In 1949 there was no Garden Club in or near Birmingham. Garden-minded people called a meeting for August 11, 1949 at the home of Mrs. Dave Pierce.

Fourteen signed as active charter members of The Firelands Garden Club. Two of these remain active, Mrs. Bernard Glime and Mrs. Francis Howe.

Of those who joined from 1949 to 1959 eight are still active members; Mr. & Mrs. Charles Carter, Mrs. Paul Knott, Mrs. Ernest Lamvermeyer, Mrs. Grant Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Robart, Mrs. Thurman Tanner, with Mr. Wilfred Johnston of Chardon, Ohio, associate.

New members are welcomed after they have attended three meetings.

Active members should have active gardens and should co-operate in all club activities, to the limit of their abilities, as stated in the by-laws.

Civic Projects

Improvement of the eastern approach to Birmingham, on Rte. 113, had been under discussion at the Township Community Club. They gladly handed this over to the new Garden Club.

Members cleaned an island of weeds, brambles and honey locust that had been left between the old and new roads of Rte. 113.

The Club sought advice from the Ohio Highway Landscaping Office in Ashland. They inspected the site and considered the hill location a focal point on Rte. 113. They offered to plant the roses which had been decided upon. Seventy red floribunda Kirsten Poulsen roses were purchased from the Melvin Wyant Nursery, Mentor, Ohio.

Sponsor shares were offered to enlist community interest. Thirty-one members and forty-seven town and country people provided one hundred dollars toward the project. Members have provided maintenance over the years.

A First Award plaque stands at the Eastern end of the roses, placed by the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs in 1953.

The sign "Welcome to Birmingham and the Firelands" has been the friendly greeting since 1950, at the eastern approach to Birmingham, at the Rose Project. This sign was made by Lowell Wasem, who has also made a replacement in 1980. It was erected by the Firelands Garden Club.

Other civic plantings have been made at the Florence Church, Florence Town Hall and Cemetery, Birmingham Cemetery, and shrubs at the township park at the bridge. Plant boxes were placed at the postoffice, a wildflower garden was planted at Mill Hollow Park and tulips around the well at Mill Hollow. Christmas decorations at the T. B. Sanitarium and Berea Methodist Home for Boys were made. At Birmingham Church, where the Club meets, there are extensive Christmas decorations each year.

Flower Shows

August 3, 1950 was Firelands’ first flower show. It was in the Gervas Nuss garage - Otto Schoepfle was the judge.

Later shows at Birmingham School Auditorium showed great improvement in specimens and arrangements and were enhanced by attractive stage decorations.

The 1953 Flower Show won the Club its First award. The antiques of Mrs. Peggy Glass and others extended the width of the room below the stage. A rail fence separated antiques from Flower Show tables.

Many visitors attended subsequent shows, such as the "Firelands, Then and Now", which had the Indian theme throughout and which won a First Award in 1962.

The 1979 "Around the World in Eighty Days" Flower Show was a First Award Show, with Pat Bowen as chairman. It was the most sophisticated show that Firelands Garden Club ever had.

Explore Ohio

Since 1966 the "Explore Ohio" bus has taken Garden Club members and friends to horticultural areas, arboreta or conservatories, scenic and historical sights in Ohio, always concluding with an excellent dinner.

In the fifteen years of "Explore Ohio" approximately seven hundred have enjoyed the tours, many of them repeaters. After Firelands Garden members have joined the tours, the invitation is offered to town people, church and other garden clubs.

The tours have included Wahkeena twice, Dawes Arboretum and Flint Ridge, Zoar, two visits to Holden Arboretum with dinner at the Corning "Lantern Court"; on the Cuhahoga River on the Steamer "Goodtime", under twenty-two bridges; visit cabin on the historic Cleveland Flats, Western Reserve Historical Society and gardens of the Hanna and Hay wings; Garden Center of Greater Cleveland and its excellent formal and informal gardens; Piqua Historical area and Canal Boat ride, Ohio Caverns and Castles Macacheek and Flemish.

These one day tours start and finish at Birmingham Church parking lot on South St., Birmingham.

The June 16, 1981 "Explore Ohio" is being planned. Our purpose is to "Widen our Horizens".

Therapy

For many years ten members have shared the work of garden therapy at the Middle School at Firelands. Planting of seeds, indoor and outdoors, care of plants and trees, leaf identification, games related to gardening, gifts and fun in class made enjoyment in the class of slow learners.

Apple Butter

Apple Butter Day is hard work and fun. For many years this Ways and Means project has resulted in hundreds of quarts of canned delicious apple butter. The Lamvermeyer Orchards have generously provided apples and cider for the kettle. After the members peel and core the bushels of apples, into the kettle they go, over the crackling fire, and someone stirs constantly. Orders for canned apple butter will be picked up at the Country Harvest of Antiques Oct. 4^th & 5^th at the Garden Club booth.

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Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap