Delaware Botanic Gardens toasts departing leaders' contributions
Ray Sander, Sheryl Swed stepping down after more than a decade as driving force
The Delaware Botanic Gardens held its annual dinner Sept. 24. Co-founders Ray Sander and Sheryl Swed announced their departure from leadership positions, were celebrated and helped welcome new leaders who were announced. Pictured are (l-r) Ray Sander, Sheryl Swed, and new board of directors Co-Chairs Carol Zonko and Mark Chura. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Mark Carter was announced as Delaware Botanic Gardens' new executive director. Pictured are (l-r) former President Ray Sander, former Executive Director Sheryl Swed, board of directors Co-Chair Carol Zonko, board of directors Co-Chair Mark Chura and Carter.
Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware Senate.
David Small, former Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives on behalf of Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville. 
Newly appointed board Co-chair Mark Chura, second from right, talks about all the hard work put into the Delaware Botanic Gardens over the past decade.
Sheryl Swed thanks husband Ray Sander for being a continued source of inspiration.
Gov. Matt Meyer, center, made a brief appearance at the Delaware Botanic Gardens annual dinner.
With former President Ray Sander looking on, former Delaware Botanic Gardens Executive Director Sheryl Swed thanks all the staff and volunteers.
This sign greets guests as they enter the gardens' pavilion.
There may have been a nor'easter going on, but dinner guests were nice and dry in the Delaware Botanic Gardens' year-old event pavilion.
Cristina Solis adds gummy worms to chocolate pudding cups.
It took about 90 minutes for Edgard Chavez-Hernandez to fill the bucket at his feet with oyster shells.
DBG Musician in Residence Vincent Varrassi & Fifth Avenue entertain guests. Pictured are (l-r) Vincent Varrassi on vocals, Monte Wisbock on sax, David Libby on piano, Jeff Cooper on bass and Ken Schleifer on drums.
The We 3 Strings trio provided early entertainment for the annual dinner. Picture are (l-r) Stephanie Tsantes, Diane Neutzling and Jeff Coupe.
John Offidani keeps the bubbly coming.
SoDel Concepts Chef Maurice Catlett makes award-winning wings, but he knows his way around a crab cake, too.
New information signs let visitors know what's going on in the gardens.
It's fall, but there are still some bright colors in the gardens, including the eye-catching American beautyberry.
Visitors can bring home a piece of the gardens from the native plant sale if they want.
The long blades of the little bluestem grass are blowing in the wind.
The Eagle Watch Garden is near the base of a tree that has an eagle's nest in it.
The bright-orange petals of these zinnias greet guests as they walked in.
The violet-blue flowers of these October skies asters complement the actual color of the sky.October 3, 2026
Event Date:
The Delaware Botanic Gardens held its annual dinner Sept. 24. Co-founders Ray Sander and Sheryl Swed announced their departure from leadership positions, were celebrated and helped welcome new leaders who were announced. Pictured are (l-r) Ray Sander, Sheryl Swed, and new board of directors Co-Chairs Carol Zonko and Mark Chura. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Mark Carter was announced as Delaware Botanic Gardens' new executive director. Pictured are (l-r) former President Ray Sander, former Executive Director Sheryl Swed, board of directors Co-Chair Carol Zonko, board of directors Co-Chair Mark Chura and Carter.
Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware Senate.
David Small, former Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives on behalf of Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville.
Newly appointed board Co-chair Mark Chura, second from right, talks about all the hard work put into the Delaware Botanic Gardens over the past decade.
Sheryl Swed thanks husband Ray Sander for being a continued source of inspiration.
Gov. Matt Meyer, center, made a brief appearance at the Delaware Botanic Gardens annual dinner.
With former President Ray Sander looking on, former Delaware Botanic Gardens Executive Director Sheryl Swed thanks all the staff and volunteers.
This sign greets guests as they enter the gardens' pavilion.
There may have been a nor'easter going on, but dinner guests were nice and dry in the Delaware Botanic Gardens' year-old event pavilion.
Cristina Solis adds gummy worms to chocolate pudding cups.
It took about 90 minutes for Edgard Chavez-Hernandez to fill the bucket at his feet with oyster shells.
DBG Musician in Residence Vincent Varrassi & Fifth Avenue entertain guests. Pictured are (l-r) Vincent Varrassi on vocals, Monte Wisbock on sax, David Libby on piano, Jeff Cooper on bass and Ken Schleifer on drums.
The We 3 Strings trio provided early entertainment for the annual dinner. Picture are (l-r) Stephanie Tsantes, Diane Neutzling and Jeff Coupe.
