The 50 or so guests who attended the first annual Fall Gala at the Thomas Jefferson Gardens Sept. 28 had a picture-perfect day to stroll through the garden, see the progress of the various garden plots, learn a bit, and enjoy some entertainment.
Wallace Teagarden, who made the first large donation to start the project, was there, as was President Thomas Jefferson via Tom Polking. Gardens executive director Jean Walker, board treasurer John Turpin and Polking made remarks.
Musical entertainment was provided by trumpeter Wayne Lautner and vocalists Karen Polking, Von Ketelsen and Danille Curtis. A highlight was young Ava Schilling’s rendition of “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun.” Schilling delighted crowds at the State Fair and was a Sprout division winner in the Bill Riley Talent Search.
Hy-Vee donated meat and cheese trays and Deal’s Orchard donated cider for the event. Baked goods were by Homestead Bakery, across the street from the gardens.
Fundraising for the Thomas Jefferson Gardens is ongoing. Tax deductible donations can be sent to Thomas Jefferson Gardens, PO Box 15, Jefferson, IA 50129. For information, call 515-386-9822 or email thomasjeffersongardens@gmail.com
