Young Westfield Gardeners Win Blue Ribbons

Junior members of the Rake & Hoe Garden Club of Westfield achieved great success at the New Jersey Garden Club’s annual Flower Show. The youth won ribbons in various categories, especially for the foliage and flowering plants they had grown. They also submitted miniature gardens they designed to reflect their favorite book illustrators. In a separate category, they submitted floral designs inspired by great artists or to reflect the theme, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Overall the Juniors were awarded 19 blue ribbons.

The Juniors also coordinated a children’s activity entitled “Make Take.” They taught the younger children how to make small “table-top” arrangements using laundry detergent caps that they could take home. This activity was very popular, and many adults also asked to participate in making these small arrangements.

The Juniors, ranging from kindergarten through high school students, meet monthly, after school during the school year to work on projects focused on flower design, gardening and community service.

The Rake and Hoe Garden Club of Westfield is affiliated with the Garden Club of New Jersey and the National Garden Club, Inc. The club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 12:00 pm at the Scotch Hills Country Club. Membership is open to residents of Westfield and surrounding towns. For more information about the club, call Jeanne Marie Ryan (908) 654-

0271 or visit the club’s website, (rakeandhoe.org) or Facebook page.

Pictured L to R: Sophia Poeschi, Lexi Strauss and CJ Strauss at the “Make and Take” Table