The historic WeatherBerry House on the grounds of the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden was transformed into a winter wonderland, complemented by Christmas trees, wreaths and other holiday decor as the organization welcomed guests to the “Santa at the WeatherBerry” photo event.
The free event, led by the Green River Area Extension Master Gardener Association (GRAEMGA), gave families the chance to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus – played by husband and wife Ben and Gina Berry – at the remarkable property, while they also offer free crafts and candy canes.
While parents, guardians and other family members could take their own photos for free, photographer Dee Whitaker, owner of Dee Whitaker Media, was on site to take professional photos for a small fee.
The event’s origins stem from WKBG’s “Santa at the Conservatory” event – which debuted in the Garden’s conservatory in 2022 – which followed a similar template, but involved photographing Santa and guests in a natural setting.
Laura Strehl, executive director of WKBG, said the decision to move from the conservatory to WeatherBerry after two years was partly due to the conservatory’s distance from the garden’s main entrance.
“(The conservatory) is located at the back of the garden and we wanted to try something different mainly for the convenience of our visitors. They don’t have to walk that far and it’s a pretty cold day today,” Strehl said on Sunday. “…We’re trying something new this year.”
However, Strehl felt that the change of location would not be a deterrent given the visual aspects of the WeatherBerry.
“Here in the house, it’s just such a special place that doesn’t look like your own home (with) the 10-foot ceilings (and) the extensive crown molding,” she said. “The atmosphere of the house alone exudes such a traditional, nostalgic Christmas atmosphere, so we thought it would fit in well with a Christmas atmosphere.
“It’s the perfect backdrop for a traditional Christmas photo,” Strehl said.
Strehl said the two events at the conservatory generated “great responses” and expected “well over 300 visitors” on Sunday.
“We purposely do it early so that this is one of the first opportunities for a photo with Santa,” she said. “…If you need to make a last minute Christmas card, you have time to do so as our date is quite early in the season.”
Cathy Schmitt and Regenia Sims, master gardeners for the GRAEMGA and WKBG board members, were dressed as elves for the occasion as they welcomed children into the WeatherBerry living room in preparation for the photo.
Sims said she and Schmitt were both part of the decision to bring the free program to the Garden, with fellow master gardener Mary Embry advocating for the greenhouse space three years ago.
“(We thought) it would be a great project to take on,” Sims said.
“We wanted it to be free to the public because so many people can’t afford to have a professional photographer take their picture,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt and Sims saw that switching to WeatherBerry gave people a glimpse of what else WKBG has to offer.
“It’s a great place and (people) may decide they want to become members, or at least visit the Garden,” Schmitt said.
“The WeatherBerry is a big part of the (Western Kentucky) Botanical Garden,” Sims said. “To be able to share this historic house with visitors, just as we did with the conservatory, gives them a full sense of how beautiful the Botanical Garden is.”
Eight-year-old Elizabeth Roberts of Philpot has attended the photo event since it started after her grandmother, WKBG member Cynthia Saunders, first heard about it.
Saunders said she and Lydia Roberts, her daughter and Elizabeth Roberts’ mother, visit the Garden “for picnics and stuff all summer long” and are usually aware of WKBG’s happenings.
Lydia Roberts said the overall atmosphere of the event and the additional activities on offer stood out.
“The fact that (the children) can actually take the time to see Santa and talk to Santa, (while) also (doing) crafts, they get to color or make the (Santa) letters…,” she said . “It’s just really nice for the kids to be able to do something indoors for the holidays….”
Additionally, Lydia Roberts has noticed that this has become a tradition that her daughter looks forward to every year.
“Every time we go to look at our calendar, I think, ‘Oh, we have to see Santa in the Botanical Garden today’ and… her eyes light up…,” she said. “… It’s great to come here and be able to do this with family.”
Strehl, who has been involved with WKBG for about 13 years, considers a visit to the property, whether for holiday photos or a day out, a ‘special memory’.
“We provide uninterrupted, focused time with each other, which is invaluable,” she said. “We hope to be able to offer that too and people will often use it.”
A video component of this story can be accessed via Messenger-Inquirer’s MI TV at messenger-inquirer.com/multimedia.
