A Natural Inspiration2008 AnnuAl RepoRt

What is the long term value of a place that is engaged on a daily basis in the conservation of land and natural resources?

How much is one willing to give to have a place where nature is preserved, gardens bloom, artistic inspiration is celebrated, and biodiversity highly valued? How important is it to have serene, protected green spaces in which to enjoy nature? How does one determine the worth of such an asset?

our staff, members, contributors, and volunteers know very well the extraordinary value taltree is to the people of the south lake Michigan region and beyond. prairies and woodlands clean the air and reduce rainwater runoff. Wetlands filter silt and pollutants. All areas provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife: from whitetail deer to field mice, from soaring raptors to nesting ground birds, from largemouth bass to tadpoles, and so many more. What’s more, our educational activities challenge both children and adult participants to become better stewards of these natural resources.

The simple answer is that the value of such a place as Taltree is immeasurable. the importance of taltree to the community will continue to increase with the ongoing loss of green space due to development in the region. especially in trying times like these, taltree Arboretum & Gardens’ mission is essential to the health and well-being of all people in the region, today and tomorrow.

As we look back, what has been accomplished here in ten years is remarkable. As we continue to grow with new programs, gardens, and facilities there is a great need to ensure the long term sustainability of taltree. Some time in the distant future people enjoying the benefits of clean air, water, and green space will thank all who had the foresight to preserve taltree. We trust that you are with us as a part of the equation in supporting taltree for generations to come, and will accept our gratitude on behalf of all those who benefit from your generosity.

James e. Hitz executive Director

31998 taltree Founders Rita and Damien Gabis

1998 planting of prairie, hickory and oak trees

1998 taltree Arboretum & Gardens incorporated

4 1999 Savanna wetlands restoration

2000 Wetland plants installed 2001 Adult education Classes established

I grew up in the city where even parks were rare. Although I always longed for country living, I was forced to live in urban areas because of

my work.

When I moved to Indiana a few years ago, I found a natural wonderland called taltree. taltree offers everything that I longed for—natural beauty, hiking trails, and serenity. one visit to taltree was all I needed. I became a member the next day.

I support taltree in what ways I can because I get so much for my membership. the free concerts are always enjoyable because

they are attended by friendly, courteous people who also like nature. the hiking trails are picturesque and good exercise, but not too challenging.

on occasion I just sit on a bench and watch the grasses and trees gently blow in the wind, smell the flowers, and listen to the birds sing. This is why I come to taltree.

Frank Kasle Taltree Member

Founders Society level – $1,000 & upFeller, Mary Ann Gabis, Damien & Rita Gabis, Mark Hitz, leonard Melton, James & Barbara pierce, Douglas & Cynthia Schroeder, eugene & Doris Sengupta, elizabeth

Benefactor level – $500 to $1000 emerson power transmission Glenn C. Hannah trust Fund Hau, tom & Gloria Hitz, Jim & Jill MeyerBooks nagel, Max & Judith nIpSCo - Valparaiso peglow, edgar & eleanor Raymond e. Meyer trust Schreiner, John & Jenifer Steinbrecher, William & Helen

patron level – $250 to $500 Break Away performance Group, llC Brust, tim & Karen evanson, David & Marita Kitchell, nealleland, Cindy Miller, Darryl & patrica Ruge, James Schreiner, paul & nancy Seelye, Irvin & Isabelle Spelde, edward & Susan Sunkel, Morris & Denise tudor Fashion Floors, Inc. Visclosky Foundation Watkins, Doug & Jackie

Sponsor level – $100 to $250 Agler, thomas Ames, J. tim Anders, Mary

Arnold, Andrew & Susan Ault, George & Janice Aylesworth, Christine Bamesberger, Dr. larry & Susan Bertig, Anthony & Melissa Bucher, Dean & patrica Bucher, Gwen Classic landscaping & Designs Inc. Claypool, Willam & Barbara Cohen, Raymond & lisa Conde, paul evans, John & Beverly Feaster, Susan & John Feller, Mary Ann Fleming, Richard Gabis, John & Janine Gabis, Joseph & Barbara Grindle, James Gyurko, Robert & Charlene Harry Danning trust Foundation J. Russell properties, llC Jarnecke, Ruth JRB properties Kasle, Frank Kimmel, terry & Barbara Kinkade, Howard & Stephanie Kish, James & Sharon Kobak, Dr. Alfred & Sue loosemore, Kent & pat MacDonald, Rick & Gay Meyer, John Meyer, Raymond & Christa Modrowski, Roger & Debbie Molski, Roger (& Mareia) naylor, William & Alice nielsen, Dana & Rosemary nissan, George north Coast Distributing, Inc. novello, Gene nuest-Birky, Vera prudential executive Group Reed, Jean Reynolds, Richard & norma Ricci’s landscape Management, Inc (RlM) Ryan, Daniel & Kathleen Sacopulos, Becky

