Reminder: Garden Club Features Program on Interior Plant Landscape Design - Feb 1, 2022

The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on “Interior Plant Landscape Design“ on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA.  The program will be presented by Bellingham resident Jen Kuse, who is experienced in designing indoor and outdoor plantscapes and gardens for both private homes and commercial buildings. She also oversees the highly successful Franklin Food Pantry community garden.  The program is open to the public at no charge.  

Kuse’s presentation will include the following topics: information on the benefits of plants, including tropical plants, the most commonly used interior plants; examples of plants that do the best indoors; conditions and care required for plants; how to deal with common diseases and pest problems; organic methods for integrated pest management; basic design ideas for the home and office; and where to obtain tropical plants.  The program will include an opportunity to obtain plants used in the presentation with proceeds going to the Franklin Food Pantry.

Kuse, a graduate of Dean College, has more than 25 years of experience in designing plantscapes and gardens, primarily through her affiliation with the Interiorscapes Division of Central Nurseries of Johnston, RI 

In addition to its monthly programs, the Garden Club supports several service activities including planting and maintaining the Franklin Town Common gardens and the planters at the Franklin Library, sponsoring an annual scholarship, distributing pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools, and sponsoring special projects with other community organizations. The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015.       

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Interior Plant Landscape Design  - Feb 1, 2022

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Interior Plant Landscape Design - Feb 1, 2022

The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on “Interior Plant Landscape Design“ on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA.  The program will be presented by Bellingham resident Jen Kuse, who is experienced in designing indoor and outdoor plantscapes and gardens for both private homes and commercial buildings. She also oversees the highly successful Franklin Food Pantry community garden.  The program is open to the public at no charge.  

Kuse’s presentation will include the following topics: information on the benefits of plants, including tropical plants, the most commonly used interior plants; examples of plants that do the best indoors; conditions and care required for plants; how to deal with common diseases and pest problems; organic methods for integrated pest management; basic design ideas for the home and office; and where to obtain tropical plants.  The program will include an opportunity to obtain plants used in the presentation with proceeds going to the Franklin Food Pantry.

Kuse, a graduate of Dean College, has more than 25 years of experience in designing plantscapes and gardens, primarily through her affiliation with the Interiorscapes Division of Central Nurseries of Johnston, RI 

In addition to its monthly programs, the Garden Club supports several service activities including planting and maintaining the Franklin Town Common gardens and the planters at the Franklin Library, sponsoring an annual scholarship, distributing pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools, and sponsoring special projects with other community organizations. The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015.       

 

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Interior Plant Landscape Design  - Feb 1, 2022

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements - Dec 4

 (in person) The Franklin Garden Club will sell decorated holiday wreaths on Saturday, December 4 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Daddario’s Hardware Store, 528 West Central Street, Franklin, MA.  

(online) In addition, holiday fresh floral arrangements will be sold on Instagram from December 6 – 20. The Franklin Garden Club Instagram handle is @franklingardenclubma (https://www.instagram.com/franklingardenclubma/). The sales will benefit several different club activities.

The real wreaths will be decorated in a variety of colors and styles and will include eye-catching bows and other ornamentation. Many will include a variety of greens.  They will be reasonably priced from $25 - $35.  The floral arrangements, created with fresh flowers and greens, will feature either holiday or winter themes and will be priced from $15 - $25.

Payment for the wreaths and centerpieces may be made through credit card, check, cash, or Venmo.

Club Co-Presidents Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean stated, “We are very excited to offer area residents the opportunity to purchase beautiful holiday wreaths and arrangements created by members of the Franklin Garden Club.  This will help those who may not have the time to decorate their own wreaths or make arrangements, while also assisting the Club. All proceeds will benefit Garden Club activities, including the Club scholarship, pine tree seedling program for elementary school students, some of the Franklin Common and library plantings, and education programs open to the public. 

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.   https://www.gcfm.org/franklin-garden-club

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements 

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements

(in person) The Franklin Garden Club will sell decorated holiday wreaths on Saturday, December 4 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Daddario’s Hardware Store, 528 West Central Street, Franklin, MA.  

(online) In addition, holiday fresh floral arrangements will be sold on Instagram from December 6 – 20. The Franklin Garden Club Instagram handle is @franklingardenclubma (https://www.instagram.com/franklingardenclubma/). The sales will benefit several different club activities.

