


Woman checking on plants

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.” Luther Burbank
Message From the President
Dear Rake & Hoe Members,
As the new year begins, I hope this letter finds you warm and in good spirits. While the gardens may be resting under a blanket of frost, this season offers us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year and plan for the growth ahead.
Looking Ahead
We are excited about our plans for the year ahead! Much of our focus will be on our upcoming
Flower Show in April. There will be workshops to help members with making flower designs and
artistic crafts, and presentations about all the Horticulture classes in the show. We are hoping for
100% participation from members in entering exhibits and helping with all the planning and
work of putting the show together. Your ideas and enthusiasm are what keep our club thriving,
In addition, we will be continuing with all our regular activities, like Mobile Meals, maintaining
our Community Gardens and our projects for Veterans.
Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community. Winter may feel long, but spring is always just around the corner, and with it comes the joy of tending our gardens and growing together.
Stay warm and happy gardening!
Sharon Shiraga
The Rake and Hoe Garden Club of Westfield
Our mission is to educate our members and the public in horticulture, floral design, nature and wildlife. We host workshops, field trips and plant exchanges in addition to presenting informative monthly meetings. Our talented members are more than willing to share their expertise with the group.
Members are dedicated to the community through their work with the Jardine Academy, Mobile Meals, Veterans and by maintaining three public gardens in Westfield. Rake and Hoe is a member of the Central Atlantic Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
If you have an interest in joining the Club or would like additional information, please contact our membership chair, Nina Sylvester.
GENERAL MEETINGS
Held Noon at the
Shady Rest Golf Course
820 Jerusalem Road
Scotch Plains
Second Wednesday
of the month
Officers of the Club
2024-2025
President, Sharon Shiraga
Vice President, Nina Sylvester
Treasurer, Sue Feldman
Asst. Treasurer, Betsy Chance
Recording Secretary, Margot Partridge
Corresp. Secretary, Mary Lou Nolas
Director, Beth Siano
Join Us!
Embrace the beauty of gardening and nature by joining our Garden Club. Connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion, making enduring friendships along the way. Engage in fulfilling community service projects in our area and neighboring towns. Plus, with every meeting, expand your knowledge and skills, always learning something new to enrich your gardening journey. Come be a part of our vibrant community, where growth, both in gardens and friendships, is our constant goal.
For more information, please contact
Upcoming Meetings

Feb. 12 - “The Language of Flowers”. Layce Gebhard. If flowers could talk, what would they say? Flowers and herbs have been used to convey sentiments throughout history, and gained special prominence during the Victorian Age. This program presents the history and symbolism of the flowers we love. Layce is an avid gardener, RU Master Gardener, and in retirement, owns a Christmas Tree farm with her husband.

Mar. 12 - “Likeable Lichens”. Dorothy Smullen. As naturalist at NJ Audubonand a retired high school science teacher, our speaker shares her love of lichens with us. What are lichens? How are they used by animal and human? Learn about the fascinating world of lichens and their amazing, beneficial partnership of fungi and algae.

April 9 - “Lilacs in the Garden”. Lauren Errickson, PhD.
As Director of Rutgers Gardens and Campus Stewardship, School of
Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University,
Dr. Errickson oversees the care of the plant collections, display gardens, farms, and natural areas of Rutgers Gardens. Her program takes us on a stroll through the newly rehabilitated lilac displays of
the Alice Harding walk at the RU Gardens.

January 2025 Meeting
Leslie Parness presents her talk on
"How Great is New Jersey!"













December 2024 Meeting
















Nina S.- this is her final entry to become a judge. Congrats, Nina well deserved!

Front Page, Above the Fold!
Great work!
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November Joint Meeting with
The Garden Club of Westfield &
The Rake and Hoe Garden Club
Raptors Adaptation - October Meeting
Heather Natalo








AUCTION 2024
Alice C. does her "thing".











JIM
DUKELOW

CARLOS
FERNANDES

ELENA
HRECZNY

LIZ
RYAN
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
