Lemont Friendship Garden Club

 

This club began in June of 1995 as an outgrowth of the Lemont Friendship Garden Project.

The Friendship Garden was created along the I & M Canal with donations of plants and time by various members of the community.

The founding members of the club met, worked on the project and enjoyed the experience so much they decided to continue it by forming:

“The Lemont Friendship Garden Club”
Affiliated with the Garden Clubs of Illinois
 
 n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

      Since that time the Club has grown and expanded.  From an original membership of just 10 we are now a club of 26 members.  This is an open club and welcomes people to join, learn, and contribute to our community.  Our membership goes beyond Lemont’s borders to include members from Lockport, Plainfield, Bolingbrook and Romeoville.

      In the winter months (January-April) we host guest speakers at the meetings to enlighten our membership about nature......specifically plants indigenous to our area, potted plants, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, trees, shrubs, herbs, lawns, etc., and the public is always most welcome. 

      Giving to the community is done in many ways.  The Club has donated trees to be planted at Lemont Community schools, public library, I&M Canal area, Lemont’s Earth Day project, public streets, etc.  Each year we donate books to our local library, specifically books pertaining to gardening and flowers and also children’s books.

      As special projects we have adopted the re-landscaping of the Lemont Historical Society. The Lemont Metra Station and Lemont’s Park District have benefited from our planting as well as the Butterfly Garden at Centennial Park.  We are committed to planting and developing these public places to enhance and beautify our community.

      Throughout the year The Club participates in community events such as Lemont’s Heritage Fest in July with a booth on the street – running the “Log Pull” contest (great fun for the families who participate).  We have a table at the Fall Community Showcase held at Lemont’s Park District and a display at the Lemont Library in June to publicize “National Garden Week”. Our major fund raiser is an annual “Pointsettia Sale” that is supported by local businesses, banks, nursing homes, the library, and individuals who decorate their establishments and homes for the Holidays with these beautiful plants.

      In the summer months we occasionally meet at members homes (strictly voluntary) to enjoy our lovely gardens. The Club also takes field trips so our membership can enjoy nature.  We have been to Montefiori, Morton Arboretum, Mayor Daley’s City Hall Rooftop Garden (downtown Chicago), Ball Seed Company, Chicago’s Flower Show at Navy Pier and Lake Katherine in Palos Heights.   The annual Christmas luncheons have been held at Cog Hill and Ruffled Feathers.

      The Lemont Friendship Garden Club meets on the Fourth Thursday of each month (January through October) at the Lemont Public Library (except in summer when we might meet at members gardens), 7:00 pm, and is open to the public.  Yearly membership is $10.00.  For more information about membership, please contact us. 

Are you a serious gardener????.......You are when your neighbors don’t recognize your face because that’s not the end they see........or when you are in the doctor’s office and you pick the dead leaves from his plants.