Angels

With gratitude these Arb Angels contribute immeasurably, with their time, talent or treasure in order to breathe life and love into old Bartlett:

Randy Rayer Family of Bearden Rayer Stain Glass

United States Air Force Second Lt. Sean McKee stumbled into the Bartlett Arboretum on August 4, 2005. This recent graduate of Kansas University sporting a degree in Civil Engineering and a sharp chain saw was eager to barter seven months of rent in exchange for 17 acres of tree trimming. Stationed up the road at McConnell Air Force Base Sean made the drive each day leaving the Arboretum in a flight suit but hurrying home to scale a cottonwood or clear overgrown brush from along the Euphrates Creek. Sean is a focused and driven young man. He honorably defends our country and bravely swings high from the treetops. During his tenure at the Arb Sean taught me about the beauty of orange-colored Stilh products and how to maintain a poker face. And I taught him a thing or two I suppose. We both love trees for better or for worse. Having Sean here for a short time simply underscores the fact that sometimes having blind faith in the unknown can reap generous, exponential results. I got an adopted son out of the deal and cried when his horse trailer left the Arboretum in February '06 for good.

Phil & Frances Macy - my parents, keepers of the flame who, like their own parents, believe that a strenuous life of hard work is its own reward. I thank them for buying the old gray '63 Cadillac where me (strumming my guitar) and my sis (picking her banjo) learned to play bluegrass music in the spacious back seat as we drove across America in the 1970's - Mom always reading aloud to us from "History of the American People" and who were perhaps slow to come around but are now the most resourceful and philanthropic of all Arboretum devotees

Mathew Mark Luke Bills (August 1, 1925-March 2006) - retired farmer, small engine mechanic and forever friend who taught me all I know about the garden

Kentucky White - the other half of all I do and father of young Micah who carries the future of our planet in his Daddy's blue eyes

Mary Bartlett Gourlay - surrogate mother, cheerleader and keeper of the legend, lore and Latin who after a lifetime of raking, digging, caring and tending to her family's property believes in me with all her heart and still readily shows up willing to teach me how to properly trim the boxwoods

David Prilliman and Prilliman Construction - Cowboy singin' hammer swingin' builder and big-hearted architect of the Garaj Mahal and future facilities

Lt. Sean McKee - Air Force Officer, Arborist, and adopted son who spent the better half of 2005 living here in the Dojo (Dingo) and climbing century-old trees with reckless abandon. During his tenure at the Arb Sean insisted that we make to-do lists and understand the beauty of orange-colored Stilh products. We both love trees for better or for worse. Having Sean here for a short time simply underscores the fact that sometimes having blind faith in the unknown can reap generous, exponential results. I got an adopted son out of the deal and cried when his horse trailer left the Arboretum in February '06 for good.

Randy Bradbury - Croquet Czar, Official Bartlett Arboretum Photographer and volunteer extraordinaire

Miss Carolyn Marie Rengers - sassy super supporter and dear galpal who through the power of her pen and wit has single-handedly created a "buzz" about the acreage and is as serious about her croquet as she is her cocktails

Tim McDonnell - Kansas State Forester, our very own wise and wonderful Lorax

Sunflower R C & D - A 501 (c) 3 non profit, charitable and grassroots organization with environmental/educational purview over an eight county region who recently added Bartlett Arboretum as an official project

Ken Beran and Beran Concrete - the arb is grateful for his beautiful 80 foot retaining wall constructed early 2007 during the drought when the Euphrates Creek was dry. Ken Beran and his boys made lemonade from lemons.

Brandon Bohannon & KMB Enterprise - sod, seed and favorite little league baseball coach

John Morrison exquisite panorama photography: www.prairievistas.com

Joe Hunt & The Paradise Valley Boys (photo above)

Gary Buettgenbach - Arboretum Archivist and venerable WCS art teacher

Teri Andres Farha - Landscape Designer and creator of the master map

Deanna Harms, Chrisy Cobb and Linda Peotter - Hopeful and helpful business-minded visionaries who eagerly roll up their monogrammed sleeves and then remind me of the bottomline

Trapper Joe Hamilton and his Culinary Bride, Michelle

Randy Joy - Crackerjack mason and Belle Plaine neighbor

Glenn and Bridget Bowman & their Bridge of Friendship

Tom Hesse, Kyle Futo and Lisa Ritchie - True Patrons of the Arb

Mike Shade at the Botany Shop in Joplin, MO

Mike Siewert of WDM Architects

Tim Neff of Timber Products