Project becoming difficult for members of the 88-year-old club
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
When Phyllis Olson stood in front of the City of Elkhorn Common Council two weeks ago, it was to share some somewhat disheartening news.
After taking on city beautification for many years, Olson, a member of the now 88-year-old Elkhorn Garden Club, told council members the club would no longer be planting flowers in the city’s downtown area; not because of money, but because of age.
Over the years, Olson told council members the not-for-profit club had raised the money to plant downtown through boutiques and craft shows and then maintained the plants throughout the years. In past years, Olson said, to name a few, the garden club has planted the boulevard on East Walworth Street, leading up to Jackson Elementary, flowers in front of the county courthouse – now the county government center – and has planted a tree each year in honor of Arbor Day.
“We’re all getting older and our club is getting smaller,” Olson told councilmembers, noting it’s difficult to attract younger clubmembers.
“I just felt badly about leaving the things blank and not coming and telling you those certain plots would not have flowers in them this spring.”
Olson said however, this does not mean the club is disbanding and it still intends to continue meeting, taking members on tours and bringing in speakers.
“We’ll help if we can,” she said. “If you need ideas, we’re good at that, but not good at muscle anymore.
“I’m here with mixed feelings because I really hate to give this up, but when you have twelve members and six of them are in their 80s, including me, you just can’t bend over anymore to do this.”
Mayor Olson said he was thankful of the club’s many years of dedication to the community and its beautification efforts.
“We appreciate the many years that you folks put into continuing to make our community beautiful,” he said.
For the full story, see the March 19 edition of the Elkhorn Independent.