Schmidt, Duane Seegers, Gerald & Betty Shikany, Joseph & Joyce Silliker, John Smittle Consulting, Inc. Spanopoulos, James & Helen Steele, lonnie & Carol tausche, louise trzaskoma, Mary Valavanis, paula & SpenVirkler, Andrew & Maxine Walker, Frederick Wheelock, pat & Mary Wrobel, Beth Yamhure, Alvaor & Sandra Young, Kristen & Steven

Booster level – up to $99 Adik, Viki & Steven Alternate plan, llC Anderson, Christian Anderson, Michael & Claudia Armstrong, Joan Bentley, David & Christine Berda, larry & Kathleen Bergland, Bruce & Cynthia Besterman, David & Roslyn Bohlmann, Melvin Bomberger, Cathryn Brandt, tom & Victoria Brimer, Richard & Carol Buckler, Warren Burton, Val & Roberta Cairns-Boyd, Claudette Carberry, George Carr, Sharon Clifford Stone & Material Co. Coican, Robert Colosino, James & teresa Conde, paul Cummings, Bruce & louise De Bie, paul & Mary Dennis & Sons Builders Dhoot, Sunil & Sunita Dienes, Gary & Marie Dimitri, Kathryn

Donor list 5

2008 Annual Fund

Douglas, Herb & Sharon Dworkin, James & nancy Dywan, Kenneth & Susan egan, lee Ann eibel, F. Ritchey engle, Gary Farley, Geralyn Ferber, Adolph Finlay-Kochanowski, Jeannie Finnegan, Kevin Flis, James & patrica Frank, William & Joan Fuller, Clarissa Gabis, paul & linda Garland, Carol Gillispie, Charley & Delphina Gojko, peter & Cheryl Golding, Helen Hahn, Marilyn Hardison, troy & Connie Heinold, evie (evelyn) Heinrich, Gerald & Connie Henry, Steven & Shelli Hickman, Morrie Higgins, Wllis & Suzanne Hilzley, Michael, Sr. & Robbie Hitz, Jim & Jill Hoyt, Robert Huber, patricia Hutson, Karen Iorio, Fay J.R. Burrus excavating & trucking, Inc. Jarnecke, Darl & Fontanna Johnson, Kenneth & Glenda Johnston, Joan Kearby, patricia Kendera, Sue Kiesnowski, thaddeus & Marcelyn Koleff, Alexander A lasky, Dale & Helen lee, David & Susan lindner, Bruce & Marilyn lute, Ruth luther, Robert & Wilma Mahan, nanci Mapes, John & linda Markle, William & Karen Markulin, Connie Martz, Hugh

Massner, Mary lynn Masters, William & Wendy McFarland, Mary lee Mericsko, Arlene Miller, Judith Miller, Sarah Mitchell, lois Mosher, larry & Judith newman, Jerry noe, Sandra & lewis nuest, pearl & Cory nutt, Robert & Joyce overholt, David & Myrna oeding, Bill & Danielle pampalone, Dominic & Judith pazour, Kevin peller, James & Jodie persyn, Mary petrie, Carol phillips, Harry & Mary pierce, Douglas & Cynthia pillar, William Jr & Janet pilz, David & Connie possibility place nursery, Inc. Rathert, leonard & Carolyn Read, Herbert & Charlotte Reshkin, Mark & Bettimae Reynolds, Rich (young Rich) pribbernow, Chuck & Diane Rhoda, Robert & Vicki Rivers, Chuck Root, Daniel Sablich, Michael Schenck, Will & Kay Schnurlein, John & Joan Silliker, John Skolak, lorri Snodgrass, Roy & Geri Steffen, Derrell & Sue Steinbrecher, William & Helen Stimmel, David & Verna Stump, Mauri & Janice terlicher, Gilbert tims, Machteld & Ian tolbert, Cheryl town & County Market Velasco, Richard Walker, Danielle Walsh, James & Wendy Warner, Dorothy Webster, Jim & Beth

West, Scott Wheelock, pat & Mary White, Willard Williams, Bruce & Ramela Wiltfang, Kathryn Wolf, John & Deborah Worden, Charles & Marian Zromkoski, Cindy & Ron

