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Arbor Day

The University of South Carolina Upstate Alumni Association hosts an annual Arbor Day Celebration the first Friday in December, which is South Carolina Arbor Day.

Ken DruseArbor Day
Friday, December 3, 2010

The 2010 featured speaker is Ken Druse, a nationally known garden expert, award- winning author, newpaper columnist, radio host and public speaker. His published books include The Natural Garden, The Natural Shade Garden, The Natural Habitat Garden, The Collector's Garden, and Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation. This last work is a bestseller and winner of "Best Book of the Year" from The American Horticultural Society; and "Award of the Year," the highest honor, from the Garden Writers Association of America, of which he is also a fellow.

His newest book, Ken Druse: The Passion for Gardening, won best book of the year from The American Horticultural Society, awarded in May, 2004.

In April, 2004, Ken received the Sarah Chapman Francis Medal for "Literary Achievement" from the Garden Club of America. This lifetime award was presented for Ken's entire body of work communicating about gardening and the environment.

Ken has contributed both articles and photographs to nearly every gardening and decorating magazine and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times. 

He divides his time between his New York City studio, garden in New Jersey, and lecture engagements around the country.

"I was the kid who rescued the baby birds - and could nearly always be found playing in the dirt -- building roads for my toy trucks and forts for my soldiers," says Ken.

My mother revered wildflowers, and I've inherited her need to pass along her feelings: to teach, communicate and share what I love about nature and gardening.

My brain is always filled with ideas. I'm always tinkering with something -- building a cabinet; making lamp shades out of paper and pressed flowers; painting the house or painting a picture; and always writing in my head."

Ken continues, "I need to write, to share what I know about the subject I love. And I love to take pictures to enhance the words. But I always wish I had more time to garden."

Schedule

9:00 a.m.
Tree dedication with the City of Spartanburg
USC Upstate’s Johnson College of Business and Economics
*This is the only event taking place in downtown Spartanburg. All other events take place on the main USC Upstate campus.

10:00 a.m.
Tree dedication at Susan Jacobs Arboretum
USC Upstate Main Campus

11:00 a.m.
Ken Druse’s Presentation
Humanities & Performing Arts Center

12:00 noon
Lunch with Ken Druse (Q&A session and door-prizes)
Campus Life Center Ballroom

1:30-3:00 p.m.
Pruning Workshop
Dr. Lawrence E. Roël Pavilion

Tickets

  • $10 each for presentation/lunch
  • $25 each for presentation/lunch/workshop

Each participant will receive a pair of Corona shears and plant.
*Only two tickets prices are available. To attend the pruning workshop only, the cost is $25.

Additional Information
Guide By Cell Tour
Arbor Day Photo Gallery 

USC Upstate Foundation
University of South Carolina Upstate
800 University Way
Spartanburg, SC 29303
phone: (864) 503-5242

Contact
Bea Walters Smith 
(864) 503-5235

USC Upstate Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable organization of the University of South Carolina Upstate.