Des Plaines IL Garden Club History Update

The Des Plaines, IL 4th of July Parade returned after the covid cancellation, and we were honored to be asked to participate as their grand Marshal in celebration of our 90th year. We again handed our seed packets to our community. Since 2021 we have handed out over 12,000 packets.

In 2022, we renewed our ongoing commitment to the Des Plaines community with our Garden Therapy sessions that are held at * Oakton Arms * Oakton Pavillion * Lee Manor senior homes.   We join the residents in the Spring, Fall, and Christmas.  We provide Therapy crafting to over 75 senior residents at the three locations.   The residents love it when we come and display their creativity in their rooms for months.  In spring, we work with the residents to make planters for them to keep up with maintaining them all summer. 

In 2023 our club partnered with the Des Plaines Self Help Pantry to support their “Back Pack Program” to help some of the children in Des Plaines, IL.

In 2024 we added a new community garden to our service at the Des Plaines Veterans Remembrance Garden – Work will continue to develop this Hosta / Shade Garden.

In May of 2024 we initiated our inaugural Educational Scholarship program, After reviewing all the candidates, We awarded the scholarship to Katelyn Dahl a recent graduate from Maine West high school in Des Plaines, IL Katelyn will be studying Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University. 

Thank you to all our members, officers and committee chairpersons for all your hard work and participation in all our projects and events.

Thanks to Ann Ostenson who researched our history in 2019 from the archives which are part of the Des Plaines IL city Historical Society. And the continuation History recordings by our Des Plaines Garden Club’s Website/Social Media Chairman – Harold Effinger

2025 will be our 94th Birthday   year, Enjoy this update on our Des Plaines Garden Club History 

Our Des Plaines   Garden Club started with a group of ladies who were members of the Garden   Department of the Des Plaines Women’s Club.

On June   4, 1931, the first Des Plaines Garden Club meeting was held at a member’s   home. During the first Des Plaines Garden Club first meeting. The   officers elected were:

· Mrs. G.S. Cook   – President

· Mrs. Sydney   Wiffin –Vice President

· Mrs. Jennie   Forsythe – Secretary

· Mrs. Fred a.   Helm – Treasurer

The president (Mrs. G. S. Cook ) appointed a   committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.  She also appointed a “Flower   Show “ committee. Serving on that committee was “ Lil Sperling”, our last   charter member.  (Lil passed away March 27, 1995 at the age of 106)

1931 Club objective:   was the uniting of its members in an active personal interest in the   cultivation of plants and flowers together with the purpose to raise and   maintain the highest standards of excellence and to arouse public interest in   the art of gardening and to co-operate with all existing agencies in   beautifying the city of Des Plaines, IL

By 1932 there   were 21 members.  In the same year, we became affiliated with The Garden   Clubs of Illinois, Inc and members of the National Council of State Garden   Clubs, Inc.

In 1935 more   than 200 people attended the Des Plaines Garden Club Flower Show on September   7-8, 1935, which opened at the home of the Whitcomb’s.  

Two hundred   exhibits were judged according to the following classes: dahlia blossoms,   specimen bloom, zinnia, asters, & Easter Lilly.  Harley Schlazel won   first place for the most outstanding exhibit for men’s cut flower arrangement   s.  Louis Stubie Jr. won for best zinnias for a teacher’s bouquet. 

The early   thirties saw the establishment of work with The Junior Garden Club   membership. They won first prize in 1938-1939, and 1940 at Navy Pier –   Chicago Flower Show. For years, the young members would bring flowers to the   Northwestern Depot in Des Plaines one day a week, where the flowers would be   transported to the Northwestern Dept. in Chicago (courtesy of the   Northwestern Railroad) and then picked up by members of the Guild of Chicago   to be distributed to hospitals and Children’s homes.  

