Garden Club (BGC) Installs New Officers for 2024-2026 and Receives State and National Honors

left to right: Secretary - Janet McSorley and Anita Danigelis, Treasurer - Jane Murphy, President - Jody Gendron

The Burlington Garden Club welcomes and honors new officers for 2024-2026. The club members congratulate the following officers and look forward for their inspiration and support of carrying out the many community beautification, environment projects, and events.

The Burlington Garden Club, Inc (BGC) with over eighty members recently held their annual meeting celebrating the many projects and events which beautify the community with maintenance of gardens at Vermont Garden Park on Dorset Street in South Burlington, the Ronald McDonald Gardens and the Hope Lodge Gardens in Burlington as well as other horticulture and environment undertakings. Andy Kenney co-chair for the Ronald McDonald Gardens related, “being able to lighten the spirits of children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, the lovely flowering gardens are a gift of love.”
     Guest speaker, Spencer Hardy, biologist and the VT Bees coordinator, spoke to the group on "Bees in the Garden".
     The club members were acknowledged for their volunteer work with awards from the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont and the National Garden Club (NGC).
     Jan DeSarno was honored two-fold: with a stunning bench in her honor (see below)  by the club members to be placed at the Vermont Garden Park for her over 35-years of service, and she received one of the highest Award of Honor in the region from the NGC for volunteer efforts and outstanding contributions in civic developments, horticulture, youth activities and all-around excellence. Doris Van Mullen, President of the Federated Garden Club of Vermont,  accepted the award at the National Garden Club convention in Denver and stated,  “Jan exemplifies the true meaning of volunteerism. She embodies a spirit of selflessness and community service with her time, skills and resources.”  
     A garden therapy award  spearheaded by Karen Villanti for assisting the Granite Center Garden Club with flower replacements to business and main street gardens after the July 2023 flooding established community restoration and an awareness of hope during loss. Award recognition for an Educational Poster and “Spring and its Beauty” photography competition brought awards to the club.
     The members present honored the outgoing Presidents, Barbara Gaida and Linda Lane for their extraordinary service, leadership and dedication, constantly striving to be passionate about the mission of the nonprofit garden club. 
     The BGC members welcomed new officers with a pledge to support, and provide a willing cooperation to projects, work, and events.