Gotha Rural Settlement Association, Inc.

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

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Join us this Saturday for our Stepping into Spring Event & Plant Sale at Nehrling Gardens! 🌿🌸

Enjoy a fun day in the gardens featuring our silent auction, plant sale, local vendors, kids’ activities, face painting, food, live music, and more.

Bid on unique items in our silent auction while helping support and preserve Nehrling Gardens 💚

📍 Nehrling Gardens
📅 Saturday, May 9
⏰ 9 AM–2 PM
🎟️ Free admission & parking

Bring the family and celebrate with us!

04/25/2026

Scout John David Elzeer with Windermere Union Church, UCC Troop 223 completed Phase III of his Eagle Leadership Project at the Turnverein-Zion Lutheran Evangelical Cemetery in the Gotha Rural Settlement Association, Inc. using Ground Penetrating Radar provided by Zach Vickers with BLVD. (GPR) is a non-invasive, non-destructive technology used to map cemeteries and detect unmarked graves by emitting radio waves into the ground. It identifies buried coffins, vaults, or disturbed soil, producing "hyperbola" shapes in data profiles indicating graves. GPR ensures precise mapping, helping to prevent accidental disturbance of, and identifying, forgotten burials. GPR Provides a comprehensive digital map (cemetery GIS) of burial locations for historical documentation. GPR is non-invasive and ensures respect for the deceased, as no digging or probing is required for the inspection. Seven unmarked graves were found in the West section of the cemetery. Nehrling Gardens and Gotha pioneers buried here founded the first German American Colony in Florida. The Scout will report his findings to Florida Division of Historical Resources.

04/20/2026

Eagle Scout Leadership Candidate John David Elzeer with Troop 223 Windermere Union Church, UCC completed Phase II of clearing away thick, low-lying vegetation and brush to ensure smooth, direct access for GPR antenna at historic Turnverein-Zion Lutheran Evangelical Cemetery in the Gotha Rural Settlement Association, Inc. It is also in the Master Site Files for Florida Division of Historical Resources. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive, silent technology used to locate unmarked graves, voids, and soil disturbances in cemeteries, allowing for safe site expansion and mapping. It works by emitting low-power radio waves to create a 3D picture of the subsurface without digging. Gotha Historian Kathleen Klare visited the site to see their progress and give historic information. Gotha's German pioneers including Nehrling Gardens family members are buried here.

04/19/2026

Earn community service hours and assist in the restoration of a significant piece of Gotha, Orange County and Florida history! Eagle Scout Leadership Candidate John David Elzeer with Troop 223 Windermere Union Church, UCC appreciates your help at Turnverein-Zion Lutheran Cemetery, located at corner of Hempel Avenue/Morton Jones Road, in the Gotha Rural Settlement Association, Inc., on Sunday, April 19, at 8am. Prior to utilizing ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in the historic cemetery, thorough ground preparation is necessary to ensure the radar cart can move smoothly and produce clear data. Phase I key tasks include removing surface vegetation (brush, tall grass, weeds), clearing debris, removing fallen branches, and ensuring the surface is relatively level to maintain maximum soil contact. Florida's first German American Colony of pioneers are buried here including Nehrling Gardens settlers. It is in the Master Site Files for the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

04/17/2026

03/22/2026

For all the Bird Nerds out there! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWBniFzjB3B/?igsh=MWh6czF3OTRrMDJzbg==

03/07/2026

TOMORROW!
Come check out our amazing vendors, free educational workshops, live demonstrations by our master gardener volunteers, kids' activities, garden tours, and raffle. See you there!