Lendonwood Fall Workday

LENDONWOOD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR FALL WORKDAY OCTOBER 25

            Lendonwood Gardens invites volunteers of any age or ability to join in the garden’s Fall Workday on Saturday, October 25.  At the annual fall workday, community members come together to help get the botanical garden ready for the coming winter season.

            Workday volunteers include members of the Grove Rotary Club, but others in the community also are needed, said Jim Reynolds, coordinator of the event.  “We appreciate everyone who comes out to help,” he said.  “Lendonwood has no paid employees and relies on volunteers to keep the garden going and growing.”

            Volunteers should gather at 8:30 a.m. by the barn at the back of the garden for donuts and coffee, to check in as work teams are formed.  Jobs typically range from light tasks to heavy-equipment operation.

            The Fall Workday often draws families with older children who lend a hand, Reynolds said.  Volunteers typically include several young people, such as local Boy Scouts and members of Interact, the student organization affiliated with Rotary.

            Pauline Hale, president of the Lendonwood Board of Directors, said, “Our workday doesn’t require gardening expertise, just a willingness to pitch in.  Not everyone can stay for the entire time, but we appreciate any amount of time.”  She said there are jobs for volunteers of all ages and abilities.

            This year, workday tasks will include pruning dead branches from trees, picking up downed limbs, painting, weeding, picking up twigs and nuts, and mulching flower beds.  Volunteers also will tackle such jobs as cleaning the Angel of Hope statue, repairing fence, and cleaning and staining benches.

            Supplies and tools for the various projects will be available, although volunteers should bring their own gloves and wear comfortable work clothes.  The workday is usually completed by about 2 p.m.

            Lunch will be provided by Lendonwood board members, with dessert donated by Grandwood Assisted Living.  Donuts at morning check-in will be provided by Harps Food Store in Grove.

            “We are so grateful for all the community support, including the refreshments donated by Grandwood and Harps,” Hale said.  “All of us at Lendonwood are delighted that the garden plays a part in making our community attractive to visitors, residents and potential residents.”

            In case of bad weather, the Fall Workday will be held the following Saturday, October 31.  For more information about the October 25 workday, contact Lendonwood Gardens at 918-786-2938.

Located at 1308 Har-Ber Road in Grove, Lendonwood is operated by a local Board of Directors and supported by volunteer labor, memberships and gate receipts.  Major botanical collections include azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, Japanese maple trees, hostas, daylilies and evergreen trees. The garden draws visitors from throughout the U.S. and around the world.