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 February 2008 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: Feature
The Bill and Buzz Show at the Gardens By Christopher Schobert
The two are characters in the best sense — devoted, likable friends who make a vital difference at the Gardens, one of Western New York’s true jewels. “They represent the best of volunteering,” says Nancy Kalieta, the Gardens’ manager of volunteer services. But Zintz and Sullivan are quick to point out that they are but two of the many volunteers who devote free time to the Gardens. “There’s some very, very talented people working here, and the volunteers are very talented as well,” says Zintz. There are currently 197 active volunteers at the Gardens, and last year they accumulated more than 12,000 volunteer hours. “They’re a great bunch of people,” says Kalieta. “They’re giving back, but they’re also gaining. A lot of them have become close friends.” Such is the case with Zintz, 77, and Sullivan, 85. They were unacquainted until they both began volunteering at the Gardens. “We didn’t learn to hate each other until we met,” jokes Sullivan. Adds Zintz, “We’re both from the old school, and we became good friends. And, we both like Tim Horton’s coffee.” Kalieta says they are “true gentlemen in the old-fashioned sense of the word. They’re polite, courteous and helpful, and they both tell incredibly interesting and sometimes funny stories.” But their usefulness at the Botanical Gardens extends beyond their personalities. They’ve become key members of the Gardens’ volunteer network. Their workload includes putting benches together, general repairs, clean-up work, hanging up and taking down decorations, painting, woodworking, floor displays and more. “You’ve got three groups of volunteers,” explains Sullivan. “Some that like to work in the gift shop, some like to do the horticulture, and we’re the third group.” But as this “third group,” their hands are needed in many different areas. The wheelchair accessible sandbox in the children’s garden? The annual spring animal displays? A compost box? All Bill and Buzz. Kalieta calls them “jacks-of-all-trades. If it’s broken, they try to fix it. One of them would even have been Santa Claus if he could have fit it in his schedule.” Zintz’s son Todd is the Garden’s director of facilities, but Buzz says this didn’t influence his decision to volunteer there. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and I just thought it would be a nice place to volunteer. Actually, my son didn’t even know I was coming over. I didn’t say anything. We kid that for over 40 years he wanted to tell me what to do, and he finally has the chance!” Zintz, happily married with three sons, is also active with the Orchard Park Fire Department and the Lions Club. He comes on Monday and Tuesday, while Sullivan, a widower, joins Zintz on these days and also comes on Friday. “We get along great,” says Zintz. “Everybody here has been so nice. Bill and I always say, any job nobody else wants, we take on. But we do enjoy it.” Pointing to Sullivan, he adds, “Here’s the guy. I let him tell me what to do, and then I do it.” “That’s very seldom required,” Sullivan says, a grin on his face. For more information on volunteering at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, call Nancy Kalieta at 827-1584, extension 207; send an email to nkalieta@buffalogardens.com; or write to 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218. back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