Audrey M. & leonard J. Hitz Family Rose Garden Hitz, leonard Hitz, Robert Malasto, Arthur & Irene Virkler II, Andy Weigele, ernest & Mary

Railway Garden Gabis, Damien & RitaHoeppner, Wagner and evans, llp Jobsite leasing Company, Inc. luekens, Roger & patrica Melton, James & laura

Cathy Hodges Memorial Fund for performing Arts Auld, S.M. & B.l. Caldwell, John Gyure, Steve & patricia Hitz, James & Jill Kappel, Roy & teresa largura, Cecelia nIpSCo penkala, Barbara thalmann, Diane uzubell, Ronald Waldschmidt, Anthony & Jennifer Westerhausen, Curt & Conchita

General Fund Anderson, Barth Anoskey, Kim B & G Sealcoating, llC Bellamy, Calvin Berda, larry & Kathleen Berge, Ann Brandt, tom Victoria Bucher technologies Bukur, thomas Caress, Gerald & Mary lee Carroll Simpson Fund

6 taltree 2008 Annual Report

Choi, Young & Sunnie Choices! Counseling Services, p.C. Coican, Robert Crowe Foundation Crown point Garden Club Curtis, Karen Day, Christina Dimitri, Kathryn eisenhauer, Ronald & linda eldred, terry & Joanne First unitarian Church of Hobart Foster, Maryann Gabis, Damien & Rita Gabis, Mark Gilleo, ted Grindle, James Helen M. Harrison Foundation Henrichs, Mary e Hitz, Jim & Jill Hitz, leonard Home Depot Foundation Kasle, Frank Keim, Janice Kennedy, Jr., John & Sonia Kish, James & Sharon Klootwyk, Bonny Knauff, paul & Connie luther, Robert & Wilma MacDonald, Gregory DDS Masters, William & Wendy McCoy, Charles & Marcia McFarland, Mary lee McMurtry, Myrna MeyerBooks Miller, Darryl & patrica Miller, thomas Munster Garden Club nielsen, Dana & Rosemary

nuest, pearl nuest-Birky, Vera ohlfest, Sherry pampalone travel, Inc. peo Chaptery pierce, Judith portage Rotary Club porter County Master Gardeners, Inc. powers, Donald & Margo pribbernow, Chuck & Diane pronto prestamos Rhinesperger, lois Ruiz, Fred & tracy Sacopulos, Gus & Joy Salt, Rayson & norah Seelye, turk & Isabelle Silliker, John Swantko, Dawn trzaskoma, Mary united Methodist Women Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Vinzani, S. ellen Welter, Charles & Donna Wrobel, Beth

Grants State of Indiana Kankakee Valley ReMC nIpSConiSource Charitable Foundation Rebuilding together, Inc. Kiwanis noonSouth Shore Arts

In-Kind General Bapst, Karl

Brent and Becky’s Bulbs Gardiner, Bill & Char Hitz, Jim & Jill loosemore, Kent & pat luekens, Roger patricia Major, Stanley & Carol MeyerBooks philips Ace Hardware, Inc., #5088-I putnam, Mary Ann the Growth Coach Wackett, Joyce

In Memory of In Memory Of: Ronald Buls pierce, Douglas & Cynthia In Memory Of: Lenore M. Pierce pierce, Douglas & Cynthia In Memory of: Ronald J. Hamrock tomasek, Aimee Melton, James & Barbara In Memory of: Tom Hau Gabis, Damien Melton, James & Barbara In Memory of: James Wright Wright, Janice In Memory of: Jim Wright Wright, Janice-Family of Scotland In Memory of: Nancy Rossetto lake County Master Gardeners In Memory of: Donna Colwell lake County Master Gardeners

Music in nature Sponsors oak – $500 and up energy tech Insulations, Inc. G.e. Marshall, Inc. lakeshore public television - Diane Aaron Melton, James & laura

2002 Joseph e. Meyer Memorial pavilion built

2003 First ‘taltree ten’ run at arboretum

2003 Music in nature concert series

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Ricci’s landscape Management, Inc. Smalls landscaping

Hickory – $350 to $500 Horticopia, Inc. nIpSCo

Aspen – $200 to $350 edward Jones Investments Hitz, Jim & Jill langer and langer town & County Market

Dogwood – $100 to $200 Bella Real estate , llC Bucher technologies Dennis & Sons Builders Hau, tom and Gloria Home Mountain publishing Co. Kennedy Buick Mazda Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso Schoer, Jonathon & Deborah Fedge State Farm Insurance Weiss Family Charitable Foundation Wille & Stiener enterprises, Inc.

