Toby Oswald, left, presented Linda Harkleroad an award for the “Plant Trees for Hope,” which was handed out at the state convention for planting three trees at Between the Lakes. Photo provided by the garden club.

News Release

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club met at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, with 13 members and two guests attending. The guests, Betty Fervida and Maria Weaver, were from the Nappanee Garden Club.

Elaine Bokhart and Kathy Tittle provided a fun activity, which consisted of painting a garden label, or mod-podging a picture onto a wooden spoon which could then be used in a pot or the garden to mark a plant. They turned out really cute with a variety of designs.

The business meeting was called to order with the recitation of the Collect and Conservation Pledge. The Garden Club passed a motion to plant another red cedar tree at WACF for Arbor Day.

In civic beautification news, Elaine Bokart announced that the planting of the flower bed at Syracuse park is scheduled for Saturday, May 17. Pam Schumm reported that the hanging baskets are planted and will be delivered before Memorial Day.

Toby Oswald reported 16 flats of geraniums were sold this year.

A big thank you to the Syracuse and North Webster libraries for the donations of seed packets that were used at the Earth Day Festival booth held at WACF May 3. Nan Phillips, Jo Schwartz and Cindy Curtis ran the booth for the Garden Club. The kids as well as adults enjoyed planting either vegetables or flowers in ice cream cones.

Sue Kraft announced there were three applicants who applied for a scholarship given by the club. After her recommendation and a unanimous vote, a recipient was decided upon.

Oswald and Schumm shared the highlights from the state convention they attended last month in Indianapolis. Tim Swinford of Fort Wayne was a keynote speaker sharing the history of Indiana from the ice age to present day. Oswald and Schumm were both installed as chairman at the state level for two groups. Other highlights included the district’s Jayne Kessler giving her presidential farewell speech and Wanda Zahrt (also from the district) being installed as the new president.

In new business, dates for upcoming district meetings were shared, which is a great way to meet others in the district to learn what other clubs are doing. Schumm mentioned that the club should consider applying for some of the state awards in the future. A list of possible ideas was given out and will be discussed at a future meeting. The club was very interested in the possibility of working with a youth garden club. More information will be forthcoming.

Oswald presented Linda Harkleroad an award for “Plant Trees for Hope,” which was handed out at the state convention for planting three trees at Between the Lakes.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 3. The club will be taking a field trip to Flutterby Gardens in Claypool.