GARDEN
by anne Jaeger
The Garden Gal
BELLA
MADRONA
Let’s be honest, there is no way I can adequately explain the expanse
and natural majesty of Geof Beasley’s garden in Sherwood called
Bella Madrona. My oversimplified rendition here is acknowledge-
ment that this garden is too big for words. you see, the garden has
grown and meandered over 5 acres in the past 32 years. The best I
can do is offer a lay of the land. The garden is bookended, east to
west, by an enormous natural pond (once a watering hole for na-
tive people) and the house terraces where the sun sets. In between
the two coordinates, you will find amazing artwork, fascinating
plants, new places to sit, water features, the Pink Martini Stage and
wide amphitheater lawn. (The Pink Martini song “The Gardens of
Sampson and Beasley” is an awesome tribute to the many times the
Thomas Lauderdale orchestra has played there.) your experience
will depend on which path you take, which direction you’re head-
ed, and time of day. I’m telling you, there is so much to see; Hansel
and Gretel would need to light flares to find their way around.
My recent chat with Geof over a cool glass of lemonade wasn’t so much about the ins and outs of the
garden, as his willingness to share it. Geof and his partner Jim Sampson, both retired physicians, married
three years ago in Massachusetts and recently held a fundraiser at Bella Madrona to further the cause for
Basic Rights Oregon.
Geof Beasley: Jim and I had an interesting situation several years ago. Jim had to retire because of a dis-
ability and had to buy his own medical insurance which costs an incredible amount. We were spending
thousands of dollars a year, and I had this great Federal insurance that he should have been entitled
Continues on Pg. 56
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JustOut.com
October 2012
PHOTO by HORaCE lONG
Anne Jaeger: Why open your garden for Basic Rights Oregon?