12/17/2009 - West Side Leader
     

Helen Conger (left), daughter of founder Martha Morris, and President Bonnie Johnston sit in front of a photo collage depicting the history of the Peninsula Garden Club.

PENINSULA — Peninsula Home and Garden Club marked its 60th year with a garden party celebration Aug. 3 at the home of Judy Lahoski. President Bonnie Johnston welcomed more than 35 past and present club members while Lahoski distributed commemorative programs highlighting the past 60 years.

The Garden Club is presently known for maintaining the picturesque bridge boxes on the Main Street overpass of the Cuyahoga River, but as with any 60-year-old organization, it is the history that tells the story.

In the summer of 1935, Peninsula resident Gladys Davis was making her daily trip to the post office when she stopped to visit Martha Morris, who was weeding her garden. Morris mentioned that she had several friends who belonged to a garden club in Brecksville, and Davis responded with the idea of forming one in Peninsula.

The Peninsula Garden Club was thus organized and Morris named president. Early on it was decided that unlike many garden clubs, which were merely social organizations, the Peninsula Garden Club wanted members who were interested in the art of gardening. The club joined the Summit County Garden Forum and flower arranging became popular. The club quickly became interested in helping the community.

Money was donated to paint and improve the Bronson Church, make improvements in Cedar Grove Cemetery, maintain the grounds, donate books to the Peninsula Library and help landscape the Peninsula Quarry.

In 1961, while discussing the projects for the year, the idea of installing flower boxes on the Main Street bridge was proposed. No action was taken on the project until January 1963 when Elizabeth Bender revived the concept. Permission was given by the Summit County Engineer in May, and the boxes were installed and planted by July, largely through donations from Terry Montaquila, Paul Regen, Gays Biro and Natalie Florist.

The boxes have been planted and maintained each year since 1963, with the exception of 1989, during the bridge’s reconstruction. At this point, the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) plans called for new railings and the elimination of the flower boxes. A determined garden club President Judy Lahoski convinced ODOT to salvage the railings with some [modification], and new flower boxes were installed. American flags were added to the boxes during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

The club has been faced with some challenges while trying to maintain the flower boxes. Vandalism has been a problem since 1963. Johnston said two of the American flags and poles were stolen this July, and flowers have to continually be replaced throughout the growing season. The boxes must be watered daily, something which under normal circumstances would not present a problem. However, without running water, club members are forced to transport “blue water” (water with soluble fertilizer added) from their homes.

During the garden party celebration, members were encouraged to recall garden club programs of special interest as well as humorous moments of the past.

Helen Conger, daughter of club founder Morris, stole the show as she recalled approaching her mother about joining the club. Conger had recently quit her job and was looking for something to occupy her time. The garden club seemed a likely target. Conger’s request was quickly denied by her mother since Conger didn’t have a garden and knew nothing about gardening. Not about to give up, Conger waited until enough members without gardens had been accepted before reapplying.

As for the most memorable program, the clear winner was the yearly Christmas program with a story told by Ellen Major.

The celebration continued with shared memories, viewing photo albums and a luncheon provided by several members. Perhaps Lily Fleder best summed up the club’s purpose when she said that to her, the garden club always stood for beauty in Peninsula. Many visitors to the tiny community must agree.

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