2021
Senior Outreach
Throughout 2020, the Senior Outreach chairpersons, Christine Kramer and Barbara Schuh, have been very busy!
Valentine's Day bouquets and Fairy Gardens were delivered to some past garden club presidents and and honorary members to help spread some cheer!
Christine Kramer sent 96 hand-written "thinking of you" notes to seniors in long-term care facilities who were not able to have visitors due to Covid-19 in addition to some seniors living by themselves in the Village. Many of the recipients were uplifted by the kind words offered in these notes.
Barbara Schuh crafted 16 small painted birdhouses decorated with dried flowers to be included with the Geauga County Meals on Wheels deliveries. Additional ways to make Geauga and Lake County Meals on Wheels deliveries a little more merry are also in the works!
Valentine's Day bouquets and Fairy Gardens were delivered to some past garden club presidents and and honorary members to help spread some cheer!
Christine Kramer sent 96 hand-written "thinking of you" notes to seniors in long-term care facilities who were not able to have visitors due to Covid-19 in addition to some seniors living by themselves in the Village. Many of the recipients were uplifted by the kind words offered in these notes.
Barbara Schuh crafted 16 small painted birdhouses decorated with dried flowers to be included with the Geauga County Meals on Wheels deliveries. Additional ways to make Geauga and Lake County Meals on Wheels deliveries a little more merry are also in the works!
Planting Julie Billiart's
Vegetable Garden dedicated to Sr. Sharon
2019
Carnivorous Plant Youth Education
On May 31, 2019, the GMGC sponsored a Carnivorous Plants’ Youth Event. Twenty-one children and their parents enjoyed the guest speaker, Jonathan Schnupp, owner of Divide & Culture and carnivorous plant expert. The children ages 5 years through 11 years paid rapt attention to Jonathan’s fun-filled talk and they asked many pertinent questions. Jonathan brought a variety of colorful carnivorous plants (e.g., Venus Fly Trap, Sundew, Pitcher Plant, etc.) for display. He gave each child a small Venus Fly Trap to take home with instructions about how to care for it. A great educational time was had by all!
2018
Gates Mills Elementary School Garden
The 5th graders at the Gates Mills Elementary School were very attentive to the educational and ‘hands-on’ Arbor Day program that was held on April 26th. Gwen Morgan, Margaret Duff and Kelly Siemborski planted two Arborvitae trees in weather resistant planters with pansies paced around each one with the children in the outdoor classroom. Margaret discussed the history of Arbor Day and seed planting techniques. After Gwen's educational presentation on cold weather crops, everyone helped the students plant cold weather vegetables in the raised beds. The brochure, "All about Trees", created by Barbara Schuh was given to each of the children and their teacher. It was amazing to see the children sharing their excitement and knowledge with each other. The day was filled with joy!
May Baskets
On April 27, 2018, the Gates Mills Garden Club prepared baskets of flowers for the Village of Gates Mills. For decades, the first of May is greeted in the Village of Gates Mills with baskets of flowers hanging from street signs and doorways. The May Day Baskets are a legacy of the Grey Squirrel, a flower shop once housed in a renovated gas station in the heart of the Village. The shop began the practice of hanging baskets of flowers from street signs to welcome spring. Each April, the May Basket chair orders daisies, bunches of salal leaves and sprays of Baker’s fern, and the May Basket committee cleans and prepares the wicker baskets. On the last weekday before the first of May, garden club members soak fresh oasis, trim the flowers and ferns, and arrange the daisy baskets for hanging. The Village Service Department hangs the baskets from the street signs and municipal doors throughout the Village that afternoon. The May baskets have become a harbinger of spring enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
The Saved Seed Youth Educational Program
On May 31st, Margaret Duff planned an absolutely spectacular day for our neighborhood youth and was assisted by Kelly Siemborski, Barbara Schuh, Gwen Morgan, Sally Burke and Marilyn Pettegrew. Thirteen children and their parents attended. Kelly Siemborski read the children the book, The Saved Seed by Nancy Hargroves, Brenda Moore, Jean Ohlmann. The Saved Seed is National Garden Club's second early reader book written to educate elementary children about the life cycle of seed plants. A North American based fall staple for thousands of years, the pumpkin is treasured in our society for being not only a food source, but a Halloween favorite! There are dozens of varieties ranging from tiny ornamental varieties, to those weighing in at over 100 pounds each!
