The Garden Club of Westfield is bursting with pride because longtime member, Mrs. Ruth Paul was recently announced as the New Jersey “Perennial Bloom Award” winner by the National Garden Club. Every year, after nominations at the local, state, and regional level, the National Garden Club picks one winner from each state. This year’s winner from New Jersey was Ruth Paul. She was named as the most dependable and knowledgeable member supporting projects and committees at both local and state levels over a period of many years.
Ruth’s volunteer activities include, helping at the state flower shows for the Garden Club of New Jersey, working to create and beautify Blue Star Garden. She originated the idea of a Blue Star Garden for Westfield. It is located at the Dixon Drive entrance to Tamaques Park. This garden honors our local veterans and service people. She also contributes her time to Garden Therapy at the Veterans Hospital in Lyons, NJ, as well as supporting other projects around town. You might see her helping plant seasonal arrangements in the large planter in the center of Westfield or making Christmas wreaths to decorate local government buildings. Ruth joined the Garden Club of Westfield in 1980, and has been an honorary member for 15 years.
On May 16th, a tree was planted in her honor at the Blue Star Garden, Tamaques Park. Barbara Mulllin, the immediate Past President of the Garden Club of New Jersey, made the presentation and spoke of Ruth’s many contributions to garden clubs at local, regional, state, and national levels. She is very well known for her extensive knowledge and willingness to help.
The Garden Club of Westfield has dedicated time to the beautification of our town and the education of interested gardeners for over nine decades. Please visit our Facebook Page or website www.gardenclubofwestfield.org. For more information on the multitude of opportunities available to members and guests, call Merrrilyn Crane at 908.232.3223.
Photo by The Garden Club of Westfield.
