Our Community Connections
History of Our Club
The Guilderland Garden Club was founded in February 1964 by a group of women who loved gardening, flower design and making floral arrangements. Today, the Club includes men and women whose responsibilities and interests also include protection, conservation of and education regarding natural resources, i.e. air, water, forest, land and wildlife. Some members of the Club have won awards at local, state, national and international flower shows. In addition, some members hold the designation of Master Gardener and/or Master Flower Show Judge.
Our Club Officers for 2026/27, pictured right, are: (front row) Maureen McNamara, Co- President and 1st Vice President; (back row, l-r): Judi Golombiski, 2nd Vice President in charge of membership; Kris Vogt, Treasurer; Merril-Lee Lenegar, 2nd Vice President in charge of publicity; Linda Zell, Co-President. The Secretary position will rotate monthly.
If you would like to become a Member, please complete this form and return it to the address listed. We'd love to welcome you to our group!
Community Service
The Guilderland Garden Club contributes in many ways to enhance the quality of life in our Town.
We designed and now maintain the gardens at both the Mynderse-Frederick House and the Schoolcraft House, both of which are open to the public to enjoy. Our Garden Committee members work diligently to provide the public with two beautiful gardens that reflect the integrity and history of these wonderful houses. Photos of these beautiful structures can be found on our Home Page.
We participate in the annual I LOVE NY/Path Through History Day, an initiative in New York State that promotes over 700 historical sites and events, allowing visitors to explore the rich history of the state through themed attractions and special events. The Club hosts events at both garden locations for this celebration, conducting tours of the gardens and providing refreshments for the public.
We participate in Hometown Heroes, a program that honors local veterans with large banners placed throughout the Town. The Club designs and donates a floral arrangement for the local town ceremony.
As members of the local Chamber of Commerce, we participate in a variety of events in Town, increasing our visibility and recruiting new members.
Donations are collected at each meeting for the Water for South Sudan Project to drill wells to bring clean, fresh water closer to the people of the region.
All members participate in the annual fundraiser for the Guilderland Food Pantry. Club members donate a raffle basket and floral table arrangements. Monthly monetary and non-perishable item donations are given to both the Guilderland and Altamont food pantries.
As a sponsor of the Altamont Fair, members participate by entering their plants, floral designs, artwork and crafts in the Fair's competitions. Also, the Club maintains an information table to educate the public about plants and horticulture and to recruit new members.
Club members participate in the annual Cathedral in Bloom event at the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, displaying their floral designs.
The Club provides holiday wreaths at Blue Star Markers and Veterans' cemeteries throughout the town.
Scholarship Fund
The Guilderland Garden Club established a Scholarship Fund for a $500 annual award to be given to a High School Senior in one of the schools in the Guilderland District who will be studying a field of horticultural in college. This year's award was presented on June 3 by the Club Co-President, Maureen McNamara, to Berne-Knox-Westerlo Senior Philip Latham. Philip and Maureen are pictured, following the ceremony, in front of the BKW mascot. Delia Gunning, another Club member, was also present at the ceremony. Delia was instrumental in securing donations that made the Award possible.
Philip will attend SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Philip plans to apply his education to improving and protecting the environment, especially in rural communities.
Congratulations, Philip!
Donations to our Scholarship program are always welcome. If you would like to donate to our local students' future endeavors, please contact Linda Miller using the form on the Contact page below or mail checks to PO Box 282, Guilderland Center, NY 12085. Our students thank you for your support!
We raise funds for the local Food Pantries and other local charities. as well as for our Scholarship Program. Photo above: Garage Sale fundraiser.
Annually, the Club spruces up the gardens and creates floral arrangements for Our Lady of Mercy Nursing Home residents in Guilderland on Community Service Day (photo above).
We held a plant sale at Mynderse-Frederick House in 2025 for Path Through History Day (photo above)
Programs and Events for 2026/27
April 13 Meeting
Native Plants & Groundcovers
May 11 Meeting
On the Edge: The Harrowing Lives of Birds
Business meetings begin at 10 am at Guilderland Town Hall unless otherwise noted. Programs start at 11am and are open to the public. We meet on the second Monday of the month, April through November. Beginning in October, the Club is busy making ornaments for the Annual Greens Show which is held the first weekend of December. The Guilderland Garden Club sponsors many interesting speakers for our monthly meetings on such topics as cutting gardens, Bonsai, Shaker gardens, Vermicomposting, butterfly gardens, wildflowers and beekeeping. If you are considering becoming a Club Member, please feel free to come to a meeting and talk with one of us. We would love to have you join! We also plan day trips to local sights of interest. Please check back to this page as we announce additional programs/events.
Learn about easy to grow native perennials that can be added to your landscape to support pollinators and the environment. These plants will reduce your need to water and will eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides. Also, learn about groundcovers which will reduce the need to weed, mulch or mow . Less work required in your gardens! Speaker: Carole Henry, Master Gardener Program Coordinator.
They fly! They sing! However, it often takes vigilance for birds to survive. In this program, we explore some of the strategies used by birds to successfully make their way in an often hostile environment. Also, learn how bird lovers and other citizens can help protect birds. A colorful PowerPoint presentation is included.
Speaker: Scott Stoner, Owner/Photographer, Naturelogues.
Carole Henry, left, speaking at our April meeting at Guilderland Town Hall.
June 20, NYS Path Through History,
Noon-4:00 p.m., Mynderse-Frederick House
July 2 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, 11:00 a.m., Colonial Medicinal Garden, Schoolcraft House, 2299 Western Avenue, Route 20
May 28, Garden Therapy Day, 10 a.m.-Noon, Our Lady of Mercy Life Center Nursing Home, 2 Mercy Lane, Guilderland
June 12, 10 a.m.-Noon, Hometown Heroes, Guilderland Performing Arts Center, Tawasentha Park
August 10 Meeting
Food Waste
How does food waste affect our environment and what can we do about it? Learn about the causes of our shifting climate and ways we can act to make our communities healthier and more resilient. Explore how food waste affects our climate and learn practical solutions that will allow us to make a difference.
