Senior Services Chair 2024-2025: JoAnne McKee
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.
Halloween is Here – October 2024
Photos by Donna Erhard & Jane Niemeyer
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The Garden Club of LBI guided twenty seniors at the Ocean County Community Center on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The seniors utilized mini pumpkins to combine mums, daisies, roses, asters, alstroemerias, solidago and greens from member’s gardens, crafting eye-catching mini arrangements.
JoAnne McKee, who serves as chair of the Senior Services Committee, led the St. Francis Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer groups to yet another enjoyable day! McKee remarked, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our members to come together with the seniors and delight in creating arrangements. Providing them with something special not only enhances their experience but also brings us joy!”
The seniors, along with six garden club members, thoroughly enjoyed themselves while making Halloween inspired flower arrangements with the Garden Club!
Wishing you a fa-boo-lous Halloween!
Welcome Fall – September 2024
Photos by Diane Macrides & JoAnne McKee
(l to r) JoAnne McKee, Chair of Senior Services and Janet Nolan, Nutrition Site Manager at Meals on Wheels. JoAnne is holding an arrangement that the seniors will be creating!
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The Senior Services Committee from The Garden Club of Long Beach Island met with 30 wonderful guests from the St. Francis Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer groups on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin. Eight members of the Garden Club, including JoAnne McKee, chair of the Senior Services Committee, arranged a variety of fall floral selections in front of each guest to ensure easy access to the options. Members assisted and watched the group make numerous adjustments to create their very own lovely fall flower arrangements. The easy to maneuver mixed flowers featured a large variety of greenery, asters, mums, yellow daisies, solidago, alstroemeria & greens from the member’s gardens.
Janet Nolan, Site Manager for Meals on Wheels, stated, “The guests eagerly anticipate the visits from The Garden Club of LBI, which joins us eight times a year on the third Wednesday of each month.” Janet shared a beautiful quote to capture the essence of September.
“Autumn holds more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop
The crowd was thrilled to be back creating their floral arrangements after their last session in April. They radiated a vibrant atmosphere with a mix of old and new friendships, social connections and a buoyant display of happy moods!
April Inspired Arrangements – April 2024
Photos by Debra Resch (click on images to enlarge)
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 17, 2024. During the event, Garden Club members led the group in creating charming April-inspired arrangements. Cathy Sutton, the Senior Services Chair, orchestrated the day’s activities, ensuring that everyone involved had yet another enjoyable experience.
Twenty-five guests created stunning floral arrangements using a combination of mums, solidago, sea heather, alstroemeria, and greens sourced from members’ yards. The beautiful selection of flowers led to the creation of eye-catching displays that captivated all who saw them.
Each time the Garden Club arrives for this very special event, excitement always fills the room as guests eagerly await their presence. Numerous club members have heard the seniors express their joy in creating floral arrangements, further enhancing the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the Club’s activities!
Seniors Craft Flower Arrangements! – March 2024
Photos by Diane Macrides (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Diane Macrides
The members of the Senior Services Committee from The Garden Club of LBI met with the St. Francis Meals-on-Wheels group on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Among the beautiful floral arrangements that were created at the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin, the room was filled with numerous heartwarming smiles. As guests engaged in conversations with eight Garden Club members, sharing stories of positivity and fond memories, a particularly amusing exchange unfolded between two self-proclaimed “designers.” They playfully bantered back and forth, each insisting that their arrangement was superior. Ultimately, the victor emerged as evident by her beaming smile.
Cathy Sutton, chair of the Senior Services Committee, led the group of twenty with a combination of lovely and various colored carnations accompanied by an abundance of assorted greenery from member’s gardens. The arrangement was enhanced with a shimmering Easter egg! “All Senior Services events are filled with joyous laughter,” said Sutton.
The next event will be held in April!
Seniors Enjoy Holiday Cheer! December 2023
Photos by Lisa Tyson & JoAnne McKee (click on images to enlarge)
Submitted by Diane Macrides
Gorgeous floral arrangements were designed by ten members from the St. Francis Meals-on-Wheels and Alzheimer group on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin. Before the session, the Senior Services members from the Garden Club of LBI, crafted a holiday theme, gathered materials and their clippers and fresh greenery for the guests. The Committee guided the attendees with red carnations, large white spider mums and painted pine cones.
The guests enjoyed working with their hands as well as the creative aspects of the activity. Garden Club members in attendance were Cathy Sutton, Senior Services Chair, Laura Henrich, Carol Ruch, Paula Cofone, Rachel Halford, JoAnne McKee, Norma Parfitt, Lisa Tyson and Gail Palumbo. The members enjoyed watching the seniors assemble their own arrangements and their reactions when they succeeded!