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Secrets from the Garden
Chandor Gardens Newsletter - August 2019
While August in Texas typically brings an entire month of triple-digit heat with it, we’ve managed to only hit 100 degrees twice so far! We’ve even had a rain shower or two, so we’re not complaining. But, even when the temps are high, it’s cool here at Chandor Gardens. The amazing canopy of mature trees and lush foliage coupled with our many water features makes the gardens a true oasis in the summer months. Come on out, enjoy the shade, and don’t forget to pack a picnic!
On Saturday, August 10th, the Gardens will, once again, be host to “Cliburn in the Classroom,” our summer children’s series. Don’t miss out on giving your children the opportunity to gain an appreciation of classical music that will last a lifetime! Spaces are still available for this Free event, so check out the body of the newsletter for more detailed information and sign up today!
Here at the Gardens, we're always looking for ways to improve our visitors' experience. Throughout the year we hold a variety of special events; from our annual Spring Fling, Autumn Art Walk, and Holiday Open House, to the Chandor Gardens Foundation events including the Wine, Women and Words speakers series, "A Night in Venice" this years exciting fundraising event, and our annual spring collaboration with the Cliburn "Cliburn in the Community", a truly special evening of music featuring award-winning pianists. We value your opinions and suggestions on the kinds of events you would like to attend at the Gardens. Our goal is to ensure that you leave here looking forward to your next visit and eager to bring out friends and family.
To ensure you stay up to date on events and happenings in the Garden, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. See you in the gardens, The Chandor Gardens Staff
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Cliburn in the Classroom at Chandor Gardens
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For 2nd, 3rd & 4th Graders Next Cliburn in the Classroom date: August 10th, 2019 Free - Reservations Required On July 20th, we were pleased to host the first of two "Cliburn in the Classroom" events; a fun, free, and interactive musical event for children. The kids had a lot of fun participating while being introduced to classical music and musical theories in an easy and relevant way that they could understand. The event was a huge hit, and parents were able to stay and watch or participate in a docent-guided tour of the Gardens.
We still have a few spaces left for our "Cliburn in the Classroom" children's event at 11 a.m. on August 10th, but they're filling fast!
Reserve Tickets to the August 10th Cliburn in the Classroom
This is a FREE event for children in second, third, or fourth grades, but you must register in advance! Feel free to pack a picnic and have lunch in the garden with your children after the conclusion of the 40-minute program.
Have questions? Want additional information? Call 817-613-1700.
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"A Night in Venice" Masked Ball at Chandor Gardens
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Saturday, October 12, 2019 7:00 to 11:00 pm Tickets: $100 each; $1000 for a reserved table of 8 Tickets: Purchase Tickets Online or at Chandor Gardens Chandor Gardens Foundation invites you to be part of a very special evening of 19th Century intrigue and elegance at "A Night in Venice" Masked Ball at the incredible Chandor Gardens.
A Masked Ball or Masquerade is a festive gathering of people wearing masks and other disguises often with elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes. So search for that perfect mask (masks are encouraged but not required) and fantastic costume or evening attire and join in the celebration.
Dance the night away to the Big Band sound of Dynamic Swing Machine. Relish hearty hors d' oeuvres by Aaron's Catering. Enjoy champagne, wine, or beer from the cash bar.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening: Dave Cowley
There are prizes for masks and costumes, and other amusements throughout the evening.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will help in developing an art and culture center at Chandor Gardens.
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Fundraising Raffle 2020 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 ATV
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Support Chandor Gardens Foundation Inc. by purchasing a raffle ticket and enter to win a 2020 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 ATV (MSRP $4,299).
Raffle proceeds support preservation and site expansion at Chandor Gardens. Help us make the expansion of Chandor Gardens possible!
Tickets are $20 each or 6 Tickets for $100
There are several ways to purchase tickets:
Drawing is October 12, 2019 during the "A Night In Venice" Masked Ball at Chandor Gardens, 711 W Lee Avenue, Weatherford, Texas.
See full raffle rules at: https://chandorgardensfoundation.rallyup.com/chandorraffle2019
Prize provided by Freedom Powersports
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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.
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Remember, we are still doing our summer riddle contest!
Please remember to not post your guesses in the comments online, as doing so will be considered an invalid answer.
To play, you must come to the gardens, find the feature the riddle is about (which will be a garden feature), and take a picture and show it to our office staff.
Winner Receives: If you've guessed correctly, you will win the Senecio rowleyanus "String of Pearls" plant and two free admissions to the garden for future use! Good luck!
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RIDDLE #2 This keyhole vision from the east. Is not a door to a home or room. But rather, when the sun has ceased, Presents a quiet place for the moon.
(photos below: Senecio rowleyanus "String of Pearls" plant photos shared with permission from Elizabeth White of her own Senecio specimens for reference.)
