Garden club marks a golden year

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

POLAND BLUE BELLS

The club was formed as a social organization to help the community.

POLAND — The year was 1959. Mattel launched its first Barbie doll, the average price for a gallon of gas was 25 cents, and Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.

The year was also noteworthy for the Mahoning Valley with the founding of the Poland Blue Bells Garden Club.

The garden club was formed as an exclusive social organization that focused on sisterly relations and provided aid to the community. Its name was originated from their official flower, the blue bell, and the club’s colors are pink and blue.

Over the past 50 years its members have participated in numerous charitable events and activities, such as providing holiday entertainment for the Mahoning County Nursing Home, hosting card parties to raise funds to purchase books for the Poland School Library, and donating gifts to the Florence Crittenton Home of Youngstown and money at Christmastime to families in need.

Members also planted flowering crabapple trees around the Poland Library in 1979 and have submitted flower arrangements for the annual Canfield Fair.

The club meets the fourth Wednesday of every month to socialize and participate in various group outings. Members also participate in events of the Garden Forum of Youngstown.

Membership benefits

Dolores Sharp, a member for all 50 years, said she has remained a member for so long because of the friendship and fellowship the club offers.

“Everybody is taking a turn, and they decide what we will do for that month,” said Sharp. “Whether they want to go to a movie or a dinner, they decide.”

Other regular outings include going to theaters, participating in ceramic activities and taking road trips to Berlin, Ohio.

Although they aren’t involved in as many activities as they were 50 years ago, the members still uphold the Christmas tradition of giving money to a family in need.

“Usually somebody in the club will know someone who’s very needy,” said Sharp. The group then gathers the money and presents it to that family. Sharp says helping families through tough times is a nice way to give back to the community.

These women say they will continue the tradition of the Poland Blue Bells by aiding their community and providing a foundation of fellowship and friendship.

“We just have a real good time together!” said Sharp.

The club members celebrated the golden anniversary on May 27 with a formal dinner at Nicolinni’s Italian Restaurant. The nine members in attendance were Millie Helle, Jean McComb, Dottie Meeker and Dolores Sharp, founding members, along with Mary Lou Aronson, Beverly Flynn, Irene Kronauer, Sarah Luteran and Gloria Meeker.