Intergenerational Chair 2024-2025: Bev Reitinger
The Intergenerational Committee meets with students and their special guests four times a year at the Beach Haven School and Long Beach Island Grade School to create beautiful flower arrangements and to learn from each other.
Intergenerational Committee Spreads Volunteerism! – May 2024
Photos by Donna Erhard & Joyce Lubach
The Intergenerational Committee, led by chair Bev Reitinger, from The Garden Club of LBI, collaborated with the sixth-grade students from the Beach Haven School on Friday, May 27, 2024. The team of nine Garden Club members assisted the students in crafting exquisite floral centerpieces for the Senior Group organized by Stafford Recreation in Manahawkin. Garden Club member JoAnne McKee coordinated with Stafford Recreation and the Intergenerational Committee.
The students were delighted to be part of this significant occasion. A total of thirteen students actively participated in this enjoyable and rewarding event!
The flower centerpieces project, served as an educational opportunity for the students to learn about the significance of community care and volunteerism!
Spring Holiday Arrangements! – March 2024
Photos by Joyce Lubach & Diane Macrides (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Bev Reitinger
The Intergenerational Committee of The Garden Club of LBI convened on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at The Long Beach Island Grade School located in Ship Bottom. The meeting brought together fourteen committee members alongside nineteen enthusiastic fourth-grade students.
The students received guidance on utilizing oasis and starting the foundation of their floral arrangements by incorporating various greens sourced from the local area. Classmates expressed an approval for the aromatic rosemary which formed a delightful fragrance into the greens. They proceeded to adorn their arrangements with yellow, white and pink flowers reminding them of the spring holiday with the intent to give to their parents or grandparents.
The finishing detail involved affixing a decorative stick embellished with an Easter egg to each arrangement. The student’s creations were unique which reflected their individual creativity and personality. Lots of gratitude and smiles expressed by the students were truly heartwarming and greatly appreciated by all involved!
Thanksgiving Celebration – November 2023
Photos by Gale Garfinkel & Joyce Lubach (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Bev Reitinger, Intergenerational Chair
It was a wonderful morning at the Beach Haven School on Friday, November 17, 2023. Twenty eight students, ranging from preschool to third grade, met with the Garden Club of Long Beach Island’s Intergenerational Committee.
Thirty-five guests, which included grandparents and other family members, joined forces with our club to assist the children in decorating Thanksgiving flower arrangements. This was the first time since 2018 that our club was able to invite family members to this special group!
Our club supplied greenery and vibrant colored mums for embellishing their holiday floral arrangements. We also distributed an array of traditional holiday stickers, brown paper bags and markers for the students to decorate. The arrangements were placed in the decorated bags that truly showcased their creativity.
The collaborative effort fostered a truly intergenerational experience!
FLAG DAY ARRANGEMENTS JUNE 2023
Photos by Gale Garfinkel (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The Garden Club of LBI’s Intergenerational Committee met with LBI schools on several occasions during the 2022-2023 school calendar year for hands-on workshops to learn about flower arranging.
On Monday, June 5, 2023, the committee, led by Bev Reitinger, met with twenty seven 4th graders at the Long Beach Island Grade School in Ship Bottom, NJ. The committee discussed the upcoming Flag Day and the symbolism of the flag and its history. The children designed patriotic buckets with greens and red, white and blue flowers. This project allowed the children to express their creativity and feel personally satisfied with their carefully-crafted arrangements!
GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY APRIL 2023
Photos by Olga Perlman & Diane Macrides
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The Garden Club of LBI’s Intergenerational Committee along with the Arbor Day Special Committee expected to plant an evergreen at the Beach Haven School on April 28, 2023. Due to the rain, the tree will be planted at a later date. The students, grades 4 – 6th, started off the event by reading their beautifully written poems and essays about Arbor Day. Next on the agenda, the children sang tree themed songs presented by each grade. Lastly, the classes repotted Beach Plum Tree plants in buckets to take home to plant in their gardens. Beverly Reitinger, Intergenerational Committee Chair and Kathy Mignanelli, Arbor Day Special Committee Chair, passed handouts of the History of Arbor Day, information about the Native American Beach Plum Tree (Prunus Maritima) and details of how the trees grow in South Jersey. The handout also described the origins of the tree, the proper planting process and the fruit it produces.
With their smiling faces along with their cheerful voices, it was evident the students were very proud of their work! A successful hands on experience was enjoyed by the students, staff and Garden Club members!