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Water Features - A Lush Oasis
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Our numerous fountains and water features are spread throughout the gardens creating the effect of a lush oasis even in the warmest months (looking at you, August). The water features seem to emphasize the calming atmosphere that our guests love. We have four focal point fountains, two waterfalls, canals and ponds, and smaller water features that provide respite from the heat. This lush paradise makes for a beautiful wedding venue and we still have space for a few more fall weddings this upcoming season. If you are looking for that perfect venue, contact us to schedule a tour and consult! Our 2020 dates are starting to fill up too, so don’t wait! To inquire about wedding packages, please call us at 817-613-1700 or email and we’ll get you set up with the wedding of your dreams!
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Ram Sculptures Our gardens are as renowned for their sculptures as they are for their water features! Vintage hand carved artworks are installed in many places. These rams grace the southern entrance to our Courtyard, but there are gorgeous pieces throughout the gardens; original Chinese Fu Dogs, even a gargoyle or two if you know where to look!
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A Lesson in Being Methodical Our staff has restored the bamboo paneling that surrounds Douglas's Cave Grotto in the last two weeks. This painstaking work involved soaking the bamboo to make it more pliable, cutting each piece by hand and individually affixing it to the support structure. This truly is a lesson in being methodical, and it creates a lovely affect.
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An Anomaly Amongst Their Peers A small Bromeliad plant lies nestled in an old stump in the fairy garden. Bromeliads are an interesting plant group consisting of epiphytic plants that take nutrients from water and decaying leaf matter rather than dirt. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking these enigmatic plants are an anomaly amongst their peers. Chandor Gardens has many epiphytes and Bromeliads growing throughout the gardens, so come see them soon!
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Purple Porter Weed Blossoms A mass of bright colors and textures created by the purple Porter Weed blossoms, succulents, and various tropical annuals adorns the western wall alongside the Parlor in the Courtyard. This area would make a lovely backdrop for any photoshoot be it bridal portraits, family sessions, engagement photos, maternity photos; you name it! Give us a call at 817-613-1700 to schedule your photos.
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Alocasia A gorgeous Alocasia lies snuggled in the groupings of Caladiums, Vinca blossoms, exotic Iresines, and canopied by scarlet-blooming Crape Myrtles. This area is in the old Herb Garden, west of the Bowling Green, and while it's easy to miss, you shouldn't. This quiet little patch of dappled light and color is one of the cooler spots in the garden and feels like it's a secret shared by you and the ancient stones used to construct it long ago.
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It's the Size of a Dinner Plate! The bloom on this "Midnight Marvel" Hibiscus is enormous! It's not a stretch to say that it is literally the size of a dinner plate. It probably makes for a feast of epic proportions for the sweet bumblebees that light on the blossoms for pollen collecting. These specimen-sized blooms can be found north of the Pixie Pond flanking the entrance to the Gazebo. Hibiscus flowers tend to fade fast though, so don't wait. But if you miss these beauties, don't worry. Making sure that there are always interesting and unusual specimens at any given time is kind of our thing here at Chandor Gardens.
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Beautiful from Every Angle This beautiful Iresine plant is lovely at any angle. Lime green leaves with contrasting bright white veining are such an eye-catcher, and all of this is mounted on fuchsia-colored stems. We have Iresines growing throughout the grounds, from the Bride's Cottage on the southwestern end to the old Herb Garden's northern beds.
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Weddings
Your "happily ever after" begins here.
Reserve your special day. Dates are filling up fast for 2019 & 2020.
Contact us to schedule a tour. Call 817-613-1700 or email
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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.
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Senecio macroglossus "Wax Ivy" What might look to be an Ivy plant isn't an Ivy at all but is actually a succulent! Senecio macroglossus "Wax Ivy" is a trailing succulent indigenous to southern Africa, from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to eastern South Africa. This vining plant will reach lengths of 10 feet or more and produces yellow flowers. We will have to take special care to bring it inside after temperatures fall below 50 degrees, as this plant is not hardy enough for our winters. But it is a very cool plant, and relatively rare. If you look close enough with a discerning eye, you may spot it in the garden and differentiate it from the other nearby-growing Ivies.
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These Chinese Fu Dogs stand guard over the western walk to the Dragon Fountain in the Sunken Garden. The mother on the right guards an additional treasure, her tiny Fu Dog baby. This section of the garden is towered over by majestic Muskogee Crape Myrtles, and on evenings, if one is lucky, a firefly might be spotted flickering between the trees. There is magic in every corner of the garden for those who are willing to be still and patient; resurrecting a sometimes long-forgotten childlike sense of wonder.
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Contact Information
Chandor Gardens 711 W Lee Avenue Weatherford, TX 76086
Karen Nantz Manager Phone: 817-613-1700 Fax: 817-598-4354 email:
Steven Chamblee Horticulturist email:
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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.
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