Members of the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club enjoyed the group’s winter banquet at the Shorewood Country Club. Pictured are, from left: Sharon Przybyciel, Nancy Kohler, Sally Newell, Marie Zambotti, Barb Joy, Judy Wilcox, Janet Centner, Karen Ryder and Lucy Hurley.

The members of the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club have had a busy time ending 2024 and getting a great start to 2025.

In November, they attended a workshop at the Victorian home of Harry and Janet Centner. The attendees used fresh greens with seasonal accents to create large “snowflakes” — ideal for use as door wreaths. Center provided holly leaves, bayberry branches, pine cones, fresh evergreens, hot glue, wire hangers and snow spray.

Later, Judy Wilcox, co-chairperson, provided spiced apple cake and hot mulled cider for a fall treat.

Then in December, Sally Newell, secretary and chairlady, organized the Club’s winter banquet at the Shorewood Country Club on the shores of Lake Erie.

The theme for the evening was a festive winter wonderland with Santa’s elves decorating the banquet table and the side table and later given as favors, created by Newell.

The Country Club had decorated their halls with towering Christmas trees, with white twinkling lights and gold ornaments. On the grand piano, a set of reindeer figurines nestled in greenery. Newell filled a rustic container with beautiful evergreen branches and pine cones for the table.

Members donated toys for the needy. Lucy Hurley closed out the festivities with a sing-along of Christmas carols and seasonal tunes.

Starting off the year of 2025, co-president Wilcox entertained the gardeners at her ranch home in Fredonia for the annual planning meeting in January. Members traipsed through fresh, flaky snow that had covered the newly-shoveled driveway and sidewalk.

There they were greeted by Wilcox and an array of miniature snow people on the fireplace mantel, on tables and throughout the welcoming scene.

Members finalized the exciting 2025 agenda for the club. A few highlights consist of spring and winter banquets at the White Inn, local summer garden visits, a chat with a State Parks expert and creating activities using fresh flowers, beach glass and dried flowers. The group of course will do service programs like planting flowers at the Lighthouse in Dunkirk and donating floral arrangements to public areas. The group learns about being good stewards of our environment.

Readers can see this fun-living group enjoys meeting once a month all year long.

New members are encouraged and welcomed. If interested, please contact Wilcox at 716 672-6161 or Newell at 716 672-5351 or any current member.

The March meeting will be a trip to Hamburg to the Erie County Fair Exhibition Hall to see “Plantasia” Garden and Landscaping show. This amazing, 2-building collection of complete gardens is filled with huge trees, waterfalls, ponds, bushes, spring flowers and accents.

Members and guests will carpool at the Movieplex parking lot on Route 60 at 9:30 a.m. on March 13. After the walking tour, the group will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This is a very popular activity!