Members of the New Canaan Beautification League (NCBL) and the New Canaan Garden Club (NCGC) gathered on November 19th at the New Canaan Nature Center to create the 36 wreaths and eight gnomes that decorate our town for the holidays. This collaboration between the two organizations has been thriving since 1976. “Every year, our members look forward to working with our NCBL friends to make the beautiful wreaths and always popular gnomes. This year we had over 60 members, ages 40 to 89, from the two clubs. It is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit,” said NCGC Co-President Dao Engle. “We are very grateful to the Department of Public Works for their help year after year and to the New Canaan Nature Center for hosting us. This kind of collaboration is what makes New Canaan such a special place,” added NCGC Co-President Olivia English. NCBL President Nancy Malling expressed her happiness: “It’s wonderful to see everyone here, working side by side, because volunteers are the key to our success.”
The collaboration begins in June, securing the date and the Nature Center. The day before the workshop, everyone drops off the greens and both clubs come together to sort them by type. This helps speed along the creation process the next day. Members gather in two, two-hour shifts. After 49 years (yes, next year is 50!), it’s a well-oiled process with time for laughter and friendship.
The two groups would also like to thank Janet Schmidt for her abundance of holly, as well as the town of New Canaan, Peter Aitken, Marianne Grandin, Hutchinson Tree Company, and Copia Home and Garden for donating beautiful greenery. Coffee donated by Zumbach’s helped keep everyone warm. The joy of the holidays—and especially the joy of being a New Canaan resident—was evident as cheerful hands and broad smiles filled the room. Both groups extend their healthy and happy holiday wishes along with gratitude to all who make this work possible.
