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Garden Club News
From Sheri Murphy, President
Welcome to this year’s version of spring and summer…not quite the dry spring heat of years past, but the flowers seem to have enjoyed a solid start with the damp weather and moderate temps Mother Nature provided! Of course, the switch has been flipped to hot and steamy now, but we can always hope she finds a happy medium somewhere.
For those of you who follow the adventures of this group, our tour of Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, OH on June 11th was outstanding! The size of this wholesale operation was overwhelming (over 150 acres of indoor growing space) with literal vistas of orchids and other tropical plants in various stages of development. Did you know the average orchid receives 18 months of supervised attention in monitored growing conditions before it is ready for market? Who knew!! We all benefitted from our guide’s vast knowledge of the operations there-both the extent of automation utilized and the innovative methods the company created to retain their 1,200 employees. Ask any of this tour’s participants-we are now very knowledgeable orchid experts who will be practicing this new information on the orchid we all received as a parting gift. (I’m still crossing my fingers with mine!)
upcoming events
First is a watercolor painting workshop with our island’s very talented (and generous) artist, Celeste Wycoskie, on Wednesday, July 9th. She will conduct a workshop for individuals with ALL levels of talent and experience at Duff Homestead, 630 Bayview Ave, beginning at 3 p.m. Cost of supplies for this is $15, checks payable to PIBGC. Call Susan Hildebrandt at (440) 409-1958 to reserve your spot. PLEASE do not be intimidated by any perceived lack of ability. ALL are welcome!
Second–Drum roll please! The time is almost upon us! The Garden Club is hosting its biggest (and only…!) fundraising event– the PIBGC Home & Garden Tour on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 10am to 2pm, rain or shine. Required check in / registration begins at 9:30am at the pavilion at South Bass Island State Park, 1523 Catawba Ave. There you will receive a wristband which will allow you entrance to the eight homes / gardens on the tour, as well as a brochure and map with property descriptions that will guide you on your way to an island-wide garden tour adventure. This brochure will also have a list of the area restaurants offering significant discounts on lunches that day to keep you happy and fortified while enjoying all the island ambiance around you. Interested?? Tickets are $40 each and still available by giving me a call (419) 348-0383 or by visiting our website, www.putinbaygardenclub.com, which has a link to pay through Paypal. This group has worked diligently to offer you a memorable “Day at the Bay” and VERY much appreciate your support of our efforts to beautify this magic place we all enjoy. We cannot wait to see you all!!
The previous piece is published in this month’s Put-in-Bay Gazette. The Gazette has been producing incredible independent Put-in-Bay island news for over 40 years. If you have any interest at all in what is happening on South Bass Island, we urge you strongly to subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette. One-year online subscriptions are only $15, and print subscriptions are available as well. To subscribe please click here.
