Secrets from the Garden

Chandor Gardens Newsletter - December 2019

The halls have been decked with boughs of holly, and we've made everything look extremely jolly, so come on out to the garden while it is decorated to the hilt in a woodsy winter wonderland theme for the holidays. We closed the mansion down from November 12th through the Thanksgiving holidays to accommodate this intensive decorating, and our hard work has paid off. Included in the decorations are nine full-sized trees, countless wreaths and garlands, an array of ornaments, and two separate mini Christmas village vignettes! The mansion is open for viewing most days (unless we are hosting an event), and it is included on the Parker County Heritage Society's Candlelight Tour of Homes on December 14th. So there are plenty of opportunities to see the home decked out in the new old-fashioned way. Consider putting some cider or hot cocoa in your thermos, maybe pretend we aren't in Texas, and are, in fact, at the North Pole, then come join us and take a moment to revel in the joy of the holidays. Don't forget your camera!

Some dates to be mindful of are December 24th and 25th as well as January 1st as we will be closed for the holidays.

We can't wait to see you all throughout this merry month and would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season!

To ensure you stay up to date on events and happenings in the Garden, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Warmest wishes,
The Chandor Gardens Staff

Holiday Open House

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14th for our annual Holiday Open House, our most popular and festive of public events. Included on the Parker County Heritage Society's Candlelight Tour of Homes, the mansion is a must-see. We will have live holiday music, snacks and refreshments, and the man in red himself, Santa Claus, will be in attendance for the little ones from 2 to 4 p.m.! The Open House is from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Admission is Free!

You won't need tickets for the tour to come to our free Holiday Open House, but you will need to purchase tickets to see the other houses on the tour, and we strongly encourage you to do so. A lovely group of homes and venues, that have never been on the tour in the past, will be open to view this year. Parker County is rich in history and beauty, and the tour is well-worth attending. For further information on the Candlelight Tour of Homes and to purchase tickets please visit:  https://www.parkercountyheritagesociety.com/   You may also purchase tickets at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, 410 Fort Worth Highway or at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, 1400 Texas Drive. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12for children 12 and under and seniors 65+.

Wine & Words

Saturday, January 11, 2010, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Tickets: $35

Anchor and journalist, Boyd Matson, shares stories and photos of his many adventures from his 22 years working for National Geographic.

Purchase Tickets Online

While working for National Geographic, Boyd Matson has been bitten, scratched, pooped on, and occasionally kissed by most of the creatures found at your local zoo. What he refers to as his job, others might describe as a career spent attending summer camp for adults.

During his twenty-two years at National Geographic he was the host of a variety of television and radio programs that transported the audience to the far corners of the world and to the hidden wonders in their own backyards.

Matson’s travels took him to all seven continents where he participated in high-adrenaline adventures, witnessed amazing natural history, documented disappearing cultures and reported on exciting discoveries in archaeology and palaeontology.

Before coming to National Geographic, Matson spent many years in network television news: co-anchor “World News Now” (ABC); host of “The Real Story” (CNBC); correspondent for “Real Life With Jane Pauley” (NBC); co-anchor and correspondent for “USA Today On TV”; co-anchor “Sunday Today” (NBC); and senior correspondent “Today” (NBC). He began his career as a broadcast journalist in Fort Worth, Texas working at channel 11 and then channel 5.

Looking for that “stocking stuffer” gift to give someone for a fascinating and entertaining winter evening? Tickets to this event would be the perfect gift.

Purchase Tickets Online

This a Wine & Words series event, presented by the Chandor Gardens Foundation, Inc. For more information call 817-613-7100

Under Construction

Holiday decorating is always time-consuming, but here at Chandor Gardens, it takes almost three weeks to accomplish. We pulled out a mountain of boxes and goodies from storage to complete our transformation. Each year we change things up a bit and give folks a different look. This time we went with a more natural, woodsy aesthetic. There's always a moment of being overwhelmed by the task at hand. But only just the one and then we get to it, presenting ideas and deviations from years past, trying them out, and working as a team to decide that maybe last year's layout was better, or that this small accent tree might work better in a new spot. Hours are spent wiring ornaments, making sure tree lights and candles work. Lunch breaks are conducted amid boxes and bags. There is no going home during this period without an ample amount of glitter in our hair and clothes. We do it all for the community to show how much we appreciate your support over all these years. It's the least we can do to show our thanks and give back, and it warms our hearts to see how much our efforts are enjoyed.