2008 Fiesta espanola Fundraiser Sponsors

Bur oak – $3,000 peter G. Horton Charitable Remainder trust lakeshore public television - Diane Aaron

Cherry – $1,000 McCoy, Charles & Marcia nIpSCo - Merrillville pronto prestanos

tulip tree – $500 energy tech Insulations, Inc. G.e. Marshall, Inc. Gabis, Damien & Rita Ivy tech Community College northwest McAfee Animal Hospital Melton, James & laura pierce, Dougless & Cynthia purdue university north Central - Steve turner, Acting V.p. of Admin Ricci’s landscape Management, Inc (RlM) Sacopulos, Becky Shirley Heinze land trust, Inc. Smalls landscaping

Service Berry – $200 Blade Boys - Sixty, llC Brychell, Richard & Susan edward Jones Investments Hitz, Jim & Jill Horticopia, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso langer and langer nIpSCo - Merrillville plesac, leslie pribbernow, Chuck & Diane

other – up to $199 Anderson, Barth Barge, Ann Bella Real estate , llC Berda, larry & Kathleen Bucher technologies Choi, Young D Christoff, Christ & Georgia Dennis & Sons Builders Gabis, Mark & terrie Hau, tom & Gloria Hitz, leonard J Home Mountain publishing Co. Kennedy Buick Mazda Miller, Darryl & patricia nielsen, Dana & Rosemary nuest, pearl powers, Donald Sacopulos, Gus & Joy Schoer, Jonathon & Deborah Fedge State Farm Insurance Weiss Family Charitable Foundation Welter, Chuck Wille & Stiener enterprises, Inc.

In-Kind: Fundraiser All occasion Rental the Flower Cart Rendina, Fred

2003 Summer Youth programs begin at taltree

2004 native plant Garden begins 2004 Welcome Garden planted8

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Memberships - Friend Membership Adik, Viki & SteveAgler, thomas Anderson, larry Ault, George & Janice Bowman, Ann Brandt, tom & Victoria Claypool, Bob & Barbara Cohen, Raymond & lisa Collins, Sylvia & tom Denny, elva Feaster, Susan & John Feller, Mary Ann Fleming, Richard Flis, patricia Gabis, Mark & terrie Gallagher, Greg & JoyGasser, Mary Ghuman, Minakshi Grindle, James Gyurko, Robert & Charlene Hau, tom & Gloria Hitz, Jim & Jill Hitz, leonard Jarnecke, Ruth Kemp, Kristopher & Heather Kitchell, neal lazar, Mr. & Mrs. eli Melton, James & Barbara nagel, Max & Judith naylor, William & Alice noe, lewis & Sandra pierce, Cynthia & Douglas Rippy, Mark & Shirley Rodimel, Judith Salt, Rayson & norah Schmidt, Duane Schoer, Jonathon & Deborah Schreiner, John & Jenifer Schroeder, Doris Schwartz, Rick & Joan Seelye, turk (Irvin W.) Seykowski, ed & Karen Skrabak, Dennis & Marlene Sorrells, Kent & Bonnie Steinbrecher, William & Helen Stroguiludis, Geroge taylor, Bill & elizabeth thrall, larry trzaskoma, Mary

tyler, norma Wangerin, Walter & Ruthanne Young, Barbara

Family Membership Ackerman, Susan Aglinskas, peter Albers, Jim Alpers, Robert & elaine Anderson, Charles & Sandra Anderson, paul & Amy Antonson, Jill & Hal Aust, Annette & Dennis Aylesworth, Christine Bair, Amanda Baird, Jeanne & Mike Balka, David & Janet Becklenberg, Mary Ann & John Bell, evelyn Bell, nancy Bendicsen, Michael & elizabeth Benedetto, Michael & Carol Bengel,Don & Betty Bentley, David & Christine Bequette, Denise Berge, Ann Berger, David & Kay Bergland, Bruce & Cynthia Blair, Brian Blumenthal, Kenneth & Jeanne Bogs, Dennis & Sheri Bomberger, peter Boone, Debbie Boscia, Jim & Susan Bowden, Barbara Bowersox, Howard & Janet Brust, tim & Karen Bulla, Roger & linda Burns, Gregory G. & Mary Burton, Val & Roberta Carlson, lee & Mary Carmichael, Bonnie & David Chick, Suzanne Chorak, nicholas Christoff, Engolfia Chupp, larry & Diana Coburn, Chuck & Carol Coican, Robert Corse, Steve Cortwright, Spencer Coto, Jeff & Kim

