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As published in The Fringed Gentian™

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Vol. 72 - 2024 - Spring: What is Awe? A ski race in Wirth Park? Finding a rare plant? Summer:History of the Showy Lady's Slipper as State flower. Fall: Update on Friends projects, volunteer report, quotes from visitors, annual meeting.

Vol. 71 - 2023 - Spring: Taking part in the Christmas Bird Count. Summer: Childrens education in the natural world and our Transportation Grant Program Fall: The resurrection of the Minnesota State Fair Exhibit.

Vol. 70 - 2022 - Spring: History of Rosalie Edge and Hawk Mountain, Great-horned owl actitivy in late Winter. Summer: More activity notes on the Great-horned owls, notes on Clinton Odell, update on Sumner Library project. Fall: An explanation of wildflower guides.

Vol. 69 - 2021 - First year letters from new President Jennifer Olson. Spring: Relaxing from Covid with outdoor activities. Summer: Replanting in the Garden; upcoming annual meeting. Fall: End of the Garden season, annual meeting announcement, change in support fees.

Vol. 68 - 2020 - Seasonal letters from President Kathy Connelly. Spring: Kathy focuses on the effects of climate change and what we can do. Summer: Kathy writes diversity and how the Friends are examining our relationships, our board function, and our membership. Fall: President Connelly's last letter. Annual meeting notes, new mission statement and DEI statement.

Vol. 67 - 2019 - Seasonal Letters from President Kathy Connelly. Spring - The Garden's significance, board nominations, new articles of incorporation. Summer - Completion of the Garden boardwalk is discussed and the advent of new infrastructure for the Garden. The 75th anniversary of the Upland Garden is noted. Fall - Details on the proposed updates to the Garden Shelter.

Vol. 66 – 2018 – Seasonal letters from President Kathy Connelly. Spring - Recent Board of Directors actions about our programs. Summer - The beauty of the Wildflower Garden. Fall - Changes in Board Member assignments.

Vol. 65 – 2017 - pdf file – Seasonal letters. Spring - Pam Weiner's last letter as President - She launches Campaign 175 - recognizing the 110 year of the Garden and the 65th year of The Friends - to raise funds for the continuation of the wetland boardwalk. She announces a special celebration at the Garden on June 10 and 11 - Showy Lady's Slipper Days. Summer - New Friends President Kathy Connelly writes her first president's letter thanking Pam for her service and listing a number of points to be grateful for about the Garden and The Friends. Fall: Kathy summarizes the strength of the Friends and how we always need additional support for the Garden.

Vol. 64 – 2016 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Spring - Pam discusses the experience of nature and speaks of Wordsworth's poem "The Tables Turned" from which comes the phrase over the Garden Gate. Summer - Pam speaks of many summer things around the Garden and Curator Susan Wilkins' new child. Fall: Pam reviews the past season and announces our next fundraising effort to complete the wetland boardwalk.

Vol. 63 – 2015 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Spring - Pam welcomes us to the Spring season and details the Schutt house and garden tour fundraiser set for this summer. Summer - Pam announces the installation of the new marsh boardwalk will take place this summer, and addresses the need for more shelter volunteers. Fall: Year end summation.

Vol. 62 – 2014 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Spring - Pam delves into "plant intelligence", discusses the progress on the Boardwalk in the Garden, announces our new volunteer coordinator, Lauren Husting and makes plans for the the summer Garden Party on Aug. 3. Summer - Pam reviews the Friends two major projects: The Cary George Wetland Project and the Student Transportation Grant Program. Fall - Pam sums up a successful year for the Friends.

Vol. 61 – 2013 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Spring - Pam reviews the last winter's Volunteer event and discusses goals and projects for 2013. Summer - Pam sees what kids learn from a Naturalist's talk and reviews the subparts of how the Friends help the Garden. Fall - Pam reviews the past season and the Volunteer Appreciation Event held in November.

Vol. 60 – 2012 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Winter - she describes winter events and updates us on the Friends efforts to raise money for the Cary George Wetland Project. Spring - Pam describes the events planned for the 60th anniversary of the Friends. Fall - Pam reviews the 60th Anniversary Garden Party and updates membership on coming changes to the newsletter.

Vol. 59 – 2011 - pdf file – Seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Winter - she reviews the past season and the move of the Loppet Ski Trail away from the Garden Buffer Zone. Spring - She welcomes the spring season and introduces the Cary George Wetland Project. Summer - She reviews the climate of spring and early summer and compares to the 1925 season. Fall - Pam describes how delightful autumn can be; reviews the upcoming volunteer appreciation event and updates on the Friends efforts to raise money for the Cary George Wetland Project.

Vol. 58 – 2010 - pdf file – 4 seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Fall - she writes about the visual wonder of the Garden and how artists have interpreted it. Summer - reflection about the importance of individual actions and the work of The Friends. Spring - she welcomes spring and writes on the Friends expectations for the 2010 season. Winter - she writes on the paying attention to nature and the renewal of life, with comments from Thoreau.

Vol. 57 – 2009 - pdf file – 4 seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Fall - her letter is on the past Garden season and The Friends educational emphasis as outlined in our mission statement. Summer - she writes on some of Eloise Butler's favorite blooming plants of the Summer Garden. Spring - she writes on the beginning of the Garden's 102nd year, on Board Member needs and directions for 2009, and on the upcoming Annual Meeting of The Friends. Winter - she comments on the past Garden season and what the Friends have accomplished this past year.

Vol. 56 – 2008 - pdf file – 4 seasonal letters from President Pam Weiner. Fall - she reflects on the experience of a quiet day in the Garden while volunteering at the Martha Crone Shelter. Summer - she comments on the progress of invasive plant removal in the Garden and in Wirth Park. Spring - she covers the arrival of spring, introduces new Editor of The Fringed Gentian, comments on her study of ecology. Winter - she writes on the challenges for the 2nd century of the garden. Review of events of 2007

Vol. 55-4 – Autumn 2007 - pdf file – Pam Weiner: Her First letter as President of The Friends.

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