The real wreaths will be decorated in a variety of colors and styles and will include eye-catching bows and other ornamentation. Many will include a variety of greens.  They will be reasonably priced from $25 - $35.  The floral arrangements, created with fresh flowers and greens, will feature either holiday or winter themes and will be priced from $15 - $25.

Payment for the wreaths and centerpieces may be made through credit card, check, cash, or Venmo.

Club Co-Presidents Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean stated, “We are very excited to offer area residents the opportunity to purchase beautiful holiday wreaths and arrangements created by members of the Franklin Garden Club.  This will help those who may not have the time to decorate their own wreaths or make arrangements, while also assisting the Club. All proceeds will benefit Garden Club activities, including the Club scholarship, pine tree seedling program for elementary school students, some of the Franklin Common and library plantings, and education programs open to the public. 

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.   https://www.gcfm.org/franklin-garden-club

 

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements 

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Flowers at Farmers Market - Sep 24

The Franklin Garden Club will sell real and artificial fall arrangements at the Friday, September 24, Franklin Farmers Market from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. 

Small succulents will also be sold in painted pots.  The arrangements, made by Garden Club members, will be in containers reflecting traditional fall colors of bronze, gold, orange and black and will be reasonably priced from $5 - $10.  

It is a great opportunity to purchase flowers for yourself or to give as gifts to others.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit Garden Club activities that include planting and caring for the Town Common Garden and urns at the Franklin Library, as well as sponsoring the pine tree sapling program and an annual scholarship. 

Franklin Garden Club to Sell Flowers at Farmers Market - Sep 24

Franklin Garden Club Seeks Speakers

The Franklin Garden Club is seeking to involve more community residents in its programs by offering residents with expertise in particular aspects of gardening the opportunity to present at one of the club’s monthly meetings.  Participants will receive a stipend for their presentations.

Club Co-Chairs Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean stated, “The Garden Club recognizes that there are many area residents who are very knowledgeable about garden-related topics including, but not limited to, growing successful vegetable or flower gardens; using herbs in a variety of ways; maintaining healthy gardens; cultivating specific perennials, annuals, or house plants; designing floral arrangements; and creating landscape gardens.  We invite them to contact us about information they could share with Garden Club members.”  Those interested should send an email to franklingardenclubma@gmail.com.

In addition to its monthly programs, the Garden Club supports several service activities including planting and maintaining  the Franklin Town Common gardens and the planters at the Franklin Library, sponsoring  an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate, distributing  pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools, and sponsoring special projects with other community organizations. The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015.  

   

Franklin Garden Club Seeks Speakers

Franklin Garden Club: Virtual Gift Basket Sale through December 19

The Franklin Garden Club is holding a virtual gift basket auction from December 17 -  December 19 through its Facebook and Instagram sites where there are full descriptions of each basket.  

The gift basket themes include: projects for quilters;  food and other goodies to enjoy around a campfire; holiday ornaments, candles and candy; kitchen accessories;  women’s accessories; and creative nature projects for children. They may be purchased through the garden club Facebook page and Instagram account.  

The Facebook page is called Franklin Garden Club – Massachusetts @franklinmagardenclub  (or direct link = https://www.facebook.com/franklinmagardenclub). 

The Garden Club Instagram handle is @franklingardenclubma  (or direct link = https://www.instagram.com/franklingardenclubma). 

Online payment options will be available. 

 

Franklin Garden Club:   Virtual Gift Basket Sale through December 19

Celebrating Downtown Franklin and Beyond This Winter

On Saturday, Nov. 21, members of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Franklin Garden Club, and resident volunteers will decorate downtown Franklin for the holidays with wreaths, greenery and bows provided by Hillside Nurseries. Volunteers will work from 9 AM to noon. The rain date is Nov. 22. Please email emason4234@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer to dress up the downtown for the holidays!

All volunteers will wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing, said Eileen Mason, chair of the beautification efforts in downtown. 

“We really appreciate the efforts of all our volunteers and the DPW to decorate the area,”  said Mason. “Please come to downtown Franklin to shop for your holiday presents and enjoy the decorations,” said Mason. 

