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Moringa Garden Circle & The Fort Lauderdale Garden Club's Dedication of Memorial Trees for
David McLean; Horticulturist, FLGC Honorary Member, And Arthur "Skip" Mackey, "The Voice of N.A.S.A,"
planted at Hortt Park, 1700 SW 14th Court, Shady Banks, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, November 15th, at 10:30 A.M.

The Moringa Oleifera trees and botanical signage were provided through donations to the Moringa Garden Circle Memorial Tree Fund by members of Moringa Garden Circle, The Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, the Lighthouse of Broward, Sylvia Gordon's Nursery, and Friends and Family of David and Skip.

The Moringa tree is native to India and commonly known as the Horse Radish Tree because of its pungent edible root. Virtually every part of the tree is edible and possesses numerous nutritional benefits.

Those who knew David knew he was a "spicey" guy, so we feel the Moringa tree was an appropriate choice for him. David was a long time supporter of the garden club. He helped develop the Lighthouse of Broward Sensory Garden which is maintained by the garden club.

Skip was known as "The Voice of N.A.S.A" for 40 years. He was married to Moringa member M.E. DePalma-Mackey and often accompanied her as Caterpillar Man to her Butterfly Lady at Arbor Day events to the delight of children and adults.

Both men were friends and dear to us. We look forward to dedicating these trees as living memorials to them.

Rose Béchard Butman; Memorial Tree Chair, Moringa Garden Circle
Civic Improvement and Community Education Chair, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club

Read the Dedication presented by Rose - Download it in Pdf Format

The Delonix regia, Royal Poinciana and the Radermachera elmeri, Philippine Trumpet Tree were planted and botanical signage provided through donations to the Moringa Garden Circle Memorial Tree Fund by members of Moringa Garden Circle, The Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, and Friends and Family of Bob.

Rose led the toast. and we sent off kisses laced with champagne. Bob would have been so pleased. He always loved a party!

And...It appeared as if Bob responded with a THUNDEROUS voice because within 20 minutes after the toast, the sky opened up and watered everything!

Antique Roses

Evelyn Zink's husband Tom was honored on February 26, 2013 with new roses planted in his memory.

Moringa gals gathered at the Stranahan House, where Evelyn has maintained the rose garden for many years to sip champagne and toast this lovely lady and her late husband.

The soil was enriched and several varities of roses were planted to create the new Rose Garden.

On February 22, 2011, Moringa planted a Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum- tree in Wilton Manors at Hagen Park in memory of William Miller Jr., Bonny Miller Cole's father.

Bill was a true Fort Lauderdale Pioneer. As attorney for the Village of Wilton Manors, Bill carried the Charter to Tallahassee that made the Village into a city, and continued as the City Attorney for 30 years.

As President of the Miller Foundation, Bill was generous with funds to support our garden club efforts.

In the May / June 2016 issue of the Town Crier, Benjamin Little of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, wrote an article on Mr. Miller and his many contributions to the formation of the city. You can read a copy of the article by clicking on this link: Town Crier/Bill Miller

Moringa planted a Jacaranda mimosifolia in George English Park in memory of Marty Martindale, Jean's husband.

Marty's tree is in the foreground
Eben's tree is across the walk right behind it

The canopies will eventually grow together over the walkway!

A fitting tribute to the men who were also great  friends.

The residents of Manor Pines lined the courtyard as they watched Moringa Garden Circle members dig the hole for a memorial tree planted in memory of Jerold R. Ford, M.E. DePalma's husband, who died April 1, 2008.  

Each member took turns with the shovel under the direction of nurseryman, Jesse Durko.  Robert Haehle, selected the rarely seen Radermachera 'Kunming' - Dwarf Tree Jasmine for its drought tolerance and fragrance.

This shrub/small tree from South East Asia is very easy to grow and it is an excellent bloomer”, said Haehle.  Radermachera doesn't take a lot of space compared with plants of the same height and can be grown in full sun to filtered light with average water and fertilizer.

Margie Perez, Activities Director for Manor Pines, remarked how many residents and visitors enjoy being in the garden with its lush plantings and central fountain feature.  “They already like this tree”, she stated as she and several of the nurses passed sweet fragrant clusters of the light pink flowers with orange throats among the crowd.

The club also planted the Butterfly attracting, Aloysia virgata -Sweet Almond Verbena, in memory of Lillian D. Stetz , M.E. DePalma’s  mother, who passed away in January of 2008.  Few shrubs sweeten the air of a warm summer evening like the sweetly fragrant spikes of white blooms on this shrub

Clifton Schandelmayer
(Ann’s Husband)

Aloysia virgata -Sweet Almond Verbena

Eben Reiger
Cindy Reiger's* Husband
Kristine Blake's* Father
Gretchen Reiger* Father

Cathy Clapp*
Lois Udvardy's*
Sister

Tom Zink*
Evelyn Zink's Husband

Moringa oleifera

Geiger - Cordia sebestena

Geiger - Cordia sebestena