​Let’s begin with a HUGE  thank you to Kathy Schrader and all who were involved in making this year’s Home and Garden tour such a wonderful event! On July 25, one hundred eighty participants enjoyed the tour of eight island properties and a beautiful lunch at the Crews Nest Pavilion. It takes many hands to pull off an event of this size, so we especially thank Committeee Members Kathi Spayde, Jean Hilt, Dianne Smith, Pati Arth, Barb Hunter, Donna D’Amico, Susan Hildebrandt and Joan Kempf for their contributions to the day’s success!   Thank you also to Gloria Lawson, Amy Carper, Sherri and Dave Murphy, Jim and Susan Hildebrandt, Bill and Alice Boag, John and Amy Murphy, Craig and Sharon Cox, and Ed and Jenna Gonzalez for graciously opening their homes and gardens for all to enjoy.  Our hosts provided an eclectic mix of homes, large and small, old and new, and so many interesting landscapes to explore. The time, energy, and effort homeowners expended in preparing their properties for the tour was evident to all and greatly appreciated! Lastly, we extend a special thank you to the Crews Nest and Island Bike rentals for their generosity and support of this event.
 
The Garden Club also enjoyed a trip to Akron on July 31 to tour the Stan Hwyet mansion and gardens. This trip was organized by the Catawba Island Garden Club and included 46 guests from their club and 17 members and guests of the Put in Bay Garden Club. Thanks to all involved in organizing this event, especially to Pati Arth who was in charge of reservations and lunch arrangements.
 
The August meeting of the Garden Club will take place Thursday, August 16, at the Yacht Club. Social hour begins at 5:00, and the program will start at 5:30. This meeting will be a participatory event. We ask that you come equipped with garden-related questions for our panel of experts. We would like to take the mystery out of gardening for you by providing research and experience-based solutions to your garden dilemmas. If you prefer, you may submit questions in advance by e-mailing them to putinbaygardenclub.com. Participants will also be provided with a list of great gardening websites. We hope to see you on the 16th, as well as at our potluck and final meeting of the year on September 13th. 

Mayfly season began in earnest on June 17 this year, so hopefully, by the time you are reading this article, they will be long gone and the netting used to protect the lamppost flowers will be removed. Now we can begin another beautiful summer on Put in Bay!!!
 
The first Garden Club program of the year was held June 21 at the Yacht Club. Susan Hildebrandt presented a talk on dealing with unwelcome wildlife in our gardens. Diversification and Perseverance seem to be the keys to success in the battle against rabbits, voles, chipmunks, deer, geese and other critters invading our landscapes. Visit our website to learn more about specific strategies and products that will make our landscapes less attractive to invaders.
 
The Park Gardens are thriving, thanks to the efforts of Park Gardens Chairperson Barb Hunter. She is now looking for volunteers to help her maintain the gardens throughout the summer. Please contact Barb at 216 789-9003 if you are able to give an hour or so a week to help with the weeding and feeding tasks. This is just one of the ways you can make a difference in helping to beautify our island.
 
The Garden Club is once again sponsoring a Home and Garden Tour this year. The tour of seven island properties will be held from 10 am to noon on Wednesday, July 25. The tour will be followed by a luncheon at the Crews Nest Pavilion and a garden themed raffle. The cost of tickets is $40.00 per person. They are available for purchase through our website, putinbaygardenclub.com, or by contacting Tour Chairperson Kathy Schrader at 440 773-5413. This popular event was sold out last time it was held, so be sure to buy tickets now to avoid disappointment.  [Editor’s Note:  The Home and Garden Tour is sold out.]
 
Also in July, the Garden Club will join the Catawba Island Garden Club on a bus trip to visit the beautiful Stan Hywet Gardens and Estate in Akron. The bus will leave at 7:45 from the Catawba side of the Miller Ferry dock and will return around 4pm. Tickets for this event are sold out, so we hope you were able to purchase before the deadline. We welcome your suggestions for garden-related trips you may want us to schedule in the future.
 
Please mark your calendars for 5pm August 16 when we will present a hands-on program entitled “Creating with Succulents”. On September 13, we will transform droopy summer containers into luscious fall containers and then celebrate with our annual potluck dinner. All programs are held at the Yacht Club, unless otherwise noted. Please visit our website for more details. We wish you a summer filled with fun events, good friends, and joyous gardening!