Special preview parties held on August 25 and September 10, offered Nature’s Gallery donors an insider peek at plans for the Nature’s Gallery installation.  The 60+ guests attending each event enjoyed the chance to experience how the tiles were designed and created, walk the layout of the site, see the construction plans, learn about the design of the surrounding planting beds and mingle with other supporters and staff.   Arboretum Director Kathleen Socolosky officially welcomed and thanked Nature’s Gallery donors and the exceptional partners and participants who made this project possible.  On September 10, a number of donors in attendance also shared the personal stories of their tile dedications during the program.  The wide range of stories was touching and varied – honoring living loved ones, memorializing family members, leaving a mark in a place they loved – and captured wonderfully the many ways that people feel connected with the Arboretum.