In 2021, John and Edie Jett celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and sought to mark the occasion with a gift to the West Virginia Botanic Garden (WVBG) in Morgantown, which they have both supported since its inception.
John and Edie are both WVU Agriculture graduates, and John is a long-serving WVNLA board member. Edie was a charter member of the WVBG board of directors formed in 1983 and both she and John served on the board during the garden’s early years when there was neither land nor money for the project. They believed in George Longenecker’s vision of creating a botanic garden on the site of a former reservoir. They continued to support the work of George and the many volunteers who helped bring his dream to reality.
The Jetts approached WVBG Executive Director Philip Smith with their offer of a commemorative gift, and he offered some suggestions from the wish list for the gardens. John and Edie were most inspired by the stone moon gate.
They enlisted the creative and skillful talents of stone mason Wes Boddy of New Creek, WV, who managed to work the project into his 2023 summer schedule. Collaborating with Garden leaders and the Jetts, Wes brought the creative vision of many to fruition.
Located in the Secret Garden, the moon gate features a carved heart and Celtic Awen (inspiration) symbol creating a unique energy signature. The three rays of the Awen may be interpreted as the creative, divine, and spiritual forces that inspire and guide us as we connect with nature.
John and Edie hope the Secret Garden will be the site of many special ceremonies and events long into the future and that the moon gate will continue to stand as a testament to their love for West Virginia, WVBG, the spiritual forces of nature – and each other.
