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Marking 97 years of Laker volunteerism with flower show
The Garden Club of Mountain Lakes (GCML) hosted a Standard Flower Show, April 3-4, celebrating the volunteers of the community. Leading up to the centennial anniversary of the borough of Mountain Lakes, the show highlighted the key foundation of the town: “Pillars of Our Community: Celebrating 97 years of Laker Volunteerism.”
As Club President Peggy Losh noted, “Such a long history of volunteerism is unique for a town. The Garden Club was active as early as 1936, and is still going strong.”
The key to the success of the show - and the longevity of the club - is the contribution made by each member, and there is a wonderful range of talent and interest.
As co-chair of the show, Susan Marshall explained, “There was multi-generational involvement in the show. From the Junior Nature Club to the Provisional members to the invitation-only classes (for experts), there were opportunities for all arrangers to compete. Garden Club has something for everyone, whether you are 9, 39 or 89.”
The show was dedicated to the memory of Adrian “Duke” Smith, the all-time quintessential volunteer of Mountain Lakes.
While enjoying the show, Duke’s wife of 60 years Dot Smith exclaimed, “The Garden Club was exceedingly thoughtful to honor Duke by dedicating this glorious flower show to his memory.”
As a long-time resident, former councilman, former mayor, 2001 Citizen of the Year, avid Mountain Lakes’ sports fan, influential leader and outspoken voice in the community, Smith was an exemplary pillar of Mountain Lakes’ community.
With 25 Design entries, 95 Horticulture entries and 44 Youth entries, the show was a great display of local talent. A Mountain Lakes scene was expertly staged by Cindy Shaw and Kris Barlow, and included faux stone surrounds for all the tables, entry “pillars” and historic displays of Mountain Lakes clubs and committees.
“The show surpassed national standards,” show co-chair Louise Davis noted. “It was awarded 95 out of 100 by the National Garden Club flower show judges.”
Judges Chair Helen Connell added, “These women are serious, one judge flew up from Florida and then back again just for the event.”
The judges were impressed by the club’s leadership in volunteerism. Particularly noted was the exhibit “Keeping our woodlands native” on invasive plants by Laura Conner, and the exhibit “Setting an example” by Roberta Spray and Laurel Durenberger highlighted the club’s 12 community garden projects which reflects work throughout the year by the club’s 70 members.
The show’s top ribbon, the Sweepstakes Award was presented to Susan Marshall of the Garden Club of Mountain Lakes for the combined total of most blue ribbons in Horticulture and Design. Her stunning all foliage design entry also won the Tricolor Award.
Pat Rusak won two of the top three designer awards: Designer’s Choice Award and Award of Design Excellence; and Susan Rich won the Horticultural Excellence Award.
The show also displayed the talent of 30 young gardening enthusiasts from the Junior Nature Club.
Garden Club liaison to the Junior Nature Club, Bonnie Rosenthal, said, “I am thrilled with the participation of the third-grade after-school club members from Wildwood School. They participated in six different classes, including horticulture and the kids’ favorite, vegetable critters.”
Abigail Borin won the show's Junior Horticulture Award and Ellie Halpin won the Junior Design Award.
Residents who want to give their garden a boost this spring can attend the Garden Club’s annual plant sale on Saturday, May 10, on the Masonic Lodge grounds next to Island Beach parking lot, 8:30 a.m. - noon. The sale will feature perennial plants dug from member’s (and flower show ribbon winners’) gardens.
Top Awards
Design Division
Tricolor Award
Susan Marshall, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Designer’s Choice Award
Pat Rusak, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Award of Design Excellence
Pat Rusak, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Horticulture Division
Award of Merit
Jennifer Smith, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Florine Lewis, Rockaway Valley Garden Club
Susan Rich, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Jackie Burkett, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Arboreal Award
Susan Marshall, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Rebecca Caine, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Horticultural Excellence Award
Susan Rich, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Special Exhibits Division
Education Top Exhibitor
Laura Conner, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Artistic Craft Award
Sara Rhodes, Rockaway Valley Garden Club
Youth Top Exhibitor Award in Horticulture
Abigail Borin, Junior Nature Club, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Youth Top Exhibitor Award in Design
Ellie Halpin, Junior Nature Club, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Sweepstakes Award
Combined total of most blue ribbons in Horticulture and Design: Susan Marshall, Garden Club of Mountain Lakes
Staff photos by Pierfranceso BaccaroPhoto 1: Rebecca Caine and Bessie Koebernick view some of the exhibits. At left is Nancy Bigelsen’s prize-winning arrangement.
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