Two of Newtown’s garden clubs did very well at a recent state-level competition, returning home literally with armloads of honors for creative efforts.

The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Inc (FGCC) hosted its 88th Awards Meeting & Luncheon on October 24 at Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. More than 500 people reportedly attended the event, when garden clubs and individuals were presented with national, New England regional, and Connecticut/state awards showcasing projects across the state.

The Garden Club of Newtown (GCN) and The Town & Country Garden Club (TCGC) of Newtown each celebrated wins this year. Both clubs compete in FGCC’s Medium Club division, which encompasses clubs with 30-59 members.

CGN received an Award of Excellence in the category of Historic, Memorial & Silver Gardens. Represented by a silver tray, the award went to GCN for its continued efforts within The Victory Garden at Fairfield Hills.

Certificates of Individual Achievement were presented to Holly Kocet and Mary Wilson. Ms Kocet was honored for the development of “many educational exhibits to educate and inform everyone about Protect Our Pollinators,” a nonprofit organization co-founded with Ms Wilson devoted to public education and the conservation of pollinators and their habitats. Ms Kocet’s educational poster concerning pollinators was displayed at the Connecticut Flower Show, and a PowerPoint presentation she developed has been used to educate garden club members on bees and how they can be helped.

Ms Wilson was also celebrated for her Protect Our Pollinator activities. Her PowerPoint presentation on pesticides has been presented at Northeast Organic Farming Association events and for “a number of area garden clubs,” according to award notes.

The club received a Certificate of Appreciation for its newsletter; an Arboreal Award (citation) for the planting of an oak tree in town meant to benefit all insects and birds; a Certificate of Achievement for its participation in Newtown Earth Day Festival, where members presented three “outstanding projects,” according to program notes; and a Club Certificate of Achievement for its Newtown Earth Day Festival project offering outreach to children.

It was also celebrated with a first place finish in the Public Relations and Communications division, Newsletter category (tied with Town & Country Garden Club; along with Duck River Garden Club, Old Lyme; and The Garden Club of Orange), and a first place finish for its yearbook in Yearbook Awards (Class IV, 45-69 members).

Town & Country Honors

The Town & Country Garden Club received multiple honors during the ceremony, including a national award. TGCC was named The Tommy Donnan Certificate of Merit winner for its membership brochure.

Tribute Awards were presented for outstanding individual contribution. Polly Brooks, second vice president of FGCC, presented these awards, including one to Town & Country member Josie Schmidt for All Around Excellence.

Ms Schmidt’s nomination was “fully three pages long,” judges wrote in the awards booklet handed out to attendees last month. A member of Town & Country for ten years, Ms Schmidt’s hand “is the first raised, her voice the first heard, and her enthusiasm and energy impossible to ignore,” according to notes in the award booklet.

It was not just the decade of service that prompted the nomination, however.

It is her broad skills, consistent volunteerism, and her involvement in the community, as well as in the club, that sets her apart,” the nomination continued. “She’s a great gardener, conservationist, and civic volunteer. As co-president, she developed some of the most exciting programs the club had ever seen to help celebrate its 50th anniversary.”

Ms Schmidt’s past achievement, ongoing efforts, “and her ideas and passion for the betterment of the club — and town — make her the ideal recipient for the Tribute Award for All Around Excellence,” the notes continued.

The Town & Country Club received the Tapestry of Design Award for its year-long Sydney Eddison Project.

During 2016-17 season, the club focused its flower arranging efforts on the single theme of interpreting the poems in Where We Walk, the first collection of poetry published by fellow Newtown resident and celebrated gardener Sydney Eddison.

The club’s objective was two-fold: to inspire flower arrangers of all skill levels and to celebrate the life and contributions of Ms Eddison. The effort included creative designs exhibited during six meetings, a formal tea and presentation of a keepsake photo album to Ms Eddison, and a public display at C.H. Booth Library.

For these efforts, the club now has the honor of caring for a pewter vase for one year. The vase has traveled among clubs since being established as an award in 2006.

The club was additionally honored with an Award of Excellence, a silver tray celebrating its many civic projects; and first place for its yearbook (Class III, 30-44 members).

In the Public Relations and Communications Division, the club celebrated a first place tie with three additional clubs (as mentioned earlier) for its newsletter. It also earned first place for its Club Annual Photo Book, Brochures, and Electronic Media: Website, all in the public relations division.

For additional information about The Garden Club of Newtown, which meets on a Tuesday afternoon, once each month, at C.H. Booth Library, call 203-791-8321 or visit gardenclubofnewtown.com.

For additional information about The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown, which meets one Wednesday evening each month, at Newtown Senior Center, call 203-426-5418 or visit tcgardenclub.org.