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Brunch Buffet to Benefit Cranford Water Garden

Thu, 31 May 2018 18:19:00 GMT

CRANFORD — A waterfall, flowing pond and aquatic plants will beautify the Cranford Community Center atrium and provide a bubbling, relaxing sound for everyone to enjoy. Construction will start this spring. The water feature will be located on the left side of the atrium near the fireplace and will restore the current dormant water garden built in 2009.

Cranford’s three garden clubs, the Floraphile Garden Club, the Garden Club of Cranford and the Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford, under the direction of Chairperson Deb Murphy, had applied to the National Garden Clubs (NGC) for funds for the project, and received a “Plant America” grant to get started, the only NGC grant awarded to garden clubs in New Jersey. The three clubs have been collaborating with Cranford Recreation Director Steve Robertazzi since February to design the new water garden.

The pond will be constructed by Robert Bellek of Lily Pad Ponds, an award-winning, creative aquatic designer and frequent speaker at Rutgers University’s horticultural programs, and will include trickling water, a pond with water lilies, lighting, assorted woodland plants and stone.

The local community can help support this project by attending a gourmet brunch buffet at the Pairings Palate and Plate restaurant, located at 10 Walnut Avenue, Cranford. It will take place on Sunday, June 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their own prosecco/wine.

Tickets are $55 per person. They may be obtained by contacting Sue Matlosz at CRANFORDWATERGARDEN@gmail.com or they may be purchased at the front desk at the Cranford Public Library, located at 224 Walnut Avenue, Cranford. Seating is limited, so interested persons are encouraged to reserve their tickets as soon as possible.

Cranford Garden Clubs to Restore Water Garden in Community Center

Thu, 10 May 2018 19:20:20 GMT

Hundreds of people use the Cranford Community Center weekly. As they move through the atrium they may see what appears to be a pile of rocks beneath the stairs to the second level. On closer examination, you'll find some piping and smooth stones that once were part of a water garden.

Cranford's three garden clubs recently received a grant from the National Garden Clubs to restore the water garden. The grant, however, falls short of what's needed to bring back the soothing sounds of flowing water. On Sunday, June 10, the Floraphile Garden Club, the Garden Club of Cranford and the Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford will hold a brunch at Pairings to raise money for the project. Cranford Radio spoke with Deb Murphy, Carol English and Brenda Flahault to learn more about the project and the brunch.

Listen to interview

Additional support comes from the Cranford Recreation & Parks Department. For tickets or further information please email Sue Matlosz at cranfordwatergarden@gmail.com.

Grant Awarded:

debbie@debbielonergan.com (Debbie Lonergan) — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 20:20:20 GMT

NGC Natural Disasters USA Committee awarded Green Thumb Garden Club a $3,000 grant for the restoration of the extensive damage to Hanson Park in Cranford due to the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and the subsequent October 29th snow and ice storm.

This project supported the NGC President’s past project, “Planting for Public and Special Places”

The Green Thumb Garden Club was founded in 1951 as an offshoot of the Cranford Newcomer’s Club. Fifteen women found that the exchange of helpful gardening tips was not only practical but uplifting as well.