“Cultivate the Garden Within” is the theme of the annual spring tea sponsored by the Anacortes branch of the American Association of University Women. The tea is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Senior Center, 1701 22nd St.
Tickets are $15 with all proceeds going to the AAUW scholarship award program. Tickets may be purchased from any AAUW member or at the door on the day of the event. All are welcome.
The speaker is Don Lee, president of Whidbey Islands Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. Lee, a retired rocket engineer, is a member of the American Rhododendron Society, a master gardener and has a rhododendron named after him, “Don’s Blue Star.” He will discuss the classification of rhododendrons, flower colors, how to plant, diseases and deadheading.
The Meerkerk Gardens is a nonprofit society started in 1962 with a private garden open to the public. The formal gardens take up 10 acres of the 53 acres available with more than 3,000 rhododendrons.
This year the AAUW scholarship award will go to a woman attending college, who is the head of a household, has a financially dependent family or can show financial need. Applicants must have lived on either Fidalgo or Guemes islands for at least three years and must be available for a personal interview on Saturday, May 4.
Applications for the $1,500 award are available at the Anacortes Public Library and must be postmarked by April 26.
