Basking Ridge Garden Club Celebrates 90th

Along with an anniversary party planned for June 12, the Basking Ridge Garden Club this week was recognized by the Bernards Township Committee with a resolution noting the club's many community projects and 90 years of history.

Club president Agnes Bailey, accompanied by other club members, was presented on Tuesday with a copy of the resolution that lauded the club for its extensive planting projects around the township. The club "encourages the spirit of gardening, promotes preservation of trees, birds and wildflowers, and contributes to the beautification of our community," the resolution said.

Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer, who founded the township beautification committee while mayor, said he especially wanted to note the club's many contributions. "I sincerely appreciate all the good work the garden club has done over the years."

Bailey later said the club has scheduled an anniversary luncheon, to be open to the public, on June 12 at Fair Winds at the Basking Ridge Country Club.

She said further details will be available as the time gets closer.

The resolution noted several of the gardening projects that the club steadfastly maintains throughout the township.

"The Basking Ridge Garden Club maintains seasonal plantings throughout Bernards Township...provides Christmas wreaths for community buildings [and] provides flower arrangements for our veterans at the Lyons VA Hospital, the resolution said.

For those who may be unaware of the club's many efforts, the resolution points out that the Basking Ridge Garden Club maintains the gardens at the Brick Academy, Library, Community Center and Blue Star Memorial; and also maintains and plants hundreds of spring bulbs and plantings in the Wandering Garden at the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, the terrace garden of the Melissa Riggio residence for developmentally disabled adults at the Somerset Hills YMCA and provides garden tours for the seniors at Ridge Oak.

The garden club also has dedicated trees in memory of the 9/11 victims and deceased members, the resolution said.