erhaps the old saw about “neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night …” should apply to garden lovers as well as mail carriers.

Despite intermittently nasty weather that included a tornado warning in medias res, net donations at this year’s Gala in the Garden at N.C. State University’s JC Raulston Arboretum apparently surpassed last year’s $60,000.

Bob Lyons, arboretum director, said he’d announce the proceeds at an upcoming board meeting.

“It was wild!” said Anne Porter, arboretum development director. “We literally had to peel some of the soaking wet botanical bid sheets off the clipboards. But it’s true about humans: We love to show our best natures in a crisis, and the Gala crowd continued to be patient and understanding through all the wind and rain. 

“The best part,” she noted, “was that people kept bidding.”

“We had no water damage,” added Donna Walker, development associate. “Everyone was extremely upbeat and managed to enjoy the gala in spite of the rain and tornado warnings.”

During closing ceremonies, Dr. Johnny Wynne, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences interim dean, eulogized James “Willie” York, who passed away in March. York, an ardent arboretum supporter, created and developed Raleigh’s Cameron Village more than 50 years ago.

“James Wesley York shaped this community through his dedicated leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy,” Wynne said, citing the York family’s long-term N.C. State connections. York’s father came to Raleigh as an N.C. State student. Willie York graduated from N.C. State in 1933, and his four sons also are alumni.

In 1995, the Yorks funded the colorful and much-needed “Necessary” restrooms building in the arboretum’s eastern gardens.

Willie York also encouraged government officials to pass legislation to appropriate funds for an educational building at the arboretum, Wynne said. That building is today’s Ruby C. McSwain Education Center.

“In a bold action,” Wynne said, “he made a $300,000 challenge during the 1999 Gala in the Garden, and his pledge was fulfilled in January 2001. Of course, in September 2002, we dedicated this exciting educational center that you enjoy today.”

In 1996 and 1999, York and his late wife Lib served as Gala honorary co-chairs.

Willie’s daughter, Phyllis York Brookshire, was the 2002 Gala chair, and currently serves on the arboretum’s board of advisors. His son and daughter-in-law Smedes and Rosemary York were the 2003 Gala’s honorary chairs. “We will always remember him fondly,” Wynne said, “and treasure the accomplishments of this extraordinary man for his state, his community, his university and his arboretum.”

Also, N.C. State Provost James Oblinger thanked honorary co-chairs Jeanette and Wallace Hyde.

From 1994 to 1998 Jeanette Hyde was ambassador to seven Caribbean countries, based in the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. She was the first U.S. ambassador from North Carolina since the 1930s. “As business and visionary leaders in this community,” Oblinger said, “their service on numerous state boards and other non-profit organizations is legendary.”

Oblinger cited Jeanette Hyde’s three decades of work with political, civic, academic and charitable organizations, and her advocacy for children’s issues.

Earlier Lyons thanked Gala co-chairs Nancy and Tom Bland, Bland Landscaping owners. The Blands, he said, “run one of the best of the landscape businesses in the state and beyond and have helped the JCRA with many resources in the past.

“I’m convinced,” Lyons said later, “that between the Hydes and Blands we reached audiences we never have before.”

The gala ended with a dessert social and a drawing for the naming rights to the Parking Circle Container Garden, won by LeRoy and Charlotte Martin of Raleigh.

And with twilight, bird song.

— Art Latham