COLUMBUS (November 30, 2001) — First Lady Hope Taft delivered 300 bags of potpourri to the Ohio Statehouse Museum Shop today to kick off sales of the third annual Scent of Hope tradition. Mrs. Taft made the potpourri packages from flowers grown in the Governor’s Residence gardens. The Statehouse Museum Shop will sell the potpourri and proceeds will go to the Governor’s Residence Foundation to benefit the gardens. The 2001 limited edition potpourri bags, labeled Scent of Hope, are personally signed by Mrs. Taft and will be sold for $15 each, plus tax. A new addition to this year’s Scent of Hope is a ceramic potpourri container made by an Ohio artist, Linda Schaefer of Columbus. The ceramic potpourri container with potpourri will be sold as a package for $29, plus tax.
“Gardening is one of my favorite pastimes,” said Mrs. Taft. “It’s great relaxation from a busy schedule. Through this special project, citizens will have an opportunity to purchase potpourri that captures the beauty and fragrance of the lovely Governor’s Residence gardens while supporting their maintenance.” The First Lady participated in developing the potpourri and packaging it with her former Cincinnati garden club members, Les Jardinières. This is the third year the club has assisted. The Governor’s Residence Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized and operated for charitable and educational purposes to provide financial support for the maintenance and beautification of the official residence of the Governor of Ohio. # # # For more information, contact Andrea Albanese, First Lady’s office, (614) 995-2000.