In addition to downtown decorations, the FDP is inviting everyone to participate in “Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond” with lights and winter decorations in downtown businesses and beyond from Nov. 21 to March 1. Thank you to the sponsors of this event: Platinum Sponsor Dean Bank, Gold Sponsors Fenton Financial Group and Keefe Insurance Agency, and Silver Sponsor Station 117 Apartments.

“We want to emphasize the importance of shopping local and supporting Franklin businesses this winter season,” said Roberta Trahan, vice president of the FDP. “Our local businesses are so important to our town and we want to make sure they thrive during these difficult times.”

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of nearly 300 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ for more information.

The Town Common decorated in Dec 2019

Franklin Garden Club - "Good Bugs and Bad Bugs"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Franklin Garden Club will feature a presentation on “Good Bugs and Bad Bugs” during its next meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. Social time starts at 6:30 PM.

The event is free and open to all.

Common beneficial and pest insects that gardeners encounter in New England will be highlighted. Their habits and life cycles will be discussed in terms of how their presence affects the success of a garden year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200228/franklin-garden-club-to-talk-bugs

Franklin Garden Club - "Good Bugs and Bad Bugs"

Franklin Garden Club Holiday Auction Open to Public - Dec 10

The Franklin Garden Club is opening its annual holiday auction to the public. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 10, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin. 

A silent auction will run from 6:00 – 7:00 PM followed by a live auction beginning at 7:00 PM. Appetizers and desserts will be served throughout the evening.

The auction will feature a wide variety of holiday items made by Franklin Garden Club members, as well as other donated articles. Items will include beautiful live flower and evergreen arrangements, holiday decorations, baked goods, gift baskets, and other types of home and garden items. There will also be a raffle of nine holiday centerpieces.

“The auction is a wonderful way to jump start your holiday decorating and purchase gifts for friends and family,” noted Susan Childers and Debra Degrazia, co-presidents of the Garden Club.

All proceeds from the auction help to support the Club’s programs and community activities, which include the awarding of a scholarship to a graduating high school student, the distribution of pine tree seedlings to Franklin first graders to mark Arbor Day, and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common Garden in partnership with the Town. 

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

Franklin Garden Club Holiday Auction Open to Public - Dec 10

Decorate Downtown for the Holidays with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Garden Club - Nov 24

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club are joining forces to decorate the downtown on Sunday, Nov. 24. Volunteers are needed to help install wreaths, bows and greenery.

Interested volunteers will meet Beautification Chairperson Eileen Mason at 9 a.m. on Nov. 24 at the downtown bridges. Community service hours are available for students. Groups and teams are encouraged to participate. Help is also needed on Saturday, Nov. 23 at noon at Hillside Nurseries to sort greens.

“We enjoy making the downtown Franklin festive during the holidays every year,” Mason said. “We’re a group of volunteers and we’re only able to take on these projects with a lot of help from the community. We are very appreciative of all the volunteer help and Hillside Nurseries for sourcing the greens, wreaths and decorations. Thank you to the Franklin DPW for its support as well. We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday season!”

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to this event can email emason4234@gmail.com.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit, 501©3 organization comprised of more than 290 businesses that supports downtown revitalization and streetscape efforts, and organizes events such as the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival. For more information please visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.

Decorate Downtown for the Holidays with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Garden Club - Nov 24

Climate Change Focus of Franklin-Norfolk Garden Club Meeting - Nov 5

Quentin Prideaux, President of Sustainable Wellesley, will speak on the impact of climate change and what citizens can do about it at the Tuesday, November 5, meeting of the Franklin Garden Club, which will be a joint meeting with the Norfolk Garden Club. 

The meeting will be held at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM, beginning with an informal social at 6:30 PM. It is open to members of the public at no charge. 

Prideaux has been studying climate change for more than 20 years. His talk will focus on the impacts and causes of climate change, the actions we need to take, and what it means for Massachusetts and the Northeast. He will also discuss why some have been confused about the science of climate change. Prideaux, who uses humor in his presentation, will also highlight some of the initiatives being undertaken by Sustainable Wellesley to support residents in taking steps that can make an impact in their town and region. The talk will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions. 

Prideaux, who holds degrees in physics and business and is pursuing a master’s degree in sustainability at Harvard Extension School, has spoken to many organizations, including serving as a keynote speaker at a statewide meeting of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. His talks have been very well received with participants describing them as “hugely informative, intelligent, visually appealing, and very lively with every member of the audience learning something."

