At 95 years old, people start to slow down.
Even an organization nearing the century mark can lose a bit off its fastball.
But the Westport Garden Club — founded in 1924, the year Calvin Coolidge became the first president to deliver a radio address from the White House, “Rhapsody in Blue” was first performed publicly, and Ronald Reagan entered high school — is hardly doddering.
In fact, it’s dynamic.
The other day, Westport Garden Club members (from left) Andi Turner, Kathy Fassman, Pat Nave, Monica Buesser and Anne Haymon cleaned Grace Salmon Park.
In its 10th decade, the club has partnered with a couple of young whippersnappers — Earthplace and the Wakeman Town Farm Sustainability Center — to launch the Westport Pollinator Pathway Project.
The goals are to educate the public about the environmental benefits of native plant species, and encourage homeowners and businesses to make their properties pollinator-friendly.
First Selectman Jim Marpe has declared this the “Year of the Pollinator.” A long list of organizations and businesses have joined the project.
Since 1924, Westport Garden Club members have valued native varieties. They’re the mainstay of the annual Plant Sale.
Folks at this year’s event — Friday, May 10, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Saugatuck Congregational Church — will find a full selection of catmint, bee balm, lobelia, woodland phlox and bleeding heart.
There’s also an information booth on the Pollinator Pathway Project.
In 2014 — when the Westport Garden Club was just 90 — members enjoyed the annual Plant Sale.
This year marks another Garden Club milestone. Fifty years ago, they received their first grant from the Grace K. Salmon Trust.
Members used the funds to turn 3 acres of landfill on Imperial Avenue into a public park.
It was not easy. But 8 years later — after a series of mishaps, disappointments and and much-needed soil remediation — the park opened.
Grace Salmon Park was pollinator-friendly.
It still is today.
(Hat tip: Topsy Siderowf)
