The Garden Club of New Rochelle celebrated its 1o0th anniversary Monday with a its “Reflections of Anniversaries” flower show at the New Rochelle Public Library Monday to celebrate the club’s 100-year anniversary.
The event, which took place at the New Rochelle Public Library, will continue on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
The show featured samples of floral displays from club member’s gardens and were judged by officials of the National Garden Clubs of America.
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“We are so happy to celebrate our anniversary,” the garden club’s co-president Mary Bowles said. “We are still growing and we welcome new members all the time.”
Joanne Bartoni , former club president and member for 11 years, said she was happy to take part in an important day for the organization.
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“I think this is just amazing,” she smiled. “We have done so many wonderful things over the years.”
The Garden Club of New Rochelle started in 1911 and is a member of the National Garden Club of New York State. The club’s objective is to increase interest in the culture and care of flowers, fruits, vegetables, plants and trees. The club also aims to promote skill in the art of arranging plant material and to encourage civic beautification.
The organization has planted many gardens in the New Rochelle community and has 66 members.
Dr. Astolfo Leon has been a member of the club for 20 years. He won an award for his rose display on Monday and his personal rose garden has been made a public show for three years.
“I enjoy growing roses,” he said. “The challenge of it because they are hard to grow and the beauty of them.”
Corrine Ganues, a member for 11 years, won an award for her “In the Beginning” display that paid homage to her Native American roots. The display contained gerbera daisies and a picture of her grandfather.
“I called it “In the Beginning” because Native Americans were the first ones here,” she said.
Ganues said she enjoys being a member of the club and that the other members are like family to her.
“Everyone is just so friendly,” she said. “Everyone tries to help one another.”
Irene Schindler, 89, has been a member of the club for about 17 years.
“I just love it,” she laughed. “I got into it as soon as I retired. Gardeners are a special group of people.”
