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     Based on points awarded to projects submitted to the 2023 Garden Club of Ohio (GCO) Awards Competition, Emerald Necklace Garden Club (ENGC) was named 2023 Garden Club of the Year, and also received a First Place Certificate for Outstanding Garden Club (medium club size category). The Awards ceremony took place at the annual GCO convention on April 17^th in Independence, OH.

     ENGC was awarded 10 First Place Certificates for projects ranging from workshops for adults and children at the Brecksville Library to decorating a tree at the Cleveland Botanical Garden ‘Frost’ event. Various fliers, brochures and the publicity press book – copies of all the published club information throughout 2023 – also won First Place Certificates. The club received four second place awards, including for improvement of the landscape surrounding the Blue Star Memorial at the Broadview Hts. Rec Center and a butterfly Earth Day Education project with Brecksville elementary school students. The club’s Yearbook received an honorable mention.

     In a separate “Flower Show” award category, both ENGC and West Shore Arrangers clubs received First Place Certificates for a Standard Flower Show, the Flower Show Schedule and an Educational Exhibit. The two clubs shared hosting and the myriad of responsibilities involved in presenting the flower show, “Jazz It Up,” in July, 2023.   

       The awards were won by the hard work and diligence of ENGC committee chairpersons who initiated and implemented an amazing number of projects throughout the year; and the leadership of Pauline Dey, ENGC 2023 President. In the words of ENGC 2024 President, Nathalie Petri, “I know we don’t do the things we do for the award but it’s nice to receive the recognition from our peers.”