Forest Hills Garden Club Prepares for Plant Auction

The Forest Hills Garden Club is gearing up for the beginning of another planting season and its upcoming auction, where its latest flowers, plants and herbs can be bought during its monthly meeting.

Amy Shuggerman Glasser, who has been a member of the club for about eight years, said each month the club covers a different topic with a new speaker or event – and she always provides the food.

During one such event called the Lavendar Lunch, everyone wore purple while the food also matched the same hue.

“We showed that you can incorporate what the speaker is telling you,” she said.

Its next meeting is focused solely on the auction, which is open to the public. It will be held from noon to 2 p.m. May 5 at Hope Lutheran Church.

“We try to stick with perennials because it’s a little too early for others to hold up and we have some businesses donate some stuff,” Glasser said.

The auction is one of the many activities the garden club completes each year, in addition to its regular meetings.

“We have cleaned up Ardmore Boulevard and get on our hands and knees picking up cigarette butts,” Glasser said. “We don’t realize how many people smoke and they just flick it. We also clean up the hillside near the park. I think we started in 1983 and we just take a little stroll down there.”

Every year, the Forest Hills Garden Club also has a booth at the local Community Day event.

“We involved little kids last year so you could involve children in gardening,” she said. “We had dirt and cups and the kids could plant something and watch it grow. The kids just went crazy – they just loved it, so hopefully we will do it again.”

Glasser said her favorite part of being involved is meeting new people and making new friends.

“Our group ranges from 40 to 90, and most of them being 65 and up -- there’s no stopping them,” she said. “They will be out there hauling brick, mulch, trees and plants and it’s like old school. I always say, ‘I want to grow up and be just like you.’”

She also said other members never hesitate to help with a kind word.

“I admire everyone in the club because nothing stops them, they’re really knowledgeable and they’re willing to teach you,” she said. “They are inspirational.”

The Forest Hills Garden Club meets on the first Thursday of every month at Hope Lutheran Church. For more information, e-mail Glasser at asg59@juno.com.