Making Branford Beautiful for 80 Years
What We Do
Adopt a Basket Program
This program began in 2003 as a gift to the town on the occasion of the Club's 75th Anniversary. European Style baskets were installed on the lamp posts along a half-mile stretch of Main St. Businesses and individuals were invited to "adopt" a basket and the club has since installed, planted and maintained them.
The Branford Green Committee was established under Town ordinance in 2001. The Committee serves the Town of Branford and is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and preservation of the flora on the historic Green which dates back to 1635. A member of the Garden Club serves on this committee.
Branford Festival on the Green
The Club promotes both civic and club pride by renting a booth each year at the Branford Festival. Our posters, exhibits and displays show how we help our community. Conservation efforts are highlighted along with hands-on planting activities for young children.
The Civic Maintenance Committee is responsible for upkeep of the Branford Center Memorial Garden, The Kirkham Street Planter and the Harrison House Colonial and Alta Newton Memorial Garden. All gardens are weeded and checked bi-weekly throughout the flowering season. A Spring Planting Day is held the third week of May and a Fall Cleanup of all gardens is held the first week of November. Our goal is to keep these gardens beautiful.
"Project Daffodil" continues their beautification efforts by purchasing bulbs and planting them throughout town. Each Spring, members of the project tour the town looking for new plots to plant the following Fall (this task becomes harder each year!).
Throughout the year we donate and distribute holiday arrangements to areas shut-ins, the elderly, nursing care patients and the adult day care facility in town. The Club also helps decorate rooms for the holidays at the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven.
Conservation
The mission of the Conservation Committee is to stimulate and encourage club members to protect and conserve our natural resources. To that end, the Committee develops and implements projects designed to expand the members' interest on issues pertaining to the environment. Projects include recycling, ways to reduce waste and pollution, appreciation of wildlife, and preservation of natural habitat.
Design
Members provide a montly floral arrangement for our luncheons and a montly arrangement for the nich at the Community House. At the beginning of the holiday season, in addition to decorating the Blackstone Library, wreaths are designed, made and delivered to the Blackstone Library, Willoughby Wallace Library and the Community House. All greens are donated by the members. A floral design workshop is held at least once a year.
The Ronald McDonald House
The Club helps decorate rooms for the holidays at this special home which houses parents, siblings and relatives of critically ill children being treated at area hospitals. Locatedin New Haven, this is the only Connecticut Ronald McDonald House which serves not only as a "home away from home" for families, but is a nationwide training facility. Our enthusiastic band of decorators adds a little beauty and solace to those families in need.
The Rosenthal Gardens Project
A two and one-half acre parcel of land, centrally located with a Georgian house and gardens, was recently donated to Branford by Jane Rosenthal, an Honorary Member of the Branford Garden Club, and her late husband, Dr. Richard Rosenthal, for use as affordable senior housing. The Club will be renovating and improving the gardens on the grounds, which include specimen trees and shrubs, pools and flower gardens. the entire landscape will be wheelchair accessible and open to the town.
Youth Activities
Our purpose is to work with youth and teachers in educating and promoting appreciation of plants, conservation and wildlife. We help with gardening and rudimetary flower arranging at the preschool level and work with elementary classes in growing and planting gardens along with nature walks. we wlecome new members and new ideas!
Note Cards and Postcards
The Branford Garden Club sells note cards and postcards to Club members and the public as an ongoing fundraiser. Photos of Branford historical buildings or easily recognizable areas of Branford are printed on these cards. Also sold by the Club are note cards and postcards produced by the Branford Festival Corporation which has given the Branford Garden Club permission to sell. These cards show reproductions of original Branford Festival paintings which were commissioned by the Branford Festival Committee for sale at each year's Festival on the Green. A portion of the profits from the sale of the Festival cards goes back to the Branford Festival Corporation to defray their expenses. This collaborative arrangement has proven to be very successful. Cards may be purchased at the Willoughby Wallace Library, Stony Creek, Branford or at The Village Express, 1204 Main Street, Branford.