Youth Committee Chair 2025-2026: Jeannette Michelson
Youth Committee
The Youth Committee of the Garden Club of LBI meets several times a year from October through May with children from the community at the Ocean County Library in Surf City. Children in grades three to six are welcome to attend. Garden Club members instruct the children in gardening techniques, flower arranging and environmental topics that are especially relevant to coastal areas. The activities vary by season and holidays but fun is always included!
Youth Committee Celebrates International Colour Day
Graphic Design by Tracey Cameron. Photos by Jeannette Michelson
February 2026 – Happy Valentine’s Day!
The carnations were red.
The rose was white.
The young floral designers creations
Were a Valentine’s Day delight!
While the actual origin of Valentine’s Day may be clouded in history, today the holiday that honors “love” is celebrated with cards (numbers second to only Christmas), candy, chocolates, and FLOWERS! The Garden Club of LBI’s Flower Power/Youth Committee convened at the LBI BranchOcean County Library on Wednesday February 4, 2026, with community 3-6 graders, to create a floral arrangement to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The group, lead by co-chairs Ginny Scarlatelli and Jeannette Michelson along with members Joyce Hillyer and Lori DiGiacomo, filled heart decorated galvanized containers with flowers that have particular significance for Valentine’s Day. The star of the design was a “white rose,” a symbol of love and innocence. Multiple pink and red carnations, which in the language of flowers signify remembrance and admiration, surrounded the rose. Delicate branches of white sea lavender (surprisingly not related to lavender) and greens filled out the arrangement.
The children were then given a pink cut-out heart-shaped card on which they could write a Valentine’s greeting. Amongst all the sentiments written on the cards, “Be Kind” stood out. The young designers went home with a box of conversation hearts and a lovely floral arrangement certain to please the Valentine of their choice.
Welcome Winter! – December 2025
Photos by Jeannette Michelson (click on image to enlarge)
The Youth Committee of the Garden Club of LBI met with local 3-6 graders on Wednesday December 17, 2025 at the LBI Branch of the Ocean County Library to create a floral arrangement to welcome the winter season.
The reindeer- decorated containers were first filled with a bed of local evergreens including juniper, white pine and princess pine. This set the stage for the the “star” flower, a beautiful white spider mum. Rose and red-and-white variegated carnations were nestled among the greens . Hypericum berries and frosted pine cones along with “reindeer antlers” added further interest to the arrangement. The children made a small drawing of their favorite winter activity that added a personal artistic touch to their arrangement.
The group, led by co-chairs Ginny Scarlatelli and Jeannette Michelson along with members Paula Cofone and Suzan Priolo, asked the children to write their answers to “The Best Part of Winter is……..” The overwhelming response was “Snow!” Arielle, age 7 said “building a snowman,” while James, age 8 replied “making a snowman then knocking it down!” Christmas and presents were a favorite, and Lilith, age 9, said, “What I love is everything!!”
The next meeting of the Youth Committee is on February 4, 2026 3:30pm at the LBI Branch of the Ocean County Library – Surf City and will feature a Valentine’s Day theme.
Submitted by Jeannette Michelson
Halloween Fun – October 2025
Photos by Jeannette Michelson (click on image to enlarge)
Submitted by Jeannette Michaelson
The Youth Committee of the Garden Club of LBI met for its inaugural program of the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday October 22, 2025 at the LBI Branch of the Ocean County Library-Surf City to create a seasonal Halloween floral arrangement. Many of the young floral designers, grades 3-6, came dressed in their PJ’s as it was “Pajama Day” at the LBI Ethel Jacobson School .The program was lead by co-chairs Ginny Scarlatelli and Jeannette Michelson, along with Garden Club members Paula Cofone and Pauline Gertzen,
While the “Jack-O-Lantern” orange galvanized containers were being decorated with cut-out bat silhouettes, the Garden Club members posed a few Halloween questions to the group. Where did Halloween originate? It originated in Celtic countries Ireland and Scotland. Why are black cats associated with witches? In the Middle Ages people believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats and escape punishment. Is a pumpkin a vegetable or a fruit? Pumpkins are fruit because they start as flowers and have seeds. What is the #1 trick-or-treat candy? Reese’s Cups apparently wins in national surveys although some of the students disagreed with this.
The arrangements started to take shape with ferns providing the “greens” foundation for the flowers. Yellow mini-carnations, purple statice, green-ball dianthus, baby’s breath and local sea grass filled out the design.The last flower added was striking orange Gerbera daisy. A sparkly bat pic was added to complete the design. Everyone went home with a bewitching Halloween arrangement and they were already dressed for bed!
The next meeting of the Youth Committee will be on Wednesday December 17, 2025 3:30 pm at the LBI Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City and will feature s “Welcome Winter” theme.
Hats Off to Spring – May 2025
Photos by Jeannette Michelson (click on image to enlarge)
On Tuesday May13, 2025 15 students from the local community, grades 3-6, met at the Ocean County Library-LBI Branch Surf City to create floral arrangements for the Garden Club of LBI’s Standard Flower Show. The group was lead by co-chairs Jeannette Michelson and Ginny Scarlatelli, along with members Gillian Rozicer, Paula Cofone and Ginny Darvis.
The group was shown photos of the various categories of floral design that can be entered into a Standard Flower Show. The students were then instructed in how to compose a “Traditional American Triangle Mass Design.” The flowers used included colorful Snapdragons, mini and standard Carnations, Purple Chinese Asters, White Asters, Baby’s Breath and Euonymus greens. The arrangements were topped with brightly colored mini hats that the students decorated with tiny silk flowers, rhinestones and pearls. The students turned out exceptional arrangements.
The arrangements were collected and exhibited at the Garden Club’s Standard Flower Show on Thursday May15, 2025 at LBIF. Students and their parents were invited to attend the show. The Youth Exhibit presented a striking floral display of student talent and a wonderful addition to the Flower Show.
Submitted by Jeannette Michelson
.