DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY MUSICIAN RAY CHARLES RECOGNIZES SENSORY GARDEN IN

Tampa, FL (June 30, 2009) – Sheila Raye Charles, the seventh child of legendary musician Ray Charles, left a special message on a Blog by Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in response to a new sensory garden planted at the Ray Charles Live Oak in MOSI’s Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove.

“Our father would be so pleased with your consideration and efforts. Thank you for all the good work. Ray Charles’ Children”
—Sheila Raye Charles, posted June 30, 2009, 10:51 a.m.

Thanks to a grant from Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb, a sensory garden was planted near the Ray Charles Live Oak in honor of Charles’ legacy and to appeal to the use of non-sight senses in someone who is visually impaired. The garden is a collection of fragrant plants including flowers that are unique to touch.

White Fountain Grass (Pennisetum villosum) planted for its soft, feathery tops.
Fragrant Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) picked for the gorgeous sweet aroma of its blooms.
Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) chosen for the sweet almond-like scent of its white flowers.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) selected for the licorice scent when touched.
Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita) planted for the minty chocolate smell when handled.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) chosen for its minty aroma.
Lambs Tails (Ptilotus exaltatus) selected for its feathered purple flower tops with a dried flower stiffness.
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) planted for its powdery foliage.
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida) picked for its mounding foliage covered in interesting, soft red blooms tha feel like an odd yarn than a plant.
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) chosen for the honey sweet scent of its white blossoms.

The Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove provides museum guests with a stroll through history by focusing on the stories of 17 culturally significant trees that are associated with notable people and places across America . The Historic Tree Grove is FREE and open to the public during MOSI operating hours (admission required for entry into MOSI exhibits).

MOSI today is the result of 52 years of growth and maturity reflecting both on the institution and the surrounding community. With a total size of over 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States , and home to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida . MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology.
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About MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology. With a total size of over 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States , and home to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida . Kids In Charge! The Children’s Science Center at MOSI is the largest children’s science center in the nation. Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest, combines education and 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits on the science behind natural disasters. MOSI’s newest permanent exhibition, The Amazing You, explores the intricate world of the beginning of life, childhood, and adolescent developmental life stages.