Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown was recently honored with multiple awards at the 97th Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Annual Awards Meeting. The annual event recognized both individual leadership and impactful community conservation efforts.

The accolades highlighted the club’s decades-long dedication to local beautification and environmental stewardship, while also honoring the legacy of one of its most devoted late members.

Individual And Conservation Honors

Longtime member Arline Shanley was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her exceptional leadership, dedication, and community spirit.

Shanley has been an active and beloved pillar of the organization since 1991.

The club as a whole received the Certificate of Achievement in Conservation for its aggressive environmental initiatives. Members were specifically commended for their hands-on efforts to eradicate a severe infestation of the invasive mile-a-minute vine. The cleanup project successfully protected the native ecosystem along the walking trail at High Meadow at Fairfield Hills.

Tribute To Community Impact

A poignant moment of the meeting came with the posthumous presentation of the Tribute Award in Civic Development, awarded in memory of Mary Ellen Weiner.

Remembered by the club as a treasured and deeply devoted member, Weiner was honored for her years of work maintaining the town’s highly visible traffic island gardens. Club representatives noted that her passion for civic development left a permanent mark on Newtown's landscape and that she remains dearly missed by the community.

Welcoming MacKinnon With 'Seasonal Garden Care'

Town and Country Garden Club invites readers to attend “Seasonal Garden Care: Time for a Fresh Approach,” a presentation by Michele MacKinnon on Wednesday, November 11, at 7 pm, at Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street.

From heat waves and droughts to torrential downpours and unusually warm winter temperatures, today’s changing climate can have a significant impact on gardens. MacKinnon will explore how gardeners can adapt their practices to meet these challenges and create healthier, more resilient landscapes. Attendees will discover new approaches to seasonal garden care and learn practical methods to prepare their gardens for whatever Mother Nature brings.

The presentation is free, and all are welcome.

Town & Country Garden Club continues to seek local residents who share a passion for gardening, environmental conservation, and civic pride. Those interested in joining the organization or learning more about upcoming community projects are encouraged to contact Hillary via e-mail at townandcountrygardenclubct@gmail.com.