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Members Make a Difference
 Room to Grow
Sept-Oct 2007
Liz and Hal Ahlstrom always take away something from their visits to The Huntington, whether it’s a new insight into Chinese garden design or a wagon-full of purchases for their garden. At last spring’s Members’ Plant Sale they loaded up on good things, and they’re sure to be back for more at the Fall Plant Sale on Oct. 13-14.
The Ahlstroms have shared a love of plants since college, when they met while working on the Rose Parade float for Cal State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. He, pursuing an electrical engineering degree, was intrigued by the float’s design and construction. She, a natural resources management major, was interested in the plant materials used to decorate it. Romance bloomed among the petals and seeds.
It was only natural that they’d both love The Huntington, too. As Members at the Sponsoring level ($200), they enjoy visiting throughout the seasons. Favorite activities include the monthly garden talks, where they can meet experts like Renee Shepherd, owner of the gourmet seed company Renee’s Garden. Shepherd is an advocate of organic gardening, a passion Liz shares.
With two children now in their teens—daughter Michelle and son Brandon—the Ahlstroms have seen how The Huntington’s education programs can get youngsters as excited about nature as their parents are. Michelle participated in a project called “Gardens on Mars,” jointly organized by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Art Center College of Design, and The Huntington, in which high school students were challenged to design a garden that could survive the Martian environment. Michelle is heading off to her parents’ alma mater this fall to pursue a more down-to-earth degree in landscape architecture.
The Huntington continues to be an evergreen joy for the Ahlstroms because there’s always something new to be learned. It’s one of the great benefits of Membership, they believe: No matter how much you already know about a favorite subject, you still find room here to grow.
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