Kalmia Day to Bloom Again

on April 16

For more information, contact Pippa Jolly, Kalmia Gardens of Coker College, at 843.383.8145

Hartsville, S.C. — The new Hartsville tradition that began last year returns with the second annual fundraiser “Kalmia Day” at Kalmia Gardens of Coker College. From 10:00 am until 2:00 p.m Kalmia day will feature family fun and entertainment in the Gardens with what promises to be plenty of excitement for all ages.

“Last year was such a huge success, we were so pleased with how everything turned out and how well the people of Hartsville supported this event”, says Harriett Lemke co-chair of Kalmia Day 2004. “It was so wonderful to see people of every age and entire families having fun and enjoying the Gardens.”

Children’s events kick-off Kalmia Day at 10:00 am with activities including storytelling with Judy Askins Jacobs and Nancy Nickles, nature hunts, sun prints, and magic. The Kalmia “Kritters”, a selection of animals from the Joslin Education Center, will also make appearances at 10:30, 11:30 and 1:00. There will also be family croquet and lemonade and cookies. All day, music will be supplied by strolling minstrels and other musicians.

Black Creek canoeing hosted by Jerry and Marcy Kershner will be available throughout Kalmia Day, as well as Garden Tours with Drs. Pat and David Lincoln beginning on the hour with sign-up on the Hart House porch.

Throughout Kalmia Day will be a chance to bid on silent auction items, which will include painting and pottery donated by local artists as well as gift baskets, floral arrangements, an hour of gardening advice from Trish DeHond and much more.

Artists participating in Kalmia Day include Coker College art students, Mary Nance, Pearl Fryar, Wade Hicks, Willard Jacobs, Witt Langstaff, Mary Lou Bailey, Jim Stratton, Meredith Lanier, Mary Segars and Lezlie Weaver Cagle, to name but a few. Don’t be disappointed if you are out-bid on that much wanted item because a lot of the local artists also have their pieces for sale in the Gift Shop.

The Coker Singers return this year at 11:00 a.m. with a concert on the steps of the Hart House. Conducted by Dr. William Carswell, assistant professor of music, the Coker Singers performed last spring at Carnegie Hall and St. John’s Cathedral in New York as well as at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The Singers will be followed by Magic in the Garden at 11:30 a.m.

Gourmet picnic lunches will be served starting at 11:45 a.m. The boxed lunch will include a ham, turkey and gouda sub-sandwich with a homemade honey mustard vinaigrette, marinated asparagus salad, local peanuts and gourmet chips. For the children there will be a special lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, goldfish crackers and cookies.

Kalmia Day will also see the return of the enchanting “living art” with Jennifer Schock, which is sure to be as popular as last year.

At 12:00 p.m. Bishopville topiary artist and Coker College artist-in-residence Pearl Fryar will give a demonstration of his work and create two unique topiaries that will be part of the silent auction.

Don’t miss the fashion show at 12:30 p.m. with a medley of local talent on the catwalk, coordinated by Brandi Wheeler of LuLu’s. Clothes featured will be from LuLu’s, Sassafras, Minnies, Pink Lily, Jack Be Nimble, Mommy to be, and Isabella’s. Individuals and families modeling include, Michelle, Maclain and Maura Hood, The Michael Holt family, Elizabeth Steel Hall, Dr. Ron Carter, Lyn Blackmon and Ashley Douglas.

Following the Fashion Show will be a Ballet performance from the dancers of the South Carolina Academy of Dance and Puck’s Theatre with Leslie Tunstall.

Kalmia Day will also celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the Kalmia Gardens Gift Shop, with a chance to see new spring items, as well as the favorite “crownless” hats and tree faces.

All proceeds from the day will benefit the Kalmia Gardens Preservation Society for future projects. So come and enjoy a day of fun with the family at Miss May’s Garden!

Admission to Kalmia Day includes access to all festivities in the Gardens and a gourmet boxed lunch for adults and children. Admission is $15 for individuals and $45 for families. $7 general admission at the gate on the day, lunch not included. For tickets please call Pippa Jolly 383-8145.

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April 5 , 2005