Westlake Garden Club

On Wednesday, March 15, our first meeting of the year was held at the Westlake Community Center (another first). This meeting was very well attended. Our speaker, Master Gardener Christine Harris, spoke on Starting Seeds Indoors. By the use of a slide presentation, Christine was an excellent speaker and we learned a lot.

More details in next Newsletter.

Following a two year absence due to the virus, our Holiday Luncheon was held on December 15 at Westwood Country Club, and it was certainly nice to be together again. New and returning officers were installed, with Kathy Bruening officiating:

Deb Dougherty and Carolyn Steigman are returning as Co-Presidents (eliminating the requirement of a Vice President); Susan Baker is our new Secretary; and Rose McEntee is our new Treasurer. Patti Frank has stepped up to become our Membership Chairperson.

The following members received special recognition and were each presented with an Achievement Award for their years-long time and work devoted to the Club: Marge Emblom, Carol Lewellen and Shirley Lutts.

Committee Chairs for 2023 include Kathy Bruening (Newsletter); Lavinia Cozmin (Sunshine); Jean Smith (Constitution & Bylaws); and (Communications) Cathy Garlitz - Facebook & Regina McCarthy - Website; and Margaret Schulz (Attendance Table).

Several years ago the club went on a field trip to Gardenview. It made such an impression that the club has been sending yearly donations ever since. The rugged individualist and horticulturalist Henry Ross dedicated several decades of his life to turning Gardenview into a 16 acre garden paradise. Its beauty is awe-inspiring. Gardenview has gained world-wide gardening fame. Several news stories have been written about it and it was featured on TV gardening shows and in gardening magazines and has attracted visitors from all over the world. This year more than 1150 people visited Gardenview. Ross recently died and Gardenview is now run by an all-volunteer board of directors and maintained by just one underpaid gardener. Ross's ashes are buried there in the place he so dearly loved. Unfortunately, Gardenview is now in financial trouble and it would be a tragic loss if it closed. The land was offered to other nonprofits like Holden and the Metroparks if they would just maintain it as a garden, but they all refused. But you can help. Gardenview is looking for a volunteer who knows grant writing. If you can do this, please lend a hand and call (440) 238-6653. Gardenview also needs volunteers to help the gardener, Mark LaRosa, from April to October. If you would like to visit Gardenview, call ahead to make sure the gates will be open. It's located at 16711 Pearl Road in Strongsville, 44136. If you would like to become a member, it's $25 for individual membership and $50 for family. And donations of any size are always welcome. Gardenview is nonprofit.