The unofficial Williamsville Garden Club began as a hobby for several Williamsville community members. Those who donated their time and endless effort to make the Williamsville Boulevard a showplace were Jo and Bob Tibbs, Eileen and Charlie Grampp, and Doris and John O'Neal. Without the assistance and support of these people the official Williamsville Garden Club would not have been founded several years later.
With the encouragement and support of the Village of Williamsville President and Board of Trustees, several Williamsville residents felt the community could support a Garden Club. A vision for the Williamsville Garden Club was created, a membership drive and project on the Boulevard was planned for May 1, 2010 and the first official meeting of the Williamsville Garden Club occurred May 8, 2010.
The Williamsville Garden Club provides education, resources, and additional networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility. Specific purposes for which the Garden Club was organized are: 1) to promote and provide financial support to Historic Downtown Revitalization 2) to promote, plan and implement overall Village Beautification efforts 3) to sponsor fundraising events to offset the expense of funding Downtown Revitalization and Village Beautification efforts and/or other community related activities and 4) to promote conservation, sustainability, and green living.
The Garden Club has been designated by the Village of Williamsville to assist with design, implementation, and maintenance of public areas in regard to beautification and revitalization efforts. Village of Williamsville equipment, materials, and labor are made available to the Garden Club as deemed appropriate by the Village President and Board. The Garden Club works in conjunction with the local school horticultural club and civic-minded student organizations as well as the Williamsville Community Foundation. The Garden Club also partners with the Williamsville Public Library and Museum in presenting an educational "Backyard Basics" workshop each Spring and its most recent community activity is "Boo! On the Boulevard," which is a Fall event featuring a haunted trolley ride and costume contest.
As the Williamsville Garden Club continues to grow and evolve, the entire community benefits from the expertise of its members and the events that it participates in and organizes. New members, new energy, and new ideas are always encouraged and welcomed!
Interested in joining the Williamsville Garden Club? We typically meet the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Contact Nique Scarbrough at 618-315-1099 or niquescarbrough@gmail.com.
Garden Club Officers for 2023:
President: Nique Scarbrough
Vice President: Linda Wise
Secretary: Laura Horton
Treasurer: Jenny Brennan