Framingham Garden Club Celebrates 80th Anniversary

With almost as many members as years in existence, the Framingham Garden Club celebrated its 80th year with a luncheon at the Open Spirit Center at Edwards Church in Framingham Wednesday afternoon.

Current members, along with past presidents who have moved to other communities and the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts President were in attendance, said Framingham Garden Club President Ruth Evans.

Floral designers from the group displayed arrangements illustrating events or experiences from their time as Garden Club members.

Garden Club members focus on community service, education and conservation, said Evans.

"Recently, the Framingham Garden Club participated, along with other civic groups, in planting approximately 10,000 Daffodil bulbs along the Boston Marathon route as a tribute to the Boston Strong campaign," said Evans.

"In Framingham, we work hand-in-hand with the Parks and Recreation Department and have designed, planted and maintain the gardens around Cushing Chapel," said Evans. Club members have "created and are about to expand the Butterfly Garden at Nobscot Park on Edgell Road."

Club members also care for the pocket park at Saxonville Dam.

Each Spring, two summer internships at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, and two scholarships for continuing education are awarded by the Framingham Garden Club, said Evans.

In addition, a teacher grant is provided and coordinated through the Framingham Education Foundation, said Evans.

The Club's annual Greens Sale  is scheduled for Dec. 6 and 7.

While many Garden Club activities involve educational outreach, they also involve education of members themselves who are constantly working to grow as horticulturists, conservationists, environmentalists and designers," said Evans.  "With 78 members, the Framingham Garden Club is a strong and contributing member of the Framingham Community. At 80 years of age, it is a growing, evolving and relevant organization."

Both youth and senior activities are a part of the Framingham Garden Club's programming.

Each month, members provide workshops at two senior centers on design and horticulture projects.

In addition, the Club will celebrate Youth Art Month in March with a "Youth Art in Bloom" exhibit at the main Framingham Public Library Costin Room.

Art work from students at Framingham' Potter Road School will be paired with floral designs by Framingham Garden Club members, said Evans.

Special thanks to Kevin Cummings of Cummings Photography in Framingham for the exclusive slide show to Framingham Patch.