Lunch with the Westlake Garden Club

More than 200 people gathered at Lakewood Country Club on a sunny September day to “do lunch” with the Westlake Garden Club. The group filled the dining room and overflowed into the bar area. This was the first event that nearly maxed out capacity for the country club since the new clubhouse opened. 

Tables were set with white cloths, black napkins and orange ceramic pumpkins filled with fall flowers, and with the sun filtering through the many windows, it was a perfect setting. Garden Club President Regina McCarthy welcomed everyone and introduced Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough. Mayor Clough talked about the importance of organizations such as the garden club in helping make Westlake a beautiful place to live and work.

The luncheon's guest speaker, Michael Heaton, had done his homework and talked about his oldest daughter’s involvement in the Permaculture, or permanent agriculture, movement in California. Permaculture is the philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature to create a sustainable system. In Michael’s inimitable way, he educated and entertained the audience. 

The food was delicious, service was outstanding, wonderful raffle baskets, silent auction items, tempting homemade bakery items for sale and door prizes – what better way to spend an afternoon. This luncheon is the club’s only fundraiser of the year with proceeds used to support area schools and organizations that promote education and good horticultural and environmental practices. 

Proceeds from last year’s luncheon went to support the following organizations: Cleveland Botanical Garden and Green Corps, Garden Club of Ohio Scholarship Fund, Gardenview Horticultural Park (Strongsville), Kiwanis Club of Westlake, Lakewood High School Horticultural Learning Lab, Nature Conservancy (land preservation), Westlake Center for Community Services, Westlake Community Garden, Westlake Historical Society, Westlake Porter Public Library, Westlake School System (various educational programs).  

With my co-chairman, Robert Pearl, I would like to thank the Club members for all of their hard work on this event, and everyone who attended the luncheon and helped make it a big success.

The Westlake Garden Club was started in 1963 and has been active in the community for over 50 years. The Club meets February through December on the third Wednesday at Westlake Porter Public Library, unless a special outing is planned. Annual dues are $25, five dollars of which goes to the Garden Club of Ohio for annual dues. 

If you are interested in learning more about the garden club, please contact Kathy Bruening at 440-385-7566, or come to a meeting; we love to welcome guests. And, mark your calendars to save the date of Sept. 23, 2015, for next year’s Fete des Fleurs fundraiser luncheon.

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Volume 6, Issue 21, Posted 9:59 AM, 10.14.2014