August 26, 2011
 WHERE: Northview, the Gardens of Jenny Rose Carey, Ambler
WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
A place of quiet tranquility. A place of healing. A place of research. A place of history.
The Ambler Arboretum of Temple University is a living treasure that provides experiences and resources as diverse as the people who study, conduct research, or simply stroll through them.
On Saturday, September 10, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University will celebrate the rich history of the campus and its gardens at the 6th annual Rhapsody in Bloom. The event, highlighting Temple University Ambler’s 100th Anniversary, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Northview, the four and a half acre Victorian home and lush gardens of Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey.
“The gardens that comprise the Ambler Arboretum and the campus itself have such a wonderful history and have enriched the lives of so many for 100 years! Some of the most accomplished horticulturists and landscape architects studied and taught here,” said Linda Lowe, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at Temple University Ambler. “We invite everyone to join us for an evening of merriment and memories. Put on your best garden party attire, and don’t forget your turf-tolerant shoes to explore the wonderfully diverse gardens of Northview!”
Rhapsody in Bloom will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, garden tours and music. During the event Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum will pay special tribute to, Stephanie Cohen, “Perennial Diva” and founding director of the Ambler Arboretum; Barbara and Phil Albright, premier supporters of the Arboretum and campus; and will posthumously honor internationally respected landscape architect John Collins, who was instrumental in establishing Temple’s four-year degrees in landscape architecture and horticulture. Mr. Collins passed away in August.
 Barbara and Phil (’86) Albright: The Albrights have been dedicated long-term supporters of the Ambler Campus and Arboretum. In 1995, the Albrights donated the Ericaceous Collection, which is now part of the Native Plant Garden. The Albright Winter Garden was dedicated in May 2008. Phil Albright is a founding member of the President’s Advisory Council, former Chairman of the Ambler/SED Board of Visitors, and currently serves as the Chair of the Ambler Arboretum Advisor Committee. The Albrights are community leaders and philanthropists who inspire others by example.
 Stephanie Cohen (’80): Stephanie Cohen holds two degrees from Temple University, where she was a much beloved Horticulture faculty member at the Ambler Campus for more than 20 years. She was the Founding Director of the Ambler Arboretum and served in that role for 5 years. Along with her numerous awards, Cohen is a prize-winning author, lecturer, and storyteller. She is well known across the country as the “Perennial Diva.” Her latest book, The Non-Stop Garden, will be the subject of a lecture on campus in the near future.
 John F. Collins, FASLA: In 1988, John Collins became Chair of Temple’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. Under his leadership, the department achieved accreditation for the Landscape Architecture program. Collins’ 40-year career in Landscape Architecture changed lives through his role as an educator and as a landscape architecture professional and inspired designer. Many of his hand drawn works may be viewed in the John Collins Drawing Collection, located on the second floor of the Ambler Campus Learning Center. About John Collins.
“The wonderful Arboretum and gardens that we enjoy today at Ambler are the result of many hands and minds over the last century. At this very special 100th anniversary event, we are honoring some people without whom the Arboretum would not be the rich, diverse destination that it is today — Phil and Barbara Albright, Stephanie Cohen, and John Collins have all contributed to the development of the Arboretum in unique and essential ways,” said Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey. “In 2011, we are celebrating 100 years of academic excellence and environmental education at Ambler. Any birthday is a milestone, and this is an occasion to celebrate our past and look toward our future. In addition to highlighting the accomplishments and contributions that each of our honorees have made to the life of the campus and to the development of the Ambler Arboretum, the event features the music of the Grammy-nominated cellist Jeffrey Solow, husband of Arboretum Advisory member and Ambler Campus graduate Sharee Solow. Visitors will also be able to stroll through the torch lit grounds with food and drink and mingle and meet with friends.”
 Tickets are limited for Rhapsody in Bloom. Ticket prices for this special anniversary event are: $100 Friend, $500 Patron, $1,000 Benefactor (reservations for two, reserved seats in tent), and $5,000 Champion (reservations for eight, reserved table in tent) Champions and Benefactors will be invited to arrive at 5 p.m. to receive a signed copy of Stephanie Cohen’s book, The Non-Stop Garden.
“We would like to sincerely thank our Champion sponsors: Barbara and Phil Albright, Jenny Rose and Gus Carey, McMahon Associates, Inc., Mill Spring Foundation, and Faith and Joseph Tiberio,” said Lowe. “We also appreciate the continued support given us each year from DeerTech.”
Proceeds from the Rhapsody in Bloom garden party will help support and maintain the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Finely crafted hand turned red oak bowls from “Big Red,” a large oak tree that stood near Cottage Hall, will be for sale during the event and also benefit the Arboretum.
Temple University Ambler has a long history of horticulture, landscape design, and environmental stewardship. Established as the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women in 1910 and opened to students in 1911, the 187-acre campus represents a unique mix of natural and designed landscapes. The gardens serve as excellent outdoor learning laboratories for numerous classes and as a source of inspiration for the campus and local communities.
The Ambler Arboretum has a diverse range of learning gardens including the formal perennial garden, an herb garden, a groundcover garden, a native plant garden, a rock wall, a woodland garden, a sustainable wetland garden, an annual trial garden, a green roof garden, a winter garden, a healing garden, and a conifer garden.
The mission of the Ambler Arboretum is to serve as a living, learning laboratory that promotes love and knowledge of horticulture, understanding of the relationship between people and the environment, and awareness of both the need for and means to achieve greater environmental responsibility. The Ambler Arboretum is committed to celebrating the achievements of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women and preserving the historic significance of the campus. Its three areas of focus are sustainability, the health benefits of gardens, and the history of women in horticulture, agriculture, and design.
For more information about the Ambler Arboretum, visit www.temple.edu/ambler/arboretum.
For more information on Rhapsody in Bloom, contact Linda Lowe at 267-468-8440 or linda.lowe@temple.edu. To register for the event, contact 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu.
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