Great news for local green thumbs ? the Oxford Garden Club is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year.
The club will kick off its 75th year with a potluck luncheon 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 21 in the Rotary Community Room at the Oxford Public Library. Lunch will include a live demonstration on how to make a ‘living wreath.?
Comprised of 42 active members, the club was originally founded ‘to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to gain the protection of native trees, plants and birds, and to encourage civic planting.?
‘I like to garden and I’m kind of new at it, so I came for new ideas,? said club Treasurer Randi Saunders, who joined last year.
Members enjoy exchanging gardening tips and plant cuttings, going on field trips to tour gardens and greenhouses in other communities, and inviting guest speakers to their meetings, which occur on the second Monday of the month through December.
‘I love flowers and I wanted to learn more about them,? said Past President Diane Duval, explaining why she joined the club in 1994. ‘What better place to learn about flowers and trees than a garden club.?
Vice president Brenda Craig, who’s been a member for 17 years, said it’s ‘the people? and the ‘camaraderie? that she loves the most.
The club has lots of fun activities planned this summer, including a June trip to Gerych’s Greenhouse in Fenton and a July trip to Past Tense Country Store, just north of Lapeer, for lunch and a garden tour.
‘We do different things all the time,? Saunders said. ‘It’s just a fun group to be with.?
In September, the club will tour Wojo’s Greenhouse in Brandon Township and listen to a guest speaker. An Oakland County master gardener named Jim Mackinder will address the club in October on the virtues of organic gardening.
Keeping Oxford beautiful is very important to the club, which is why once a month between April and October, members can be found planting, trimming, weeding, raking and maintaining the beautiful flower garden on the north side of downtown’s Centennial Park.
Being community-minded, the club regularly contributes to Oxford/Orion FISH, the Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden and the horticultural program at Crossroads for Youth.
New members are always welcome.
For more information call Joan Blanchard at (248) 931-0394.