The new interactive kaleidoscope at the Discovery Garden in Holidaysburg, was officially dedicated to the community at a ceremony on Thursday, September 14th.
Numerous civic leaders, volunteers, and garden enthusiasts took part in the festivities, as live music, refreshments, and door prizes greeted all in attendance. The fete took place during the garden’s anniversary week, marking 23 years since one parcel of the Legion Park property transformed into the Discovery Garden.
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30pm. Chamber ambassadors and staff joined volunteers from the Discovery Garden, the Women’s Club of Altoona, Skills of Central Pa staff members, and the Mayor, for a grand photo opportunity in front of the kaleidoscope.
When the public reception at began at 5:30pm, Holidaysburg Mayor Joe Dodson was first at the microphone to welcome the community to the garden. Next, were remarks and expressions of gratitude from JoAnn Propcheck, representing both the Women’s Club of Altoona and the Blair Garden Club, and Skills of Central Pa CEO Val Barner. Finally, Leslie Smith, of the Discovery Garden Committee, dedicated the kaleidoscope to the community.
The kaleidoscope was designed and constructed by R.L. Anderson, one of the world’s most renowned kaleidoscope artists. As a permanent fixture now residing the in the Discovery Garden, visitors of all ages can enjoy the merging of nature and physics at the Discovery Garden all Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Throughout the party, Sophie Kahn delivered beautiful music from her concert harp. The young harpist is supported by Skills of Central Pa’s Employment Services division.
About The Garden:
The Discovery Garden, a project of the Skills Foundation, is an award-winning public garden located in Legion Park, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Kids’ Kingdom Play Park, at 1501 N Juniata St., Hollidaysburg. For more information, visit www.discoverygardenpa.com
Since its opening in 2000, the Garden has become a community and regional sightseeing and gathering destination. This beautiful and peaceful place is dedicated to the memory of Courtney Leigh Claton. In 2008, Discovery Garden earned the Community Greening Award presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance; the award recognizes the creation and maintenance of a public green space that enhances the community. The Discovery Garden is handicapped accessible and includes a Horticultural Therapy Garden maintained by individuals from Skills of Central PA.
Other specialty gardens in this inviting botanical space include the Cottage Garden, which earned the 2016 “Garden of Distinction” blue ribbon from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; the Time Garden, which contains one of the largest horizontal sundials on the East Coast; and the Children’s Garden, which includes a potting shed, a rabbit hole tunnel and a rainbow garden. The Discovery Garden also contains the Planting Garden, comprised of raised beds planted in the spring by local elementary school students. Dedicated volunteers maintain this community garden; they work every Thursday morning from April through mid-October.
