From the Digest

HSCSS Meetings Return to Botanical Garden

Photo
Located at the corner of Shaw Avenue and Kingshighway, the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education provides space for the EarthWays Center and other departments and partners. Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.

(December 2022)

The new year will take Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society back to its historical home at Missouri Botanical Garden. The January 8 club meeting will be held at the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education, an MBG facility located at 4651 Shaw Blvd., several blocks west of the main garden entrance.

“Returning to the Missouri Botanical Garden offers the club the opportunity to continue our ties with them,” HSCSS President Ralph Olliges said. “It also offers a central meeting place most people are familiar with. We hope to attract more members as we continue to rebuild after COVID.”

COVID-19 restrictions led Missouri Botanical Garden to close its facilities to plant societies and other groups in early 2020. Without an in-person meeting place, HSCSS members got together online via Zoom. Well-known guest speakers helped maintain member engagement.

An offer from HSCSS member Jerry Jost provided a new option for meetings. In early 2022, the club began to hold events in a remodeled section of one of Jost’s company buildings in Overland. Jost received the 2022 Martin Schweig Appreciation Award in recognition of this generosity and support.

Jost recently said HSCSS can use his facility for both its winter party and annual show in 2023.

“We are indeed grateful for his offer,” said Mike Hellmann, HSCSS program director. “Between Jerry’s place and the garden, now we have the best of both worlds.”

Monthly club meetings will be held in one of the classrooms at the Commerce Bank Center. The center, which features extensive green building design, is a hub for Missouri Botanical Garden’s expanding programming. Among other departments, it houses the garden’s Education and Sustainability Divisions, and hosts varied outreach activities.