65th
Anniversary Celebration
September 22, 2015
Mary
Ann Kurtz welcomed members, former members, and guests to our 65th
Anniversary Celebration. Program highlights included:
·
Town of McCandless
Proclamation
- Presented by Councilman, Lamar Oliver.
McCandless Township Resolution #5 honors LAGC and its original intent to
beautify the new Brown & Vaughn development of Longvue Acres Plan 3.
·
Honoree Member Recognition - Longtime members were
honored for their years of service; Flo Ogden 40 years, Bev Steiger 32 years,
Bill Goff 30 years, and Sharon Walston 27 years. Bill thanked the club and especially the late Eleanor Dusenberry
who inspired him to become a better gardener, to show more care for nature, and
to encourage others. A donation of $100 was made to Ross Township for the
creation of a new community garden in honor of our longtime members.
·
UPMC Passavant Chapel Garden
20th Anniversary – Honorees Helen Dean and Peggy Elizeus were recognized for designing,
installing, and directing LAGC members in the maintenance of the Chapel Garden
for the past 20 years. A donation of
$65 was made to the Passavant Hospital Foundation in their honor.
·
Passavant Hospital
Foundation Award - Fay Morgan, CEO/President of the Passavant Hospital Foundation,
presented awards to Honorees, Helen Dean and Peggy Elizeus, on the 20th
anniversary of the creation of the Chapel Garden. Fay noted the wisdom of
choosing the location directly in front of the chapel’s stained glass window
and choosing to make the garden all white. The Foundation’s resolution offered,
“...sincere appreciation for the Chapel Garden…”
·
Presentation: The Story of Longvue Acres Garden Club - created by Claudia Hickly
and Bill Merriman with assistance from Helen Dean. Using a fairy tale format,
LAGC’s history unfolds one chapter at a time. Bill put the presentation on
YouTube; look for the link on our blog.
·
Concluding Remarks – Mary Anne expressed
gratitude to the anniversary committee for their work in preparing the celebration. She offered special thanks to Janine Zink,
Chris Kerin, Nancy Madeoy, and Sharon Walston for the exceptional
refreshments. Mary Anne presented
Claudia, anniversary committee chair, with a thank you bouquet on behalf of
LAGC. Claudia expressed her gratitude to her fellow committee members, and
stated that they had all worked together to produce a lovely and memorable
party.
·
Cake Cutting – Mary Anne cut the cake
with the wish, “May LAGC last another 65 years . . .” building friendships,
preserving natural beauty, and offering community service.
·
Five Anniversary Facts
1.
Forty-seven
people attended the celebration; 19 guests and 28 members.
2.
Each
honoree received a hand-stamped card, keepsake pin/boutonnière, and a mum.
3.
Several
people who could not attend sent their congratulations; past-president, Sue
Swick, and speakers Susan Parker and Martha Swiss.
4.
Cards
were signed at the party and sent to Kay Gardener and Leila Johnson (founding
members), Sylvia Hindman (past-president), and Kitty Price (member).
5.
Founding member Leila Johnson, age 95, called with her congratulations
and best wishes on the day of our anniversary celebration. She had just received a copy of the
North/McKnight Journal article from a former neighbor. Leila fondly recalled meeting in Gladys
Kuhman’s basement, the plant sales, the fun, and the friendships. There are two photos of her in The Story of Longvue Acres Garden Club.
Next meetings:
October 27 –“Shade Gardening” by Kurt Malecki.
Dues due $15 per member.
November – No Meeting. Look for
Phipps holiday tour information.
December – Phipps Holiday Tour &
Lunch; date to be determined.
