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"Yes, in the poor man’s garden grow far more than herbs and flowers. Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, And joy for weary hours."
- Mary Howitt (1804–1888)
"I'll be working in Discovery Gardens again this week. It's time to pull some weeds. We've had a lot of rain. There's a sign-up sheet going around if you can help. If I'm not home, you'll know where to find me. Come help."
- Charlie Schob, Chairman, Discovery Gardens Project, Marietta Morning Rotary Club
"Charlie really, really loves this garden."
- David Haas, Marietta Morning Rotary Club
"How come you can go down there and pull weeds but can't do it at home?"
- Anonymous
Discovery Gardens Knits Our Club Together
Gracing the entrance to old Marietta and the Marietta College campus, and strategically located at one of Marietta's busiest intersections, Discovery Gardens offers a welcome that changes from season to season. And for charter club member Charlie Schob, it's a labor of love.
"Discovery Gardens was the first project undertaken by the brand new Marietta Morning Rotary Club in 1992", says Charlie.
"Columbus (Ohio) was selected to host an international flower show in 1992 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the year in which Columbus discovered America. The show was called Ameriflora and was expected to draw large crowds, which would tax the hotel room capacity of central Ohio.
Charlie adds, "Organizers determined that other towns from throughout Ohio could become satellite cities where tourists would be steered for rooms if these towns would build a display promoting Ameriflora. The Marietta Tourist and Convention Bureau jumped at the opportunity and started raising funds and making plans.
"Our club became involved late in 1991. Charter member Bev Helser was on our board as well as the Tourist and Convention Center board. At one of our board meetings she suggested we consider this for a community service project.
Schob remembers, "According to Bev, area banks would likely not commit their funds until the Tourist and Convention Bureau established a plan to maintain the garden.
Because we were a new club in search of a project, but with little money in our treasury, we believed our sweat equity would make an impact. We were right."
Unfortunately, Ameriflora never met expectations. But nearly ten years later, the garden remains under our care. The name has been changed to Discovery Gardens. Today, the garden is host to many Marietta Morning Rotary Club work parties, giving us a chance to contribute to the beauty of Marietta, and allowing us to witness the transition from season to season in a hands-on way.
From Charlie Schob, on The BJ's Birch
BJ's Birch is simply a gift from my first wife and me. She was particularly fond of Birch trees. The original garden had a Beech tree in the same location, but it died. I surprised her with the Birch as an anniversary gift. She was very pleased.
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