75th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, October 28, 2025

 On October 28, 2025, LAGC members and guests gathered at Northmont United Presbyterian Church for LAGC’s 75^th Anniversary Dinner. Last month we celebrated the history of LAGC and this month we celebrated with current members and looked to the future. It was so nice to see so many members attend the event, as well as four guests from the Ingomar Garden who embraced the 50’s theme and wore their poodle skirts.

Claudia was an engaging emcee for the evening.  She encouraged members to socialize with her treasure hunt game where we had to get signatures from members once we identified the clue of an interesting fact about them. The game was a wonderful way to get to know fellow members. 

Bev Steiger with her daughter and grand-daughter.

Chris Kerin and Colleen Fingal trying to identify member trivia.

A tiny portion of the dessert table.

Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated by the committee with fall leaves, mums, and pumpkins. A few members volunteered to make live pumpkins filled with flowers as centerpieces, which were later given to guests through a name drawing.

The delicious dinner menu was comprised of both catered items and homemade dishes from club members and did not disappoint. We began the evening with delicious citrus punch made by Helen and a variety of appetizers ranging from veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, stuffed mushrooms, and shrimp hors d’oeuvres. For the dinner we enjoyed ham, chicken marsala, green beans, potatoes, potato soup along with pasta salad, oriental noodle salad, green salad, Jello, and many other dishes.

Guests were delighted to receive a memento of the celebration. Every attendee received a couple of Willard and May large cup daffodil bulbs. A few lucky guests won a ceramic coffee mug with the Longvue Acres Garden logo on it. The guest with the nearest birth date to October 28^th got to take home the potted mum plant on their table.

Nancy Madeoy welcomes members and guests to the 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.

 Members thanked Claudia Hickly with a bouquet and gift certificate.

One of display tables near the entrance.

While we enjoyed a slice of delicious cake and other desserts, we listened to live music. The entertainment was provided by the North Allegheny Fiddlers Group, which is comprised of students in grades 6 through 12 of the North Allegheny School District. The musicians are taught in traditional aural style or “by ear” meaning that they learn without using written notes. The audience enjoyed the lively songs that they performed from a variety of styles such as Scottish, Irish, Cajun, and Old Timey.

The celebration dinner was the last event of a year-long list of activities to celebrate the longevity of the Longvue Acres Garden Club. We gathered to celebrate the past and to look to the future with friends and members who love gardening.

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the 75^th Anniversary Committee for all the time they dedicated to preparing for the celebration: Claudia Hickly, Jane MacCredie, Amy Foreman, Diana Berendowski, Mary Anne Kurtz, Mary Jo Clayton, and Nancy Madeoy. 

Pictures by Bill Goff.

L to R: Claudia Hickly, Mary Ann Kurtz, Mary Jo Clayton, Nancy Madeoy, Diana Berendowski, and Jane MacCredie. Amy Foreman not pictured.

 

LAGC's 75th Anniversary: Planted 75 Native Trees in North Park, April 11, 2025

Congratulations to our membership for successfully planting 75 trees this past Friday. As you may remember, we collaborated with Allegheny County Parks Foundation and Tree Pittsburgh on this special project. Their representatives were thereas well as a reporter from the Tribune and several of our family members and neighbors. All participants agreed that it was a wonderful experience.

Mary Jo Clayton did a marvelous job initiating this project and organizing every detail. She inspired us with her comments and the "tree poem" she read just before we had our tree planting tutorial from Ranger Braeden Meiter. Kudos to Mary Jo for her

dedication and leadership.

Anita Wagner posted the tree planting photos to our Facebook page and Rose Mary Highman will post them to our blog. 

From Claudia Hickly

Cages or tubes protect from deer.

Ranger Braedin Meiter gives planting instructions.

North Park Rangers assisted (note that each pot contains a tree).

Linda Ferguson & Dianne Machesney dressed for the weather.

Wearing new blue LAGC shirts.

All done, 75 native trees planted. Longvue Acres Garden Club thanks our members over the years, North Park Rangers, Tree Pittsburgh, & the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. 

Chair of the 75th anniversary tree planting is Mary Jo Clayton, middle row, 3rd from left. 

Claudia Hickly & Mary Jo Benedetti with newly planted, staked, and tubed tree.

Jane MacCredie & Amy Foreman clearing the grass from the tree hole.

Mary Jo Clayton, chair of the tree planting, reads a poem about trees.

Linda Ferguson, Kate Powell, Mary Jo Clayton, & Chris Kerin are ready to return the shovel.