~~~ McKee Botanical Garden Hosts 17th Annual Garden Club Of America Day ~~~ Vero Vine ~~~ Vero Beach, FL

VERO BEACH, FL – March 6, 2020 – On Thursday, March 5, McKee Botanical Garden hosted the 17^th Annual GCA Day which attracted over 100 women, all current or past members of GCA clubs (Garden Club of America) across the nation. They gathered in the spirit of friendship to lend support to McKee Botanical Garden, a jewel of the Treasure Coast. The day was filled with an inspiring lecture, delicious luncheon, and an optional walk through the garden where 2 entertaining installations, Ocean Sole Africa Sculpture Exhibition and “Grand Central”, stickwork sculpture, awaited them.

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“Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life” was the topic of the talk by Marta McDowell, an award-winning author who is a lecturer at the New York Botanical Garden and an historic landscape consultant. Marta focused on Emily’s passion for gardening, and explored how the “pen and trowel” shaped her poetry and empowered her life. Autographed copies of Marta’s book, Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life were available for purchase. Marta McDowell is a member of the Garden Club of Madison.

After the lecture, guests enjoyed a wonderful luncheon served by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co, in the historic Hall of Giants, once home to the McKee family’s exotic animal collection.

The GCA Committee included Hona Benham, Helen Bloom, Penny Buzby Lyn Callen, Barrie Fahey, Katie Heins, Stephanie Hurtt, Kitty Kirby, Lee LaPointe, Chris Larson, Susan Levy (Event Chair), Ellie Lloyd, Susie Markert, Karen Meyer, Jane Padwee, Mary Ellen Partel, Marcia Poutiatine, Kate Schmidt, and Mary Lou Young.

About McKee

McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach.

Photos by Cynthia Bluff

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Nikki Kalin

Nikki Kalin literally has the Treasure Coast, especially Vero Beach as her home and her office. Having grown up and educated in Indian River County Nikki works with a deep knowledge to tend Vero Vine with a continual reach into all the communities of the Treasure Coast. She is in the vineyard virtually every day. Following its growth, nurturing start-ups, longtime roots, and branches of businesses, non-profits, municipalities, and everyday people. Nikki makes certain Vero Vine is connected.

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