Cowan, William & linda Dasgupta, purnendu & Sandra Davis, Al & Jan Deku, Robert & Mary lou DeRolf, Wayne & nancy Dick, Jan & Marian Dienes, Gary & Marie DiMaio, Sam Dingee, Bill & linda Doane, C. J. & Carolyn Dunlap, Clint & Kathie Dunn, larry & Arlene Dye, Douglas & Carolyn Dywan, Kenneth & Susan eisenhauer, Ronald & linda eldred, terry & Joanne engle, Gary esola, Charles essany, Michael & Michael eszengi, Alex & linda evanson, David & Marita Falkenberg, Georgia & Carsten Farrall, Gregory Ferguson, Ralph & linda Fink, Joseph & Sarah Flanagin, Donna & Doug Fortunak, nancy Foster, Maryann Freeman, Richard & Sandra Frohnapple, Susan Froman, Derry & Karen Gabis, linda & paul Ghidotti, Robert & Judith Gianaris, Dr. paul & Annie Gierke, Jon & Helen Gilleo, Christopher & Kimberly Gilleo, ted & elaine Giorgi, Jeff Gojko, peter & Cheryl Gregory, Chuck & Rena Hahn, Doug & Mari Hall, tracy Halsey, Ken & elsa Hand, terry & June Hardwick, John & Katy Henderlong, Arthur Henderson, James & Judith Herrick, Donald & Susan Hibbs, Duane & lee Hickman, Morrie & Sandra Higbie, William &Karen

taltree 2008 Annual Report 9

Hines, Jake & Kathy Hix, Charles & Karen Hodson, John & Mary Hoeksema, Douglas & Suzan Horvath, Kathleen Hug, Karen Hughes, norm & Sara Husar, Andrew & Susan Huss, Carolyn Iltzsche, Bill Irwin, James & Fiona Jarnecke, Darl & Fontanna Jeselnick, Jim & Mary Johnson, Cindy Johnson, Glenda & Kenneth Jones, Marcus & Jane Kaminski, Dave & Beth Kasle, Frank Kaufman, Alan & Janet Keenan, terry & nora Keim, Janice Keith, Herb & Georgia Kelly, Jr., Jeanne & John Kennedy, Steve Kernagis, tony & Mona Kerr, Brandon Kibler, Michael & linda King, Dr. tim & tricia Kings, David & patricia Kinkade, Howard & Stephanie Kish, James & Sharon Kitchell, Richard & elizabeth Klemp, Marcella Klemz, larry & Jeri Knopic, linda Kobza, John & nancy Koehler, Mickey Koeppen, Brad & Debbie Kolar, Charles & Joy Krebs, ted & Diane Krol, Donna Kusiak, Joseph & Roberta langhoff, Susan lark, Mary leavitt, Bill & Ann lee, David & Susan lorandos, nick & Helen loslo, Richard & phyllis luckett, Robert & Betty luekens, Roger & patricia luongo, Dr. Michael & Maureen

lute, Ruth lynch, William & nancy Maclean, Bruce & lynn Maclennan, John & Betsy Maier, Art & eileen Maiers, Wesley Markiewicz, Janet Markovich, Rich & Debbie Marshall, Marie & James Marshall, Roger & nancy Marten, Diane Martin, Fred & Dawn Martin, Jeffery & Jane McAfee, larry McBride, Dr. Robert & Robyn McBride, Kathleen McClelland, peter & Valeri McCracken, tony and elaine McCumber, tami McFarland, Mary lee McGuigan, Hugh & Sandy McMurtrey, Bob & Joyce Meeker, William & Rita Mesarch, Ronald Meyer, David Meyer, Frederick & ellen Meyer, John Miller, Cheryl & neal Miller, Sarah Modrak, Bill & Susan Modrowski, Roger & Debbie Mohar, Donald & Margaret Mroz, tom (son) Mueller, phil Muntzing, Steven & Kristin Murphy, Matt & Kathy Muvich, phil nagle, Molly naylor-nolas, Julie neuliep, Albert & Michelle nielsen, Dana & Rosemary noe, lewis & Sandra norwine, phillip nusbaum, Roger & Janet oeding, Bill & Danielle olson, Charles pack, eric & Brigette parente, Rick & nan pedersen, Arnold & nancy peloso, Susan pergher, Dante & lynn

