The 40th Anniversary Evening in the Arboretum, celebrated on April 24, 2021, continues to receive positive feedback! In particular, residents continue to mention the incredible charcuterie boxes prepared by Medford Leas Dining Services, the fireworks and certainly the ability to celebrate the Arboretum with friends and neighbors safely outside throughout both campuses.
We continue to receive donations for this event, but to date, we have raised over $46,000 in support of the Arboretum Fund. These proceeds represent the largest to date for this event. The funds are already being used for the maintenance and further development of the Meadows on both campuses, as well as additional specimen trees added to our collection.
The Meadows have recently been assessed by Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, and we are assured that the Meadows are in good condition for this time of the year. We recognize that at Lumberton, we will need to add in additional plants and plugs to fill in the areas that had been overtaken with switch grass. That is set to happen this fall season, as we move into the cooler weather. On the Medford Campus, additional seeding has already taken place and the bulk of the Meadow is moving into a year where we can anticipate more color from wildflowers, perennials and texture from the grasses that have matured. We will continue to monitor and address invasives throughout the season in both Meadows.
Proceeds for Evening have also helped to support the addition of close to 20 specimen trees on the Medford Campus. They are a combination which includes Cherry trees, Birch trees, and Magnolias. The Pinetum has been enhanced with the addition of four specimen trees. In addition, we have added a number of trees in memory of former residents, supported by separate donations from family and friends.
We so appreciate the support from Evening at the Arboretum 2021 that has allowed for this to happen. A big thank you to those who participated.