In 1936 Each   member planted a crocus bulb in a pot and took it home for a spring blooming   indoors.
 The members also made a floral plaque for Mother’s Day and for Christmas. A   scrapbook of flowers for use by the club, children’s homes, and orphanages   were created. They held an election of officers twice a year by a secret   ballot. 

The Garden Club   members enjoyed tours visiting the local greenhouses and gardens. They held   an election of officers twice a year by a secret ballot. During the 1930’s   and 40’s the President of the Des Plaines Garden Club was the counselor for   the Junior Garden Club.  The first publication of the Des Plaines Garden   Club yearbook was in 1936.

In June of   1943, the 1st G.C.I ,Annual Flower Show, “Old Orchard In   Bloom”, received an award from the Chicago Victory Garden Festival and an   award for the Best District Yearbook. Also, in the 40’s the Garden Club   planted 25 trees with the Boy Scouts at Cumberland Terrace Park. 

In 1945, club   dues were $1.50.  In addition to all these local endeavors, our early   pioneer group traveled down to Springfield, IL to plant acorns in the Lincoln   Memorial Gardens. This garden was planned by Jens Jenson, a renowned   Landscape Artist. 

From the 1950’s   to the present we have held our meetings at various park district facilities.   These facilities include Rand Park 1952-1957, West Park 1957-1971, back to   Rand Park 1971-1976, & returning to West Park 1976-1992.  We moved   to Prairie Lakes from 1992-2006. Since 2006, our monthly meetings are held at   the Frisbie Senior Center. From June 1957 to 2000, petunias were planted in   the Des Plaines downtown area. In May of 1958, we added color to the Illinois   Tollway Plaza in Des Plaines. 

Educational and   beautiful flower shows have been presented regularly in our community. Club   members have also participated in exhibiting both in the Design and the   Horticulture Division at Flower Shows throughout the area.  The first   year we participated, we only had horticulture exhibits.  After our   third year in 1958, the ladies became more adventuresome, and included flower   arrangements in “Shadow Boxes“ and “Table Settings.”  In 1959 we   sponsored a high school student to attend a conservation school. 

In the 1960’s,   the November Fundraiser was held at one of the following locations: Rand   Park, The Leisure Center, The First Congregational Church and Trinity   Lutheran Church. The cost to attend was $1.00. Members donated sandwiches and   cookies. 

During the   early days, the ladies enjoyed wearing a lovely dress, a hat, and gloves to   the affair. The format remained the same throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s,   except for, the price being increased to $3.50 and then $5.00. 

In early 1963   we planted seeds in the greenhouse at Rand Park.  We followed their   growth with tender care and finally planted them around the flagpole at Rand   Park and at other locations in Des Plaines. This project won the 1963 Sears   Cash Award. In 1966, 15,000 seedlings were transplanted at West Park, The Des   Plaines Lake Park, Rand Park and Hoffman Gardens in Des Plaines.

We beautified   the area along the Northwest Railroad tracks in Des Plaines, IL with a   Christmas tree and later window boxes at the train station. We planted pfitzers on all corners that   went through the heart of town, and we   planted shrubs along the side of the bus stand, beds of tulips for spring   color and thousands of annuals. For this project we won the coveted Myrtle   Walgreen Award in 1966. Also, the same   year, the garden club had a record membership of 100 members. In 1968, a   Silver Bowl Trophy was presented to the club for Horticulture in a Flower   Show. 

Railroad tracks with a Christmas tree and   later window boxes at the train station. We planted pfitzers on all corners   that went through the heart of town, and we planted shrubs along the side of   the bus stand, beds of tulips for spring color and thousands of annuals. For   this project we won the coveted Myrtle Walgreen Award in 1966. In 1967, a   Purple Martin house was presented to the City of Des Plaines. The mayor of   Des Plaines declared April 9th as Purple Martin Time.    Also, the same year, the garden club had a record membership of 100 members.   In 1968, a Silver Bowl Trophy was presented to the club for Horticulture in a   Flower Show. 

