The July 19th and 20th Garden Days at the USC Arboretum were a great success. We had a work day for the neighborhood-sponsored CANDO gardens outside the Arboretum on Saturday prior to the monthly Sunday Open House for the Arboretum. We had eight hard workers show up for the Saturday work morning and about 20 visitors come through the Open House on Sunday.


Many, many thanks to Barbara and Mike Brothers of Blossom Street, Rannie French of LaBruce Lane, Larry Hembree of Kalmia, Valerie Marcil of Robin Hood Court, Dero Myers of LaBruce Lane, Sue Nelson of Robin Hood Court, and Buster Yandle of Kalmia for pulling weeds, cutting back and digging up invasive vines, picking up trash and fallen branches, planting pretty begonias, and blowing the street edges clean on Saturday.

The group worked hard all morning with great results, but perhaps the best part was the camaraderie. We had a great time talking and getting to know each other as we worked and enjoyed refreshments. Someone even suggested that we should have neighborhood workday for our own yards (take turns helping each other out) since working together made the tasks more enjoyable. An idea to think about!

In addition to the workers, we had five interested folks from the neighborhood stop on Saturday by to learn more about the the gardens and the USC Arboretum.

The work day was planned to spruce up the gardens before the Arboretum Open House the following day, July 20th. Two very dedicated volunteers, Rosemary Biscardi and Charlotte McCreary, served as greeters for the Open House and reported about 20 visitors during the afternoon. Again, many thanks are due to these two women who frequently give of their time to the Arboretum. Charlotte lives on Robin Hood Court and Rosemany doesn't even live in the neighborhood (although she still owns a house here)!

All in all the weekend was a great success and, so, we will have another work day on Saturday, August 16th, right before the Sunday, August 17th Arboretum Open House. In August, Pat DeCoursey, arboretum manager, has asked for help inside the Arboretum, so helpers on August 16th will have an opportunity to spend time working in the Arboretum itself. If you want more information or are interested in helping either day, please contact Valerie Marcil (738-0682 or vallg29205@gmail.com).