About the Garden Club of Windham

Our Goals

To share our interest in gardening with others in the Windham community.  To provide service to the town through beautification efforts, in cooperation with the Town of Windham.

To stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening; to aid in the protection of trees, plants and birds; to encourage civic beautification and to instill a  respect for the environment.

To operate exclusively on a non-profit basis and solely for charitable and educational purposes conducive to the well-being of the community and useful to the public.

Our Board of Directors:

President: Kathleen Mangiafico
Vice President: Lynn Kelleher
Secretary: Jessie Shea
Treasurer: Carol Buch

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Our History:

The Garden Club of Windham began on October 23, 2002 when a large number of interested residents accepted an invitation to the organizational meeting held at the Windham Town Hall. Club founder and first president, Virginia Darrow, had a vision that included enhancing the beauty of the Windham community with gardens and well cared for public spaces. She saw the potential for creating a garden on the abandoned Jillson Hill Bridge and saw the Garden Club of Windham as a group who might share in that vision and help push it toward reality. At the end of 2003 there were 38 paid members, 4 public spaces being beautified and nearly $2000 in the bank.

When Virginia Darrow passed away in August of 2004, the seeds she planted had taken root and grown strong. By the end of 2005 the number of Public Spaces had grown to nine, we had our logo (Dahlia, at the top left of the website) donated by artist, Andrea Wisnewski, funding was secured and plans for the Garden on the Bridge submitted (thanks to Kim Kelly and Ruth Cutler from UCONN Cooperative Extension Office, and Mark Paquette, Joe Gardner and Brad Wojick, Town of Windham staff).

2006 saw more efforts focused on the Garden on the Bridge. Final approval for funding came in January and ground was broken in April. The hardscape and large tree plantings were complete in time for a dedication ceremony in October. Club members worked with Kim Kelley and Ruth Cutler on bed designs and plant lists. Fundraising began in earnest, with over $10,000 raised in the Garden on the Bridge campaign by spring of 2007. Membership increased to 83. The gardens, planted in May, were in full bloom for the dedication of the Windham Garden on the Bridge to Virginia Darrow on June 2nd, 2007.

We currently have 84 members.

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Committees:

Budget - Carol Buch

Fund Raising - Lynn White (Plant Sale)

Garden on the Bridge - Robin Dixon-Rouse, Chair

Membership - Dorothy Phillips

Programs - Lynn Kelleher

Public Relations - Pam Horrocks

Public Spaces -

Publications:

The Garden on the Bridge Brochure - click for a printable PDF.

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