Tuesday, February 14, 2017 – Digitalis & Dianthus, Cultural Hall 100 year old tree, Valentine’s Day flowers

Richard is still moving and consolidating a lot of the plants in the greenhouses to make room for all of the 3”, 4” & 6” transplants. He was able to free up two full benches in Greenhouse #4 (also called the “Hoop House” because of the design). 

Richard had us transplant Digitalis plants from the pony pack to 3” pots today. Once we finished over 600 plants we started in on the Dianthus next. All in all we transplanted about 800 plants today. They all look great. Come spring they will be in bloom and will really enhance all of the gardens around Old Nauvoo and Carthage.

Scott Higley and his tree crew cut down a tree by the Cultural Hall that is at least 110 years old and maybe 130. It was a shame to see it come down but halfway up the trunk there was a large hole. Upon examination they discovered the tree was rotted from the inside out and was hallow through the center section of the tree. 

It wouldn’t have taken much wind to have broken the tree in two. It was so close to the Cultural Hall and there was a good likelihood the tree could have severely damaged the building. It was too much of a risk to leave it; the old tree had to go.

Elder McCoy showed me a copy of a post card from about 1920 that shows the cultural Hall with the tree next to it. In the picture the tree already looks large and mature. My guess is the tree is at least 110 years old and maybe 130.

This afternoon Sis. Johnson and I delivered flowers to Pres. & Sis. Hall’s home. They are hosting a Valentine dinner for the single Sisters in the mission. Sis Johnson was delighted to get to make the fresh flower arrangements for Sis. Hall. 

A couple of weeks ago Pres. Hall announced the Cultural Hall on Old Main Street would be closed for a week for repairs and painting. This meant all of the “Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo” shows would be cancelled for the week of Valentine’s Day. Since there is no “Rendezvous” Pres. Hall gave an assignment to all of the Elders in the mission to have a romantic evening with their wives for Valentines.

So, this evening Sis. Johnson and I spent a quiet night at home to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We enjoyed a roasted chicken dinner, a movie (“It Happened One Night”) and heart shaped ice cream cake together. It was a very nice evening together.