Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Garden’

Grow & Show Garden Club Touches the Community in Many Ways

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

Creative ladies who enjoy gardening, flowers, and nature started the local Grow & Show Garden Club sixty-one years ago. As part of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, their purpose is to stimulate knowledge and love of gardening among members, increase their interest in knowing, growing, and sharing, and to promote protection of our environment.

Members of Show and Grow Garden Club prepare to decorate the Downtown Branch of the library for Christmas. Pictured are Kay Bennett, Kat Bennett, JoEllen Hayes, Marti Reed, and Sue Cowden.

One of their first projects was a flower show downtown. Area residents have fond memories of the beautiful Guernsey County Fair booths and the Christmas wreaths they used to display.

The committee working on the Scarecrow named Garden Goddess Antheia-Flora included Paula Shockley, Marti Reed, Kat Bennett, and JoEllen Hayes.

Today they enjoy decorating for many occasions. Just recently they took part in the Scarecrow on Parade Decorating Contest at the Great Guernsey Trail. They built a ten-foot-tall scarecrow with grasses for the skirt, a wreath collar, and a hat decorated with plants and flowers. After the contest, they moved the scarecrow to the Guernsey County Senior Center so it could still brighten someone’s day

They decorate two fireplaces each year with greenery and Christmas decor.

One project at this season of the year is decorating the Downtown Branch of the Guernsey County Library for Christmas with a Victorian touch to honor the popular Dickens Victorian Village. The library display continues through November and December.

Charles Dickens writes beside the Christmas tree decorated with handmade Victorian angels.

The tree is decorated with handmade Victorian angels. Marti Reed’s grandmother made the doilies and the club members turned them into angels. Marti’s grandmother always took her to the library so she thought it fitting her doilies would end up there. Large wreaths hang above two fireplaces and the mantles are covered with greenery and touches of the holiday. The 12 Days of Christmas vignettes appear in the windows.

Next time you visit the library, take time to appreciate the work involved in creating a holiday venue.

A special Easter Egg tree is part of the holiday decorations during the Easter season.

But that’s only one season of decorations for the group at the library. Another time they enjoy decorating is at Easter. At that time, they have stuffed animals and an Easter egg tree. Fluffy yellow chicks and bunnies of all sizes rest on the shelves and windowsills.

The first week of December, Grow & Show holds a Gingerbread House workshop for their members at Crossroads Library. Wonder if their gingerbread houses have plants or flowers around them.

Members take time to visit Cardinal Place each month where they take candy and treat bags to the residents while visiting them. They hope to expand this to other care facilities in the future.

A tree was planted for Sue on her 50 years of being a member. Pictured are Cheryl Lowry-Miller, Kat Bennett, Sue Cowden, Marti Reed, and Pat Graven.

The garden club plants and helps maintain trees that are dedicated in someone’s memory or just to honor someone special. There are two gardens where they plant trees. One is Shafer Park in East Cambridge while the other is a donated park at the corner of Beatty Ave and Clark St.

Jo Lucas has not only a beautiful flower garden but many fruit trees. At this time, she placed parachutes over them to protect the fruit from the birds.

They hold one public meeting related to gardening each year at the Cambridge Senior Center. This year the topic will be Gardening for Pollinators. Light hors d’oeuvres and a selection of desserts will be available. Reservations must be made for this March 26 meeting. Cost is $15.

Kat Bennett, Violet Scott, and Pat Graven explain using straw bales for planting.

Every year in May, they hold a Mother’s Day Garden Sale the Saturday before Mother’s Day where you can find some beautiful plants or flowers for mom. This year the event will be on May 10 at the Cambridge City Park Big Pavilion from 8-12.

Indoor plants are also a joy. Pat Graven has a green house in her bathroom.

Purchasing a couple hanging baskets to beautify downtown Cambridge is one of their projects. Some of their members also participate in watering the baskets throughout the summer months.

Much work has been done on the Great Guernsey Trail by members. They have contributed benches, trees, and flowers as well as helped with the Butterfly Garden. Plans are now being made for another display of plants there.

As you can tell, their community is very important to the members and many projects revolve around the beautification of Cambridge.

Bonnie Perkins has a beautiful koi pond in her yard surrounded by a variety of plants and flowers.

Grow & Show Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at Crossroads Library at 1:00. Programs are always garden-related. A couple of times a year, the group visits a member’s garden. Some of them include waterfalls surrounded by plants, while others might have plants inside or a garden or orchard for their own food. Perhaps they might also visit a greenhouse or apple orchard. New members are always welcome so if you have an interest in gardening, stop by for a meeting..