The Saved Seed follows the journey of a smiling pumpkin seed from Halloween pumpkin through the year, becoming a seedling, a vine and then a new pumpkin! Along the way, children learn through beautiful illustrations how to care for their own pumpkin seeds and become successful pumpkin gardeners!
Gwen Morgan created a wonderful educational and 'hands-on' program for those in attendance. She instructed the children about how seeds thrive, and then helped them plant pumpkin and nasturtium seeds. The children also planted gourds that will be entered into our "Holiday Enchantment" Flower Show in the Youth Botanical Arts Division. Another youth event is planned for August - the children will plant dish gardens, also for entry into the Flower Show. Delicious pumpkin cookies were made by Sally Burke! Marilyn Pettegrew was our artist for the morning! It truly was a joyous day for all.
For further information regarding any future youth activities sponsored by the GMGC, access the web page at: TheGatesMillsGardenClub.com; or contact Margaret Duff, Youth Chair at maduff@roadrunner.com.
The Saved Seed follows the journey of a smiling pumpkin seed from Halloween pumpkin through the year, becoming a seedling, a vine and then a new pumpkin! Along the way, children learn through beautiful illustrations how to care for their own pumpkin seeds and become successful pumpkin gardeners!
Gwen Morgan created a wonderful educational and 'hands-on' program for those in attendance. She instructed the children about how seeds thrive, and then helped them plant pumpkin and nasturtium seeds. The children also planted gourds that will be entered into our "Holiday Enchantment" Flower Show in the Youth Botanical Arts Division. Another youth event is planned for August - the children will plant dish gardens, also for entry into the Flower Show. Delicious pumpkin cookies were made by Sally Burke! Marilyn Pettegrew was our artist for the morning! It truly was a joyous day for all.
For further information regarding any future youth activities sponsored by the GMGC, access the web page at: TheGatesMillsGardenClub.com; or contact Margaret Duff, Youth Chair at maduff@roadrunner.com.
National Garden Week
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This year’s observance of National Garden week was June 3 – 9. The following members volunteered to put floral designs in ‘key’ Gates Mills’ locations: Marion Faubel (Town Hall), Barbara Schuh (Post Office), Gail Palmer (Historical Society), and Marie Tani (Library). In addition, Sally Burke, Barbara Schuh, Gail Palmer, and Kelly Siemborski put daisies on 47 graves of former GMGC members. Steve Siemborski presented the club with a lovely planted container in honor of National Garden Week.
Barbara Schuh added the Garden Club’s special touch at the post office. (Left) |
Stars and Stripes Forever
Centerpieces for Meals on Wheels
Fifteen “Meals on Wheels” clients of Fran Raishart (Marilyn’s husband) received a beautiful 4th of July arrangement for their tray! They were very touched by the surprise. Thank you to Fran, Barbara Schuh and Margaret Duff for all of their efforts to create this wonderful arrangement.
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Service Department Lunch
We provided a red, white, and blue themed lunch for the Service Department to thank them for watering our bridge boxes at 8:30am on Saturday and Sunday morning during the heat wave.
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Kelly Siemborski and the Silver Trophy
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Gates Mills 4th of July Parade
Standing ovation for the parade committee!!!
The Gates Mills Garden Club won the SILVER TROPHY and MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOAT! Special thanks to our Float Chair, Gail Palmer and her float committee: Susan Daugherty Nancy Hooker Ann Hunter Terry Ivancic Janet Kirschendbaum Molly Laks Peg Lencewicz Sue Marston Gail Palmer Laurel Smith Ann Steele |
Succulent Dish Garden Planting Youth Educational Program
During the month of August, eleven children participated in a youth educational event sponsored by the Gates Mills Garden Club. The children, ages 3 years to 11 years, were taught about succulents and, then, they were given the opportunity to choose and plant personalized dish gardens. Each child chose three different succulents and a brightly colored container in which to plant them. Guided by members of the GMGC (Marilyn Pettegrew, Kelly Siemborski, Barbara Schuh, and Margaret Duff), the children had ‘hands on’ experience in choosing pebbles, soil, and natural decorative items (e.g., stones, twigs) to enhance their dish gardens. The children will care for their succulent gardens at home until October 11th. They will, then, enter their creations in the “Holiday Enchantment” Flower Show on October 12th and 13th, 2018 for judging. This was a fun, educational event enjoyed by the children, their parents/grandparents, and GMGC members!