For more about Sustainable Wellesley  http://www.sustainablewellesley.com/ 

Climate Change Focus of Franklin-Norfolk Garden Club Meeting - Nov 5

Franklin Garden Club: Paper Quilling Workshop - Sep 3

The Franklin Garden Club will begin its 2019-2020 season on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, with a meeting at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel Cahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. An informal social get-together will take place from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. followed by a Paper Quilling Workshop. 

The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member. The meeting will also feature an optional perennial swap and friendship arrangements. Those attending may bring a perennial cutting from their garden to swap, as well as some cut flowers for the arrangements.

Club Co-Presidents Susan Childers and Deborah DeGrazia stated, “The Garden Club, founded in 1987, offers many educational programs, and one does not have to be a Master Gardener to join. Meetings provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about various aspects of gardening from experts and to exchange information with fellow members. We welcome anyone who is interested to attend the first meeting to learn more about the Club and planned activities.” 
 

Paper Quilling Workshop - Sep 3

The Paper Quilling Workshop will be led by DeGrazia and supplies will be provided. Paper quilling is the art of cutting paper into long thin strips, rolling and pinching the pieces into different shapes, and then gluing the shapes together to form decorative art. Paper quilling projects can be used to decorate cards, boxes, gift bags, picture frames, or even be made into 3D stand-alone art pieces. (www.thesprucecrafts.com)

In addition to the September 3 meeting, this year’s programming schedule includes: October 1: Mushroom Foraging; November 5: Climate Reality; December 10: Holiday Auction; February 4: Craft Night; March 3: Good Bugs, Bad Bugs; April 7: Rose Care 101; May 5: Hypertufa Workshop; June 2, Garden Tour and Year End Social. 

Club community service activities include planting and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common gardens and the planters at the Franklin Library, sponsorship of an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate, distribution of pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools, and special projects with other community organizations. The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

Franklin Garden Club Thanks Local Organizations for Support

Pierina DAscenzo

More than 40 senior citizens, including Franklin resident Pierina DAscenzo, shown in photo, created beautiful floral arrangements at a recent ArtWeek activity co-sponsored by the Franklin Garden Club and Franklin Senior Center. 

The Club supplied containers, flowers and instructions, while members assisted the participants in creating the arrangements. The Senior Center helped to recruit participants and provided snacks for the event. 

In addition to the Senior Center, the Franklin Garden Club also wishes to thank Big Y, Hillside Nursery, and Franklin Mill Store for their support which contributed to the success of the event.

Franklin Garden Club Plant Sale at Farmer’s Market - June 7

The Franklin Garden Club will hold a plant sale from 12:00 – 6:00 PM at the first Franklin Farmer’s Market of the year on June 7 at the Town Common. A variety of reasonably priced annual and perennial plants will be available for purchase, along with flower arrangements made by club members. Proceeds will benefit the club’s scholarship fund and other community activities.

Club Co-Presidents Susan Childers and Janice Cederquist stated, “While the recent rainy weather may have delayed many from planting, June is the perfect time to plant annuals in either gardens or pots, as the weather is getting warmer and plants will begin to thrive. Our sale provides a convenient way to purchase plants or a beautiful flower arrangement to enjoy at home or use as a gift that will brighten the day for someone else. “

Franklin Garden Club  Plant Sale at Farmer’s Market - June 7

Franklin Garden Club: meeting on Container Gardening features Kim Cook, Briggs Nursery - May 7

Kim Cook of Briggs Nursery, will present a program on Container Gardening at the Tuesday, May 7, 2019, meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will be held at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, from 7 – 9 PM, beginning with an informal social at 6:30 PM. 

It is open to the public at no charge. The presentation will provide information on selecting different types of containers and potting soil, choosing plants that complement each, designing arrangements, and maintaining the containers.

Cook has worked a Briggs Nursery for many years where her responsibilities include designing many of the planters that are on exhibit throughout the nursery. She is experienced in growing many types of plants, including herbs, vegetables, perennials and annuals and in how they may be incorporated into container gardening.

Franklin Garden Club: meeting on Container Gardening features Kim Cook, Briggs Nursery - May 7