 Under the leadership of Committee Chair Jessica Kruse, Crofton Village Garden Club members came together to create an engaging and educational experience at the Crofton Cherry Blossom Festival. Supporting her efforts were Sandy Robertson, Nancy Percivall, Patty More, Linda Marquand, and CVGC President Margo Antonelli, all working together to make the day a success. Young visitors especially enjoyed a hands-on craft, along with two interactive learning stations designed to spark curiosity and discovery. These stations offered a fun, approachable way to explore the different layers of soil and learn the basics of composting through engaging, hands-on demonstrations. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community while sharing a love of gardening and environmental stewardship. Photo Credit: Trish Lilek-Demers
 Project Chair Jessica Kruse, Laura Austin, CJ Salisbury, Jane McClanahan, and Carol Buhr Crofton Village Garden Club (CVGC) participated in the Crofton Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating its long-standing tradition of planting cherry trees along Crofton Parkway. Founded in 1969, the club’s first major project was inspired by Kathryn "Kay" Callahan, who envisioned bringing the beauty of Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin cherry trees to Crofton. Over time, the club's efforts inspired homeowners to plant their own trees. In 2014, CVGC pledged to plant 50 new trees in celebration of Crofton’s 50th anniversary, successfully fulfilling this commitment in 2022. The festival provided an excellent opportunity for community outreach, where members answered questions, interacted with residents, and identified potential new planting sites, furthering the club’s commitment to enhancing the community’s landscape.
 Jessica Kruse, Crofton Cherry Trees Project Chair, Jane McClanahan, Carol Buhr and C.J. Salisbury The Crofton Cherry Blossom Festival could not have gone better with over 100 kids stopping by to create and take home their "painting" of cherry blossom branches. CVGC members manning the table included Jessica Kruse (Crofton Cherry Trees Project Chair), Jane McClanahan, Carol Buhr, and C.J. Salisbury. They helped the kids (and some adults) with the painting activity which resulted in a simple but elegant piece of art ready to frame.  Jessica Kruse, Cherry Tree Project Chair An informational board was shared with the community on how the cherry trees came to be along Crofton Parkway. In the 1960's Kathryn "Kay" Callahan persuaded this new community of Crofton to replicate the beauty and glory of the Japanese cherry trees that were planted at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Kay was determined to have cherry trees in Crofton and was able to secure a Wheaton, MD nursery to plant the trees at cost, which was a mere $11.33 per tree, provided she could find 15 neighbors to also order trees. The Crofton Village Garden Club (CVGC) formed in 1969 with a mere 30 ladies, and they set their goals: to beauify, promote community, and improve the environment. Kay introduced the idea of the cherry tree plantings to the newly formed garden club and CVGC has carried on this commitment ever since. Homeowners around the parkway have joined in and cherry trees have been independently purchased and planted on residential properties, and the beauty of the springtime cherry blossom has spread! To celebrate Crofton's 50th Anniversary, CVGC pledged to plant 50 new cherry trees around the parkway and completed the project in 2022. Today's costs average approximately $200 a tree! With the help of good neighbors, the CVGC continues planting two Yoshino cherry trees every other spring and maintains the trees over the years along the parkway.  Jane McClanahan, Jessica Kruse, Louie, Carol Buhr and C.J. Salisbury Project Chair Jane McClanahan oversees the installation of four Yoshimo cherry trees, marking the completion of a pledge Crofton Village Garden Club made to the Crofton Triangle community in 2014 to plant 50 new trees. The environmental impact, as well as the beautifying effect made this project most desirable for the club.
Thank you to Andy's Landscaping for doing a great job planting the last few trees!  Project Chair Jane McClanahan with Eden Tree workers Eden Tree stepped up to help Crofton Village Garden Club with the planting of four more Yoshino cherry trees. We continue our endeavor of beautifying Crofton. |
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