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Celebrating Beauty in the City of Lathrup Village |
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Geraniums & More! Sale A key April activity is the annual Geraniums & More! Sale. This is our major fundraiser, and the proceeds support our philanthropic efforts: n Planting city flower beds n Co-sponsoring the Home & Garden Tour n Supporting the Children’s Garden n Sponsoring the annual Spring community garden program Sale proceeds also help underwrite program activities throughout the year. City Flower Beds Each year, members plant and maintain City flower beds. Spring Community Garden Program We sponsor a Spring community garden program, bringing in a celebrity speaker to present a gardening topic. This program includes exhibits from local gardening organizations as well as a wonderful assortment of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Our 2006 speaker was Janet Macunovich, local author and educator in landscape and garden design. She presented “8 Months of Color,” offering great insights on choosing perennials, bulbs, trees, vines, and shrubs for a succession of bloom from early Spring through Fall. The 2007 speaker was Dan Kurkowski City Forester for Detroit. Dan shared his knowledge of not only trees, but tree folklore and mythology. We were all saddened to hear of his untimely death from complications of diabetes on June 13. Dan was 40 years old. This year’s speaker was Dr. David Michener, Associate Curator of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the Nichols, who presented More Garden, Less Lawn. Arbor Day Observance Our members assist with the City’s Arbor Day Observance. Beautification Awards Competition We participate in the city Beautification Awards program by nominating and judging residential and commercial properties. Children’s Garden Sandra Johnson had a dream—a children’s garden on the grounds of the Municipal Building. Elisabeth and Oswald Martin and Don and Maria Mc Ghee with support from the Gardeneers, the City, and Lathrup friends and neighbors, made that dream a reality with the opening of the award-winning Lathrup Village Children’s Garden in 2001. Oswald drew up the original plans, from which Cynthia Bodene and Richard Reeves created the long-term design with input from Susan Arneson. Rain Gardens In 2003, members Linda Piotrowski, Sarah Ragalyi, Mary Kearney, and Tom Kearney established Michigan’s first residential rain gardens. Click here to visit SOCWA’s Rain Garden Registry. Other Activities Our monthly programs include: n Speakers on gardening topics n Craft workshops n Working sessions (e.g., planting city park beds) n Field trips to nurseries & interesting gardens n The Legendary Holiday Party |
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About Us |
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As an independent organization, not affiliated with a national gardening group, we are committed to giving back to the community via our programs and activities. For example: Home & Garden Tour In conjunction with the Lathrup Village Historical Society, we co-sponsor the biennial Home & Garden Tour that showcases our lovely community. |
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To contact us: Nancy Bacinski, President Barbara Tuohey, Secretary The Village Gardeneers Webmaster
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