The Garden Club of Brewster has awarded its second annual education grant to the Eddy Elementary School. The grant will help fund the "Recycle and Garden Club" directed by assistant teacher Rebecca McVickar. This club encourages students to develop a love of gardening and a concern for the environment. A second grant was awarded to Science teacher, Cathy Stratico, to enrich the curriculum of the 3rd and 5th grade students during their study of plant life. Pictured are (left to right) Maureen Perri, Garden Club Liaison, Rebecca McVickar and Cathy Sratico, and Gerry Emmert, President of the Garden Club. |
History
When Mrs. Ransome E. Somers moved to Brewster
from Pittsburgh some 50 years ago, he left a
thriving Garden Club behind. Brewster -- unlike
Osterville, Hyannis and Harwich -- did not have a
Garden Club. Mrs. Somers was about to change
that. She would establish one in Brewster and Mrs.
H. Bradford Clarke would work diligently with her to
make the Club possible.
On October 5, 1954, the first meeting of the Garden
Club of Brewster was held at the home of Mrs.
Somers, the Club's first President. Mrs. Clarke was
the first Vice President. Meetings were held in
members' homes and refreshments (tea and cookies)
were served in elegant style. In season, there were
lovely floral arrangements.
Progress was enthusiastic and speedy, beginning
with an observation tour of Brewster to specify
locations where the Club might improve the
appearance of the town through plantings and
decoration.
In December, the members learned how to make
Christmas wreaths and then sold them at the East
Brewster Post Office. This was our first Holiday
Greens Workshop.
By May 1955, the membership quota of 40 had
already been reached. Many of the very early
projects are discernible today, including the garden
at the foot of the Library's original parking lot, the
privet hedge and hostas which edge the entrance
driveway, remnants of extensive plantings at the
Old Mill Sites, and flowering shrubs and trees in the
triangle at Stony Brook and 6A.
In addition to the digging and planting along
Brewster 's highways and byways and raising funds
to do so, the Club promoted campaigns to eradicate
elm tree disease, opposed public billboards along
state highways, and protested the sale of the land
alongside the Canal.
For those who are interested in the early activities
of our Club, the Brewster Ladies' Library has in its
Reference Department a bound collection of
fascinating newspaper articles and photographs
from The Cape Codder, The Oracle, and The Cape
Cod Times.
-- BY HARRIET McLEAN
When Mrs. Ransome E. Somers moved to Brewster
from Pittsburgh some 50 years ago, he left a
thriving Garden Club behind. Brewster -- unlike
Osterville, Hyannis and Harwich -- did not have a
Garden Club. Mrs. Somers was about to change
that. She would establish one in Brewster and Mrs.
H. Bradford Clarke would work diligently with her to
make the Club possible.
On October 5, 1954, the first meeting of the Garden
Club of Brewster was held at the home of Mrs.
Somers, the Club's first President. Mrs. Clarke was
the first Vice President. Meetings were held in
members' homes and refreshments (tea and cookies)
were served in elegant style. In season, there were
lovely floral arrangements.
Progress was enthusiastic and speedy, beginning
with an observation tour of Brewster to specify
locations where the Club might improve the
appearance of the town through plantings and
decoration.
In December, the members learned how to make
Christmas wreaths and then sold them at the East
Brewster Post Office. This was our first Holiday
Greens Workshop.
By May 1955, the membership quota of 40 had
already been reached. Many of the very early
projects are discernible today, including the garden
at the foot of the Library's original parking lot, the
privet hedge and hostas which edge the entrance
driveway, remnants of extensive plantings at the
Old Mill Sites, and flowering shrubs and trees in the
triangle at Stony Brook and 6A.
In addition to the digging and planting along
Brewster 's highways and byways and raising funds
to do so, the Club promoted campaigns to eradicate
elm tree disease, opposed public billboards along
state highways, and protested the sale of the land
alongside the Canal.
For those who are interested in the early activities
of our Club, the Brewster Ladies' Library has in its
Reference Department a bound collection of
fascinating newspaper articles and photographs
from The Cape Codder, The Oracle, and The Cape
Cod Times.
-- BY HARRIET McLEAN
Presentation of the 2007 Beautification Award
to Ruth and Cliff Manchester, owners of The
Bramble Inn. Left to right: Ruth and Cliff
Manchester, Sheila Garran, Maryanne Vetrano
and Louise Crane
to Ruth and Cliff Manchester, owners of The
Bramble Inn. Left to right: Ruth and Cliff
Manchester, Sheila Garran, Maryanne Vetrano
and Louise Crane
| The winner of the 2009 Brewster Beautification award is Michael's Cottages on Main Street in West Brewster. Cheryl and Michael DiVito, owners of Michael's Cottages, were presented the award on September 21st by Gerry Emmert and Ursula Gainty. |
| The Garden Club's first ever Educational Grant was awarded to the Eddy Elementary School. Pictured are (left to right): Maureen Perri, Garden Club Liaison, teacher aids Rebecca McVickar and Debora Bergstrom, and Sheila Garran. |
Presentation of the 2008 Brewster
Beautification award to the
Handcraft House, located on 6A,
owned by Jeff and Eileen Smith..
Left to right are Sheila Garran, Jeff
and Eileen Smith and Jane Wick.
Beautification award to the
Handcraft House, located on 6A,
owned by Jeff and Eileen Smith..
Left to right are Sheila Garran, Jeff
and Eileen Smith and Jane Wick.
The winner of the 2010
Brewster Beautification award
is the Old Manse Inn at 1861
Main Street, owned by Karen
and Rich Keevers.
Brewster Beautification award
is the Old Manse Inn at 1861
Main Street, owned by Karen
and Rich Keevers.
The Garden Club of Brewster has
awarded a $500 grant to to the
Eddy School to continue a
garden-related student project.
The check was presented on
November 2nd to teacher Kathy
Stratico and Principal Keith
Gauley. The grant will fund the
continuation of the recycling
program at the school and
support the fifth grade plant
biology curriculum.
awarded a $500 grant to to the
Eddy School to continue a
garden-related student project.
The check was presented on
November 2nd to teacher Kathy
Stratico and Principal Keith
Gauley. The grant will fund the
continuation of the recycling
program at the school and
support the fifth grade plant
biology curriculum.
Garden Club of Brewster
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Scholarship Winner Grace Coburn
accepting her check from Jan
BeBoer, 1/1/2011. Grace is a
student at UMass studying Plant,
Soil, and Insects.
accepting her check from Jan
BeBoer, 1/1/2011. Grace is a
student at UMass studying Plant,
Soil, and Insects.