8 The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 10, 1999 0 'U' Gardens host fa mily celebration By Nika Schulte Daily News Editor Amidst blooming blue and white violets and yellow wood poppies, families and friends took advantage of yesterday's sunny skies to celebrate Mother's Day at the University's Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Throughout the day, guides led hundreds of mothers and their families on tours of the Helen V Smith Woodland Wildflower Garden. Every year, the Gardens plan their wildflower celebration to coincide with Mother's Day. "The Wildflower Garden gets better and bet- ter each year," said Karen Meske, coordinator of the event. "This year it's at its peak," she said. Although the flora in the Wildflower Garden, which features plants from the southern Great Lakes' region, traditionally peaks during May and June, Meske said in past years the garden has peaked earlier or later than expected. Meske said she was delighted that was not the case this year. Meske said she was also pleased with this year's turnout. "Theeventusually draws a crowd of 400. itn expecting a little more today," Meske said, explaining that'special groups, including the National Wildlife Federation and the Michigan Botanical Club, were on hand to discuss garden- ing and landscaping techniques with the visi- tors. Walking hand-in-Iand with her son David and daughter Genna, visitor Cathy Galura said she and her children were having a great time wan- dering around the stone-lined paths of the Wildflower Garden. Galura said she especially enjoyed the garden because it contains flowers and plants familiar to her and her family. "We're having fun naming some of the things we have in our own yard," Galura said. But she said one of the best features ofthe day was the soft breeze and the blue skies. "It is- very beautiful today," Galura said. "Much better than yesterday." Visitors also sipped tea on the Gardens' terrace and listened to a lecture about native terrestrial orchids delivered by botanist Frederick Case. Some visitors took the time to explore the other gardens at the sight. Dagmar Salis and her mother enjoyed part of the afternoon surround- ed by the fragrance of the herb beds in the Alexandra ticks Herb Knot Garden. Salis said she wanted to spend the day with her mother and thought the (Gardens offered the perfect location for the occasion. "There is no better place to celebrate Mother's Day than outside in a garden," Salis said. DAN itAs Janet Kohler, Timothy Jarrat and Daniel Jarrat take a break on a path at the University's Matthaei Botanical Gardens yesterday. The Gardens hosted events for Mother's Day and Wildflower Day. Caucasian Egg Donor Needed For Loving Family You must be at least 5' 7" Have a 1300+ SAT Score Possess no major family medical issues Free Medical Screening All Expenses Paid 5i For More Information Please email Darlene: K. s m Or fax inquiries to: 1-619-234-8881 Hitt & Pinkerton, Attorneys At Law (1-800-264-8828) I l 0