John Offidani keeps the bubbly coming.
SoDel Concepts Chef Maurice Catlett makes award-winning wings, but he knows his way around a crab cake, too.
New information signs let visitors know what's going on in the gardens.
It's fall, but there are still some bright colors in the gardens, including the eye-catching American beautyberry.
Visitors can bring home a piece of the gardens from the native plant sale if they want.
The long blades of the little bluestem grass are blowing in the wind.
The Eagle Watch Garden is near the base of a tree that has an eagle's nest in it.
The bright-orange petals of these zinnias greet guests as they walked in.
The violet-blue flowers of these October skies asters complement the actual color of the sky.
Story Location
Delaware Botanic Gardens
30220 Piney Neck Road
Dagsboro , DE 19939
United States
After more than a decade of work, the husband-and-wife team of Ray Sander, board president, and Sheryl Swed, executive director, have officially stepped away from their leadership roles with Delaware Botanic Gardens. The gardens’ annual dinner, held Sept. 24, served as a send-off for the Bethany Beach couple and an opportunity to introduce new leadership.
Sander and Swed have been the public faces and driving force behind the continued growth of the gardens.
Among their accomplishments was convincing world-renowned Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf to oversee the design and construction of a 2-acre Meadow Garden with 100,000 native plants.
Sander said Oudolf was congratulatory about their pending retirement and offered words of encouragement, telling them, "Now, the two of you will be able to look at the gardens with a different set of eyes."
Following the valedictory remarks, the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek announced its new leadership team. The new co-chairs of the board are Mark Chura of Lewes and Carol Zonko of Fenwick Island. The new executive director is Mark Carter of Milton.
Delaware Botanic Gardens is located at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro. For more information, go to delawaregardens.org.
The Delaware Botanic Gardens held its annual dinner Sept. 24. Co-founders Ray Sander and Sheryl Swed announced their departure from leadership positions, were celebrated and helped welcome new leaders who were announced. Pictured are (l-r) Ray Sander, Sheryl Swed, and new board of directors Co-Chairs Carol Zonko and Mark Chura. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Mark Carter was announced as Delaware Botanic Gardens' new executive director. Pictured are (l-r) former President Ray Sander, former Executive Director Sheryl Swed, board of directors Co-Chair Carol Zonko, board of directors Co-Chair Mark Chura and Carter.
Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware Senate.
David Small, former Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary, presents Ray Sander, left, and Sheryl Swed with a tribute from the Delaware House of Representatives on behalf of Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville.
Newly appointed board Co-chair Mark Chura, second from right, talks about all the hard work put into the Delaware Botanic Gardens over the past decade.
Sheryl Swed thanks husband Ray Sander for being a continued source of inspiration.
Gov. Matt Meyer, center, made a brief appearance at the Delaware Botanic Gardens annual dinner.
With former President Ray Sander looking on, former Delaware Botanic Gardens Executive Director Sheryl Swed thanks all the staff and volunteers.
This sign greets guests as they enter the gardens' pavilion.
There may have been a nor'easter going on, but dinner guests were nice and dry in the Delaware Botanic Gardens' year-old event pavilion.
Cristina Solis adds gummy worms to chocolate pudding cups.
It took about 90 minutes for Edgard Chavez-Hernandez to fill the bucket at his feet with oyster shells.
DBG Musician in Residence Vincent Varrassi & Fifth Avenue entertain guests. Pictured are (l-r) Vincent Varrassi on vocals, Monte Wisbock on sax, David Libby on piano, Jeff Cooper on bass and Ken Schleifer on drums.
The We 3 Strings trio provided early entertainment for the annual dinner. Picture are (l-r) Stephanie Tsantes, Diane Neutzling and Jeff Coupe.
John Offidani keeps the bubbly coming.
SoDel Concepts Chef Maurice Catlett makes award-winning wings, but he knows his way around a crab cake, too.
New information signs let visitors know what's going on in the gardens.
It's fall, but there are still some bright colors in the gardens, including the eye-catching American beautyberry.
Visitors can bring home a piece of the gardens from the native plant sale if they want.
The long blades of the little bluestem grass are blowing in the wind.
The Eagle Watch Garden is near the base of a tree that has an eagle's nest in it.
The bright-orange petals of these zinnias greet guests as they walked in.
The violet-blue flowers of these October skies asters complement the actual color of the sky.Event Details :
Event Date:
Address:
Delaware Botanic Gardens
30220 Piney Neck Road
Dagsboro , DE 19939
United States
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