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.