phillips, Harry & Mary pickering, Keldon & Kay pilz, David & Connie plumb, Julia powell, ed & linda prescott, Jr., Robert preslin, Steven & Barbara pribbernow, Chuck & Diane pumphrey Jr., Melvin Quartucci, Greg & Jennifer Rakowski, Alex & Jude Reed, Kirsten Reichardt, Karl & paige Renner, Daniel Resetar, Alan & Donna Rettker, James & Kathy Reynolds, Debbi Reynolds, Richard & norma Rhew, Rick Richards, Gary & Diana Ritchie, David & peggy Rodrick, Jessica Rubio, Cruz & Cindy Ruiz, Fred & tracy Sanders, Robin Satkamp, Gary & Susan Schaberg, David Schiralli, John & Shawna Schwarz, Monika Seegers, Gerald & Betty Serafin, Joyce Shannon, ewaShema, James & Kathy Shimko, Craig Silliker, John Simkowski, David & Debbie Sleweon, Dr. thomas & eunice Smith, Glenn & Dorothy Smith, Martin & Monica Snodgrass, Roy & Geri Sonaty, Ron & Donna Sparks, Diane Spelde, edward Starrick, Dessie Starrick, Jean Stockwell, William & Sheri Strickley, Jennifer Stump, Mauri & Janice thomason, Randy & Joyce thompson, Kathryn tims, Machteld & Ian

10 taltree 2008 Annual Report

tomasek, Aimee tucker, Ken & laura turner, James & Barbara urbanski, Dody Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Valtierra, Jose & teresa Van Amstel, tom & Mary Ann Van Arsdel, John & Kathleen nelson, Karl & Jane VanHatten Versteeg, eldon & Marlene Vittoe, John & Christine Wackett, Ron Walsh, John & Kathleen Wangerin, Walter & Ruthanne Wayco, Jim & phyllis Weaver, Wayne & Joann Webster, Jim & Beth Welter, Kathy Wheelock, pat & Mary Widholm, erik & Gina Wignall, eric Willard, Kenneth & Wilma Williams, Randall & Dawn Wolf, John & Deborah Wolf, Robert & Carole Worden, Charles & Marian Yeager, David & Diane Yeoman, James & Judy Zaccone, Kevin Zeha, Jr John & Billie Zolfo, Michael & Michelle

Individual Membership Abel, Kathy Alt, patricia & larry Alvarez, lydia Anguiano, Charles Asher, thomas

Ault, George & Janice Balogh, Jo Bass, Dorothy Behrens, David Besterman, David & Roslyn Beversdorf, Rev. James & Bonnie Biehr, Rev. Harold Blythe, Sue Bohlmann, Melvin Boone, John Brist, Martha Brooks, Craig & Dianna Brown, Mary Brust, Helen Buchanan, Jody Bukur, tom Bullock, John & Marlene Burke, thomas & Maureen Calhoun, Stephanie Carpenter, Colleen Castor, penelope Champlin, Geraldine Cierniak, Ann & eugene Clyne, Kevin Coffey, Susan Copeland, Gregg Costa, Charles & Julie Cronk, linda Crucean, Gene Curtis, Karen Dailey, Marcy Damato, patricia Daniels, Betty Day, Christina Day, Shauna DeGan, Sue Del Greco, Marshall DeRolf, Rita

Dimitri, Kathryn Domagalski, Angela Drazer, Mary Faith Dye, Doughlas & Carolyn Dyson, Marilyn egan, lee Ann Fenchak, Jackie Fietz, lisa Gallagher, Ila Gaul, Anthony Gault, Susan Gilbertson, ella Golding, Helen Goldyn, Mary Ann Gransinger, Marlene Grant, Father paul Hahn, Marilyn Hallberg, Ann Hamady, Robert Hartig, Mark & Melissa Harting, laura Harvey, David & Donalda Hecht, Alcee Herold, Greg Hess, Martha Hill, Mary Horst, Richard Hudak, Clifford Husar, Andrew & Susan Hyland, elaine Iorio, Fay Jasper, pamela Johnston, Denise Johnston, Joan Jones, Diane Jostes, Victoria Kaluf, natalie Kearby, patricia

