Finalists Awarded in Lacey's Beautiful Garden Contest

The Lacey Garden Club recently awarded the finalists of the township’s Beautiful Garden Contest with prizes:

1. Michael and Kathleen Sims, Lawrence Drive, Lanoka Harbor
2. Joellynn Verider, Carriage Road, Forked River
3. Gloria Mako, Dolphin Court, Forked River
4. Special Category, Container Gardening - Pat and Mike Spielman, Annapolis Lane, Forked River

From gift certificates to florists to gardening items and a rose plant, local businesses chipped in to award the gardeners for their hard work, Eileen Tranz, Chairperson of the Lacey Garden Club said.

“We were very grateful to local businesses for their generosity in helping us give additional prizes,” she said.

, and Lanoka Farms all donated to the club. The top prize was a $35 gift certificate to Every Bloomin' Thing.

The Lacey Garden Club also awards all winners with a gift certificate and a photo of their property.

The Beautiful Garden Contest has been held annually for many years, Tranz said. Winners of the contest will be included in the club’s garden tour this year.

“We look forward to more people calling us next year,” she said.

The Lacey Garden Club has been active for over 30 years. The club meets on the first Thursday of ever month. Guest speakers attend the meetings and talk on a variety of topics such as spring planting, fall gardening, birds, mulching, and seasonal flowers.

“We try to keep the topics related to nature,” Tranz said. “You don’t have to have a green thumb. You can learn no matter what. You don’t have to feel like you have to be a gardener to join the club.”

The next meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 6 at Community Hall. Social hour begins at 1 p.m.

For more information on the Beautiful Garden Contest, read “”