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DEL.ICIO.USBotanical ball is a family affair
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jennifer Fowler, left, and her grandmother Dottie Fuqua. Photo by Jim Fitts
Jennifer and Terance Fowler’s first date was eight years ago, at the junior party after the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual Garden of Eden Ball. A year after that, they exchanged vows at the garden’s Day Hall, having become engaged in the ABG’s Japanese garden.
Now they are chairing the Sept. 27 Garden of Eden Ball. Themed Bell’ Acqua, it honors philanthropist Dottie Fuqua, Jennifer’s grandmother.
“I want it to reflect not only my love of the garden but my love of my grandmother, ” Fowler said.
Fuqua and her late husband, J.B. Fuqua, donated the funds for the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, the Fuqua Orchid Center and the Center for Conservation and Education.
Their patronage began after Dottie Fuqua, an avid gardener, joined the board. “We had a board meeting one day and decided we would never be a first-class garden without a conservatory, ” Fuqua recalled. “I said, ‘What would it cost?’ “
At least $1 million was the response. She shared the details of the meeting with her husband (his favorite question for her was always, “What did you do today?”). “A few weeks later, he came to me and said, ‘I put aside the money for your garden.’ I nearly fainted, ” Fuqua said. “He used to call it his glass house.”
The Fuquas’ legacy of support continued with their son, Rex Fuqua, who has chaired the garden’s board and one of its capital campaigns.
Jennifer Fowler, who remembers the 1989 opening ceremonies for the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, inherited her grandmother’s love of gardening, but not her green thumb. “Gra-Gra has always known all the Latin names of everything in her garden, but I can’t keep anything alive, ” she joked.
Tickets to the ball are $400. Call 404-591-1575 or go online to www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Stomp divots for a cause
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about two years ago, Bill Wilkins (above), chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based Wilkins Media Co., has dedicated his time and resources to research efforts.
His company is organizing a charity polo match set for 2 p.m Sept. 28. Team Fox Polo for Parkinson’s, to be held at the Chukkar Farm and Polo Club in Alpharetta, will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“This is a sneaky disease,” said Wilkins, father of five and grandfather of seven. “You have it for years prior to the time it surfaces.”
So far, Wilkins’ condition is limited to a tremor in his right hand, but he knows others aren’t as lucky.
“I met two young guys in their 40s with families where the disease is winning, ” said Wilkins, 70. “That’s even more reason for me to get involved.”
Tickets are $25 or $50 for adults, $5 for children under 12. For details, go to www.poloforparkinsons.com or www.chukkarfarm.com.
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