SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen recognized the Saugus Garden Club Tuesday night, as the club is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.
“They do so much in our town. It’s not just having a green thumb. They do so much volunteerism, so much charity work in our community, and they’ve been around for 80 years, and they’re incredibly active,” Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said.
“Eighty years is a long time to keep something going and to keep having everybody want to join it… I know all the things that you do and the classes that you have… I hope it’s another 80 years,” Selectman Corinne Riley said.
Selectman Anthony Cogliano thanked the club for coming out despite the heatwave and for the work they’ve done.
“I want to congratulate you on 80 years. Not many organizations today stay together that long. You do so much for the town, and all of you are an asset to our community. I know I saw you out there at the Strawberry Festival last weekend. I went in to have a strawberry shortcake, but I didn’t come out to buy a plant because I’m sorry, I apologize, but the plant wouldn’t last me two days. It would be dead,” Selectman Michael Serino joked.
Panetta joked that they would get Serino a succulent, a plant extremely difficult to kill.
“Once again, congratulations. Eighty years is truly amazing. Obviously, days like today are a challenge for many gardens and flowers, but seeing what you do around town and how active the group is, it’s truly remarkable, and the fact that, as Selectman Serino said, to see the Garden Club or any club stick together for 80 years. You don’t see that often,” Vice Chair Cicolini said.
Serino also mentioned attending the club’s annual meeting and being surprised by the number of people who went to it.
Garden Club Co-President Donna Manoogian spoke at the meeting, talking about the club’s history.
“It was formed in 1945, and it was part of the victory gardens that were sweeping the country. From that, 28 people were in the beginning stages, and we have grown. Right now we have just over 70 members,” Manoogian said.
She said there was a dip in membership in the 60s and 70s. However, a key change, which was turning daytime meetings into evening meetings for working women, helped bolster the membership again.
“We partner with SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment), we partner with the Library and the New Friends of the Saugus Library for our Books in Bloom. And any organization really that wants us to come and speak, we’re very happy to come and tell them a little about the history of the club,” Manoogian said.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree echoed the comments of the board.
“Eighty years and really going strong. It’s such a great organization and such a community-building group of people that get together and (it’s) really very impressive. Congratulations, all of you,” he said.
Panetta then read the citation, honoring the club.
