Christmas Traditions - Invitational design in Assembly Room (Peacock Tree & Winter Wreath)

Created by Charles Applegate.  This tree is actually an artificial purchased for a few dollars at a hobby store.  Charles decorated with bits and pieces of whatever was left over from other projects.  This turned out as one of my favorite trees.

Created by Linda Applegate.  The wreath was picked up by Linda from the garbage collection pile of their neighbor.  It lived in the garage for a couple years until she brought it back to life with some fresh boxwood  and sparkle.

Christmas Traditions - Invitational Design in Assembly Room (Tree of Gift Wrapping)

Tree decorated by Colony Club.  Project was started off with Sandra C. inviting Colony Club members over to her house to work on wrapping little presents.  Muriel J., Margaret M, Bonnie H. and I showed up to work on wrapping little boxes. Since I only accomplished three little present boxes at Sandra's house, I took some more boxes home to cover in paper then handed them off to Bonnie H., who finished them up with decorative ribbon.  The one I liked the best had a peacock feather tucked in the ribbon. 

Great turn out for tree decorating.  Mary R., Anna F., Anita W., Samantha G., Nancy J. and Bonnie H. all had a hand in creating this special tree.  I love how the theme was carried from the tree topper of presents, through the gift tag ribbon garland down to the tree skirt of wrapping paper triangles.  

The gift tag garland was a collaborative effort of thought and labor between Bonnie H., Anna F. and Nancy J.  I give this tree an A+++++ for creative.

Christmas Traditions - The 18' tall Frazier Fir Tree

Kingwood Center is decorated for Christmas.  There was a preview Friday night before opening their doors to the public.  I had been in the house a few days before and seen the majestic 20 foot tall Frazier Fir set up in its stand.  Partially adorned in the daylight it was an impressive sight.  Walking in Friday night to view the fully decorated tree with 7,000 lights, made everyone stop with awe.  Keeping with tradition, the Kingwood Center staff and their family, like little elves, ordered pizza and decorated the tree in the quite of an evening before all the guest were to arrive.

It was a lovely evening with Bill Collins and Kay Hostetler being host and hostess at the top of the stairs.  The music of Charles Applegate playing the grand piano could be heard.  All the decorated rooms were open for viewing.  In the dining room, Nancy P. and Ann W. were serving frothy punch made from lime sherbet and lemon lime soda.  A frothy raspberry type punch was being served on the other end of the house and cookies were everywhere.  After a silent Christmas last year, all the traditions of Christmas have returned to Kingwood Center.

Supporting Kingwood Center

My guy mailed in my renewal Kingwood Membership this week.  I set up my membership to expire in December so I can get an early Christmas present from him.  I like to joke that I supported Kingwood before they started laminating the membership cards.  Last year when I was showing my card to John M. at the gate, he said if I was really really good, they would give me a laminated card.  Well, I guess I will know when I get my card in the mail.  I had a Friend membership last year, which Kingwood renamed a Dual. So, I went ahead and added my guys name to the card so we could keep one in the truck and I don't have to remember about grabbing the one I keep in the jeep.  I also have a volunteer card, which allows me in Kingwood Center.  So it is official.  I have as many cards to get in Kingwood Center as I do credit cards.

Chuck G. put a note on my membership renewal letter.  It said "What an amazing year of volunteering you've had"!  And yes, I have had an amazing year of volunteering.  I was allowed to help with so many interesting things at Kingwood this year, from sorting tulips bulbs to washing Ohio Brass China in Mr. King's kitchen. I have had the opportunity to work with most of the staff on one project or another.  They all taught me so many things and allowed me to feel as if I had made a difference. (even if I had never done the task before and needed quite a bit of instruction and overseeing)  I also have worked with amazing volunteers there as well and developed good friendships. Some of my social gatherings have been scheduled as a volunteer task at Kingwood.  So yes, I do agree with Chuck, it was an amazing year of volunteering but I'm not sure who benefited more.  Kingwood Center or myself.