During the   years 1973-1975, one of our own members was the State President. 

In 1976 we   purchased a beautiful bronze “Blue Star Memorial” plaque. About 200 members   and friends gathered for the original dedication. 

We received an   award from the Garden Clubs of Illinois. Our philanthropic endeavors found us   sharing flowers with the veterans at Hines Hospital. The Illinois State   Hospital has also been the recipient of many flowers, books, magazines, and   clothing. The American Indian Center in Chicago has also received help from   our garden club. At the Memorial Day ceremony at Lake Park we presented a   wreath in honor of our Veterans. 

The Garden Club   of Des Plaines took the award as the “Most Unusual Float” entry in the Des   Plaines 1976 Sesquicentennial parade. It was also one of the most colorful with multi-colored flowers   emerging from a vase on the float. 

In the early   1980’s we did the planting of annuals on the outside grounds at the History   Center and prepared the gazebo for the Fourth of July Parade.  We won   third place. As a club, we began recycling aluminum discards to benefit the   community.

In1987 Lorraine   Handzel installed the “Fun with Flowers Workshop”.  ( An offspring of   the Hospice program). That year 70 arrangements were made and the last year   doing the arrangements 550 were made including 45 centerpieces for the fall   dance at the Oakton Pavillion. 

In the 1980’s   our Ways and Means Committee, started a monthly raffle at our general   meeting. We started holding an annual plant sale in May. Originally, we   bought our plants from nurseries and received a percentage. In the 80’s we   began holding a one-day plant and bake sale.  Most of the plants have   been raised from seed or grown in members yards. Our local garden centers   continue to donate plants and baskets to increase our sales. 

In 1987 a   Standard Flower Show was held at Maryville for the city’s (Des Plaines,   Illinois) 125th Anniversary. 

In 1989 we were   involved in restoring the 20 acres at Oakton Community College called the   Prairie League Wildflower Project. A flower show was held at Rand Park Field   House.

In the 1990’s   we grew out of holding our board meetings in member’s homes. We began holding   our general meetings and our board meetings at Prairie Lakes in their meeting   room. In 1945 the dues were $1.50, fifty years later in 1995 they were   $15.00.  In 2019, the dues were raised   to $20.00. 

We replaced the   wooden Des Plaines Garden Club sign (which is now at the Historical Society)   with a metal sign of Blue Iris on a white field.

In 1990 we   partnered with the Mt. Prospect Garden Club to host the District IX Annual   Meeting at Knickers Restaurant in Des Plaines. 

We obtained   trees for Arbor Day from the Cook County Forest Preserve. Over the years, we   have distributed them to Oakton Pavillion, Brownie troops, church groups,   daycare centers, schools, hospice patients and members. For the Ballard   Health Center, we did outdoor plantings, and we made monthly visits doing   crafts with the residents. Twice a year, “Flower Arranging Workshops”   were held.  In the spring we planted flowers at the Des Plaines Library.   

In 1990 we   received the Rosette for the Best District Yearbook. In the past years we   moved from third place up to first place for our Publicity Press Book. Our   book was entered in the National Contest and won third, second and first   place awards. 

In 1993, the   Des Plaines Garden Club received the Theodore A. Krause Sr. Memorial Award   presented to the Garden Club by the Mayor of Des Plaines. 

In 1998, we   started to pass out the monthly program list to guests. 

In 1998 we saw   the rededicated of our refurbished Blue Star Memorial Marker. 

In the   2000’s we have continued applying for awards and have received many every   year. They have included Gold Rosette for Club Achievement, Horticulture Gold   Seal certificate, a $25.00 one-time award for a project in garden therapy,   Individual membership Recruitment Award, certificate of distinction for   increased membership, a $25.00 award for our book of evidence of a hospice   project, 100% citation to the Permanent Home and Endowment Fund, a Petals   Certificate of Recognition sponsored by the Shell Oil Company which   accompanied A $100 grant used toward the beautification of the Historical   Society and another $500.00 used to beautify the City of Des Plaines. Also   awards for 1st and 2nd place for the Press   book.  Yearbook awards and an award for our Monarch Butterfly Garden.