For further information regarding any future youth activities sponsored by the GMGC, access the web page at: TheGatesMillsGardenClub.com; or contact Margaret Duff, Youth Chair at maduff@roadrunner.com.
For further information regarding any future youth activities sponsored by the GMGC, access the web page at: TheGatesMillsGardenClub.com; or contact Margaret Duff, Youth Chair at maduff@roadrunner.com.
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2017
Youth Educational Program
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On August 17, 2017, the Gates Mills Garden Club (GMGC) presented a program on "Frogs & the Environment' to 10 children, ages 3 to 10 years.
Garden Club President and Gates Mills resident, Kelly Siemborski, read the book, The Frightened Frog, published by the National Garden Club. In addition, information regarding the life cycle of the frog, characteristics of frogs vs. toads, ways in which frogs help the environment, and dangers threatening frogs were presented. The children and GMGC members - Sally Burke, Barbara Schuh, Marilyn Pettegrew and Lisa Alexander- all wore frog visors, and the children constructed a frog trash can using re-cycled milk jugs. All enjoyed a frog-themed snack at the conclusion of the program. Take-home educational materials were given to each child. A fun and informative time was enjoyed by all on the GMGC’s property on Chagrin River Road. For further information regarding any future youth activities sponsored by the GMGC, access the web page at: TheGatesMillsGardenClub.com; or contact Margaret Duff, Youth Chair at maduff@roadrunner.com. |
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Bluebird Preservation Project
The Garden Club partnered with six students and their instructor from the Environmental Education Center in Gates Mills in the fall of 2017. The students ranged in age from 15-18 years of age. Five nesting houses and 4 chickadee houses were built from reclaimed/scrap wood and placed in the Gates Mills Arboretum. The Garden Club, in partnership with the Village Service Department, has maintained the Gates Mills Arboretum since 1935.
Additionally, six Bluebird houses were assembled using kits or reclaimed wood by Garden Club members. Permission was granted to the GMGC to place the bluebird houses between the Chagrin Valley Nursery and Esquire’s Cottage. The students helped secure the posts and birdhouses to the poles. The location was chosen because of the openness and the availability of the berries from the nursery’s shrubs and trees. A short informational program on the bluebird was presented to the students during this time. The Gates Mills Garden
Club and the students from the Environmental Education Center will monitor and maintain the bluebird houses
in the future.
Additionally, six Bluebird houses were assembled using kits or reclaimed wood by Garden Club members. Permission was granted to the GMGC to place the bluebird houses between the Chagrin Valley Nursery and Esquire’s Cottage. The students helped secure the posts and birdhouses to the poles. The location was chosen because of the openness and the availability of the berries from the nursery’s shrubs and trees. A short informational program on the bluebird was presented to the students during this time. The Gates Mills Garden
Club and the students from the Environmental Education Center will monitor and maintain the bluebird houses
in the future.
Arboretum Clean-up |
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On September 29, 2017, members of the Gates Mills Garden Club and students from the Gates Mills Environmental Education Center joined together to enhance and maintain the Gates Mills Arboretum. The students spread mulch on the paths in the Arboretum and planted seedlings throughout. Many thanks to the Gates Mills Service Department for their help in clearing debris from the Arboretum.
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Service Department Luncheon
The Gates Mills Garden Club gratefully participates in the annual Service Department Luncheon to thank the Gates Mills Service Department, Town Hall, library and post office staffs for their service. The Garden Club works with the Community Club to organize the event. A committee is formed in the fall and responsibilities are assigned such as purchasing decorations, paper goods, and food items. Committee members also cook, serve and clean up. This year we created the beautiful centerpieces for the event!
Gates Mills Elementary School Garden
Gates Mills Garden Club members, Gwen & Chris Morgan, and Barbara Schuh, have provided their gardening expertise to instruct and assist the 5th grade class at the Gates Mills Elementary School in planting a fall vegetable garden. Working in conjunction with the students, they helped develop a plan to enhance the class's garden. These Gates Mills Garden Club members returned to the school on October 23, 2017, to help 16 fifth grade students plant garlic. Gwen Morgan also presented an educational piece on growing garlic, harvesting veggies and why we need pollinators. Barb Schuh then presented information on the Monarch Butterfly and Nancy Hooker donated 100's of milkweed seeds. Finally, the children tasted roasted garlic. They were fascinated by all of the information and look forward to maintaining the gardens with their teachers and parents.
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