We get by with a little help from our Friends

The Friends of Chandor Gardens assisted us in our decorations this year. They helped with the tree outside on the south porch featuring birdhouses, and they decorated the tree in the back bedroom of the mansion. This one is entirely stunning, adorned with the repurposed masks and decorative accents from The Chandor Gardens Foundation's fundraising gala, "A Night in Venice, Masked Ball," that was held in October! We appreciate all the work that the Foundation and the Friends do for the Gardens, and are proud to feature this tree!

The fabulous Parker County Master Gardeners spent an entire day at the Gardens creating beautiful, fresh garlands to grace the bridge and front door of the Chandor Gardens mansion. They have been doing this for many years, and their hard work and creativity are truly appreciated. We can never thank them enough for all they do at Chandor Gardens, not only during the holidays but all year long!

Yoga Classes

Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30 to 6:30 pm
Fee: Donation based
Led by: Loretta Benham

Instructor Loretta Benham offers yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Chandor Gardens. Loretta's mix of energetic sequences incorporated with stillness through breath work and meditation to quiet the mind will provide a healthy addition to any workout regimen.
 
Bring your mat and wear comfortable clothing. In inclement weather, classes will be held in the Great Room.

For more information call 817-597-1503 or 817-613-1700.

Plant of the Month

Nandina
Nandina bushes are this month's Plant of the Month because they are pulling some serious weight around the Garden with their gorgeous crimson sprays of berries and ombre leaf colorations! Nandinas come in different sizes depending on the subspecies, so it's important to note how tall your species gets before placing it. Here we see two N. domesticas gracing the entrance from the western side of the Chinese Bridge, perfectly placed to frame the mansion's original front door entrance. N. domestica can grow between 4 and 8 feet tall, so our dedicated Garden staff work diligently to keep it pruned and proper. Nandinas, beautiful though they are, can be quite unruly and somewhat invasive. However, for a dedicated gardener, they provide lovely texture and color that is unmatched in the colder months.

Toys for Tots

We are accepting toy donations for Toys for Tots in partnership with the Marine Corps League Comanche Peak Detachment 1297. Through the month of December, you will receive free admission to the Garden with your donation of a new, unwrapped toy! We appreciate your help in making the season bright for underprivileged children in Hood, Somervell, and Parker Counties.

Weddings

Your "happily ever after" begins here.

Reserve your special day.
Dates are filling up fast for 2020 & 2021.

Contact us to schedule a tour.
Call 817-613-1700 or
email

Gift Shop

Take the Gardens home with you. There are postcards, note cards, prints, and t-shirts sporting fabulous images of Chandor Gardens in our gift shop. We feature unique handmade items by a variety of local artisans specializing in textiles, stained and fused glass, jewelry, painting, photography and much more.

Parting Shot

In all our years of decorating for the holidays, one thing has really been made clear; the beauty is in the fine details. Sure, you can drive yourself nuts year after year while detangling Christmas lights that somehow ALWAYS promptly stop working as soon as they're straightened out, and you might have some choice words for the glitter that seems to coat every surface of your body, your car, and your home. And yet, there's a moment where you take a step back and see the perfectly placed ornaments shining in the glow of the Christmas lights, just simple red balls, and suddenly you are transported to Christmases past reveling in the joy and wonder of the season.

We hope you'll find beauty in the simple things this holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you soon. After all, we do this just for you!

We wish the happiest of holidays and a safe and lovely New Year to you and yours from Chandor Gardens.

Contact Information

Chandor Gardens
711 W Lee Avenue
Weatherford, TX 76086

Karen Nantz
Manager
Phone: 817-613-1700
Fax: 817-598-4354
email:

Public Hours
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm
Closed all City Observed Holidays

Admission
Adults: $5
Children 12 and under: Free
(Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

Private Tours and Events
Available year-round by appointment.