The Saugus Garden Club prepares for year-end activities

By Laura Eisener

The Saugus Garden Club has been very busy this fall, and two of its most popular activities, the centerpiece workshop and the wreath workshop, are coming up soon. In September, the club had a field trip to the beautiful gardens at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, including a guided tour by the horticulturist, a walk along the riverfront and lunch at one of the many fine restaurants there.

A new activity was the submission of some entries in the Topsfield Fair, which were awarded some ribbons in the native plants category at the Flower Barn. As it has every year since the beginning, the Garden Club contributed a decorated tree to the Festival of Lights at the MEG this year. Wednesday was the holiday party at The Continental Restaurant, held early because the restaurant is closing for good this weekend Nov. 24 after 72 years.

Saturday, November 23 is the Thanksgiving centerpiece workshop at 1:00 at St. John’s Church. Nonmembers are welcome to participate for a 10 dollar fee, which covers the materials. Sign up by calling Garden Club co-president Donna Manoogian at 617-240-9003 as soon as possible, so enough materials will be on hand for everyone. Containers and decorative materials are provided, but people should bring their own shears and can bring their own containers and additional decorations if they wish.

Saturday, November 30 is the very popular fresh evergreen wreath decorating workshop at 1:00 at St. John’s Church. It is a little earlier than usual because the church is having their Christmas Fair and Craft Fair on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Like the centerpiece workshop, the wreath workshop is free to members and $10 to guests. Again, signing up by calling Donna will ensure there are enough wreaths and embellishments for everyone.

The Garden Club also participates in the Wreath Across America Day on December 14 at Riverside Cemetery. Volunteers can help place the sponsored wreaths on veterans’ graves on that day at both Riverside and the West Parish burying ground, sometimes known as the Saugus Center cemetery. The Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have organized a ceremony at Riverside at noon on that day, followed by the wreath laying.