Laurel Garden Club To Dissolve After 71 Years

 After 71 years of service to the community, the Laurel Garden Club (LGC) has announced the difficult decision to dissolve the organization, effective at the end of 2024. This decision was made following thoughtful discussion at the club’s anniversary dinner meeting, where members voted to formally conclude the club’s operations.

Founded in 1953, the Laurel Garden Club has a long history of contributing to the local community through educational programs, horticultural projects, and environmental advocacy. Notably, the club was the first in Ohio to dedicate both a Blue Star Memorial Marker and a Gold Star By-Way Marker at the same time, a project that took over two years to complete and was installed in Veterans Memorial Park in 2017. This achievement stands as a testament to the club's commitment to honoring veterans and enhancing the community. However, as is the case with many long-standing organizations, the club has faced increasing challenges in attracting and retaining members and maintaining engagement in an evolving landscape of volunteerism.

In a statement, club officers noted, "The Laurel Garden Club has been a vital part of the community for more than seven decades, and we are incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication shown by our members throughout the years. This decision, while difficult, reflects the changing dynamics of community involvement."

As part of the dissolution process, the club outlined plans for the distribution of its remaining funds to two organizations that share its commitment to community and environmental causes: Friends of the Brooklyn Branch Library and Gardenview Horticultural Park. Both organizations are 501(c)(3) non-profits, ensuring that the club’s financial legacy will continue to support valuable educational and horticultural endeavors.

The LGC’s recent partnership with the Friends of the Brooklyn Branch Library to co-sponsor a speaker series will be supported through a $500 contribution toward future programs.

Gardenview Horticultural Park, a 16-acre botanical garden and arboretum in Strongsville, was named to receive the remaining funds. Gardenview’s mission is to develop and maintain gardens of rare plants and flowers that provide enjoyment, education, and inspiration to the public.

The Brooklyn Historical Society will serve as the repository for the Laurel Garden Club’s historical archive, preserving its legacy for future generations.

In conclusion, the Laurel Garden Club’s officers expressed gratitude for the members' years of service and encouraged the community to continue honoring the club’s legacy. “It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals, and we are thankful for the connections made over the years.”

About the Laurel Garden Club: The Laurel Garden Club was founded in 1953. It is a charter member of the Garden Club of Ohio, Inc. and a member of the National Garden Club, Inc. with the mission to promote gardening and horticultural education, contribute to the beautification of the local community, and foster a spirit of volunteerism and environmental stewardship. Throughout its 71 years, the club has made significant contributions to the community through gardening projects, educational programs, and partnerships with local organizations.

Garden clubs that are recognized by the National Garden Club, Inc. are the only non profit organizations to install Blue Star or Gold Star Memorial Markers in the United States. LGC chose this civic project for the Brooklyn community and worked on the Blue Star/Gold Star Memorial Marker project for over two years with installation in 2017. The Laurel Garden Club was the first garden club in Ohio to dedicate the Blue Star Memorial Marker and the Gold Star By-Way marker at the same time. The markers are located in Veterans Memorial Park.

About Gardenview Horticultural Park: Located in Strongsville, Gardenview Horticultural Park is a 16-acre non-profit botanical garden and arboretum dedicated to the development, evolution, and maintenance of rare and unique gardens that inspire, educate, and provide enjoyment to visitors. https://www.gardenviewhp.org

About Friends of the Brooklyn Branch Library: The Friends of the Brooklyn Branch Library is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library through fundraising, volunteer work, and hosting educational programs and events for the community. https://cuyahogalibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/friends-of-brooklyn-library

About Brooklyn Historical Society: Founded in 1970, the Brooklyn Historical Society preserves the rich history of Brooklyn and its surroundings. A museum features eleven rooms filled with furniture and artifacts dating from the 1830s to the mid-1900s, including memorabilia related to the Elvis Presley performance at Brooklyn High School in 1955, as well as a library dedicated to local and state history. The Society also offers quilting and rag rug loom demonstrations, and sells crafts, gifts, and herb products in its gift shop. The Society is a non-profit organization supported by membership fees, donations, and fundraising events. http://www.brooklynhistoricalsociety.org

For more information on the Laurel Garden Club, please visit LaurelGardenClub.org.  For more information, or to share comments or questions regarding the dissolution process, the distribution of funds, or the club’s legacy, please contact  Andris Celcherts, 216-548-7644.

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Mary Ellen Stasek

Former Board Chair, Big Creek Connects (beginning in 2025 BCC is a division of West Creek Conservancy). Retired librarian (35 years at Lakewood Public Library).

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Volume 17, Issue 2, Posted 9:52 PM, 01.31.2025