Edelweiss Garden Club History

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Then we sprouted up like a bean stalk!

Edelweiss Garden Club is named to reflect the Swiss Alpine theme of our city.  Founded in 1984, five residents united “to beautify the Gaylord area, meet as a group of garden lovers, and chat on a weekly basis during the growing season”, as quoted by First President, Jim Lappan.  Plantings were added to enhance the European charm along the Alpenstrasse downtown, city parks, and gardens for Alpenfest week that continue today. 

The Club was organized in August 1984 at Lappan’s Landscaping and chose the name “Edelweiss” at the second meeting. The first project was the “West Courthouse Corner” shortly after, removing sod, and adding perennials and a few rocks.

In 1986, Dee Burau, submitted the logo (open to the public for designs) of the Alpine Hat. With eighteen members in January 1987, EGC joined the Michigan Federated Garden

Clubs, now known as Michigan Garden Clubs.

1984 - 1999

1987 - That spring planted 52 tree squares on Main Street, two Courthouse corners, Hail Park, Freel Park, Doumas Park and McCoy Service Club sign. The plants were paid by the city. Plant exchange among members with a potluck lunch at a member’s home. In Fall, hosted the first of 4 courses to be a 2 year period of Landscape Design Study Course and garden walk for the public, no fee in evening.

1989 - Added 30 flower boxes on Main Street, hosted Landscape School in spring and fall. First Greens Sale, all bows were made by hand without bow makers. Garden Walk with small fee.

1990 - Added Chamber of Commerce Garden which housed the Gaylord car at the old location. Library Display case for National Garden Week. Received the Chamber’s annual YOU MADE IN HAPPEN AWARD and again in 2008 for the Sportsplex Energy Outlet funded by a $5000 Award from Real Simple magazine. A Landscaping company was hired for the design with major garden beds, shrubs and trees.

1991 - 30 Members. Planted 5650 plants with several RSVP volunteers to help, done by noon with coffee and muffins from Diana’s Restaurant from the Club. Dow Gardens for a field trip. Decorated and sponsored Christmas tree for Department of Social Services for a Silent Auction.

1992 - Gwen Frostic for luncheon and open to the public. First Annual Plant Exchange open to the public.

1993 - 54 Members, club paid for all spring plants.

1994 - Planted tulip bulbs with 1st graders at Maple and Ohio Schools.

1995 - No flower boxes or tree squares. Planted with 1st graders. Hosted District 5 Meeting.

1996 - Added plants to 4 large, raised boxes in area of playground, Sportsplex Energy Outlet.

1998 - Added the Downtown Development Park (Claude Shannon) and Pontresina Rock.

1999 - Last year for planting with 1st graders. Still using City buses for Garden Walk at no charge which started 1995.

1987-2002 - Printed Yearbook was 4.5 x 5.5 inches. Changed to larger size in 2003.