Boca Raton Garden Club

Boca Raton Garden ClubBoca Raton Garden ClubBoca Raton Garden Club

Boca Raton Garden Club

Boca Raton Garden ClubBoca Raton Garden ClubBoca Raton Garden Club
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    • Home
    • Public Events
      • Holiday House
      • Trash to Treasures
      • Flower Show
      • Quilt Auction
    • About Us
      • Membership
      • History
      • Officers
      • Calendar
      • Boca Gardeners
      • Commemorative Bricks
      • Community Outreach
      • Floral Arts
      • Gardening Angels
      • Horticulture
      • Contact Us
    • Ornaments
  • Home
  • Public Events
    • Holiday House
    • Trash to Treasures
    • Flower Show
    • Quilt Auction
  • About Us
    • Membership
    • History
    • Officers
    • Calendar
    • Boca Gardeners
    • Commemorative Bricks
    • Community Outreach
    • Floral Arts
    • Gardening Angels
    • Horticulture
    • Contact Us
  • Ornaments

Boca Raton Garden Club History

Our History

The Boca Raton Garden Club was founded in June of 1953. Our charter states as its purpose "To stimulate knowledge of gardens among amateurs, to encourage civic beautification, to help maintain Florida's natural beauty and to further the Garden Club programs as outlined by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs." We are also part of the Deep South Region, and in the course of growth we joined the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

BRGC was federated in June 1954 and incorporated in June 1964.  The garden center was dedicated on October 21, 1964.

Our Founder

We can thank founder Mrs. Florence Machle, a Boca Raton resident whose foresight and leadership brought about the creation of the club. Mrs. Machle said, "When I moved to Boca and learned from one or two women that they favored my suggestion of forming a garden club, I consulted with our then District 6 Director and learned that 15 interested gardeners were needed to organize such a club. Being new in town I didn't know that many women, so I called Myrtle Fleming to learn if she/he could find 15 interested women." The next day she/he called and asked if we would be permitted to have more than fifteen and I assured her the more the merrier. We were all amazed when 34 women appeared at our first meeting on June 2, 1953 and organized the BRGC. The club soon became one of the fastest growing clubs in Florida and at the end of the first year had grown to 119 members. 

Club Objectives

Encourage the love of gardening, floral and landscape design, and civic and environmental responsibility.

Promote a healthy ecosystem via education of conservation and sustainability methods.

Organize and deliver special programs for youth and elderly residents.

Provide long-term upkeep, renovations, and modernization of clubhouse and gardens. 

Boca Raton Garden Club Dedication on Historic Ground

Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker

  

A Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker was dedicated on May 2, 2006 at the Boca Raton Garden Club under a sprawling gumbo limbo tree.  The marker honors all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. During World War II, Club grounds were part of the Boca Raton Army Air Field, a top secret radar training center. The majority of the base was located in and around what is now the Boca Airport and Florida Atlantic University. Mess Hall #1 was situated on present day Garden Club property and Officers' Quarters were on adjacent streets.

Keynote speaker, Abe Wilen, focused on the importance of memorials like the By-Way Marker. "We veterans did make a difference," said Wilen, a B-24 navigator, who was shot down during World War II and was a prisoner of war for twelve months at Stalag Luft 3 in Germany. "It has such an impact on the life we live today...to live where you like, to get the education you desire." 

Wilen spoke to an audience which included other WW II veterans who were introduced and recognized for service to their country. One of the veterans in attendance, Archie Carswell, served at the Boca Raton Army Air Field. "We all know the large role the city played at the Boca Raton Air Field," said Mayor Abrams. "It brought the new technology of radar, and it's important we dedicate this memorial so future generations can remember the contributions veterans have made to life today," he said. "It's essential they understand the history of Boca and their country." 

A patriotic themed reception followed the dedication in the clubhouse where members had an opportunity to mingle with World War II veterans, the mayor, and representatives of The Principal Financial Group Foundation. Guests sampled a luncheon tea table of homemade dishes and a dessert table of decorated carrot cake, assorted sweets, and a platter of chocolate dipped strawberries in the shape of U. S. A. 

