Thank you to Garden Club Members who made a difference in 2022

  • In early spring, we were invited to participate in a plant exchange at the old city hall complex. In spite of some rain, all the plants found new homes.
  • Mary Bugeia and Carmen Gudan again planted the large containers our Club placed to the Dingle Transit Center a few years ago. In spite of one planter having been damaged by a careless smoker, Mary and Carmen were able to ensure visitors were greeted by fresh flowers.
  • Julie Schaefer, interim director of the Henry Ford Centennial Library contacted our Club to see if we would again be able to plant and maintain the large planters at the south side entry. Mary Bugeia and Sherry Kammer immediately went shopping at English Gardens and filled the planters with trailing petunias, sweet potato vines and other plants. Library staff and patrons were very complimentary as they entered and exited the building.
  • Karen Marzonie stepped up to gather a group to clean up and maintain the Pollinator and Enabling Gardens (now referred to as “P.E.G.”). After two years of enforced neglect due to COVID restrictions, the gardens had been overtaken by weeds and invasive plants. However, by the end of the summer great strides had been made, including planting more than 100 native plants in the pollinator area. Dr. Claudia Walters, Director of the EIC, acknowledged the Club’s efforts in her Year in Review.

Holly Berry Brunch 2022 is great success

Although still recovering from COVID restrictions and cautions, we more than doubled attendance over 2021. Generous Club members and local businesses donated items to fill 90 raffle baskets. We also had 7 Silent Auction items available for bidding. The popular 50/50 raffle brought in additional funds for the coming year’s projects. Holly Berry is our premier fundraiser, allowing our Club to support so many local activities.

Park Place was beautifully decorated. The food and service were excellent, as always. We even had our own signature cocktail of cranberry juice and prosecco garnished with an orange slice. Mary Bugeia was again able to find and purchase lovely poinsettias for centerpieces on each table. The poinsettias were table prizes for lucky winners at the end of the day.

We took a few moments out of our shopping to recognize the Club’s resident photographer – Otto Baumgart – as our Volunteer of the Year. President Rose Wiggle and Vice President Mary Bugeia presented Otto with a framed certificate of appreciation. Otto’s wife, Paulette, tells us he was surprised and pleased.

Several collages of photos from the 2022 Holly Berry Brunch.

Festival of Trees Wreath Decorating Workshop

More than a dozen Club members, including our official photographer, Otto Baumgart, attended our Festival of Trees wreath-making workshop on Monday, November 14. Terri Bungee, while not able to attend, sent a lovely centerpiece to add to our contribution. Karen Marzonie and Mary Bugeia turned a small “Charlie Brown” tree into a rustic success with small wooden berry garland and pine cones. Mary also did two small trees at home to donate to the Festival. There was glitter to spare, and everyone had a good time for a good cause. In the midst of our workshop, we took time to celebrate a milestone birthday with our Treasurer, Laurine Griffin, who will be 90 years young on December 1st. A chorus of “Happy Birthday” was followed by the serving of special cake. We learned after the close of the Festival that all of the Club’s items had been sold.