Chelmsford
Garden Club
Organized in 1922, the Chelmsford Garden Club was the first garden club in Chelmsford. At that time the members defined their key objectives as the:
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Beautification of town landmarks and spaces
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Education of horticulture and floral design
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Preservation of trees and forests
For 100 years these objectives have stood as the Club’s foundation and remain the mission of today’s members.
Come Grow with Us!
Membership Info
We welcome new members with an interest in garden-related topics and enthusiasm for becoming involved in our activities and projects. Membership is open to all!
Annual dues are $45 payable in Spring for the coming year—October through June.
Members serve on the Hospitality Committee for one meeting each year and contribute to the annual Fundraiser.
Other committees and projects members are involved which include:
• Maintenance of Town space projects, Preservation projects, and Chelmsford Public Garden
• Scholarship Committee
• Conservation, Arbor Day
• Garden Therapy Outreach
• Publicity & Web Projects
• Award Submittals
• Development & Recruitment
Be a guest at an upcoming meeting (see Schedule) and
pick up an application.
Or email: chelmsfordmagardenclub@gmail.com.
Interested? We encourage you to be our guest at a club meetings or and or email us at: chelmsfordmagardenclub@gmail.com.
Come grow with us!
Daffodil planting at Town Offices
Photos
Daffodil planting at Town Offices
Get In Touch!
We're happy to answer your questions.
Meeting Schedule
Meetings are expected to be held at The Trinity Lutheran Church,
170 Westford Street, Chelmsford once it re-opens after the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Our altenate location is the Garrison House on Garrison Road in Chelmsford.
We meet on the first Tuesday of October, November, December, February, March, April, May and June at 11:00.
The Business Meeting begins at 11:30 followed immediately by our presentation tor workshop.
Guests are always welcome.
2021 - 2022
*PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO TIMES & LOCATIONS BELOW:
October 5 – Regroup and Reunite
November 2 – Everyday Centerpieces and The Art of Easy Entertaining presented by Michele Fronk
December 7 – Holiday Floral Arrangement Workshop
February 1 – The Nation Picks a Flower
March 1 – Musicals in Bloom, presented by Club Members
April 5 – Potluck Luncheon
9:30 – Coffee is served
10:00 – Meeting and Program: To celebrate our 100th anniversary, members are asked to bring dishes that would have been popular in years past and are encouraged to dress from one of the decades of our organization.
11:30 – Luncheon is served
May 3 – The Heirloom Gardener, presented by John Forti
June 7 – Annual Meeting and Spring Luncheon
*NOTE: Location & Time to be announced
Program: Horticulture and Humor: How to Survive Even When Your Plants May Not, presented by Jackie Dowling
Announcements & News
2021 Arbor Day Tree Planted in Memory of
Long-Time Chelmsford Garden Club Member
Ann Shealy.
In memory of Ann Shealy, the Chelmsford Garden Club celebrated Arbor Day by planting a second Cornus Kousa Chinensis, a white flowering Chinese dogwood tree, in the new, age-friendly Chelmsford Pocket Park. The family of Ann Shealy, a 61-year member of the Chelmsford Garden Club, sponsored the tree. In attendance were Town Manager Paul Cohen, Select Board Member Pat Wojtas, Melissa Joyce from the DPW, the Shealy family and members of the Chelmsford Garden Club.
2020 Scholarship Awarded to
Nick Havener
A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Nick Havener, a 2020 graduate of Chelmsford High School. Nick will attend the University of Southern California and pursue a degree in science.
Our sincere best wishes and “good luck” to Nick with his college
studies and experiences, and in his future endeavors.
Petal Into Summer by Decorating a Bike
Memorial Day Weekend 2021
The Chelmsford Garden Club kicked off its 100th anniversary by “petaling” into summer with a cheerful display of decorated bikes. The club wanted to give the town a festive air and create a community-wide opportunity for businesses and families to get involved in a fun activity after a challenging year contending with COVID. Participants chose their own themes and placed their bikes all over town. They were spotted in public spaces and in gardens and yards in many neighborhoods across town. The bikes were on display from May 26th through June 3. A “wheely” good time was had by all.
Club Officers and By-Laws
President
Lois Alves
Vice President
Jackie Dowling
Recording Secretary
Cynthia Bryant
Membership
Peggy Hassett and Mary Lou Murphy
Treasurer
Susan Callahan
Assistant Treasurer
Julie Hickey
Advisor
Cynthia Bryant
Parliamentarian
Carol Merriam
Directors:
Third Year Director – Carol Cannistraro
Second Year Co-Directors – Judy Carven
First Year – Edith Parekh
Fulfilling Our Mission
Beautification:
The ongoing efforts of our hard-working members and the Club’s generous financial
support are visible year-round throughout Town Center and North Chelmsford center at
Vinal Square. Donations to organizations such as Chelmsford Open Space Stewards
further support our town. Projects include:
• Chelmsford Public Garden
• Blue Star Byway at Veteran’s Park
• Town Offices
• Center Commons
• Adams Public Library
• Chelmsford Center for the Arts
• Daffodils for Chelmsford
• Heart Pond Memorial
Education:
• Programs and Speakers – Through the year members and guests benefit from a wide
range of garden-related experts presenting a variety of topics: floral arranging,
gardening, environmental issues, history, and other topics.
• Garden Therapy Outreach – In collaboration with The Power of Flowers Project,
visits to Town Senior Center and a local Nursing Home deliver creativity and smiles
to seniors as they arrange flowers, sing, and share memories.
• Annual Scholarships for Chelmsford Students – $1,000 is awarded to a student
planning to pursue a major in horticultural or a related science. For details about
applying, email cabpjb@verizon.net
• Arbor Day Events – Annual tree plantings in public and preservation areas have
contributed to Chelmsford being named a “Tree City.”
Preservation:
“Let the children guard what the sires have won.” is our Town’s motto. Helping to
preserve and enhance historical properties remains a key mission for the Club. Trees
have been planted on these properties on Arbor Days over decades along with other
garden projects:
• “Old Chelmsford” Garrison House (listed on National Register of Historic Places)
• Red Wing Farm Conservation Site