Kingwood Happenings - Christmas Workshops and Events

Kingwood Center 's web site has been updated with all the December happenings.  Bonnie H. has done a fabulous job providing an informative page (detailed with pictures!)  I have signed up for the wreath making workshop on December 1st and plan on attending the caroling on December 9th well as other events like Interest in the Winter Garden on December 12th.  More Kingwood happenings can be found on the web site under Education then Programs.  Visit by clicking on the link above or go to http://www.kingwoodcenter.org/

Christmas Traditions in Kingwood Hall - Decorating Reading Room

Kingwood Center allowed the Buckeye Garden Club to decorate the Reading Room. In Mr. King’s day, the Reading Room was a small, less formal drawing room.  The oldest piece of furniture in the house, a breakfront, is located there. 16^th century English and contains a portion of Kingwood’s collection of rare books, which were originally kept in the library.  Below, Bill Collins is preparing the top of the breakfront for decorations. 

My first experience decorating in Kingwood Hall was just magical.  Theme for the Reading Room is Home Spun in keeping with the Kingwood Hall theme of Christmas Traditions.  Using natural items, (sometimes with a gold or silver sparkle added) the room was transformed into a festive cozy retreat. 

When I first walked into the room, there were piles of evergreen, berry branches, pine cones, wreaths along with other materials.  Popcorn and cranberries were strung and hanging from hangers.  There were so many club members and so much stuff that I hesitated somewhat overwhelmed and tentative.

My good friend Barbara H. allowed me to keep her lovely Birch bark when she moved off to Texas.  I brought it along hoping it could be incorporated with the theme.  Upon seeing it, Elin D. immediately placed it on the marble mantel of the fire place.  It looks amazing with additional adornment and reflecting in the mirror.  Elin D. is quite talented and crafted the grapevine wreath that hangs over the fireplace this Christmas.  It is adorned with onion stalks, love in a mist pods and bright bittersweet berries. 

I started in, putting greenery atop a bookshelf.  As I am new to the club, I took noticed how everyone worked together creatively and so became more comfortable and adventures with my suggestions.  It was amazing to see the room transforming as layer upon layer of material was utilized.  There were collaborations of is less more or is more more and in the end, I think the room had a perfect mixture of both. 

I am very proud to have been a small part of the Buckeye Garden clubs creative effort.  They did an amazing room that many people will not only enjoy but take ideas from during the Holiday Season.

Wood Duck

After returning to Ohio, from an extended visit in Texas, my guy and I put a few quaters in our pocket and went to Kingwood. At the duck pond we were greeted by peacocks and Indian Runner ducks. As the Mallards swam across the pond toward us, we noticed a smaller duck among them. A Wood duck has joined the Kingwood Duck Pond family. At least, I think it is a Wood duck. Initially I thought it was a Merganser, but upon checking my Field Guide to Birds, realized it was not due to the white around its eye. I also find it difficult to tell if it is a winter male or female. Going back later in the day to get a picture, we found it still hanging out with the Mallards, but this time in the back pond (over by the peony garden). Turns out it has been seen at Kingwood for a few weeks now and let’s hope it stays.

Kingwood Center on Facebook

Jen D. created an official Facebook site for Kingwood Center. The latest fun has been an on line quiz, where she places a picture and you have to guess where the Kingwood location is. Phil P. gave the correct answer for the first on line quiz. Follow Kingwood Center on Facebook.

Charles Kelley King's Trust

Charles Kelley King's trust created the public garden we know today “… having in mind the maintenance and up building of the higher intellectual and cultural development of the people and the advancement of science through the collection and culture of plants, trees and shrubs…”  Kingwood Center is a tribute to a man who enjoyed sharing his estate, a practice he continues nearly six decades after his death.  Kingwood Center is a private nonprofit, 501c3, educational institution.  Funded by donations, fees, sales, membership, and the King Trust.  No tax dollars are received.  Taken from the Kingwood Center brocure.  Also visit the official web site at www.kingwoodcenter.org or check out the official facebook page.