HAWLEY, PA — Thirty years ago, a group of women discussed forming a garden club. As we now celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are proud to say that “seed” is still running strong.

The first meeting of the Country Gardeners Club (TCG) was held on November 18, 1993. They chose the name of the club, wrote bylaws and established annual dues. (In 1993, they were set at $12; today dues are $25.)

In keeping with the club’s purpose of  “encouraging the love of gardening and sharing knowledge,” the members decided to invite gardening experts to speak at the monthly meetings.

Due to the fire laws in the local meeting places that the club could afford, membership was limited to 70 people. 

Since then, the club went through a long pilgrimage until September 2014, when it moved to the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center.

As time passed by, the club kept the legacy of education and added bus trips to gardens, a newsletter about gardening, plant care, environmental issues, household tips for the members, a picnic in August, a Christmas party in December, garden book donations to the Wayne County public libraries, a Facebook page, a summer garden program for kids and articles and photos for the local media. 

Following the steps of the founders, the Country Gardeners Club continues to encourage the love of gardening, sharing our knowledge, protecting our environment, conserving our natural resources and stimulating our creative talents. 

Giving back to the community is in our DNA. As early as 1994, members discussed garden plots in Hawley’s Bingham Park, and planting and upkeep in sections near the gazebo and the memorial plaque. 

Later the club worked with the Downtown Hawley Partnership on the Streetscape Project. In addition to choosing the plants, our members were active in planting, watering and maintaining the pots along the streets of Hawley until recently. Now the Downtown Hawley Partnership takes care of them.

The club established monthly raffles, with extra plants provided by our members. The largest raffle of plants and gently used items is held at the annual Christmas party. For many years, the proceeds have been donated to the Wayne County Children’s Bureau. Since 2006, the club matched the raffle proceeds with funds from its treasury.

Although at the present we are not participating, TCG has been a member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs and joined the Federation of Pennsylvania, District III. Many of the members entered the Northeast Pennsylvania Flower Shows, winning first, second and third prizes and honorable mentions. We even went big in 2002, sponsoring luncheons with famous personalities. In 2003, we hosted the District III annual luncheon. 

Meetings of the Country Gardeners Club run from April to December and are held on the first Thursday of the month at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center.