The Texas State Garden Clubs visited San Angelo in October this year for it's Fall Convention. They spent 3 days in San Angelo and highlighted their experience by visiting the collection and spending time with Ken. The following is a letter that was given to Ken...

Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 5:31 PM

Since its inception, the San Angelo Council of Garden Clubs has supported Kenneth Landon, in his development of the International Water Lily Collection in San Angelo, Texas.

As the collection has grown and become internationally known, more and more groups are coming to this city for State and district meetings, just to be able to view these beautiful, rare plants that Ken has so lovingly grown and cultivated. People come from all over the world just to see this unusual display of aquatic plants.

For the past two years, the Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. has been planning to come to San Angelo for its fall Convention. On October 13, 14, & 15, 2008. Ladies from all over the state of Texas made its pilgrimage to San Angelo to be able to view the International Water Lily Collection.

Our theme was “Lilies of the Desert”, and the entire convention was centered around that theme. Of course, the inspiration was the International Water Lily Collection.

Dried water lilies were the dominating feature in our table decorations. Kenneth Landon gave us a tour of his gardens, taking time to answer the many questions our ladies and gentlemen had for him.

Our members were very impressed with what San Angelo has to offer-- first being the International Water Lily Collection. They will be back and will bring more guests with them. This collection has done more for this city than so many other efforts have done

We are very proud of Kenneth Landon and his water lily collection and know that he will continue to share his gifts with this great city.

Sincerely,
Arlelle Brininstool,
San Angelo Garden Club
and Senisa Verdure Garden Club

Ken sent this response to the above article...

I do not have a count of how many attended. I do know that it was THE Garden Group of the state having statewide representation with a year in the making and the second year being hosted in San Angelo. The collection was reportedly the highlight of their stay and primary draw to San Angelo. I was told that I was biographied and honored at a banquet during their three day visit. I was also informed that this influential group could have gone anywhere in the state but chose San Angelo primarily because of the IWC its legacy and its positive influence in the local and international community. I was sincerely honored in this and to have had them here. 

Also the same day of the Garden Club tour I also gave a tour to a group of statewide reporters hosted by Pamela Miller of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. They took many notes and asked many questions. I have no idea the far reaching positive influence of this group and what future articles will come about from their visit. The following day or so I gave a short notice hour and a half tour and IWC history to a group of professional statewide educators gathered in San Angelo and hosted by Ambleside Private School. It has been like this for me throughout much of the past summer and especially after Lilyfest. It is November and the plants are yielding to the season. I am amazed of the daily numbers of visitors to the display at this late date. I am especially impressed on the number of interested preservationist, civic, intellectual and professional organizations that now visit and endorse the IWC. Anymore there isn't any doubt in the mind of the most ardent pessimist that the IWC has a profound positive influence on the aesthetics, notoriety and financial impact of the local economy.

Ken