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History

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Duck River Garden Club of Old Lyme was founded in 1970 by Priscilla Bayreuther Swanson and a group of friends. The club met at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church on the second Monday of September 1969, and elected officers, planned programs for the year and had articles written for The Day and Hartford Courant newspapers. The club 

celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.

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The club met under the name “Old Lyme Garden Club” for almost one year before deciding to join The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. The local newspapers frequently confused the Old Lyme Garden Club name with the Lyme Garden Club. The club name was changed to Duck River Garden Club of Old Lyme when it joined the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut in 1971. Ms. Swanson was the first president, 1969-1971.  The original logo was by John Colton.

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The goals of the club are to stimulate a greater interest in gardening and landscaping, to learn the elements of floral design, to create a greater awareness of nature and conservation, and to maintain the beauty of our town.

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Click here to download a History of Duck River Garden Club, authored by Priscilla Bayreuther Swanson.

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Click here to view photo albums

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​                           "Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back

                       into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace."

                                                                                  — May Sarton —

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Awards

2021 Awards
Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards
  • Certificate of Commendation for Newsletter, Public Relations and Communications.
  • Electronic Media: Website Certificate of Merit (Medium Club), Public Relations and Communications.
  • Garden Therapy-Club Certificate of Achievement, for work with residents at the Bride Brook Health and Rehabilitation Center in Niantic, CT.
  • Civic Development Award of Excellence (Medium Club) for floral displays on eight sites around Old Lyme in celebration of the club's 50th Anniversary (golden marigolds and mums), signs honoring our first responders, town civic wreathmaking, and fundraising for the town ambulance association during the pandemic.
  • Club Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Suzy Bolduc, who energized the club through many projects.
  • 2020-2021 Tribute Award and Pin for Photography awarded to Fred Verillo, for artistically photographing club events and weekly members' floral displays at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, and posting on Facebook.
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2020 Awards
Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards
  • 2019-2020 1st Place Yearbook-Class IV (45-69 members).
  • Historic, Memorial and Public Gardens: Club Certificate of Achievement for the Ted Hillhouse Memorial Garden at the Old Lyme Police Department.
  • Luckner Youth Award for Medium Club (membership 30-59): Cross Lane Playground/Native Plant Project with the Jr. Womens' Club and local school children, replacing invasives with natives and pollinator friendly plants, led by member Suzanne Thompson.
  • Youth-Certificate of Achievement-Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Middle School students planting flowers at the local library and interacting with live birds through the Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center, led by member Eleanor Hufford.
  • Individual Citation for Horticulture awarded to Linda Clough-for promoting knowledge about invasive species in the community.
  • Individual Certificate of Achievement for Environmental Awareness awarded to Suzanne Thompson, who holds membership in several regional organizations which promote conservation of the environment.
  • Conservation Award (for work at Soundview Garden).
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2019 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • Civic Creativity Award for two displays at the town library, "Houseplant Renaissance" and "Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds"

  • Garden Therapy Award of Excellence

  • Historic, Memorial and Public Gardens: Traveling Silver Tray; as well as FGCCT Club Citation for work on renovating the garden at the Old Lyme Police Department

  • 1st Place Newsletter - Class IV medium club

  • 1st Place Yearbook Certificate - Class IV medium club

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2018 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook - Class IV (45-69 members)

  • 1st Place Public Relations and Communications, Newsletters in CT

  • Youth Club Certificate of Achievement DRGC is recognized for its work with 20 elementary school children at a planting station in a restored playground.

 
2017 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook

  • 1st Place Website

National Garden Clubs of America

  • 1st Place Website

 
2016 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook

  • Club Certificate of Achievement for Youth Programs

 
2015 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook

  • 2nd Place Newsletter

  • Two awards for our youth outreach program

 
2014 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook

  • 2nd Place Newsletter

 
2013 Awards

Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards

  • 1st Place Yearbook

  • 2nd Place Newsletter

 

Our Past Presidents

2018-2020  •  Fay Wilkman

2016-2018  •  Kathy Burton

2014–2016  •  Barbara Rayel
2012–2014  •  Kathi Green
2010–2012  •  Lesley Chick
2008–2010  •  Barbara Beal
2006–2008  •  Jeanne Munnelly
2003–2006  •  Ellie Krasney
2002–2003  •  Deborah O’Meara
2000–2002  •  Nancy Strohla
1998–2000  •  Nancy Cyr
1996–1998  •  Maureen Friedmann
1994–1996  •  Joanne DiCamillo
1992–1994  •  Heidi Niblack
1990–1992  •  Linda Cantner
1988–1990  •  Audrey Hass
1986–1988  •  Mim Oberg
1984–1986  •  Kathy Nadeau
1982–1984  •  Gail Magaldi
1980–1982  •  Glynn McAraw
1978–1980  •  Doris Johnson
1976–1978  •  Judy Cleaver
1974–1976  •  Jan Hine
1972–1974  •  Blossom Tierney
1970–1972  •  Priscilla Bayreuther

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