The Spring Glen Garden Club receive 6 awards at the Federation Annual Award Meeting

 

     Pictured The Spring Glen Garden Club President Theresa McCabe and Nan Merola President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Ct., Inc., at the annual awards meeting of the Federation.  The Spring Glen Garden Club received 6 awards.  These awards recognized the Club’s contribution to the Hamden Community and individual recognition of two of our hard-working members.

Awards received at the Federation Awards Meeting

1.   The Award of Excellence small club-for efforts to beautify a once-neglected municipal parking area by maintaining garden beds and four concrete planters in front of neighborhood businesses from spring through fall. Club members plant and maintain the garden on a ongoing basis, ensuring it remains vibrant and inviting.  The gardens feature pollinator-friendly flowers to support bees and other insects, while also inspiring passersby to enjoy and create their own gardens.

2.   The Award Excellence small club- The Jonathan Dickerman House is owned by the Historical Society.  The garden has been a project of The Spring Glen Garden Club since 1991. In 2021, a devastating tornado severely damaged the property and the garden.  In 2024, the garden club was able to return to the garden and begin the arduous task of rescuing the garden from invasives and lack of care for 3 years.  They weeded, cleaned up, planted, trimmed, labeled and watered the garden. They also have researched the kitchen herb garden to include plants used in the 18^th and 19^th century.  They have to label the herbs and provide an information sheet.

3.   Club Citation- on certain holidays the club provides floral centerpieces for each lunch table at the Elderly Services Center. In addition, each attendee receives a small memento to take home.

4.   Certificate of Individual Achievement- Marti Onofrio-is the club Horticultural Chairperson, oversees the care and watering schedules for plants at the Miller Library and Hamden Government Center, and refreshes them as needed.  She also tends our donated oak tree, “Annie Oakley”, at Eli Whitney Park, and manages the Herb Garden at the Jonathan Dickerman House with the help of an assistant.  Marti coordinates maintenance and planting for all Club Gardens-Dickerman House, Poppy’s, Spring Glen Center planters, and the municipal parking lot.  She also organizes our participation in events like Earth Day and the Brooksvale Fall Festival, securing both plants and volunteers.

5.   Public Relations and Membership Awareness-Publications-Newsletters-Certificate of Merit.

6.   Club Certificate of Appreciation-President Theresa McCabe-plays a vital role in keeping the club running smoothly.  She spends her summers preparing the yearbook and working on the club’s budget, and she creates and publishes quarterly newsletters to keep members informed.  Theresa is actively involved in maintaining the club’s gardens, planters, the library, and the government center, and she supports a wide range of club activities throughout the year. Technologically savvy, she has helped bring members up to speed with computer skills, teaching them to use spreadsheets and even leading Zoom meetings during the pandemic.  Theresa is also known for encouragement and support, always helping fellow members succeed in their roles.

 

Speaker from DEEP on "Bears"

 

     Pictured Gail Cameron from DEEP.

     Gail is President of The Hamden Land Trust, on the board of The Sleeping Giant Park Association and a volunteer Master Wildlife Conservationist with DEEP Wildlife Division.

     Gail recently gave a very informative and timely presentation on “Bears” to The Spring Glen Garden Club. She gave the Club member suggestions on how we can co-exist with them.

 

 

 

 

Please contact your local DEEP office for information on bear safety.

      The Club has been a fixture in the Hamden community since 1925, a chartered member of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., since 1929. Please stop by our historical display in hall outside the Miller Library in front of the Thorton Wilder Auditorium.

     The Spring Glen Garden Club will have a bake sale table in front of the Thornton Wilder Auditorium at the Miller Memorial Library on Election Day. Please stop by.

 

 

Eli's Healing Garden

 

     Pictured Kyle and Crystal Zukauskas, co-founders of Eli’s Garden of Healing. The Zukauskas’ nephew Elijah was murdered on May 9, 2022, and this garden is in his honor along with other victims of violence.  The Zukauskas’ presentation at a recent meeting of The Spring Glen Garden was exception.

      Eli’s Garden of Healing is a Hamden based 501 c 3, nonprofit dedicated to creating a healing garden for community members impacted by all forms of violence. The nonprofit was established following the senseless murder of 15-year-old Elijah Gomez on May 9, 2022. Eli was a freshman at Hamden High and a member of the football team.

     The Healing Garden will be located at DeNicola Park on Treadwell St. and Leeder Hill Drive. The project involves transforming a Winchester machine gun test firing range into a space of healing inspired by the High Line in New York City. This project is estimated to cost about $1.2 million.

     The Spring Glen Garden Club will be holding a bake sale on November 4, 2025, election day at The Miller Memorial Library in front of the Thornton Wilder Auditorium. Please stop by and pick up some goodies to freeze for the holidays.  The Club will have items for sale for early holiday shopping.