Kentucky Governor’s Mansion Summer Solstice Celebration - Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Every once in awhile, we do an event that fills the room with good feelings, happiness and appreciation. The Summer Solstice celebration at the Governor’s Mansion on Saturday, June 21st was one of these special moments…

Not only was it for a great cause of raising money for the upkeep of the most beautiful Governor’s Mansion in the United States (while many other states are closing theirs due to budget constraints), everyone that attended had THE BEST TIME. Ann Evans, Executive Director of the Governor’s Mansion, knows how to throw a party with delicious food and refreshments while Beth Sebastian put together a centerpiece on the huge table that was the size of a Prius… it blew people away! Gorgeous! Roainn Ridley charmed her audience with ideas for all kinds of floral designs and John Morris from LV Harkness showed us how to set a table for summer get togethers ranging from informal to “you will never forget this luncheon in your life”. Proven Winners own Pat Seibel, Jon Carloftis and the Mansion’s Head Gardener, Sandy Perkins took us on a tour of the grounds that showcased the native plant material as well as the annual display in the Floral Clock and Formal Gardens that have never looked better. Stacey Hirvela of Proven Winners also gave an informative talk on her new book “Edible Spots and Pots” which taught the crowd how to have their favorite fruits and vegetables in the smallest of spaces.

But, perhaps the talk that put it all together was the exciting and informative one by Katy Moss Warner. Katy was the director of Disney World Horticulture from 1976-1990 (she must have started as a tot) so she taught us how horticulture can bring people back to a place over and over again. Also, President Emeritus of the American Horticulture Society, she is influential in the worthwhile program America in Bloom. If you create beauty in your towns and cities, both the citizens and visitors gain from this effort and it has a snowball effect of getting everyone involved. As in the words of another person who has made us stop and smell the roses, Martha Stewart, “Now that’s a good thing.”

Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton, 2013 James Beard Award Winners for their Canal House Cooks Everyday were the the speakers during lunch. What they are so good at, other than creating, cooking, photographing, designing their books….is being able to make people remember their favorite food stories and inspiring them to make more!

The big happy feeling of the day was seeing the 5 limestone urns graciously donated by Longshadow Garden Ornaments. The urns are the focal point of the formal garden and were much needed. Daniel and Charlotte Ward spoke to a full audience on how to integrate ornaments into their own spaces…very informative and inspirational.