Page 39 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 56 Autumn 2025

account of the Club compiled by Shirly
Lagerstrom and Fran Pelligrino. Betty
stated that in 2005 Civic Committee
maintained gardens at the Historical
Society, Police Station, Fire Headquar-
ters, Gazebo, Day Care Center, Crescent
Garden, and Pond Hill. For planting at
the Day Care, Shell Oil awarded the
Club with a grant. For Make A Differ-
ence Day, Walmart donated 859 bulbs
which were planted by members and Birdhouse Workshop April 2025
assisted by students of the Boys and
Girls Club at elderly housing locations. Coalition for a Better Wallingford spon- walked the parade route from North
The Club participated in the “Celebrate sored a fundraiser, “Festival of Trees.” Main Street to Lyman Hall High School.
Wallingford” weekend by manning a The public bid in a silent auction to win
booth. Betty noted that The Walling- a decorated tree. Businesses, non-prof- 2023-24: In May, the Club took a bus
ford Garden Club has conducted plant its, and families entered themed trees. trip to the Tulip Fest in Albany. Dues in-
sales for 60 years, Christmas wreaths The Club’s Public Celebrations Com- creased after many years to $35. Pres-
and corsages for 40 years, and the Holi- mittee Chair, Sue Hillinski, entered our ident Kathy Bryson establishes a club
day Tea is almost 20 years old. A second first tree decorated by members using website and an Instagram account is
holiday boutique was scheduled and mostly handmade items. also started. A Bus trip, May 2024, to
Shirley Lagerstrom’s notebook was dis- the New York Botanic Gardens, “Won-
played at all the meetings that anniver- 2019: Under President Karin Pyskaty derland: Curious Nature,” was planned
sary year. Shirley’s Press Book took First the Club became very active in the and a full busload enjoyed it. At Cele-
Place by Federated Garden Clubs of CT Hartford Flower Show held at the XL brate Wallingford Public Celebrations
in the large Club category and a Second Center in February. Encouraged by past Chair, Linda Burr, creates a basket raf-
from the National Garden Club New President Barbara Bruce, Karin and fle in addition to small houseplants for
England region. During a long drought members painted the staging needed “clean air” and daffodil bulbs. It was
in 2005, there was a rain dance … by for the show, created name tags, were the most successful Celebrate Walling-
no other than Betty Harkin and ten or volunteer hosts, and floral competi- ford fund-raiser.
twelve Garden Club ladies. They saw tors. Karin, also, initiated a new activ-
a particularly dry bush between flow- ity in conjunction with the Wallingford 2025 Margaret Kitson, Environment/
ering plants near two friends’ homes. Senior Center, Fine Arts, Flowers, and Conservation Committee Chair, Pres-
The ladies got out of their cars, danced Verse. This event is in honor of Mari- ident Karen Ciosek and Wallingford
and cavorted. Before they got home, it lyn Ollayas’ love for and dedication to Conservation Commission and Land
rained … for two weeks. The power of the Wallingford Garden Club, Senior Trust met and collaborated on a plan
Garden Club members! The Federated Center, and Library. Artwork by Senior to “fight invasives.” Our scholarship
Garden Clubs of CT awarded The Wall- Center members were selected by grew to $1000. The 95th Anniversary
ingford Garden Club for an outstanding Club members and they created floral Committee was formed with Carmelina
presentation of their 75th Anniversary. designs interpreted from the pictures. Villani as Chair. Upcoming plans were
Local poets created ekphrastic poems a Plant Sale and Fair, May 17, mem-
2006: After the death of past President also based on the pictures. This first- bers annual Luncheon on June 10, and
Sandy Parsons, our student scholar- time event premiered April 26-27. planting 95 bulbs in the fall. Our Year-
ship was named in her honor. Gini Mita book went digital.
initiated a scholarship fund-raiser by 2020: The Club met via Zoom along
creating a cookbook. As a communi- with guest speakers. In reviewing The Walingford Garden
ty-based effort, Gini and Club members Club history, there is a cycle of activities
collected recipes from WGC members, 2022: Wallingford finally celebrated and events. But the heart of this Club
Wallingford civic organizations, local its’ 352nd Anniversary in June delayed is a belief that The Wallingford Garden
businesses, and restaurants. The schol- by two years. Karen Ciosek, Public Cel- Club can make a difference. Thank you,
arship fund grew to $500 for a Lyman ebrations Chair, organized our parade Wallingford, for all your support. Please
Hall or Sheehan graduate. participation with the town’s 350 Pa- honk and wave when you drive by and
rade Committee. A decorated antique see our members tending to our town
2012: Email addresses were included in truck (offered by Martha Shea’s hus- gardens.
the Club’s Yearbook band, Jim) was decorated with large
painted flowers created in a workshop Yours in Gardening,
2017 Wallingford’s “Holiday Stroll” be- led by Christine Salisbury and a Club Karen Ciosek, President
came an anticipated event for the first decorating crew. Eight club volunteers
weekend of December. The Connecticut in painted flowers hats and Club aprons

WALLINGFORDMAG.COM 39