Pottawatomie Garden Club Celebrates 85 Years

In 1928 when the first by laws were written by the Junior Garden Club of St. Charles the object was to “cultivate the spirit of gardening in its broadest sense—to beautify home grounds and to encourage community gardening.” That organization evolved into the Pottawatomie Garden Club in 1930 and now, 85 years later, the objective remains the same with the addition of a commitment to education.

Many exciting programs are scheduled for the club’s anniversary year, the first of which kicks off the season on Monday, Feb. 25 featuring a presentation titled “Step into Spring with Tulips.”

“I’m so excited to be president in the club’s 85th year,” said Karen Masus who, along with incoming vice president Lanny Salvati, secretary Diane Winkler and treasurer Louise Cruse, will call to order the fist meeting of the Pottawatomie Garden Club’s 2013 season. “I’m pumped,” added Masus, it’s going to be a great year!”

Members will be busy in the spring and fall planting flowers at various locations throughout St. Charles, including planters on Main and Illinois Streets, the Municipal Center, the Public Library and the Tri-City Health Partnership. Pottawatomie Garden Club has recently teamed up with the Geneva Garden Cub to install and maintain plantings at the Living Well Cancer Center and the new CASA Grow a Healthy Child Garden, both are in Geneva.

Each year the Pottawatomie Garden Club awards a $3,000 scholarship to a college student from St. Charles who is studying horticulture or environmental related subjects. In addition, the club supports several other gardening related organizations in the tri-city area with annual donations.

 Meetings are held in the lower level of PNC Bank, 2600 East Main Street, St. Charles. Meet and greet begins at 11:30 with a business meeting and presentation to follow. Refreshments are provided and guests are always welcome. Come grow with us and be sure to visit our website at www.pottagardenclub.org.