Guests were greeted by actors dressed as birch trees for the Berkshire Botanical Garden's 75th birthday party on Saturday, August 8, in Stockbridge. The hands-on board of trustees had been involved with every aspect of planning the event, creating wonderful wire-and-crystal chandeliers for the tent at the studio of Matt Larkin. Naturally, all the tables were topped with lush arrangements and all the hors d'oeuvres by caterer Katy Baldwin were delicious, especially the lobster rolls on miniature buns. The guests of honor were the visiting gardeners—Page Dickey, Bob Hyland, Margaret Roach, and Jack Staub— who had done so much to infuse fresh style into the grounds this year.
BBG trustee Judie Owens with Bob Hyland of Loomis Creek Nursery in Hudson; BBG neighbors John & Heather Veague.
BBG trustee Honey Sharp and garden designer Page Dickey who helped redesign the BBG herb garden; BBG trustee Susan Dempsey with guest gardener Jack Staub, who redesigned the BBG fruit and vegetable garden.
Artist Anne G. Fredericks with 99-year-old Emily Rose, who was the founder of the BBG's Herb Associates and whose Alford garden is a beloved Berkshires landmark.
Orion magazine publisher Marion Gilliam with Hilary Deely; BBG trustees Madeline & Ian Hooper.
BBG trustee Maria Nation and farmer Roberto Flores; David & Betsey McKearnan
BBG trustee Wendy Linscott with Jim Lamme.
Matthew Larkin who worked with the trustees on the party's decorations; Ruth Littlechild and Ellen Greendale.
BBG trustee Jeannene Booker with Claire Williams.
Water garden specialist Anthony Archer-Wills and his wife, Pauline; Dorthe Hviid, the BBG director of horticulture, and BBG executive director John Parker.
BBG intern Devon Arnold with Kara Gibson; Barbara Bockbrader of Campo de' Fiori in Sheffield with Richard Taylor.
Lori Bishop with Nora & William Mitchell.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
