Poll

Are you seriously keen to attend a private mango tasting event in Central Florida?

I can put $50 toward this good cause
6 (66.7%)
$50 is too steep for me
2 (22.2%)
Only if it was free
0 (0%)
I can afford to donate $( ) fill in the blank.
1 (11.1%)
No
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 9

Voting closed: July 19, 2018, 07:08:28 PM

Author Topic: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida  (Read 3541 times)

Future

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Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« on: July 16, 2018, 07:08:28 PM »
So here's the thing.  Those who know me know I enjoy mangoes as much as anyone.  This year sees Future's Florida Fruit Feast 8 kickoff.  I flew to Miami on Friday, met with Cookie Monster straight from the airport.  Saturday morning, first Squam's, then Truly Tropical.  Sunday: Walter Zill then later I connected with Sleepdoc.  This morning was my final stop, Zills Nursery.  At every stop my daughter complained I bought too much...

What did I secure?  Well....since 2011 I have tried a ridiculous number of various.  For the last few years I've kept a mental list of my top 50 mangoes.  This year I bought no less than 30 from that list, plus a bunch more.  Including...

PPK
Gary
Dot
Ice Cream
Pickering
Sunrise
Cac
Sweet Tart
Fairchild
Neelam
Mallika
Juliette
Kaeli K
Sia Siam
Zill indochinese
Glenn
East Indian
Rumani
Kesar
Orange Sherbert
Graham
Dupuis Saigon
Beverly
Simmons
Piña colada
Venus
Kathy
Pram Kai mea
Cushman
Lemon Zest
Golden Queen
Maha Chanok
Jakarta
Carrie
36-8 (unreleased)
Sugarloaf
O-15
Super Julie
Creme Brûlée
Julie
Coconut Cream
Ice Cream
Cotton Candy
Seacrest (Triple Sec)
Perez (a family heirloom)
Edgar
Pineapple Pleasure
Duncan
Honey Kiss
Fruit Punch
Glenn
Maha Chanok

If you have had any of these, you know world class mango.  If not, well this might be your chance.  Today I drove to Lake Mary, where I will be for the next week.  I am considering hosting a private tasting to share mango joy.  Yes, I spent a small fortune flying in, hotel, car rental and a boat load of mangoes.  What's the catch?  Well in 2017 my mother in law started a school for underprivileged girls in the west African nation of Sierra Leone.  She set aside 1 acre on the 5 acre plot for a botanical garden, only the 3rd in the entire country.  Of course she recruited me to set it up.  So in May we made an epic journey taking 35 top tier barerooted mango trees across the Atlantic.  All survived except one.  It was an amazing experience and success.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkQ8cBzg3cT/?taken-by=hopeacademysl

But, I need your help.  You see, the property is currently unfenced and we need to raise money to build one.  In tropical developing countries, unprotected fruits are basically considered free.  And theft would crush our ability to generate the revenue needed to keep the school going.  Currently only 1 in 10 girls in this area complete high school.  This school is changing that.

So, this idea would be the first step toward raising money to fence in Hope Academy's Botanical Garden.

If you are in the Orlando / Winter Park or other place within driving distance and interesting in attending a private tasting and making a donation toward this fun(d) raiser...let me know.

This idea just came to me so I have no idea on a venue (suggestions welcomed) but the date would most likely be this weekend.

Of course I can only offer what mangoes are ripe on the day and no guarantees as to what that is...

Cast your vote now...

« Last Edit: July 17, 2018, 10:03:39 AM by Future »

baccarat0809

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2018, 10:47:42 PM »
Future - I'm in Longwood - so about 2 minutes away.  Big YES from me if you do it - then I just gotta talk you into sharing any of the seeds that are Poly  ;D.  Can't do it this Saturday morning / afternoon as my son has a soccer tourney but any other date let me know.

Pan Dulce

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2018, 06:52:55 AM »
I should be able to attend, I am in Ocoee.  I could pass along your eventual date and location to the many people I know in the local greenhouse community, if interested shoot me a PM.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2018, 06:54:37 AM by Pan Dulce »

murahilin

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2018, 07:56:48 AM »
You should make a go fund me page or something and link to it so those of us who want to donate and can't make it to the tasting can do so.

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2018, 07:59:14 AM »
Thanks baccarat and PD! To all those who sent PMs, if you don’t here from me quickly, volume won’t allow it. I’ll start looking for a location. Looking to keep it fairly intimate. Ideally among those already with knowledge of the Zill mango creations, or fruit enthusiasts.

mangomandan

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2018, 08:56:40 AM »
You should make a go fund me page or something and link to it so those of us who want to donate and can't make it to the tasting can do so.

Yes, please consider this. I'm too old to drive to Orlando, but happy to help.

JF

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2018, 09:17:22 AM »
Great charity future I won’t be able to attend but I’ll help out. A go fund me is a great idea for folks that won’t be able to attend but as we learn from other fund raisers they take a % off the top. A PayPal contribution would get the funds without incurring any fees.

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2018, 09:56:32 AM »
Thanks for your suggestions and help guys.  I will setup a page and also accept direct donations via PayPal. I will PM the PayPal address to those registering interest here.

Tropheus76

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2018, 10:27:24 AM »
Would love to go but currently trapped in the middle-east. Sounds like a good cause. Get a go fund me page.

TnTrobbie

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2018, 12:30:15 PM »
$50?!? Peanuts :P. I'd love to participate in this.
The Earth laughs in flowers. And bear gifts through fruits.
No where to plant it ...but at least I got it. ;)
F*ck squirrels and deers

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2018, 02:46:20 PM »
Ok we are on.  If anyone is not available Friday eve, say 630, let me know.

Vernmented

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2018, 05:54:39 PM »
This is amazing! Also, teach the girls how to graft.  ;D
-Josh

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2018, 06:30:00 PM »
This is amazing! Also, teach the girls how to graft.  ;D

Plant seeds, plant, prune, graft, girdle..yes indeed!  If you check out the pictures in the Instagram link above, they were putting in some heavy moving with the granite rocks on site.  Funny story, my mother in law asked if the rocks needed to be removed as they prepped the site.  I said know.  I get there and..oh...I didn't realize you meant small boulders....

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2018, 12:38:52 PM »
Currently the lineup is projected to include. Others may also feature.

Lemon Zest
Cotton Candy
PPK
Coconut Cream
Edgar
Pineapple Pleasure
Graham
Sweet Tart
Duncan
Pickering
Golden Queen
Mallika
Sunrise
Glenn
Venus
O-15
Cac
Honey Kiss
Seacrest
Ice Cream
Orange Sherbet

baccarat0809

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2018, 04:00:01 PM »
I'll be there Friday.

Future

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #15 on: July 19, 2018, 05:42:51 PM »
Currently the lineup is projected to include. Others may also feature.

Lemon Zest
Cotton Candy
PPK
Coconut Cream
Edgar
Pineapple Pleasure
Graham
Sweet Tart
Duncan
Pickering
Golden Queen
Mallika
Sunrise
Glenn
Venus
O-15
Cac
Honey Kiss
Seacrest
Ice Cream
Orange Sherbet

Drop Golden Queen. Add Fairchild and Piña Colada.

murahilin

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Re: Private Mango Tasting & Fun Raiser - Central Florida
« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2018, 01:22:11 PM »
How was it?