112005 Welcome Garden in bloom 2006 Weddings in bloom before garden blooms

2007 Audrey M. and leonard J. Hitz Rose Garden completed

Keith, Kay Kendera, Sue Klootwyk, Bonny Krug, Maryanne laReau, Clara largura, Cecelia lehmann, Gerry lewandowski, edgar lewandowski, phyllis lind, Aulis loosemore, Kent & pat Maczak, John & Jean Mann, Susan Mapes, John & linda Markle, Judith Masters, William & Wendy McCarrin, pat McCarty, David McCracken, tony & elaine McMurtry, Myrna & Bob McWhorter, Ruth Ann Mengel, Robert & Ruthanne Michalec, Rosemary Milici, Carol Milne, Deborah Mitchell, lois Monnich, Joni Mort, Barbara nelson, nancy newman, Jerry normoyle, Susan pampalone travel, Inc. patterson, Sara pearman, Anna peglow, Sheree persyn, Mary pierce, Judith popa, Diane

potter, Jack powell, Ruby prichason, Charles purevich, patricia purevich, Sharon Radovich, Susan Ransom, Charlotte Rearick, Joan Recktenwall, Martiann Reed, Jean Rhinesperger, lois Rhoda, Robert & Vicki Ritchie, David & peggy Robinson, Dana Rogatz, Matt Rozendaal, ellen Rush, James & Susan Sacopulos, Becky Samuels, Carl Santoro, John Schaefer, elizabeth Scheller, laura Schenck, Will & Kay Schuler, pat Segally, Sue Serwatka, Conrad & Judy Ann Simon, Mary Smith, lois Spanier, BettyJane Starrick, Dessie Stephens, tina Stevenson, Douglas & Daphne Strilich, Sandy Sturgell, Daniel Sullivan, Mary Sutherland, tim Swann, Carole terlicher, Gilbert

terry, Karen thomas, Dan tolbert, Cheryl travis, Colleen underwood, Bob Van Senus, Carol Virkler II, Andy Voller, Viktoria Walker, Danielle Warner, Dorothy Wayco, Jim & phyllis Webster, Jim & Beth Wegman, nola White, Donald Wilson, Carol Wilson, Zann Wiltfang, Kathryn Wolfenden, Gail Yudt, Jan Zunica, Janis Zych, Donna

In-Kind: Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Bon Femme Café, nissan, George

Chesterton Feed & Garden

Jake’s Feed & Garden

Kianga, Inc. ups-A-Daisy,Wilks- Blastick, tia

Klehm’s Song Sparrow perennial Farm

Maniscalco, Jeff and Kristy

Radius Garden, llC,Herrold, edie

Salon 218

Satterlee, nancy

2007 prairie Burn 2008 Fiesta espanola Annual Gala

2008 Welcome Garden in Winter

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2008 Volunteers

taltree 2008 Annual Report 13

Adik, Viki AlJarba, Mashael Ames, Meg Anderson, elaine Arnold, Susan Babcock, Donald Baker, Maddie Bakken, Clifford Bapst, Karl Bell, nancy Beneficial -HSBC Beversdorf, James Bomberger, Cathryn Brandt, tom Bridges, ArcBrown, Mary Brust, tim Brychell, Susan Bukur, Sam Bulla, linda Bulla, Roger Byrd, trenton Calhoun, Jamie Caprile, Renee Carpenter, Macie Carr, Sharon Carter, Susan Castor, penelope Cater, Danielle Chastain, Claudia Cherven, Kathy Chesna, Svenja Chirby, Joan Claypool, Bob Clifford, Dotti Colton, Gregory Concepcion, Marcie Conway, Gabrielle Conway, tom Copeland, Gregg Czarnecki, nancy Day, Shauna DeRolf, Rita Discher, Judith Dolhover, Mary Alice Drazer, Mary Faith Dye, Carolyn Dyson, Marilyn edwards, Cindy egan, lee Ann eisenhauer, linda Fadely, Dale

Felten, Mike Fenchak, Jackie Ferber, Adolph Fischer, Vince Fleming, Richard Fugate, Michelle Gabis, Damien Gabis, Rita Gault, Susan Gengler, Al Graber, laura Hallberg, Ann Harvey, David Harvey, Donna Hau, tom Henry, Shelli Hickman, Sandra Higgins, Suzanne Hitz, Jill Hitz, Jonathon Hitz, Kellee Horbovetz, Jack Hug, Karen Iltzsche, Bill Iltzsche, Diana Iorio, Bob Japchinski, Sheree Jarosz, pat Jasper, pamela Johnston, Denise Jostes, Victoria Julovich, Anastasia Kapoor, Abhishek Keith, Kay Kennedy, Grace Kilian, Marvin Kings, David Knopic, linda Kolar, Joy largura, Cecelia lehmann, Gerry libey, Maria loosemore, Kent luekens, Roger lute, Ruth Majka, pat Mapes, linda Margis, Diana McAfee Animal Hospital Staff McAfee, Brooke McAfee, larry

