65th anniversary

It took the imagination and direction of a person like Cyprienne Messier to found a garden club, and her enthusiasm along with that of Alice Wright proved contagious when a group of fourteen women met on June 24, 1957 to organize the Shrewsbury Garden Club.

On that day the fourteen women met at the home of Ann Claflin to talk about the formation of a Garden Club.  These fourteen women  had  the beautification of the Town Common at the top of the list of projects they wished to accomplish.  Their enthusiasm on that day sparked the creation of the Shrewsbury Garden Club which is today 65 years strong.  We thank these founding members and  pay tribute to them today.

Cyprienne Messier

Bernice Holm Kay

Seguin Ethel Dean

Elizabeth Ireland

Margery Johnson

Alice Wright

Helen Bacon

Marion Heath

Mildred Wilson

Ann Claflin

Sally Fleming

Betty Jones

Helen Knight

The Beginning Years……

The first monthly meeting took place on July 8, 1957.

This meeting focused almost entirely on the discussion of the bylaws. It took five months of negotiations before controversial  bylaws were agreed upon. 

During those first few years the club met monthly planning the beautification of the Common, having  a tour of houses to raise funds by charging $1.25/ticket, going on field trips, enjoying guest speakers, making wreaths and swags  to sell and the start of  work on the Common. By the end of the 50’s the Common had seen many improvements all supplied by the Garden Club.

The Sixties…..

The sixties was a continuation of the work on the Common. Membership began to grow and by  1970 there were approximately 35 active members. The work  already done on the Common was recognized by the then Town Manager, Richard D. Carney in a letter stating in part, “ your efforts have transformed the common into an area of beauty befitting the center of our colonial town.”  

That tradition continues today with the work of the current Garden Club.

The Seventies…..

June of 1970, the Garden Club joined the Worcester County Horticultural Society, increased the membership from 30 to 35 and an official handcrafted past presidents pin was initiated. The club began to participate in flower shows and increased participation with the Worcester  County Horticultural Society. The club’s efforts earned them  special commendations. Town beautification work continued around the Commons, Library and entrance to Mountain View Cemetery as well as the entrance to Dean Park. The current water trough which sits at the entrance to Dean Park was moved from its original location and planted with chrysanthemums. 

In the fall of 1974, meetings would no longer be held at members’ homes but would be held in the Library.  It proved to be a comfortable and convenient location. 

Bicentennial celebrations included the donation of a crab apple tree planted at the police station in memory of officer James Lonchiadis who died in the line of duty.  The Club also entered their first float in the Bicentennial parade, July 3, 1975.

Seventies Continued….

1975 was also the start of the Garden Club Plant Sales. Held on the Common on May 17th.  1000 flats were ordered, half of them to be sold at a pre-sale the week prior.  The sale  a week later included perennials and food was enjoyed with the end result gratifying with a profit $603.34.

Bicentennial activities continued and in 1976 the Club sponsored  a bicentennial doorway decorating contest in town. The winner was Kenneth Desautels of 12 Empire St. A pink dogwood tree was awarded to him by the club. This contest was brought back again in more recent years.

After ongoing bicentennial activities for two years it was time for Shrewsbury’s 250th celebrations in 1977. The club participated in the Arts and Crafts exhibit displaying floral arrangements done by members.

Membership during the 70’s stayed steady at around 40 members and 4 honorary members.

The Eighties…..

After extensive renovations to the Library it was open again for club meetings. To celebrate the Library re-opening the Garden Club donated an aquarium for the children’s room. Traditions continued as the Club held sales, meetings and participated in flower shows.

   25th Anniversary             June 1982

Celebrations took place at the 1790 House in Westboro as thirty-three members gathered for the 25th anniversary of the Garden Club. Four original members were present. Sally Fleming, Alice Wright, Marion Heath and Betty Jones.  Membership had grown to 43 and 9 honorary members.

The removal of overgrown hemlocks surrounding the bandstand led to an interesting development. It was learned that two of the unwanted evergreens were now  ensconced in the hemlock hedge that surrounds the swimming pool behind the Oval Office at the white House in Washington, D.C.

At the Arbor Day celebration in 1985  the Club presented a plaque to the Library indicating the name and origin of a rare  Katsura tree  native to China and Japan and judged at that time to be about 75 years old  growing in front of the Library. 

Unfortunately the 80’s delivered emotional times with the passing of several cherished members. The memorial fund totaled $1100.00.  A student scholarship was awarded to Brian McMahon  in 1989 in the amount of $250.00. 

Holiday house tours brought the public into homes to see the creative ways the holidays were  presented  making them great fundraisers. 

The Nineties…..

Never-ending work on the Common gave way for metal benches to be installed in front of the monument at a cost of $150.00 each.  Scholarship award amount was increased to $500 and  continued donations were made to the Library and schools.

House tours and plant sales were staple fundraisers. A  Plant Sale poster contest was revisited and encouraged to enhance community involvement. Successful award winning flower show competitions, door decorating competitions, teas and programs all  helped to create a vibrant active club.

