On a stormy night, February 15, 1959, the Hilton Garden Club was conceived and put into operation. Fourteen Hilton ladies attended the first meeting held in the home of Eleanor Harradine on Burritt Road in the Town of Parma. The first program was given by local florist Willett Justice. So began 60 years of Hilton Garden Club’s contribution to the community. On Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. a celebration will be held at the Community Center, 59 Henry Street, Hilton, with the unveiling of a stone plaque in recognition of Hilton Garden Club.
Over these 60 years the club has funded and worked on numerous civic projects including helping to plant flower boxes along Hilton streets, donating the cherry tree planted in the Parma Library raised garden bed and another tree planted at the West Avenue School, planting bulbs at the new Town Hall, maintaining a small park on Underwood Avenue, cleaning the Smith family cemetery on North Avenue, planting shrubs beneath the Hilton Village sign and planting a memorial garden at the Parma Union Cemetery on Parma Center Road. In 1964, and continuing for 16 years, the club held an annual Christmas Bazaar at the Marple Furniture store. Funds raised were given to several charities and community projects including the Hilton Fire Department for two Resusci Anne CPR training mannequins as well as to the Hilton Village for Christmas decorations. The club also had a booth at the Hilton Apple Fest. The club participated in the Hilton Centennial celebration in 1985 by making Centennial wreaths, planting hanging baskets on Main Street and donating money for plantings in gardens at the Hilton gazebo. The club has supported many nature-oriented organizations such as the Bergen Swamp Society, The Nature Conservancy, and has sponsored a deserving school student to attend a DEC camp.
Two continuing civic beautification projects are the planting and caring for flowers under the Village of Hilton Community Center sign near the gazebo and planting and caring for the Parma Library garden. A new project this year will be the designing and planting of flowers in the white boxes along Hilton streets. Help to fund several programs and projects comes from proceeds from the group’s annual plant sale at the Hilton Baptist Church parking lot, 50 Lake Avenue. This sale is held every third Saturday in May from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.
In 1978 the club became a federated member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), a non-profit organization and the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world. New York State is divided into eight districts. Hilton is in the 7th District, which represents twelve counties. Hilton club members have participated in many of the 7th District’s programs and events.
The Hilton Garden Club meets the third Thursday of each month, except January, at the Hilton Baptist Church, 50 Lake Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m. Hilton residency is not required to join, all are welcome. For information call 392-8522.
Provided information and photo
