend of expertise, community connections, and diverse perspectives and sphere of influence” for today and into the future.
“It was a wonderful fun-filled evening for all,” said Christine Hobart, McKee executive director. “Our guests had an opportunity to explore the magic of the Garden at night, encounter dinosaurs, and sit back and enjoy the movie in the main greeting area. We are especially grateful to Matt and Olivia McManus, Pete and Davis Benedict, and Cathy and Mike Curley for hosting such a fun event and their enthusiasm and dedication to McKee.”
The dinosaur exhibit will remain on display through May 1, 2022. For more information about the exhibit and upcoming events, visit mckeegarden.org.
Photos provided
