Garden Club transforms town square, plans flower show
CARMICHAELS – A recent project by the Town and Country Garden Club has given a totally new look to the town square in the center of Carmichaels.
Terri Jackson Laird of the club’s horticulture committee proposed the project to the club and to the Carmichaels borough council.
Laird, who was instrumental in coordinating and supervising the work, said, “The Carmichaels borough council was very enthusiastic and supportive of the plan. This was a very motivating factor as we began the project.”
Ralph Nicholson, horticulture chairman of the club and a retired civil engineer, prepared a schematic plan detailing the overall design and placement of the stones and plants to form four walkways, leading to the flagpole in the center of the Square, partitioned by four symmetrically planted plots.
Tony Shultz and his son of T.J.’s Lawn Service donated half of the cost of the sod removal and soil preparation. They also provided the landscape fabric which was laid down, mulch which was then added and the river rock placed along the curved edge.
Tim Laird and son Tom placed 16 two-by-two feet stepping stones to form the four walkways and gravel was then placed along the stones. ‘
Donated by Fred Clark of Clark’s Nursery in Carmichaels, the yellow marigolds, colorful petunias, yellow/gold barberry, blue fescues, and Stella de’Oro lilies were placed in a balanced pattern to punctuate the ground with a burst of color.
Laird expressed her appreciation to the borough council for its support of the project and to club members and volunteers for their time, energy and materials donated in making it truly a community project.
The members of the Town and Country Garden Club are also extremely busy preparing for their flower show to be held this Saturday, June 15. Admission is free to the show, which will run from 2 to 6 p.m.
The show’s theme is “Memories from Grandma’s Attic” and will be held at the American Legion Post 400 on Vine Street in Carmichaels.
Nine judges will bestow awards on the featured flowers and plants displayed with nostalgic items from “grandma’s attic.”
Extending an invitation to attend the upcoming show, Helen Barbor, public relations and scholarship chairwoman of the club, reminded everyone, “A flower show provides an outlet for creative expression, and stimulates interest in horticulture within those entering the show, and the general public.”