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At 60, garden club salutes summer HEATHER HILL THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
Though united by a national organization, local garden clubs reflect the diversity of their subjects. In March, the Memo joined the Villa Garden Club, one of Portlands largest, in celebrating its 60-year anniversary. This fall, the Flower Lane Garden Club will reach the same benchmark. Asked of plans to commemorate the event, President Ann Duetlgen jokingly mused, We should think of some way of honoring ourselves. At the time, Dueltgen, Vice President Viola Huntley, club Publicity Chairman Leona Hogue and member Alice Mitchell were soaking in the sun of the East Portland Community Center atrium overseeing their annual flower show held on May 20. The lofty corridors ping-pong tables were cleared to make room for five rows of five or so flower arrangements in keeping with the theme Salute to Summer. Because its a mini flower show and not a standard flower show, we dont actually have the judges give out ribbons, Dueltgen explained. We ask judges to come and critique, give their comments, suggestions and ideas, or anything thats helpful for when we do another arrangement. Both educational and eye-catching, the arrangements engaged all senses, capturing the nostalgic categories of Desert Destinations, Picnics, Splash, and Concerts in the Park themes also mirrored in miniature. Each bouquet demonstrated the bounty of members gardens as well as the versatility of their cooperative imaginations. You cant say who made an arrangement and who didnt make an arrangement. There is a huge participation that goes with it, Dueltgen said. Show organizer Donna Gamble added, I think we will have to say we had 100 percent participation. Flower Lane has a total of 20 members, and though ill health accounted for the shows two absences, Gamble assured, They are certainly with us in spirit. Flower Lane recently expanded the shows potential audience by moving to the East Portland Community Center from Leach Botanical Gardens, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave., where the club holds monthly meetings every third Tuesday. To encourage community involvement the club posted a notice inviting people to bring their own garden samples to share. I wasnt surprised that we didnt have any takers, Gamble said of the introductory attempt. Were just going to build on this. The multi-faceted show captured many entrants interest in the front lobby reception area, where Flower Lane composed a horticulture exhibit with labeled examples of container plants, bulbs, herbs, evergreens, perennials, flowering scrubs and trees. A table selling plant starts of dahlias, cosmos and China aster for ten cents each stood beside. Proceeds benefit the Five-Sense Garden of Enchantment in Oral Hull Park for the Blind near Sandy. Built and maintained by the Clackamas and Multnomah county garden clubs, the garden incorporates elevated beds to help the blind and the physically challenged enjoy the garden experience. Every time somebody buys the plant, we say, Next year, bring in something from your garden, Gamble said. The community center attracted passersby as diverse as preschool students to elders, and by coordinating with the Cherry Blossom Loaves & Fishes Center, also housed at EPCC, Flower Lane members were able to share plants with those beyond the walls. At noon, Loaves & Fishes diners gathered around tables centered with Flower Lane bouquets planted in recycled yogurt containers wrapped in decorative paper. Notes accompanying each centerpiece defined the plants variety along with a date that decided which table member (the one with the closest birthday) would take it home. We really like the lunch, Gamble said. You get to hear the stories of individuals who are sitting at the tables. They will ask questions about what flower that is, how do you grow it. Though Hogue admitted, I guess weve had bigger flower shows, Gamble quickly added, But we havent had more attendees than this. Membership is often passed down in families. Hogues daughter Sally Fisher, for example, in addition to acting as club historian, also brought an abiding interest in bats and spiders to enlighten club members of the values of these garden pest killers. Whats really exciting about being in the garden club for me is my mom is in it, Fisher commented, later adding that her first-grade teacher was also involved in the club. Flower Lane Garden Club has many notable members. Both Mitchell and Huntley have published books. Though Mitchell wrote fiction and Huntley an historical novel, both tales concentrate on the depression era in the West. In addition to holding the position of Multnomah County Garden Club Districts Indoor/Outdoor Chair, Huntley also writes a monthly column for the district newsletter. Flower Lane member Elaine Bossert has served as Multnomah County District Secretary since 1995 and has been a delegate to the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs State Convention since 1984. So named in homage to the Oregonians former garden column, Down the Lane with Lady Jane, the Flower Lane Garden Club was founded in September 1948 by 19 women living in Parkrose. Columnist Mrs.Yates, a.k.a. Lady Jane, was the honored guest at the clubs first May flower show and tea (attended by over 100 guests). Over the years, members notably participated in the 1951 Parkrose beautification planting along 122nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard as well as in the 1970 inception of the Five-Sense Garden of Enchantment. In May 1991, Flower Lane provided landscaping near the 122nd Avenue and Siskiyou Street exit off I-84. This beautification project has evolved into an annual tree-planting ritual. Those interested in Flower Lane Garden Club memberships are invited to contact Leona Hogue at 503-253-4071. |
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