July Facebook photo contests

Duke Gardens’ first Facebook photo contest was such a big hit that the Gardens will now make it a monthly feature. The July themes: water lilies and summer scenes.

Hundreds of Gardens enthusiasts joined the Gardens’ new fan page, posting more than 225 photos in six categories to vie for prizes. Others visited the online exhibits of photos to vote or comment on them. Daily page views climbed to 440, its peak so far.

Capturing water lilies should pose no problem for Gardens visitors. The Gardens is once again host to the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society's annual New Waterlily Competition (more info here). You can see the contestants all summer in the fish pond at the foot of the Terrace Gardens, and vote on them at the Gardens or online. And there are yet more lilies in the pond behind the Doris Duke Center.

For prime Facebook contest photo opportunities, consider taking on of the free Water Lily Walks that aquatic plants specialist Tamara Kilbane will lead in July through September. The Gardens will also host a Water Lily Photography Workshop with photographer Jennifer Weinberg on July 18 and 19. For more information on the workshop and walks, see the events link in Facebook (www.facebook.com/dukegardens) or Duke Gardens' education brochure here.

HOW TO ENTER OR VOTE: To enter the photo contest or view the exhibit, join Facebook (it’s free and easy), then go to www.facebook.com/dukegardens, sign up to be a fan and click on “events.” You’ll see two exhibit listings, one for water lilies and one for summer scenes. Click RSVP on the exhibit topic you want and then enter the event page. You can post photos (one per member per category) or simply click “like” on others’ photos to vote for them. Press the “share” button on the event page to tell all your Facebook friends to join and vote.

The contest ends July 31 at 1 p.m. The top vote-getter in each category will win a 2010 wall calendar. Second prize is a DVD about the Gardens’ history. Third prize is a Duke Gardens plant (for pickup only). Top prize winners may pick a lower prize if they prefer. Or all may opt instead for a certificate for 30 percent off a one-day total purchase through 12/31/09 at the Gardens' gift store.

Kilbane and a panel of judges will grant additional awards for their top photo picks.

Please check back for more contests each month. And you can still see the June exhibits by going to the last page under the events tab and clicking "past events."

Music in the Gardens: Alina Simone

Some highlights from last night's show, which began -- not unexpectedly -- with a set sung entirely in Russian.
Performing with Simone are guitarist Shawn Setaro and drummer John Lynch.
For more Music in the Gardens photos, go to Duke Gardens' Facebook fan page.
Read a review here.

July classes and events at Duke Gardens

We've got some more events in store that weren't included in our earlier summer events post.

If you love seeing the dramatic array of lilies in the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society's annual competition at Duke Gardens, but you can't seem to capture them well in photos, Durham photographer Jennifer Weinberg can help. Weinberg will teach a water lily photography workshop July 18 and 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can get extra practice during the Gardens' new, free Water Lily Walks. July dates are the 2nd, 16th and 30th, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The monthly Walk on the Wild Side in the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants will feature tour guide Jeff Pippen, of Nicholas School of the Environment. He'll talk about native wildlife. That's Thursday, July 2, from 11 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Blomquist gate house.

On July 23, you can take a field trip to Holly Hill Daylily & Crinum Farm and learn more about how to incorporate Crinum lilies into your late summer garden. Travelers will leave the Gardens at 9 a.m. and return at 1:30 p.m.

The Triangle Orchid Society will discuss orchids of the Venezuelan Grand Sabana July 13 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and anyone may attend.



Teachers can learn how to bring nature into their curriculum in the free training workshop "The Nature of Art & The Art of Nature: Connecting Science & Art for the Elementary Classroom." That's July 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It repeats July 24. More info here.

For our full July-December brochure, go here. To register for classes, call 668-1707 or send an e-mail.

Following in Andy Goldsworthy's path

Children in Duke Gardens' Nature Adventure Camp worked on an art installation inspired by artist Andy Goldsworthy. Over four days, they built a bridge, a leaf path and a hut. You can see their process below -- including much creative collaboration and muscle power.

Next week's campers will build a whole new installation. Stay tuned.

Megafaun at Duke Gardens

Here are some photo highlights from last night's Megafaun concert.

Meghan Griffith, who teaches hooping in the Triangle, brought a carload of hoops and let anyone use them -- which proved to be a popular diversion. You can see one toddler hoop-share negotiation below. And interpretive dancer Randy McCutcheon danced by the stage for the whole show.

Read a concert review here. And for the rest of Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens roster, go here.

Duke Gardens award winners

Please join us in congratulating Chuck Hemric for his 2009 Marsha Riddle Lifetime Achievement Award from the N.C. Association of Volunteer Administration (read about it here).


Also, Stefan Bloodworth, curator of the H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, has won two awards for his work at the Gardens and as an independent landscaper.

The first is The North Carolina Native Plant Society Award for Landscape Design with Native Plant Materials, which recognizes "the exemplary use of native plant material in a public garden in a manner that also promotes such use in home and business landscapes."

The second is the Golden Leaf Award for Community Appearance, for his work at 1106 Anderson St.

"The attractive use of seasonal and location-appropriate plants make a charming statement about how landscape can be attractive and well groomed while conserving water and the environment. The landscaping adds a breath of fresh air to the location's stale past," the award announcement says. "As one judge put it, 'The lovely landscaping is a gift to all who drive down Anderson.' "

Duke Gardens 2010 wall calendars are here

This is the cover photo. You can get one at the Terrace Shop or by supporting Duke Gardens as a Friend (info here).