Making Branford Beautiful for 84 Years
WHAT WE DO
Baskets on the Green
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.
Businesses and individuals were invited to “adopt a basket”. The Branford Garden Club now maintains more than thirty, twenty six inch baskets with colorful flowers. Thanks to excellent upkeep by our members, the baskets are much-admired by our community. Flowers are replaced with seasonal greens in December.
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 Branford Green Committee
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 1699. A member of the Garden Club serves on this committee.
Our membership is responsible for upkeep of five gardens: two historic (the Harrison House Colonial Garden and Alta Newton Herb Garden both on West Main Street), two memorial (Veteran's Memorial Garden on the Town Green by the flagpole and the Mae McCabe Memorial Daylily Garden near the Academy on the lower Green) and one public (the Rosenthal Gardens on Kirkham Street). Also, we check the indoor planter at the Community Center and replace plants when needed. The BGC Evening Committee supports the maintenance of the Weeping Hemlock, a Connecticut Notable Tree Co-Champion, on Short Beach Road.
The main focus of Civic Development is to locate new public sites for landscape projects and to upgrade areas already established by the Garden Club. A Memorial Fund for deceased Garden Club members was created in 1988 and is under the Civic Development Committee. Over the years, six memorial gardens have been planted at the request of family members.
"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!).
We are currently in the process of expanding the activities of the Garden Therapy Committee. Our goal is to bring the joy of gardening to as many people as possible. We will be reaching out to current and former members who are ill or homebound, as well as members of the community. In order to achieve our goal we will be partnering with many of our club committees.
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.
Scarecrows on the Green
The Horticulture Committe is planning a creative fundraiser next October. It will feature scarecrows, designed by locals to be displayed on the Town Green. Our First Selectman has already approved the project and has suggested that the display stays up for a week.
photo credit: Richard Sunderland
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.
Tour of the World Flower Show 2011
The Branford Garden Club will host a bus tour Thursday June 16th, 2011 to the World Flower Show in Boston, MA. This show only takes place every three years. This is the first time in 30 yearss that the U.S. has been chosen to host this event. The theme of this year's show is "The Glorious Earth."
photo credit: minuk 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.