History of the East Longmeadow Garden Club

 

The East Longmeadow Garden Club was organized in 1969 under the direction of the founder, Esther Rosati.  The Club has been an active organization since 1969 with numerous challenging projects, educational opportunities and informative programs.  Members have been eager, intent and their enthusiasm has inspired others. 

The Beautification Program & Center Planting Project

Had its start in 1973 and is in full swing today. Our Garden Club is responsible for planting all the lovely flowers and greens around the rotary, Town Center as well as the Memorial Gardens throughout all the seasons of the year.  In December, with the help of the East Longmeadow Department of Public Works, the Garden Club decorates the center with Christmas greens in the tubs and evergreen sprays on the lampposts. 

Arbor Day Program

In 1969, the EL Garden Club initiated the Arbor Day Program in the East Longmeadow Elementary Schools and has celebrated ARBOR DAY annually with 5th grade students since 1969.  The EL Garden Club coordinates their efforts with the EL Conservation Commission to make this a very memorable day.  The EL Garden Club presents each 5th grade student with a tree or shrub seedling to take home and plant.  The EL Conservation Commission presents to each elementary school a tree to be planted on school grounds.  The students and teachers work enthusiastically to present an enjoyable, environmental awareness program for the students.

East Longmeadow Library Project 

For many years, the EL Garden Club has been providing the East Longmeadow Library with flower and plant arrangements for their circulation desk on a weekly and bi-weekly basis.

Annual Plant and Bake Sale

The East Longmeadow Garden Club holds an Annual Plant and Bake Sale in May at Heritage Park, North Main Street, East Longmeadow.  Proceeds from the sale benefit the East Longmeadow Garden Club’s Scholarship Fund.  This annual, spring tradition features delicious baked goods and perennial plants dug locally from member’s gardens.

Scholarships

An Annual Scholarship is offered to the following: an East Longmeadow High School student (senior/junior); a recent East Longmeadow High School graduate presently attending a college/university; a student who is a resident of East Longmeadow.  All recipients must be planning to pursue a degree in a Major relevant to the following: Horticulture, Agriculture, Ecology, Environmental & Natural Sciences, Forestry, Plant Systems & Plant Biotechnology, Conservation, Perma-culture/Agro-ecology, Landscape Architecture, Botany or any related field.   

Annual Project

Each December, the EL Garden Club is invited to decorate a room in one of the historic buildings surrounding the Storrowton Village Common during “Yuletide at Storrowton.” This past December, our Garden Club decorated the Little Schoolhouse. 

Garden Tours

Every other year, the Garden Club sponsors a beautiful GARDEN TOUR of local gardens.  The tour proceeds assist the East Longmeadow Garden Club with their ongoing Beautification Project at the Town Center as well as local Memorial Gardens.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Club’s Scholarship Fund and enables the Club to keep offering interesting and inspiring monthly programs including the annual celebration of Arbor Day with 5th grade students in the EL Public Schools.

 

Monthly Meetings

Monthly meetings are held with presentations on many very interesting subjects by invited speakers. A Holiday Workshop is offered by ELGC Honorary Lifetime Member, Larry Lirot. Delightful field trips are planned and delicious potluck luncheons are held several times during the year.

 

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to educate and facilitate interest in all phases of home gardening, better horticultural practices, civic beauty and conservation of natural resources in the Town of East Longmeadow.

 

We welcome men and women from East Longmeadow and surrounding Towns to attend our meetings as our guest, and we invite you to become a member.  You do not have to be a gardener to belong, but you should have a keen interest in the above mentioned.