Senior Services Chair 2025-2026 : Marge Girardo
If you believe that wisdom comes with age, Senior Services may be able to teach you a thing or two. Meeting eight times a year on the third Wednesday of the month, club members present a program and a workshop for local senior groups under the direction of the Senior Services committee chair.
Garden Club Celebrates Halloween! October 2025
Photos by Lisa Tyson
Submitted by Marge Girardo
The Garden Club of LBI guided twenty-five seniors at the Ocean County Community Center on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The seniors utilized mini pumpkins as the base for our flower arrangements. Yellow daisies, blue thistle, orange quistros and purple Astors were used along with various greens, including bayberry, holly and goldenrod. The seniors, as usual, were very pleased to see us and enthusiastic about participating with the flower arrangements!
Marge Girardo, who serves as chair of the Senior Services Committee, led the Meals-on-Wheels program from St. Francis to yet another enjoyable day! After a recent renovation, the facility now includes two lovely blue sofa groupings, creating a warm, inviting space for clients to connect.
The seniors, along with seven garden club members, thoroughly enjoyed themselves while making Halloween inspired flower arrangements with the Garden Club!
The Garden Club also provided pumpkins and flowers for four participants at the Friends House which is a Memory Care Center in Manahawkin.
Senior services will be meeting again the third Wednesday of November, December, March, April and May. All are invited to participate, bringing with you a smile and a pair of clippers.
Pumpkins a ‘blazing, hope your Halloween is amazing!
Memorial Day Observance! May 2025
Photos by Donna Erhard
Submitted by JoAnne McKee
On Wednesday, May 23, 2025, thirty members from the St. Francis Meals-on-Wheels group collaborated to create Memorial Day floral arrangements at the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin. Prior to the event, members of The Garden Club of LBI, inspired by a patriotic theme, collected fresh flowers, their clippers and fresh greenery for the participants. Carnations, mums, spider mums, and baby’s breath were chosen to establish a patriotic theme. The Committee then guided the attendees in crafting festive flower arrangements in red, white and blue.
Participants relished the opportunity to engage in hands-on creativity, focusing on both the artistic and structural elements of the arrangement process. Present at the event were Garden Club members JoAnne McKee, Senior Services Chair, Lisa Tyson, Gail Palumbo, Donna Erhard, Marge Gerardo, Cathy Ruch and Rachel Halford.
A very special guest recently celebrated her 102nd birthday! Club members always enjoy seeing Regina when they present their floral program and workshop. When asked what she was thankful for, Regina simply replied, “Just being happy!” She consistently finds joy in watching other guests create their own arrangements and celebrate their accomplishments!
Easter Celebration! April 2025
Photos by Jane Niemeyer
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The Garden Club of Long Beach Island guided seniors from the St. Francis Meals-on-Wheels program at the Ocean County Community Center on Wednesday, April 15, 2025. During the event, Club members led the group in creating charming Easter inspired arrangements. JoAnne McKee, Senior Services Chair, orchestrated the day’s activities ensuring that everyone involved had yet another enjoyable experience!
Thirty guests and nine Club members created stunning floral arrangements using a combination of mini carnations, spider mums, statice, limonium, alstroemeria, purple mums and pussy willows. Greens, flowering pear and photinia were supplied from members’ gardens to design the centerpieces.
The guests shared fond memories of their holiday by discussing their traditional Easter meals and the number of guests they typically cooked for. Recipes for desserts were exchanged leaving everyone with a strong craving for sweets!
Whenever the Garden Club comes together for these special events, excitement fills the room as guests eagerly anticipate their arrival. Many club members have witnessed the seniors vocalize their delight in crafting floral arrangements, which adds to the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the Club’s activities!
Seniors Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! – March 2025
Photos by Diane Macrides
Submitted by Diane Macrides
St. Patrick’s Day was joyfully celebrated with the Meals-on-Wheels group and the Senior Services Committee from The Garden Club of LBI on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. This collaboration allowed the Club members to share their gardening skills with the guests as they worked together to create beautiful floral arrangements.
The Activities Center at the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin was bustling with thirty joyful guests! Their vibrant outfits captured the essence of Irish culture, contributing to a lively and joyous atmosphere. Some guests even were singing traditional ballads!
Under the guidance of Senior Services Chair JoAnne McKee, the ten members of the Garden Club contributed flat, triangular leather leaf ferns, lush green solidago, and golden mop junipers to craft a beautiful display of greenery. The vibrant green-eyed daisies, paired with white carnations and green mini mums beautifully complemented the theme! However, the dark green containers featuring two gold leprechaun pipes were a standout attraction …especially since one of our members, who passed away last year, had specifically purchased them for this very special event.
This energy not only strengthens community bonds but also infuses love and creativity into the lives of seniors!!