News release from the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory:
What’s Happening at the Botanical Conservatory in February
$1 Nights
February 4, 5 – 8 pm
On the first Thursday night, 5 – 8 pm, of each month we offer a $1 admission price for both adults and children (instead of the usual $5 & $3). Babies and up to age 2 are still admitted free. For more information, call (260) 427-6440.
Thursday Night Insight: Woven Heart
Thursday, February 4, 6 – 7 pm
Have a heart this February… in fact, have a paper or felt heart! Crafter, Darlene Tomkinson will walk you
through weaving a paper or felt heart just in time for Valentine’s Day. It’s a fun and simple craft that can be enjoyed by anyone. Enjoy a “creative moment” on the first Thursday of the month. Pick up some new ideas and enjoy free coffee and tea. Special Conservatory admission is just $1. Members and children under 2 admitted free.
Sweetheart Orchid Arbor
February 9 – 28
Make a date for the Botanical Conservatory and bring your sweetie down to enjoy our lovely indoor gardens and a special display of orchids just in time for Valentine’s Day. Take a moment with a camera or cell phone to capture your darling under a heart-shaped arbor planted with a cascade of red “Valentine” orchids or in the lush tropical garden. The gift shop offers sweet gifts and souvenirs. Sorry – no pets allowed. Regular Conservatory admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free.
Rocks & Minerals: How + Why?
Saturday, February 13, 1 – 2:30 pm
Chet Perkins, a long time member of the Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society and a Certified Geology Merit Badge Counselor with the Boy Scouts, will discuss the three basic rock groups and their mineral content along with examples of each. Learn how to identify common minerals with hands-on participation that include the Mohs Hardness Test and the Scratch Test. The program will also cover the importance of minerals in our everyday lives and will look at how Indiana geodes are formed, with some examples.Ages 7+. Registration deadline: February 5. Min. 10. Max. 25. Fee: $8/public; $4/Conservatory member or volunteer. Location: Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call (260) 427-6000.
Organic vs Chemical Lawn Care
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Penny Alles, Advanced Master Gardener and Plant Diagnostic Specialist, will share both traditional
and modern ideas on how to get that green lawn you desire. Whether you prefer chemicals or a more organic approach, you will leave with your own personal checklist and schedule to follow. Ages 13+. Registration deadline: February 11. Min. 10. Max. 32. Fee: $12/public; $6/Conservatory member or volunteer. Location: Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call (260) 427-6000.
Pre-Historic Party
Saturday, February 20, 10 am – 3 pm
What’s your favorite dinosaur: the T-Rex? Apatosaurus? Triceratops? Or do you prefer the scary tusks of the saber-toothed tiger and mastodon? This winter the Conservatory is hosting a Pre-Historic Party, and you’re invited! Wear a costume or get your face painted once you’re here. We’ll ask you to write or draw what you know about dinosaurs or fossils so you can share with other “Dig This!” garden visitors. Then we’ll all have fossil fun with crafts, games, and light refreshments. Regular Conservatory admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free.
Hydro Tea 2
Thursday, February 25, 6 – 7:30 pm
Matt’s back! Fingerle that is . . . If you missed him last time, here’s another opportunity to learn about Hydro Tea and other unique growing methods such as Riverponics, air pruning, soil gardening combined with hydroponics, self-watering gardens, wicking gardens, compost, compost brewers, compost tea and vortexing. If you were fortunate enough to attend last time, this class will have added content as well as be more hands-on. Say goodbye to tiling, weeding and watering and place a garden where you once thought impossible! All ages. Registration deadline: February 18. Min. 10. Max. 32. Fee: $8/public; $4/Conservatory member or volunteer. Location: Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call (260) 427-6000.
Family Garden Close-Up: Mesmerizing Minerals
Saturday, February 27, 11 am – 1 pm
Visit the Botanical Conservatory on the fourth Saturday of each month to get a closer look at our plants and gardens through short walks, crafts, and snacks. We will discover a different feature each time so you get to see what the Conservatory has to offer and learn fun and valuable information. Minerals are defined as solid inorganic substances of natural occurrence . . . but geodes are more exciting than they sound. These seemingly ordinary rocks may hide beautiful crystals on the inside. In February, break open your very own geode to see what all the excitement is about. FGC is especially fun for young learners. The activities are included in your regular Conservatory admission fee: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free. (Members and volunteers admitted free.)
“English Garden” Flower Arranging
Saturday, February 27, 1- 2 pm
The English Garden is a unique style of its own in fresh floral arranging. In this session we will focus on the placement and selection of flowers to create an arrangement in the style of Old England. Registration deadline: February 19. Min. 10. Max. 25. Fee: $52/public; $44/Conservatory member or volunteer. Enroll in all three winter workshops (December, January and February) and receive a $10 discount. Location: Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call (260) 427-6000.
“Dig This!”
Through April 10
This winter, young adventurers can don their explorer vests and pith helmets to explore mysteries hidden underground. Why do people dig? What do they look for? Try out your digging- and-finding skills with different tools and media. Will you find dinosaur bones? Maybe you’ll uncover fossils and discover cool rocks and minerals. Can a person dig all the way to China? Enjoy our active learning garden as a winter retreat, full of lush green plants and colorful flowers. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Sponsored by WAJI Majic 95.1 and Fun 101.7 Classic Hits.
Art Display — Julie Wall Toles: Printmaking
Through February
The prints of Julie Wall Toles will be on display at the Botanical Conservatory for those enjoying garden admission. Inspired by growth, transformation, and change Julie utilizes an array of natural organic imagery paired with simplified geometric shapes to create pieces that depict a balance between two worlds. Push and pull, give and take, ebb and flow are ideologies behind her current work. She is interested in the fragility of life and the unavoidable presence of death, and our necessity as a culture to fill our lives with things, people and situations we find difficult to handle. Julie’s recent work utilizes two different printmaking techniques: relief printing and intaglio printing, one being an additive way to create an image and the other subtractive. Pairing the two together allows her to explore textures and layering. Her more traditional 2-dimensional work is complimented by the use of 3-dimensional objects altered slightly to fit her overall theme. Julie enjoys creating work that not only hangs on a wall but encompasses the space around the viewer, bringing them into the work. Regular Conservatory admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free.
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