MUNCY – Spring is almost here and gardening enthusiasts from the Muncy Garden Club have been busy planning a productive 2016 season.

A planning meeting was held on Thursday, February 23 at the home of Lois Velkoff who is also Vice-President. The group meets the third Thursday of each month starting in March at the Saint James Episcopal parish hall, 215 S. Main Street in Muncy. The club was officially organized June 5, 1939 “to create community interest in flowers and gardening, and to participate in community projects.”

On June 8, 1939 on the front page, the Luminary reports: “With 1 o’clock as the deadline for the entry of the exhibits, the Muncy Garden Club today opened its Annual spring flower show in the Muncy Historical Home. The exhibit will be open for the remainder of this week and admission is free. Persons from Muncy and neighboring districts are invited to attend. Mrs. Nicholson, Pennsdale placed first with 16 points.”

Presently, President Melinda Bender encourages new members to join the club and would like to welcome anyone at any time to come to any of the meetings. The next meeting will be held Thursday, March 17 on St. Patrick’s Day. Master Gardener, Deb Steransky will be giving a presentation on invasive plants and how to control them. “You don’t have to be from Muncy to join,” Bender said. Some of the members live in Hughesville, Picture Rocks, Turbotville, and other outlying areas.

Other topics for the year include using essential oils, a program in April, and herbal preparations and remedies given by Cindy Koons from Muncy which will be in September.

During May club members spend time cleaning garden beds and planting flowers within the Muncy community. At the end of May, they make floral arrangements at Thelma George’s home for the tables at the Muncy Alumni Banquet. Thelma is also treasurer for the organization and says it is only ten dollars to join for the year.

A tour to Penn College’s Earth Science Center and horticultural grounds given by instructor Carl Bower is set for June 16, and the month of July keeps everyone busy running the Horticultural building at the Lycoming County Fair in Hughesville. “Lots of help is really needed for this,” commented Lois Velkoff who organized the committee last year, and also chairs the Sunshine committee. “We recently lost a charter member, Charlotte Peeling,” she added. Other honorary members are Beulah King, Donna Kirkner and Delores Poust. According to the by-laws, honorary members are those who opt to join for “a sustaining one time fee.”

Besides the Lycoming County Fair the club also enters displays at the Bloomsburg Fair and the Montour Delong Fair held in August. A tea party is scheduled for October 20 at the parish house “and we will be having a scrapbook night,” Bender said. Everyone brings a treat to share and their favorite tea cup. This will be organized by Paula Schwenk and Susan Seybert.

In November Cheryl Richards from Cheri’s House of Flowers will show members and guests how to make a fall arrangement and those who want to participate, can make one also and take it home for their Thanksgiving table. Members will also have an opportunity to make boxwood trees with Barb Shaffer in December. A Christmas dinner is planned for December 1st at Copper Roof in Pennsdale and a picnic at the Heritage Park in Muncy for August 18.

For more information on membership call 570-584-4467 or send info to Muncy Garden Club, 101 Carpenter Street, Muncy, PA 17756 or visit their facebook page.