Contributions

The WAGC’s 2022–2023 Donation Drive
for the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF)

Hello Fellow Gardeners:
I would first like to thank WAGC’s Member Melanie Long for initiating this year’s donation drive for the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF). On behalf of the club, I would like to thank members for their generosity to help this foundation. We are proud to have raised $975.00 for ECF. Please see the thank-you note from Inessa Rome who is the Northern Regional Director of ECF.
John Gormley, The WAGC’s President

WAGC Helps Support Wreaths Across America

wreathsacross

A Wreaths Across America ceremony took place on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at noon at The Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery. A total of 214 wreaths were placed at each headstone and the veteran’s name was announced to honor his or her memory.

The Wyckoff Area Garden Club contributed $400 to “Wreaths Across America” in 2016. This significant contribution provided live balsam fir wreaths on 40 of the veteran headstones at the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery on 580 Everett Avenue in Wyckoff.

Wyckoff/Midland Park VFW Members salute our local fallen veterans during December 17 Wreaths Across America ceremony at The Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.
Master Garderners’ and WAGC Members’ Janet Schulz (in black hat) and Sue Gurak begin the process to lay the balsam fir wreaths at veterans’ headstones. WAGC Member Alan Panfile with other volunteers await instructions.

The mission of WAA, a nationwide event, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington, Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, as well as at more than 1,000 veteran cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. The mission has expanded and the goal this year is to place 1.1 million wreaths across America.

The effort to honor deceased veterans before Christmas, started in 1992 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which led to the Arlington Wreath Project. Founder Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath-making company in Virginia, had started the project when he discovered his carpenters had purchased too many Christmas wreaths. The idea grew, with eventual founding of non-profit, Wreaths Across America. It is based in Columbia Falls, Maine. In 2008, U.S. Congress designated December 13th of that year as, “Wreaths Across America Day.” For more information, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Alton National Cemetery, Alton, IL

Wreaths Across America is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Planting and Maintaining the Zabriskie House Garden

The Wyckoff Area Garden Club weeded, dug, and planted on several Friday mornings in May 2016 at the Zabriskie House garden in Wyckoff. The focal point of the revitalized formal gardens are the 12 new rose bushes similar to those Grace Zabriskie planted long ago. Two long rows mirror each other, anchored by a small bench for sitting and pondering. Zabriskie, along with her friend Elizabeth Spencer, planted three formal gardens on the property in the early 1900s. The house was built in 1730 by William Van Voorhees and is believed to be the oldest house in Wyckoff.

We garden at the Zabriskie House every Friday morning. We start around 9 am and stay till around noon, weather permitting. We weed, trim, and do general garden chores in all areas of the property. The Zabriskie House is owned by the Township of Wyckoff and is maintained by appointed trustees. Visit: www.zabriskiehouse.org