WESTPORT —
The Elizabethtown-Westport Garden Club blossomed into its seventh decade with a 60th-anniversary Waltz into Fashion celebration.
The club's longest serving member is Melba Wrisley, 92, who joined after retiring from teaching in 1974.
"I have always loved flowers, and it nice getting together with a nice group of ladies," she said. "I remember meeting at the Old Mill Studio and displaying flower arrangements to match oil paintings. It was primarily done for fun, not awards."
Wrisley has been taking care of a circular garden at the intersection of Roscoe and Fox Run Road for more than three decades. She remembers Eagle Dickerson putting the flag up daily. Today, Wrisley gets support in maintaining the garden from her son Calvin Wrisley and from Jackie and Skip Andrade, Jean and Andrea LeVien, Hedy Merrihew.
SEED PLANTED
The Elizabethtown Garden Club was formed in 1950, when virtually every Adirondack town had a similar organization. Over the years, some disbanded while others such as Elizabethtown's joined with or accepted members from other villages.
A public announcement concerning the intent to form a garden club in April 1950 proclaimed, "Do you like flowers? House plants? Gardens? Then this item is for you! During the war years there was a lapse of meetings of the local Garden Club, but lately a need has been felt to revive these meetings. With this in mind, Mrs. W. Hustace (Ednah) Hubbard is cordially inviting anyone interested in becoming a member to an organization tea at her home on Hand Ave., Tuesday afternoon, April 25th at 2:30."
Ednah Hubbard, an accomplished artist, was involved in many activities, among them the Essex County Fair. Hubbard Hall in Elizabethtown bears witness to the family's prominence.
Others credited with the club's formation included Grace Bowler and Musa Wakefield, who were associated with the Elizabethtown Women's Club that was in the process of termination. The Women's Club's remaining funds of $60 was transferred to assist in the formation of the Garden Club. Grace Bowler, selected as club president, summarized the first year, "A seed was planted, and now on and on it grows."
Eighteen ladies were listed as attending the first meeting, while a subsequent meeting on May 9 listed seven. During the May meeting, Elizabeth Lawrence gave a report on planning for a flower show. Subsequent monthly meetings focused on flower shows and social events such as a Men's Night which featured as its entertainment, a slide show of Elizabethtown's gardens.
DECORATION CONTEST
At the Dec. 5 meeting, it was decided to give a small "suitably wrapped" Christmas gift to each of the ladies residing at the Essex County Home in Whallonsburg. There would also be an Elizabethtown Christmas Decoration Contest. The club also made mention of the Korean conflict: "Now in this war-torn world, let's make our little corner a little cheerier to say Merry Christmas to our neighbors and to those who pass through our town."
In 1951, a constitution and by-laws were drawn up and dues were set at $1 per year. The club's name was changed to include Westport. In 1954, the Silver Tea, later to become the Greens Tea, was initiated.
In the 1960s and '70s, issues involving the Adirondack Park and community projects were the focus of many meetings. The Elizabethtown-Westport club allocated funding to cover beatification projects and to make trees, shrubs and flowers available to communities.
"When I joined in 2001, there were 65 members," current club president Martha Honeywell said. "About three or four years ago, the membership dropped to around 35 members.
"Unfortunately, the potential new members age 40 and up are either working or are very busy being 'soccer moms.' We meet during the day, as night meetings would not suit the older ladies who cannot or will not go out after dark during our long winters."
PITCHING IN
The Garden Club holds two primary annual fundraising events — the August Luncheon-Fashion Show and December's Greens Tea. Funds are given to Elizabethtown, Essex, Lewis, Moriah, Westport, and Willsboro to help with their beautification projects. Money has also been donated to the Community Food Shelf; Community Health Services, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, High Peaks Hospice, North Country Life Flight Inc., Camp Colby and World Gardening (CARE).
The Camp Colby contribution pays to send a school-age child to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) camp every summer.
"When I think about our activities, actual gardening is only a small part," Honeywell said. "I have been trying to steer interest in the direction of our environment."
The club meets the first Thursday of every month. The programs are varied and open to the public. Past talks have included: "Feng Shui" (about balance of energy in homes); "Living with Osteoporoses," and "Quilting Flowers."
At meetings, there is generally a Grow and Show, when members share gardening experiences. The club keeps a History Book that includes photos, awards, newspaper clippings, and other pertinent items.
For information or to join, call Martha Honeywell at 873-7384 or Aileen Geiling at 873-6853.
E-mail Alvin Reiner at:
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
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