STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

In the beginning it was a horse pasture—five acres in what was called the LeBaron Estates.

There were no houses in the vicinity when a group started the Sawtooth Community Garden Project there in 1993, the idea being to provide a space for valley residents to cultivate vegetables for themselves and others.

Four years later in 1997 they constructed a greenhouse and began offering educational programming for the community.

Today the Sawtooth Botanical Garden is on the cusp of its 30th anniversary as a non-profit organization with exciting news to share with those who attend tonight’s annual Gimlets in the Garden fundraiser.

Barb Spallino has been coming to Sun Valley since 1974 when ski tickets cost $12—still a lot for college students, she admits. There was no community garden then—not even a hint of one. But a few weeks ago she took part in the Garden’s annual Walk & Wine (+ART!), a relaxed stroll with nibbles and wine, and reveled in the beauty of the lavender while listening to the music of the Beverly Lovers.

“The Wine & Walk is so much fun and the garden is so awesome,” she said. “I just love the garden--it’s so inspiring.”

Those attending the event had the opportunity to check out a Lotus Mandala that originated in India and is housed inside the Visitors Center, as well as a dozen other pieces of world-class art, including Boaz Vaadia’s bronze basalt and bluestone sculpture of a boy and dog.

Still to come is a granite and metal arch titled Fibonacci’s Gate created by Ketchum rock artist Gabriel Embler.

Tourgoers nibbled on a variety of tapas and other treats, including twice baked potatoes and bite-size chicken pot pies prepared by caterers Eileen Reiss and Blane Buse that had participants raving.

Ketchum Kitchens curated an assortment of wines that prompted people to write down their names for future reference. Among them, a Cantalouette Tour des Gendres and a Paul Buisse Chinon Cabernet Franc.

There were also some surprises, such as the Limon Lush ice cream that Charlie Foster served after pouring Italian Moscato on top.

“It’s a wine float!” he said.

Gretchen, George and Kate Berni munched on vegetarian stuffed mushrooms and pork tostadas, while they sipped some Domaine Romy Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Like many they were visiting the garden for the first time.

“We hadn’t known it was here and saw a sign pointing to it while we were riding on the bike path. We love it!”

The garden features five gardens representing central Idaho’s lava rock and other terrains. It also boasts a Tibetan prayer wheel blessed by the Dalai Lama while he was in Sun Valley in 2005 to offer his thoughts on the anniversary of 911. The prayer wheel is one of only two of its kind in North America and attracts visitors from around the world.

This summer’s events included a medicinal garden walk. Board members hope to create a garden sporting Native American medicinal garden event at near the tipi in the future.

“The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is one of those places that makes Sun Valley a more wonderful place,” said Susan Thurston, who’s on the Garden’s Ambassadors council. “And to think it’s nearing its 30th anniversary…”