Green Gardeners plan bazaar, luncheon
The Green Gardeners, a volunteer organization responsible for planting more than 400 trees and maintaining the gardens of downtown Uniontown, will sponsor its 10th Spring Bazaar and Luncheon on Friday, May 11, at the Uniontown Country Club. The event, which is held every two years, includes a bazaar at 11 a.m. and a luncheon at noon with remarks by Susan Brimo-Cox, who writes a gardening column for the Herald-Standard. All proceeds will benefit the beautification of Uniontown.
Jane Watts, who is co-chairwoman of the bazaar along with Suzanne McMonagle, explained how the luncheons started.
“It first began in 1988. The trees were growing and we were planting more and we needed to raise money for maintenance,’ Watts said.
“The first was Nov. 4, 1988, at the country club. We had a cooking demonstration by the chef and the bazaar on a much smaller scale. We raised $892.
“This will be our 10th bazaar. The first bazaars were held in November and then we changed them to spring,’ she continued.
“We had a couple at the Summit Inn and now, for the 10th, we’re back at the country club.’
The early years included a bulb sale. In 2005, the Green Gardeners began mailing invitations to the luncheon. The bazaar now also features a raffle and Chinese auction. There is more community involvement today, that’s evident in the amount of money raised. The last luncheon and bazaar raised $8,651.68 after expenses.
“So we’ve gone from $800 to $8,000,’ Watts said.
The Green Gardeners is celebrating its 54th anniversary and is one of the oldest civic gardening groups in the county.
Through the years, the Green Gardeners plant and maintain the flowerbeds in the city, including George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza, the parking garage garden at Church and South streets, Spurgeon Memorial at the Uniontown Public Library and a shade garden on Morgantown Street near Peter Street.
They also plant and maintain the small park at the Fayette County Courthouse as well as 58 flowerpots in the business district. Financially, they support the maintenance of the Heritage Garden in downtown Uniontown.
They also educate residents as well as professional trimmers in proper tree planting, care and maintenance through members serving on the Tree Commission.
The Green Gardeners work with community volunteers through the Fayette Progress Council to coordinate, instruct and demonstrate planting techniques.
For tickets or more information, call 724-438-0811.