In 2006   we left Prairie Lake Community Center and began hosting our meetings at the   Frisbie Senior Center.  The Blue Star memorial Marker was again   refurbished, and a dedication ceremony was held. In 2006 we began maintaining   four community gardens: the “Let Freedom Ring” memorial garden at Lake Park,   the “Self Help Closet and Food Pantry Garden”, the “Frisbie Senior Center   Garden”, and the “Monarch Butterfly Way Station” garden. In memory of our   deceased members, we donated trees for planting at the Lake Park.     

Since 2010 we   continue to honor our members who have given outstanding service in the   G.C.I. (Garden Clubs of Illinois) book of honor. The name of our deceased   members has been added to the Book of remembrance. We still have the annual   fundraiser in November and average over 150 members and guests, now it’s $45.00   a ticket for a lunch and lots of entertainment.  After we left Rand Park   Field House, we went to the Des Plaines Elk’s Club, then Bristol Court and   presently we host our November luncheon and fundraiser at Manzo’s.  in   2011, 2012, and 2013 our garden club participated and donated $300.00 to the   Relay for Life at Maine West High School.

Over our clubs   ninety-three years we have had forty-three Presidents, twenty-seven of our   members have served on district or state committees and six members have been   G.C.I. officers.  

In 2016 we   received 11 awards from GCI: civic concern, certificate of appreciation;   butterfly substation 2nd place; yearbook for x-large clubs 1st place   and red rosette; publicity book 1st place; newsletter 1st place;   gold seal for horticulture; 1st place; membership distinction   3rd place; club achievement gold rosette; Presidential   Citations GCI President Awards for outstanding service to Sue Adams; Des   Plaines Butterfly substation award sent to Central region.

In 2018   we donated money to thirty different organizations.  We partner with our   local park district for the Des Plaines Spring Fun Fair and the Des Plaines   Family Fall Festival. We host a table to provide a horticulture related craft   for the kids. We host an Arbor and Earth day event at our local grammar   schools. We also continue to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at the   Lake Park. In 2015 we started a picture poster board with all the members   pictures. 

In 2017 we   added each member’s photo to our annual yearbook. Once a year a scholarship   is awarded to any member or person in the community who is interested in   studying horticulture. For many years in June, we assembled the Des Plaines   Library display case to honor National Garden Club week and highlight the   activities of our local club. In 2016 we maintained the display case at City   Hall in April and September. 

In July of 2017   we again had our Blue Star Memorial Marker refurbished and a dedication   ceremony was held at the Des Plaines Lake Park.

Over the years,   members have participated by being a speaker for a monthly program, directed   a workshop, organized plant exchanges, given horticulture reports,   demonstrated flower arranging and taught us the fun of doing craft projects.   We have a non-member speaker at least 2 - 3 times a year. These speakers have   been drawn from the Des Plaines Park Board, nurseries, conservatories, seed   companies, state conservation speakers, junior colleges, Illinois extension   of master gardeners, and the GCI program book. Our members have presented   programs at the library, the community Expo, local community colleges ,   nursing homes and The Center of Concern.   We have taken many tours   to various arboretums, member’s gardens, and gardens in other communities.   The highlight of each year is our annual birthday trip in June.  We take   a tour of a botanical garden, or a lazy boat ride down the river, or tour a   historical landmark, followed by lunch and usually a stop at a well- known   garden center on the way home. 

Educational and   beautiful flower shows have been presented in the community. In the late 90’s   early 2000’s we did a mini flower show at West Park and, also one at   Friendship Conservatory.  

