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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 Officers and Board of
Directors:
President:
Vice President: Lynn Kelleher
Secretary: Gene
Bowen
Treasurer: Carol Buch
Board of Directors: George Buch, Pam Horrocks, Faith Kenton,
Claire Lary, Marty LaVoy, Kathleen Mangiafico, Pat McGill
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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 88 members.
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Committees:
Budget/Finance - Carol Buch - Chair
Fundraising - Gene Bowen- Chair (Plant Sale)
Hospitality - Pat McGill - Chair
Membership - Dorothy Phillips - Chair
Programs - Lynn Keleher - Chair
Public Relations - Pam Horrocks - Chair, Claire Lary - Historian,
George Buch - Website Consultant & Town Liaison, Tulay Luciano -
Annual Booklet
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Publications:
The Garden on the Bridge Brochure - click
here.
The Garden Club of Windham Annual Booklet - click here.
Emilyn Visiting the Garden on the Bridge (A Child's View) - click here.
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