These busy ladies know how to have fun while making the world a more beautiful place!

Category:

Art, Gardens, Nature, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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The Awesome Japanese Garden at Dawes Arboretum

Dry Lake in Japanese Garden

Stone River in Japanese Garden at Dawes Arboretum

Peace! Sweet Peace! As soon as the climb to the Japanese Gardens at Dawes Arboretum began, a feeling a serenity surrounded. Back in 1963, Dr. Makoto Nakamura from the University of Kyoto, Japan designed this beautiful setting near Newark, Ohio.

Upon entering the gardens, you first approached a large area of white sand with boulders around its side. It appeared very similar to a sandtrap on a golf course.   Upon closer observation, it was a mixture of sand and small white stones, which filled the area. This is called a stone river, Karesansui, “dry landscape”, or more frequently known as a zen garden. White stone and sand in the zen garden represent water and purity.

Tranquil Lake

Tranquil Lake

A tranquil pond  was the centerpiece for this magnificent garden, which has many large rocks. Gumdrop and cherry trees added to the landscape. This peaceful path lead up the hill to a reflecting pool surrounded by plants from across the ocean. There truly is peace in beauty.

To step or not to step, that is the question.

To step or not to step, that is the question.

The bridge lead to a path of stepping stones crossing the remainder of the pond. Guests that day seemed to be testing the water just a bit before taking a frightening step for some. All around the stepping stones and under the bridge, bright colored koi put on a show for visitors.

Japanese Pagoda

Japanese Pagoda

Along the paved pathway, there were various statues and pieces of artwork. A small pagoda appeared at the edge of the woods – a place to stop and worship in the Buddhist tradition. This tall pagoda lantern added a touch of tranquility along the walk.

Tea house or meditation house

Tea house or meditation house

The meditation room made a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the silence, especially in the early morning or bundled up on a cold winter day. This rustic, roofed shelter protects from the elements and provides a place to sit and reflect.  This serene corner of the garden casts its spell as you drift off to dreams and peaceful thoughts.

Stops at this soothing and peaceful place are pleasant anytime of the year. The next time you pass the sign that says Dawes Arboretum, consider stopping by for a spell.

Dawes Arboretum is located near Newark, Ohio just off I-70.  Take Exit 132 , Route 13 , and proceed North on Route 13 for about three miles.  The entrance is located on the left hand side of the road at 7770 Jacksontown Road. Follow the signs inside to the Japanese Garden. It’s a relaxing experience.

Category:

Gardens, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Schnormeier Gardens

Garden Time again!  Have just received word that these tranquil gardens will be open from June 1-5. 2011 from 10-4 daily.  The owner has added two days to the schedule to accommodate the growing number of annual visitors.  Hope you can find the time to enjoy their beauty.

Tranquility and serenity are two words describing the Schnormeier Gardens near the village of  Gambier, Ohio.  Once a year, usually in June, these beautiful gardens are open to the public. They are also open by appointment for groups during the year.  Take a walk with me and experience their beauty.

Each year the gardens have additions that catch the eye and provide a spirit of peace over fifty gently rolling acres in central Ohio.  As you walk down the grassy hillside to the lake, you breathe in the natural beauty of your surroundings.  In the distance you hear the sound of a waterfall dashing over rocks at a thousand gallons per minute.  Getting closer, you find a seat on a nearby rock and soak in the ambiance of your surroundings.

Walk over the red Chinese bridge to Swan Island and isolate yourself from the cares of the world.  Everywhere the plants have been chosen carefully to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Nearby is the Japanese Tea House, one of my favorite places for inspiration. Here you can hear the waterfalls as it bubbles over the rocks and view the lake through the tea house doors.  Outside there is a stone water basin with a long handled dipper.  Traditionally, this was the place to purify yourself by pouring water over your hands before entering the tea house. Wash away the impurities of the temporal world.

Their home inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright is the central point of the property.  While it is not open to the public, the patio area has several chairs and benches where you can rest and let the peace of the gardens surround you.

There are many paths through quiet woodlands with original sculptures surprising you along the way.  This is a place for meditation and peace.

One pond has a zig zag bridge which is a challenge to your balance.  The swans watch as you pass by and the beautiful water lilies are plentiful.

Words alone can not describe the beauty of the gardens.  This is a place you need to experience first hand. If you enjoy the beauties of nature and want a day of tranquility, take a stroll through the Schnormeier Gardens.

Category:

Gardens, Ohio, Uncategorized

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