Garden Club honored for over 100 years beautifying city

Downtown Development Authority members Kim White Jenkins, Mayor John Rhaesa, Jim Demmer, and Director Lori Gouin, present Wayne Garden Club members with a plaque recognizing over 100 years of service in the City of Wayne.

By Sarah Shurge – “They’re very, very much appreciated,” said Lori Gouin, Wayne Downtown Development Authority director.
The Wayne Garden Club was presented with a plaque by Gouin during the city council meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 for over 100 years beautifying Wayne.
“We’re proud. It’s quite an accomplishment to have an organization going that long and being a positive part of the city,” said Claudia Bukalew, Wayne Garden Club treasurer.
The Wayne Garden Club was established in 1916 and became a federated organization in 1945. It is a member of the Michigan Clubs and the National Garden Clubs.
The purpose of the club is to promote good gardening practices, conservation, and beautification of the City of Wayne.
There are approximately 23 club members at the current time. The board consists of: President – Mary Baryo, Vice President and Historian – Carolyn Marnon, Recording Secretary – Lois VanStipdonk, Corresponding Secretary – Cynthia Quint, and Treasurer – Claudia Buckalew.
Buckalew has been in the club for four years, and treasure for three years.
“My favorite part is the friendships you make and the fact that we can share our love of gardening,” said Buckalew.
The club is responsible for two Blue Star gardens, the gardening around the museum, and some plantings in Goudy Park.
Gouin stated that the plaque the club was presented with will be posted in Goudy Park after the wildflower beds are enhanced in the spring.
The club will be assisting the Wayne Historical Society with plantings along the Old Cemetery on Michigan Avenue next to the theatre.
The club has gone on field trips such as: the Oudolf Gardens on Belle Isle, the gardens at the Detroit Zoo, the Hidden Gardens in Tipton, and the Mathai Gardens in Ann Arbor.
“It’s a wonderful group and you make such good friends. Everyone has the same enjoyment from what we’ve learned in our workshops,” said Bukalew.
The Wayne Garden Club has meetings at 12:30 p.m. at the Wayne Public Library (usually the second Wednesday of the month).
Meetings are usually open to the public and last for 2-3 hours with a light luncheon (usually). If the meeting has a program that requires a fee, there will be a notification to reserve a spot.
“We are always looking for new members to help with our gardening endeavors and to enjoy the pleasure of learning new gardening techniques and possibilities with us,” said Buckalew.
The upcoming schedule for the Wayne Garden Club is:
April 9th – 12:30 p.m. at the Wayne Public Library: Brian Hintz from Birds Unlimited, Canton, speaking about gardening for hummingbirds.
May 14th – 12:30 p.m. at the Wayne Public Library: ADAPT – A presentation by the organization on helping people to develop native plant gardens and perennial gardens.
June 11th – 6:00 p.m. at Flowers in the Mitten: The club will have their annual meeting and then Rachel Botu will have a workshop to create a spring floral arrangement.
July 9th – 12:00 p.m.: Field trip to visit the Growing Hope Garden in Ypsilanti.
August 13th – 12:30 p.m. at the Wayne Public Library: Speaker to give a presentation regarding the Oudolf Gardens on Belle Isle.
September 10th – 12:30 p.m.: Field Trip to the Motor City Grounds Crew in Detroit (tentative on weather).
October 8th – 12:30 p.m. at the Wayne Public Library: Indigenous Gardening.
November 12th – 10:30 a.m. at the Wayne Historical Museum: Help decorate for the holidays, followed by a luncheon.
“I think it’s such a great organization. We could really use more members to do more than we do now,” said Buckalew.
For more information about the Wayne Garden Club, you can find them on Facebook by searching “Wayne Garden Club” or email waynegardenclub@gmail.com.
“Wayne is a delightful town to live in, it’s got quite a history. Anything we can do to help beautify it with planting trees and flowers, we’re all for doing that,” said Buckalew.
Thank you to the Wayne Garden Club for over 100 years of beautifying Wayne!