THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF MAY 4, 2008
The Oak In Glen Oaks
Garden Club Rooted Firmly Community For Over 50 Years
By DENISE FLEISCHER
Lifestyle Editor
For more than 50 years, the Glen Oak Acres Garden Club has been planning, purchasing, planting, watering and weeding the 21 outer corners of Glen Oak Acres in the village of Glenview.
The Glenview club brings together women interested in gardens and gardening activities. First organized on Apr. 19, 1939, it now sponsors community improvements through more attractive grounds, promotes social contacts and provides a meeting of neighbors within the Glen Oak Acres community.
Every year one person selects a philanthropy project, which may or may not have a direct connection with gardening. In 2006-2007, Mary Morley organized a project where club members donated $445 to the Angel Fund of the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield.
Members are working to "put the oak back in Glen Oak Acres" by donating an oak tree on the East Ridgewood island, near the intersection of Canterbury Lane. The tree was dedicated on May 22, 2007 to the children of Glen Oak Acres.
Members meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Cole Park Field House, Wagner Farm and other places of interest to gardeners.
According to Audy Filipowski, the publicity representative for the club, "This year, so far, we have enjoyed a private tour at the Evelyn Tyner Prairie Center in Glenview, the Melody Farm & Family Nature Preserve in Lake Forest and had hands-on projects relating to all forms of gardening."
Members have enjoyed speakers on natural gardening for birds and butterflies. They have helped plant flowers at Wagner Farm.
"We are busy! Those interested in joining our club may contact goagardenclub@yahoo.com.
"The Glen Oak Acres Garden Club is ready to welcome new members of all ages to join in our endeavor to pursue the love of gardening," said Filipowski, adding that the club has won prize ribbons for growing show place flowers from the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
The programs mentioned above center on both education and enjoyment.
The private tour and meeting at the Evelyn Tyner Prairie featured a guide leading a walk through this new interpretive center at 2400 Compass Rd., at Lehigh in The Glen. The walk led to the deck overlooking the wetlands and the paths around the prairie. Members also explored the sidewalk Time Line and the History Wall.
The Melody Farm & Family Nature Preserve is located at 350 Waukegan Rd. in Lake Forest. Restoration Ecologist Ryan London explained the natural and cultural history of the Open Lands site, which was formerly the Armour Estate with gardens designed by Jens Jensen.
In January, Certified Naturalist Marian Thill presented a slide show on Natural Gardening for Birds & Butterflies. She explained how the average backyard can become a haven for 71 species of birds and 19 species of butterflies.
The program was held at Wagner Farm Heritage Center, 1510 Wagner Rd., Glenview, just north of Lake Ave.
In February, gardener Terry Hollembaek shared 10 different ways to enjoy your garden through his "Inside Out Gardening" program at the home of a garden club member.
March's program at Wagner Farm Heritage Center focused on Perfect Perennials for Perpetual Color for Really Lazy Gardeners. Master Gardener and daylily hybridizer Greg Bartoshuk explained how to put your garden on automatic pilot.
Members learned how to "Create An Herb Basket" at the April meeting held at Cole Park Field House. Four culinary herbs and an edible flower plant were used in the basket.
On May 15, a plant sale will be held. This is the main fundraiser for the club.