OHCC GARDEN CLUB
GARDEN CLUB HISTORY
An organizational meeting, spear-headed by founder Etta Lampel, was held at the clubhouse on February 5, 1990. Twenty enthusiastic gardeners were present to elect the following: President – Etta Lampel, Vice president/Program chairman – Miriam Shulman, Secretary – Vicki Klaphaak, Treasurer – Bob Howe, Publicity – Lois Rabin, Bulletin – Evelyn Bracher, Hospitality – Dorothy Marshall, Membership – Adelaide Bethune, Librarian – Florence Pinto, Telephone Committee – Adelaide Bethune and Dorothy Gilbert.
The first regular meeting was held March 5, 1990, with over 40 present. Naomi Stein of M&W Landscaping showed slides and discussed landscaping gardens in this area. Having thus gotten off to a good start, they added policies, procedures, and events as they grew. At the April 3, 1990 meeting, door prizes were initiated along with our share table. Participation in the Flea Market also began in 1990. Monies made at the Flea Market were the beginning of the Beautification Fund in 1992. Since then the fund has generated the lovely rose garden planted next to the pool fence. Weekly maintenance by faithful rose enthusiasts continues.
The 90s were busy with workshops in flower arranging, table decorations, holiday wreaths, dried flowers, vegetable art, and cooking with herbs. The mid-90s included an outreach program to Lake Elementary School, and scholarships were awarded to horticulture students at Mira Costa College. These programs have since been discontinued.
At the end of the second year the Garden Club boasted 162 members and grew to over 400 members in its most active years. The Club currently averages about 300 members.
Since 1992, in the late spring of even-numbered years, the community has been treated to the Festival of Flowers. The Garden Tours continue to be a yearly event generally followed by a luncheon in the Lanai or Abravanel Hall. Another yearly event is the holiday luncheon in December in lieu of a General Meeting, which includes the installation of officers.
Themes for the Festival of Flowers have included: Gardens on the Moon, America the Beautiful, Round the World with Flowers, Fables and Fantasies, April Showers, Friendship thru Gardening, Spring Fantasy, and The Golden Years of Hollywood. Many, many volunteers transformed the Galleria and lobby accordingly. For two days flower arrangements, garden art, community homeowners' specimen blooms, table settings, and a “tea room” serving punch and cookies delighted all.
In 2002, the Garden Club began funding a gorgeous wreath for the Veteran’s Day program and the Club’s president presents it.
In 2014, the Garden Club participated in celebrating OHCC’s 30th Anniversary celebration by sponsoring a plant raffle of over 75 potted plants and arrangements along with selling cupcakes that were decorated with flowers made from icing.
In 2024, the Garden Club participated in the OHCC 40th Anniversary celebration by hosting a flower arranging demonstration and a "Butterfly Fair" with the Save the Monarch Butterfly Club.
The Club welcomes all gardeners or wannabe gardeners. Educational speakers present a program at every monthly General Meeting.