Sharing has always been a Garden Club policy and with the increase in fundraising and membership the Club was able to generously give to various organizations such as the Shrewsbury Ecumenical Council, the Worcester Horticultural Society and Advise.

Pine cone bird feeders at the Spirit of Shrewsbury and engagement with the Rotary Club to plant many daffodils continued  community involvement that the club was so known for.

The 90’s closed with yet another Town Common beautification endeavor as the Club worked with town officials to  rebuild the bandstand and members organized  third town-wide clean-up day followed by hot-dogs. The care of the Maple and Main islands happened in 1999.

The last meeting of the 20th Century Garden Club took place on December 13, 1999 when the annual Christmas Tea and Silent Auction raised money for the scholarship fund.

On to the 21st century……2000-2006….

The six years leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Garden Club were busy and exciting. With a restoration grant of $95,000 work could commence on improvements of the bandstand. 

 2001 began renewed participation in flower shows.  The Central Massachusetts Spring Flower Show  was the source of many award winning displays created by members. A Garden Party, Up on the Rooftop, The Three Little Pigs Garden, Doorways of the World, Dinner in the Tropics and many table designs and miniature arrangements received awards.  Tower Hill   and Flora in Winter also provided Garden Club exposure.

In September of 2003 the Club became a member of  Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. Also  that year the Club donated funds in the amount of $850 to rid the Masonic Hospital of poison ivy.  That practiced continued with the development of Prospect Park.

2000-2006 continues…..

Adopt-a-Plot program was initiated in 2004 with the help of Parks and Recreation in hopes that  town beautification would be a town wide activity.  Four initial plots were adopted.

Scarecrows on the Common became a community event which was anticipated each Fall in conjunction with the Spirit of Shrewsbury and for a short while Light the Spirit Pumpkin Carving display also  was a Fall favorite Garden Club sponsored activity.  The fun continued with “Hors d’oeuvres”  recipe demonstration night fundraiser and  “Tour of Churches” fundraiser as well as regular programs and teas.

Membership in Fall of 2005 was up to 72 active and 7 supporting members. Much different than the  14 back in 1957. The Club was thieving and soon a wait list for membership would occur.

A 50th Anniversary committee was formed in preparation for 2007. A Christmas house tour was planned to raise celebration funding and the home of club member Ann Trotto  was offered for a garden party  50th Annual Meeting.  It was a beautiful day and a wonderful celebration .    

The following 15….

As the Club grew so did  activities and  community involvement.  Throughout the next 15 years the Club  supported many organizations such as St. Ann’s Pantry, Penny Pines, Eagle Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services as well as supporting the Shrewsbury Library by sponsoring Sunday openings and establishing and donating their first seed lending library and garden tool lending library.  

Members participated in many floral exhibits and won a number of awards in doing so.  Holly Days at Tower Hill, Garden Club Federation Flower Shows,  Ecotarium Floral Exhibit welcoming Spring, Festival of Wreaths at the Northboro Trinity Church, Flora in Winter at the Worcester Art Museum and Connie Davis won an award at the Annual Violet Convention for her outstanding violets.

A Junior Membership was established to foster  interest and appreciation for horticulture and educate the young on various aspects of gardening. Scholarships were given to kids to attend summer classes at Tower Hill.  The Iris Award for residents who have helped beautify Shrewsbury with their yards and Adopt-a plot all  help bring the Club and the Community together. Our website was created for better outreach.

Along with all the hard work, much fun was had as well. Many club bus trips took place, some being to Blithewald, at Narragansett Bay, Roger Williams Botanical Garden, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers as well as Wellesley College Botanical Gardens.  The first potLuck Summer Fling to kick off the season took place at the home of  then President Gail Aslanian which established a tradition that the club enjoys to this day. 

While taking a trip to Savannah Georgia, Audrey Dalli came upon a garden that spoke to her. Bringing back the idea to the club, the Fragrant Garden began its long journey to its present place at the Town Hall.

After many trials and tribulations, this year Fragrant Garden Inc. has closed their books and turned over the operation  solely to the Shrewsbury Garden Club.  It was a long journey from Savannah to Shrewsbury but the end result is a respite for residents and  town employees to enjoy. If not for the vision of Audrey and the hard work of members, the garden would not have existed.  The Lions club joined by donating and maintaining the existing fountain and recognition from the State House in Boston was given at the gardens opening and dedication in June of 2018.

As we reflect not only on the past 15 years but the entire past 65 years, the Garden Club has proven to be an integral part of Shrewsbury. Remembering  the woman who had the vision to organize in 1957 and all the women who have followed in their footsteps, we must not forget them.  There is a special bond that gardeners share and  by working in the dirt together, giving back to the community together and supporting each other, the club will continue to have the strong presence it has had for the past 65 years. 

We celebrate our accomplishments and  honor our achievements today.

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