Speakers: Will Lindau, Climate Resiliency Educator and Karen Roberts Mort, Resource Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension
April 27, Garden Cleanup Day Mynderse-Frederick House
It was a beautiful day for members of the Club to prepare their lovely garden for the spring/summer blooms. The gardens are located at the Town's historic Mynderse-Frederick House in Guilderland Center and are open to the public. Picnic tables are available. Thanks to all who participated!
Pictured right at garden sign ( L-R kneeling): Theresa, Delia, Maureen, Nancy. Standing - L-R: Marguerite, Mary, Bunny, Laura, Edward, Linda W., Ann, Carol and Sharon. Not pictured: Sandy H. (garden chairperson), Linda M. and John.
Members of the Guilderland Historical Society and the Guilderland Garden Club will offer tours of two historic town-owned properties as part of the state-wide NYS Path Through History celebration. The Schoolcraft House (2299 Western Avenue), built in the 1840s, and Mynderse-Frederick House (451 Main St in Guilderland Center), built in 1802, will be open for tours. The Schoolcraft House was the home of Congressman John L. Schoolcraft, and the Mynderse-Frederick House was the home of the Town’s first Town Supervisor. Members will also provide tours of the Gardens and light refreshments will be available. The event is jointly sponsored by the Guilderland Garden Club and Guilderland Historical Society.
This year at Mercy Care we planted two raised beds with flowers, vegetable and herbs. We hosted a flower arranging workshop with 18 residents and each resident left the workshop with a vase of fresh flowers to decorate his/her room. We also spruced up the memorial garden where we had previously planted perennials to honor our past member and former resident Eileen M.
A Banner Dedication Ceremony was held in honor of local veterans and active service members at the Guilderland Performing Arts Center. Craig Waltz, Club member and winner of many floral design competitions, created the floral arrangement for the stage (pictured below). The father of one of our Club members was also honored (banner pictured right).
October 19 Meeting
Winter Wellness: Kitchen and Garden Remedies
Explore the ways familiar herbs found in kitchen cabinets and gardens can support wellness during cold and flu season. Easy recipes and herb preservation techniques will be presented. Some delicious herbal teas will be available to sample!
Speaker: Vanessa Dale, Community Herbalist and Educator, Crimson Crow Botanicals
August 18-23, Altamont Fair
Members of the Club will host an information table in the Flower-Fine Arts Building to offer gardening tips and answer questions about Club membership. For more information about the Fair, visit their website at altamontfair.com.
Photo right: Past President Linda Miller and Congressman Paul Tonko at the 2025 Altamont Fair.
November 9 Meeting
Mynderse-Frederick House, 10 a.m.
Planning Meeting for Greens Show
The final planning will take place in preparation for our annual Greens Show.
December Open House and Greens Show
Friday, December 4, 4-8 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 1-5 p.m.
Please go to the Open House page for more details. Photo right: Mynderse-Frederick House 2025 Open House.
Mark your calendars for the opening ceremony of the Joseph Warren Colonial Medicinal Garden at the John L. Schoolcraft House. The ceremony will feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The garden was planted and will be presented by Guilderland's Department of Parks and Recreation and Guilderland's AMREV 250 Committee. Parking will be available off Schoolcraft Street. The celebration begins at 11 a.m.
July 20 Fundraiser
Panera Bread, 161 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, 4-8 p.m.
Panera Bread is hosting a Fundraiser for our Club on July 20. From 4-8 pm, 25% of all sales will benefit our organization. In-Store, Drive-Thru, Pick-up and Delivery all apply with the offer. Use the Promo Code Fund4U at checkout. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be applied toward our Scholarship Fund. Enjoy a meal (or two!) and support a local student. It's a win-win! Our students thank you.
Address:
Guilderland Garden Club
PO Box 282
Guilderland Center, NY 12085
You can also find us on Facebook:
Interested in joining our Club? Please fill out this form and send it to the address noted. We'd love to see you at one of our meetings!
Website design:
Linda M. Reeves
Lyme Disease Resources
Please educate yourself about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and take a few minutes to help protect yourself from tick bites before heading out to the garden. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk and safely enjoy the great outdoors:
Wear long pants and sleeves. Light-colored clothing will allow you to see any ticks more easily. And yes, tuck your pants into your socks.
Pre-treat your clothing, especially socks and shoes, with Permethrin and use Picaridin or other natural repellent on your skin. Follow all label directions.
Keep your lawn mowed short and remove any leaf or wood piles and plant debris that can serve as tick habitat.
When hiking, stay on manicured trails and avoid tall grass and leaf litter.
Do thorough tick checks on both your clothes and body when going back indoors. Ticks can hide on our bodies in those "well-sheltered" areas!
Use a lint roller to help remove any ticks that may be on your clothes. Another option is to use a TickMitt; look for them online.
Once back inside, put your clothes in a high-heat dryer for 15 minutes to kill any ticks you may not be able to see. Remember, they are the size of a poppy seed!
If you find an embedded tick, remove it carefully and promptly with a tick-removal tool. Be sure to completely remove the tick. Save the tick and seal it in a plastic bag. The tick can be mailed to tickreport.com for testing to see if it is carrying any pathogens. Visit their website for further instructions. Not all ticks carry diseases, but many carry more than one!
For more information, please visit these websites:
Lymedisease.org
Project Lyme
Global Lyme Alliance
Center for Lyme Action
A little prevention can help to save you
from a lot of problems!
Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Please send your questions using the form below. *required field