An annual tradition that grows
Garden Club’s plant sale a hit; ‘Big Lady’s’ new name unveiled
Garden Club members unload the guests of honor, the various hanging baskets of colorful flowers. Proceeds from the sale are used to support the club’s community service projects. Photos by JAIME ANTON
NORTH ROYALTON – Yvonne Beers stopped in to the North Royalton Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale and Garden Fest looking for a few plants but walked away with much more.
She was admiring some very unique birdhouses fashioned from vintage coffee cans and license plates, her hands full of other garden treasures that caught her eye.
This year’s plant sale, hosted May 20 at North Royalton Christian Church, was her very first time attending the event. To say she loved it would be an understatement.
“I’m having a great time. Anyone who has been bitten by the garden bug needs to come visit this. I planned on getting a few plants and ended up with a whole lot more,” the North Royalton resident said, gesturing to the items in her arms. “I enjoyed it so much I think I’m going to join.”
Ben Hoffman, of North Royalton, was inside looking for some herbs to add to his garden.
“Instead of going to a nursery, I heard about this sale and decided to see if they had everything I wanted and support the community,” he said.
This event is more than just a simple plant sale, it’s a growing tradition with deep roots dating back to the 1960s.
For more than 50 years, this event has purposed to not only supply residents with good product and tips to liven up their landscape and gardens, it also allows the club to do much more than grow beautiful gardens. It affords the club the ability to grow its community service projects as well.
In addition to providing entertaining and informative garden programs for guests and members, the club uses sale proceeds to plant and maintain gardens on the City Green and entry to Memorial Park; participate in the North Royalton Community Garden; donate fresh produce from the community garden to area seniors; bestow a scholarship to a qualifying North Royalton High School senior; provide plants to local nursing homes in the spring and at Christmas; fund the centerpieces at the annual Olde Timer’s Banquet; participate in the annual Harvest Fest with food and bakery; and sponsor a Christmas tree for the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on the City Green.
The philanthropy appealed to Bonnie Yurkovich, of North Royalton.
“I like to patronize local groups, and they have good stuff,” she said, as she checked out some pollinator plants.
Garden Club President Pam Wetterau was pleased with the turnout and said the garden sale is something she is happy to be a part of each year.
“It’s tradition. It’s what garden clubs are all about, raising money so we can do other things in the community,” she smiled.
This year’s sale was extra special because “Big Lady,” the white oak recognized as the city’s oldest and largest tree believed to be approximately 350 years old, has a proper name. For the past few weeks, the club encouraged residents to submit names.
A committee was chosen to select the winning submission. Members were Wetterau, Kiwanis Secretary and Treasurer John Burke, Council President Larry Antoskiewicz and North Royalton Post Reporter Jaime Anton.
Kathy Guenther was named the winner with her submission, “Royalyn.”
Other names considered were “Annie Oakley” and “Royal Majesty.”
Guenther was in total shock her suggested name was selected, and what’s even more special is that the name has sentimental meaning behind it.
“I’m thrilled that I was chosen. I read the article that day, a Sunday morning and sat for a few minutes. I thought it should be a name, something to do with North Royalton. My daughters are Gerilyn and Pamilyn and my best friend is Lynn, and that’s how I came up with it. I was inspired by my two daughters and the tree. As a 44-year resident of North Royalton, I’m honored to have been chosen to name the tree.”
She was admiring some very unique birdhouses fashioned from vintage coffee cans and license plates, her hands full of other garden treasures that caught her eye.
This year’s plant sale, hosted May 20 at North Royalton Christian Church, was her very first time attending the event. To say she loved it would be an understatement.
“I’m having a great time. Anyone who has been bitten by the garden bug needs to come visit this. I planned on getting a few plants and ended up with a whole lot more,” the North Royalton resident said, gesturing to the items in her arms. “I enjoyed it so much I think I’m going to join.”
Ben Hoffman, of North Royalton, was inside looking for some herbs to add to his garden.
“Instead of going to a nursery, I heard about this sale and decided to see if they had everything I wanted and support the community,” he said.
This event is more than just a simple plant sale, it’s a growing tradition with deep roots dating back to the 1960s.
For more than 50 years, this event has purposed to not only supply residents with good product and tips to liven up their landscape and gardens, it also allows the club to do much more than grow beautiful gardens. It affords the club the ability to grow its community service projects as well.
In addition to providing entertaining and informative garden programs for guests and members, the club uses sale proceeds to plant and maintain gardens on the City Green and entry to Memorial Park; participate in the North Royalton Community Garden; donate fresh produce from the community garden to area seniors; bestow a scholarship to a qualifying North Royalton High School senior; provide plants to local nursing homes in the spring and at Christmas; fund the centerpieces at the annual Olde Timer’s Banquet; participate in the annual Harvest Fest with food and bakery; and sponsor a Christmas tree for the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on the City Green.
The philanthropy appealed to Bonnie Yurkovich, of North Royalton.
“I like to patronize local groups, and they have good stuff,” she said, as she checked out some pollinator plants.
Garden Club President Pam Wetterau was pleased with the turnout and said the garden sale is something she is happy to be a part of each year.
“It’s tradition. It’s what garden clubs are all about, raising money so we can do other things in the community,” she smiled.
This year’s sale was extra special because “Big Lady,” the white oak recognized as the city’s oldest and largest tree believed to be approximately 350 years old, has a proper name. For the past few weeks, the club encouraged residents to submit names.
A committee was chosen to select the winning submission. Members were Wetterau, Kiwanis Secretary and Treasurer John Burke, Council President Larry Antoskiewicz and North Royalton Post Reporter Jaime Anton.
Kathy Guenther was named the winner with her submission, “Royalyn.”
Other names considered were “Annie Oakley” and “Royal Majesty.”
Guenther was in total shock her suggested name was selected, and what’s even more special is that the name has sentimental meaning behind it.
“I’m thrilled that I was chosen. I read the article that day, a Sunday morning and sat for a few minutes. I thought it should be a name, something to do with North Royalton. My daughters are Gerilyn and Pamilyn and my best friend is Lynn, and that’s how I came up with it. I was inspired by my two daughters and the tree. As a 44-year resident of North Royalton, I’m honored to have been chosen to name the tree.”