In July of   2017, a standard flower show was presented at Frisbie Center. We have   continued to participate and win many ribbons at the District IX Flower Show.   We have always participated in the activities of the Garden Clubs of   Illinois, attended our District’s annual meeting, state conventions, and   summer and fall meetings.

In 2020 we all   had the challenge to work around the Covid Pandemic quarantine and the CDC isolation   mandates.  

We paused our   meetings and our 2020 Plant Sale, Garden Walk, and our November fundraisers. Our   club meetings returned in September of 2020 as an online ZOOM meeting and in   December at our holiday meeting we had over 70 members logged in.

Little did we   know ZOOM would become our new friend to keep in touch with our members and   our family.

As the Covid   Pandemic wound down our hearts joined our country on the loss over 1 million   lives in the USA. 

In 2021 it was   exciting for our community events and service to continue after all the   pauses due to Covid. 

Including: 

· Our Memorial   Day wreath presentation at Lake Park in Des Plaines

· We created a   trunk Plant sale outside in the Frisbie Center parking lot so our members   would have less possible covid contact. This was such a success we have   continued with our Plant Sale to be outside where our members set up on   tables by their cars and our customers walk between the row of cars.

· Celebrating   Earth Day in the Des Plaines IL 2nd graders to educate them on how   to plant and grow seeds.

· In June of 2021   our club membership gathered for a luncheon at to celebrate our Des Plaines   Garden Club’s 90 anniversary at the Mt. Prospect Park District's Conservatory.   The Mayor of Des Plaines presented to our club a proclamation for our 90th  year.

In 2021 our   club celebrated our 90th Anniversary. with a History of our   Des Plaines Garden Club display at the Des Plaines History Center

· This display   showcased our dedicated members of the past as well as our current members   who participate in our monthly meetings, support our annual plant and bake   sale, dedicate time to beautify our local civic gardens, volunteer their   gardens for our member's garden walk, volunteer willingly to serve on   committees, and to support our club.

· Our summer   Garden Walk returned where our members toured 6 gardens of other members. In   2022 we toured all our community gardens at Lake Park, the Frisbie senior   Center and at the Des Plaines food pantry. 

· The Des Plaines   Family Day a fun fair for the community, we set up a booth with information   and the kids are given a cup soil and an annual plant for them to plant at   their home. 

· Our Fall   fundraiser returned at Manzo’s to raise over $4000 to continue our community   service projects. 

In January of   2021 our newly designed website >desplainesilgardenclub.com< was   launched. This website has grown to over 2000 hits. This is great place to present   our theme “Advancement of Gardening, the Promotion of Civic Beautifications   and Conservation of Natural Resources.

Including   featured sections on:

· About Us

· In the News

· Awards

· Membership /   Meetings

· Events &   Programs

· Garden Therapy   sessions

· Photo Gallery   on Community Gardens, Members Gardens

· Garden Walk   Gallery

· How To / Tips   where our monthly Horticulture presentation are posted for our members to   view. We now have over 35 articles posted with the subjects ranging from plant   care to saving the bees. 

We also   redesigned our club Facebook page as well as a created a member’s only Facebook   page to make it even easier to stay connected with each other.

Our Club   continues to maintain the community Gardens for our Des Plaines Community to   enjoy. In 2023 we expanded our Lake Park Gardens to create a color explosion of   flowers In front of the Des Plaines Lake Park sign (on the corner of Touhy   and Lee Street) Also to make the preparations for the return of the   refurbished Blue Star Memorial Marker.  We continue to maintain our perennial garden   (Let Freedom Ring) behind our club sponsored benches facing the beautiful   park.

The Des Plaines,   IL 4th of July Parade returned after the covid cancellation, and   we were honored to be asked to participate as their grand Marshal in   celebration of our 90th year. We again handed our seed packets to our community. Since 2021 we have handed out over 12,000   packets.

In 2022, we   renewed our ongoing commitment to the Des Plaines community with our Garden   Therapy sessions that are held at * Oa