In May of 2003, the Mayor, club members and others from the community gathered to officially dedicate our first public garden, “Garden on the Green” and to celebrate the installation of an eye-catching Welcome to Vernon sign. In fall 2003, the Vernon Town Council recognized VGC’s work in establishing this garden and sign by awarding a Certificate of Merit to club members. At the fall luncheon of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, the VGC was presented the Lucille Schavoir Bowl in recognition of the construction of our beautiful public garden. We also received the Sue Saul Award for creation of the Herb Garden at Valley Falls.
In 2006, the Federated Garden Clubs of CT recognized our “Northeast Gateway Garden” with the presentation of the Sears Civic Beautification Award.
In the fall of 2007, we were the recipients of three major gardening awards. They were presented by the National Garden Clubs, New England Region: The Luckner Youth Award for our Junior Gardener Program, the Federated’s Achievement Award for Civic Development, and The Sear’s Civic Beautification Award.
In 2008, Ginny Gingras, our first President, received the Tribute Award for All-Around Excellence from the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.
In June of 2010, our State Representative, Claire Janowski, presented to the Vernon Garden Club a Legislative Citation from the State of Connecticut for our “Beautification Accomplishments.” In October, also of 2010, we again received citations from Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut for ongoing work with the “Jr Gardeners” and our beautiful “Public Gardens.”
During the very dry summer of 2016, the Mayor of Vernon, Dan Champagne, and the Public Works Department installed a long-awaited water spigot in our “Gateway Garden” in Vernon. Our plants will thrive on a watering schedule there. Thanks, VERNON!
All of these awards legitimize the real purpose of our club:
“To stimulate an interest in horticulture; to aid in the protection of native trees, birds and wildflowers; and to promote community spirit, beautification, and civic betterment.”