The Club was one of 9 statewide that was named a winner in the 2005-2007 NGC/Principal Civic Development Grant Program, "Let Freedom Ring." It is the second Blue Star Marker in Boca Raton. The first one, a Blue Star Highway Marker, was dedicated in 1957 and is located in downtown Boca. Upon completion of the Airport Authority Building, the By-Way Marker will be moved to the Boca Airport and rededicated there as its permanent site. 

Club Flower - Piriqueta caroliniana

Our Club Flower is the Piriqueta caroliniana, which is actually an herb that is part of the Turneraceae family. It is an evergreen year-round flowering shrub that can tolerate the intense heat and sun of Florida.

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Since it is drought-tolerant, it is also suitable for xeriscaping. It typically grows to be between 6 and 15 inches tall and has velvety stems that usually bear a single brilliant yellow flower.

Piriqueta blooms from midwinter to summer as the season permits. It grows in dry areas on sandy soil from Florida to the Carolinas. It resembles the Yellow Alder, which also grows in our gardens and is our District X flower. 

Club Butterfly - Zebra Longwing

The Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonious) was designated Florida's official butterfly in 1996. This striking creature with its long, black wings and pale yellow zebra-like stripes is found throughout the state, as well as in tropical areas of Texas, Mexico and Central and South Americas.

Zebra butterflies are considered highly intelligent since they remember their food sources and frequently return to plants, where they had previously fed. They are highly dependent on flowers, which make them good pollinators. They actually feed on both pollen and nectar. The pollen's additional nutrients allow them to survive for up to six months, which by far exceeds the typical two-to-four week life span of most other butterflies.

The Zebra Longwings feed off a variety of plants including lantana, porterweed, Mexican sunflowers, powder puffs, pentas, firebush, trumpet flowers and milkweed. Plant them in your garden and enjoy these beautiful, graceful butterflies.

Our gardens have been designated a Butterfly Sanctuary. 

Boca Raton Garden Club Photo Albums

2024-2025

President - Nancy Schatz

First Vice President/Programs - Patricia Bair

Second Vice President/Membership - Patricia Bird

Third Vice President/Ways & Means - Patty Moum

Recording Secretary - Jeannette Verboom

Corresponding Secretary - Ann Maki

Treasurer - Nancy Richards

Assistant Treasurer - Grace Johnson

See the 2024-2025 Album

2019-2020

President - Nancy Richards

See the 2019-2020 Album

2006-2007

The Boca Raton Garden Club takes a tour of local homes

See the Album

1994-1995

President - Barbara Benefield

First Vice President - Connie Califano

Second Vice President - Betsy Thomas

Third Vice President - Jean Thompson

Recording Secretary - Doris Tippman

Corresponding Secretary - Ellie Scalise

Treasurer - Virginia Cobb

Assistant Treasurer - Dot Cart

See the 1994-1995 Album

1993-1994

President - Dorothy Trickey

First Vice President - Jane Corn

Second Vice President - Marguerite Pittman

Third Vice President - Jean Thompson

Recording Secretary - Doris Tippman

Corresponding Secretary - Ellie Scalise

Treasurer - Virginia Cobb

Assistant Treasurer - Sally Farley

See the 1993-1994 Album

1986-1987

President - Gloria Blake

First Vice President - Bonnie Tust

Second Vice President - Geri Paul

Third Vice President - Helen Quinn

Recording Secretary - Jolene Janes

Corresponding Secretary - Betty Feder

Treasurer - Dot Cart 

Assistant Treasurer - Bertie Andreassi

See the 1986-1987 Album

1973-1974

President - Mrs. Eve Riel DeMarchi

First Vice President - Mrs. Albert Thornbrough

Second Vice President - Mrs. Ann Mennillo

Third Vice President - Mrs. Victoria Leffler

Recording Secretary - Mrs. J.P. Mangan

Corresponding Secretary - Mrs. C.P. Silirie

Treasurer - Miss Margaret Schumacher

Assistant Treasurer - Mrs. Howard Talmadge

See the 1973-1974 Album

1962-1963

President - Velma Gwinn

Civic Beautification Chair - Ethel Ruth James

See the 1962-1963 Application for Award

Garden Club Affiliations

National Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Deep South Garden Clubs

Deep South Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Deep South Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

District X

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

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