Our mission is encouraging interest & knowledge of gardening and floral design, and promoting civic beautification and environmental responsibility in our community. Gardeners By The Sea Garden Club is proudly affiliated with the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs and the Central Atlantic Region of the National Garden Club, Inc. Founded by Lisa Arni in September 2004 and federated in November of
the same year, Lisa saw a need to start a garden club in the Delaware beach area for an ever-growing population of residents to gather and share the love of gardening, gardening tips, socialize, give back to the community and help beautify the area. Now in its 18th year, the garden club continues to expand its membership. With some exceptions, we meet on the second Friday of the month, gathering at 12 noon, with lunch at 12:30, and our monthly special program at 1:00. Our business meeting follows from approx. 2-3pm. For much of 2020 and 2021, we met by Zoom teleconferencing, staying active in our own gardens, and continuing to increase our knowledge of gardening, floral design, landscaping and environmental issues. We look forward to our in-person meetings in 2022. Our Mission is
• To encourage interest and knowledge of all phases of home gardening and flower arranging
• To promote civic beauty
• To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources
• Add to the beautification and to give back to the local community
• To affiliate with the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., The Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, Inc. and National Garden Club, Inc. Our theme for 2021-22 is “Growing Our Garden Club’s Future”
After a year of not being able to meet in person due to COVID restrictions, this upcoming year’s programs are focused on growing our Club’s succession management by filling Committee and Chair vacancies, continuing to grow our Club membership, and relying on current membership to lead our monthly programs sharing their expertise and knowledge. In addition, we will continue to adhere to our mission statement and engage in ongoing community projects. Some of the topics of our upcoming programs include landscape design, African violets, growing orchids, edible and craft floral projects, and horticulture. In support of our mission and the missions of our state and national organizations, Gardeners By The Sea community and fundraising projects have/will continue to include:
• a book signing event with the authors of “Deer-Resistant Native Plants for the Northeast”
• the Beebe Healthcare Healing Garden
• the very popular Beach & Bay Cottage Tour, to benefit the Friends of the South Coastal Library
• Coastal Cleanup days
• Garden Therapy at the Cheer Senior Center in Frankford
• Habitat for Humanity
• a decorated holiday tree for the Hospice of Delaware in Milford
• a garden at Lord Baltimore Elementary School in Ocean View
• working with the Ocean View Historical Society to enhance their grounds
• our annual plant sale in the spring
• our Scholarship program at Delaware Technical Community College
• our Blue Star Memorial marker located at the intersection of Rt. 26 and Kent Avenue, Bethany Beach
• TREE-mendous Delaware Tree Planting at Delaware Botanic Gardens
We invite and welcome members of our community who have an interest in gardening, flowers, landscape design, and environmental issues, along with friendship and fellowship -- to join our meetings! Please contact us at [email protected].
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Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs (DFGC) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1958 to serve as a resource for garden clubs throughout the state of Delaware. The mission of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs is to:
• Provide a non-profit, philanthropic, educational, and, to a limited extent, scientific association of members.
• Study and advance, in all its aspects, the fine arts of gardening, landscape
design, floral design, and horticulture.
• Aid in the conservation and protection of our natural resources.
• Coordinate the interests of Delaware Garden Clubs and bring them into closer relations of mutual helpfulness by association, correspondence, and conference.
• Promote the educational aspects of gardening in youth groups.
• Further garden therapy programs.
• Cooperate with other organizations to promote the interests of horticulture, conservation, and civic involvement.
• Cooperate and assist in carrying out the objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) and Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, inc. (CAR-SGC). For more information on the garden clubs included within the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs, please visit https://www.delawaregardenclubs.org/
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The purposes of National Garden Clubs Inc. are:
•To co-ordinate the interests and activities of the State Garden Clubs with similar organizations in the United States and abroad
•To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, to promote civic beautification, and encourage the improvement of roadsides and parks
•To encourage the establishment and maintenance of botanical gardens, arboreta, and horticultural centers for the advancement of science, enjoyment and education of the public
•To advance the study of gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral design, and horticulture and assist deserving students through college scholarships in these fields of endeavor
•To co-operate with other organizations furthering the interests of horticulture, conservation, environmental protection, and beautification. NGC’s page: https://www.facebook.com/NGCSOCIALMEDIA
Website: http://gardenclub.org/
