Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
2011 ‘Golden Trowel Awards’ Volunteer Picnic
Mercer volunteers bring you the biggest and best plant sale annually in March. Their expertise and plant choices are celebrated throughoutTexas. To carry off an event of this size takes year round planning and hard work. Mercer volunteers are instrumental in all areas of the gardens and the staff recognizes and appreciates their incredible talents and dedication.
Betty Boyland and Barbara Davidson receive Golden Trowel Awards from Director Darrin Duling.
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Staff enthusiastically award Golden Trowels to volunteers annually at the October Volunteer Picnic. This is the equivalent of our Academy Awards. It is always a challenge to choose winners as our volunteers continually commit extra effort to help Mercer grow. In 2011 the field was narrowed to a selection of eight outstanding recipients. Once again, we had a great team effort with everyone helping out in all areas of the garden.
Mercer Golden Trowel Awards went to…
Ernest Alphin - Digging in the dirt for irrigation, rock work, planting and propagating
Barbara Ashburn -March Mart Plant Guide cover and printing, Garden Party/Auction
Barbara Ashburn received Golden Trowel Award from Darrin Duling
Betty Boyland - March Mart Cottage Hospitality, Greenhouse Volunteer
Barbara Davidson - March Mart Cottage Hospitality, 2011 Summer Orchid and Tropical Symposium, Garden Party/ Auction, Greenhouse Volunteer and ExxonMobil Volunteer.
Bill Harriman - March Mart Trees & Shrubs group, serves on the TMS Board committees for the Gift Shoppe & Membership and now is the TMS Board of Directors President.
Director Darrin Duling awards new TMS Board President Bill Harriman with the Golden Trowel Award.
Judi Redilla - Wednesday Greenhouse Volunteer, Assists the March Mart Shade Committee, Arranged Tour of the Pearl Museum with the Wednesday group of volunteers.
Peggy Block - March Mart Hospitality working in the Café, Garden Party Hospitality (she makes amazing cupcakes), and working with the Ginger Group.
Judy Bass - National Charity League liaison bringing 100+ new volunteers helping
Relatively new volunteer, Judy Bass earned the Golden Trowel Award in 2011
with Special Events like set up for the Garden Party, preparation for and working at the annual fall Garden Faire and Festival - Kid’s Korner and Face Painting activities. Judy also volunteers in the gardens on Tuesdays.