McAfee, patricia Medina, linda Mella, lisa Melton, Barbara Melton, James Miller, Cheryl Miller, Darryl Miller, patricia Modrowski, Debbie Morton, Jeremy Myrick, Mabel naylor, Alice naylor, William newman, Jerry noe, Sandra olson, lynn opportunity enterprises overmeyer, Beverly peglow, edgar peloso, Susan persyn, Mary pesich, John pierce, Cynthia prichason, Charles prigge, Darren pustik - lindsey, linda Radich, nicholas Rendina, Fred Reynolds, norma Reynolds, Rich Reynolds, Richard Rippy, Mark Rippy, Shirley Roeske, Melinda Rojas, Cynthia Rojas, Juli Sacopulos, Becky Salomon, Carmen Samuels, Carl Sanders, nina Schoer, Jonathon Schreiner, John Schroeder, Doris Schroeder, eugene Scobbie, Michael Seabolt, Samantha Sengupta, elizabeth Sigma Chi Fraternity Simon, Mary Siroky, patti Skolak, lorri Sobkowiak, Marene

Spelde, Susan Steinbrecher, Bill Stephens, tina Stimmel, Verna taylor, Bill thalmann, Diane thomas, Dan thorne, Mary todd thomae Insurance Agency tucker, Ken tucker, laura ubben, Joseph uphaus, Dianna Valparaiso High School students Valparaiso university Volunteer Service Center Van Arsdel, Kathleen Ventura, Cathy Vereb, Cassandra Vittoe, Christine Voller, Viktoria Wackett, Joyce Wackett, Ron Waldschmidt, Jennifer Waldschmidt, tony Warner, Dorothy Westerhausen, Connie Westerhausen, Curt Wilson, Zann Wolf, Carole Wolf, Robert Wright, Mrs. James Zolpe, Mike

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Statement of Financial Activity

Statement of Financial Position ASSETS 2008 2007 Cash & Cash equivalents $96,176 $321,251 Marketable Investments $387,153 $868,253 land, Infrastructure, Buildings, & equipment $2,707,011 $2,074,502 Funds held at pC Community Foundation $10,316 $14,365 other $4,178 $1,959 TOTAL ASSETS $3,204,834 $3,280,330

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Current liabilities $370,292 $51,622 long term liabilities $6,046 $8,231 TOTAL LIABILITIES $376,338 $59,853

Net Assets unrestricted $2,761,941 $2,682,218 temporarily Restricted $56,555 $528,259 permanently Restricted $10,000 $10,000 TOTAL NET ASSETS $2,828,496 $3,220,477

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $3,204,834 $3,280,330 *The financial statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were audited by Swartz, Retson & CO., P.C. and summarized for this report. A complete copy of the financial statements and related notes are available upon request.

REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT 2008 2007 unrestricted Donations $413,645 $554,347 Restricted Donations $25,540 $241,445 Memberships $29,828 $27,260 programs, Special events, and Facilities Rentals $53,791 $45,376 Investment Return, net -$136,702 $53,023 TOTAL REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT $386,102 $921,451

EXPENSES education & programs $187,586 $181,343 Collections , Gardens, Facilities & Grounds $310,500 $292,575 General & Administration $124,846 $116,938 Marketing and Membership $155,151 $130,610TOTAL EXPENSES $778,083 $721,466

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS -$391,981 $199,985

NET ASSETS Beginning of Year $3,220,477 $3,020,492 End of Year $2,828,496 $3,220,477

Tom Brandt Jemarkel Health tech

Tim Brust Wille & Stiener enterprises, Inc.

Rich Fleming Retired from Barr laboratories, Inc.

Damien A. Gabis, PhD president of taltree Arboretum & Gardens Foundation

Mark A. Gabis JD Ceo of Daymar Colleges & Draughons Jr.College

Thomas Hau CpA, Retired from Waster Management *Deceased

James Hitz executive Director of taltree Arboretum & Gardens

Kent Loosemore Retired from ticor title Insurance

Larry McAfee DVM McAfee Animal Hospital Valparaiso, In

James Melton Retired from nIpSCo

Sandra Noe executive Director at Meals on Wheels, Crown point, In

Cynthia Pierce Crowe Chizek & Company llC, Chicago, Il

Becky Sacopulos Grant Development at Ivy tech State College

Jonathan Schoer Assistant professor at Valparaiso university

Schreiner, John Established the History of Pharmacy Research Center in Griffith, IN

Ubben, Joseph president of Breakaway performance Group, llC

Taltree Arboretum and Gardens Board of Directors 2008

Arboretum Grounds 450 West 100 north

Valparaiso, Indiana 46385phone: (219) 462-0025

www.taltree.org