Current Projects
Celebrating 75 Years “A Garden Walk to Remember”
On July 22 from 1-5 PM, there will be a tour of gardens and homes in the area with refreshments and boutique shopping at Farr Center. Tickets will be $10 and will be a fundraiser.
Native Plants to Be Installed
The Portage Lake Garden Club is currently increasing native plant cover and is installing a sprinkling system on the east side of the Farr Center. These plantings, once established, will become self-sufficient and will not require fertilizing or pesticide control. The club hopes to demonstrate to the community that a healthy local ecosystem is not only beautiful but essential to wildlife populations.
Continuing Activities
Portage Lake Garden Club Website
The Club maintains a website listing Program dates and descriptions and all activities and special projects. The site is now linked to the Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. web site.
Invasive Species
Club members became actively involved in educating the community and presented a program on invasive plant species which ignited the community in their fight against invasives. A 5-year management plan for the eradication and control of invasive plant species was developed and funded. Just fifteen months later, the entire shoreline of Portage Lake was treated in the fall of 2009 and selected areas will be treated again in 2010. Our members will continue in their efforts to protect our environment.
Native Species Renewal
The native Marsh Marigold is coming up where the phragmites grew. The Marsh Marigold is the Club’s flower as a symbol of our dedication as stewards of the environment.
Butterfly Garden and Memorial Brick Patio
The Club created and maintains a Butterfly Garden and Memorial Brick Patio situated behind the Farr Center and the Onekama Library. The Butterfly bench was donated by the Club members who participate in bi-weekly work sessions to preserve the beauty of the garden. Bricks may be purchased and placed in the patio to honor and memorialize Club members, their families and other members of the community.
Continuing Civic Projects
Since 1950 the Club has maintained the landscaping at the Memorial Fountain, a National Historic Monument, in the Village of Onekama Park and The War Memorial and Historical Monument adjacent to the fountain.
The area surrounding the War Memorial and Historical Monument was recently planted with grasses and low maintenance shrubs.
A Beautification Award is presented to a business establishment that has been the most improved by landscaping or plantings.
Every December club members design and decorate a Christmas tree that is placed in the Farr Center for use by the community.
The Portage Lake Garden Club maintains the plantings at two “Welcome to Onekama” signs. One is located on M22 at the north end of town and the other at the southern end. All plantings are Michigan native species. Daffodils bloom in the planter in the spring.
Memorial books are purchased by the club in honor of deceased members. The books are donated to the Onekama branch of the Manistee Public Library where the Club has a Memorial Library collection of gardening, landscaping and flower arranging books.
The Club participates in a Lake Michigan beach clean up project every fall.
Donations
Every year the Club donates to various programs and activities in the community.
Contributions for 2010:
Village of Onekama Petunia Parade
Manistee Library Children's Program
Christmas Tree for Farr Center
Birdseed for Farr Center
Invasive Species Control
The Club donates plants and labor for the landscaping and Butterfly Garden at Farr Center, the Onekama Welcome signs, the Memorial Fountain and the War Memorial and Historic Monument in the Village of Onekama Park.
