STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Get ready for “Lover’s Waltz” to waft through the assorted gardens that make up the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

The melody was one Wood River Orchestra members insisted on playing at Sunday’s Picnic N’ Pops which has been renamed the Sue Mendelsohn Picnic N’Pops in honor of the late violinist who championed the formation of the community orchestra.

Mendelsohn played the song at many weddings, always urging brides to include the tune in the wedding ceremony if they didn’t suggest it first.

“And she had her own schmaltzy way of playing it,” said orchestra spokesman Lynne Heidel.

The Wood River Orchestra will present The Sue Mendelsohn Picnic N’Pops from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden south of Ketchum.

The picnic fundraiser is being presented an hour later this year to provide more mountain shade for guests.

This year small groups of musicians will entertain guests before and after the concert featuring the entire orchestra. Not only will a string quartet and brass ensemble play but the orchestra’s percussionist will play a solo.

The evening costs $75 a person, with tickets available at wrcorchestra.org.