Garden Chat: 2016

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Garden Class of WCCU Dedicates Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker

The Garden Class of WCCU dedicated a Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker at the 1756 Uwchlan Meeting House on October 7, 2016 in conjunction with the 260^th anniversary of the meeting house. The meeting house served as a hospital for soldiers during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and is on the National Register of Historic Sites. It is fitting to place a By-Way Marker on the grounds to pay tribute to our servicemen and women – past, present, and future. Funds for the marker were donated by the Garden Class of WCCU and GCFP District I.

Members of the club used shovels and other garden equipment that were donated by Ames Tools to unearth a large stone that was found near the front door. The marker was attached to this stone and secured to the site.

Mary Whitesel, Chairman of the Garden Class of WCCU, officiated. VFW Post 845 and Chester County Marine Corps League Detachment 286 provided the Color Guard, Chaplain, and Bugler and the Chester County Veterans Affairs donated flags for the ceremony. Pat Gaines, Uwchlan Township Supervisor and a member of the Garden Class of WCCU gave the invocation and Barbara Fleming, President of The Woman’s Community Club of Uwchlan lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Ames, Adjutant VFW Post 845, presented a brief history of “Lionville’s Military Support, Then and Now”; Doug Forsythe, Chester County Marine Corps League Detachment 286, expressed gratitude for the recognition of our servicemen and women. The complete History of the Blue Star Memorials was included in the Program for reference. Will Thompson, Ben Kuhn, Barrett Baker and Lara McDowell, members of the Lionville Middle School Patriots Club, did the unveiling, with honorees Wally Bradford, Uwchlan Conservation Trust (UCT) board member and Peggy Hartwick, UCT board member and the longest active member of the Garden Class of WCCU. Dedication of the Blue Star By-Way Marker was presented by Mary Jo Schlomann, GCFP Officer and member of the Garden Class of WCCU, followed by the Tribute of Flowers. The program concluded with a Benediction, Taps played by Dan Fitzpatrick, and Retiring of Colors.

Also attending were members of the Garden Class of WCCU, parents of the students, Lionville Middle School Patriots Club advisers and principal, members of the Uwchlan Conservation Trust, members of the community, and Sandy Manthorpe, GCFP District I and Eastern Blue Star Chairman.

A reception in the meeting house was hosted by the Garden Class of WCCU. Acme Markets, Giant Food Stores, LLC and Pickering Valley Feed and Farm generously donated food and flowers for the event.

We are proud to have dedicated the first Blue Star Marker in historic Uwchlan Township. And how fitting that it is attached to a stone that was ‘growing’ outside the building our club calls ‘home’.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

2016 Garden Class of WCCU Prepping Site for Blue Star By-Way Marker

The garden class grounds crew recently prepped the site for its Blue Star By-Way Marker with new tools that were donated by Ames Tools! The dedication will be October 7th at the 1756 Uwchlan Meeting House. The large stone in the photo was unearthed in front of the meeting house and will be the base for the marker.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

2016 Garden Club of Springfield Summer Activities

The Garden Club of Springfield began the Summer by organizing volunteers for the maintenance of our Township Gardens. This month Members participated in the judging of Bikes, Floats and Strollers riding in the annual Springfield 4th of July Parade. We also enjoyed weekly tours of Member's Gardens.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern May 2016 Visitor

United States Congressman Ryan Costello, who represents the 6th District of Pennsylvania was visiting Malvern Borough Hall this morning (5/5/2016). He noticed ladies bringing in flower arrangements and perennials and asked what they were doing. He was told they were from a little garden club and indeed they were The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern!. He came to the meeting room to speak with them and asked to have a photo taken with the group. Pictured are U.S. Congressman Ryan Costello and some of the members with their flower designs.