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10/23/2012 12:00 AMAfter spending many months restoring Irene-damaged plantings and planters at the Town Marina, the Leetes Island Garden Club has more than a few reasons to name its fundraising luncheon and fashion show "Couture for the Season."
The elegant luncheon in a beautiful setting features fashions by Swish, Country Shop, and Saybrook Country Barn at noon on Friday, Nov. 16 at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club in Branford (tickets are still available). The delicious meal is complemented by beautiful floral décor and features a show of seasonal fashions modeled by club members. It's a major source of funding for civic beautification projects conducted by the club, founded in 1939 and now 56 members strong. The club also relies on fundraising from its annual pre-Mother's Day Plant Sale on the Green.
Best known for establishing and maintaining "Leetes Island Lane" (a pleasantly planted walkway next to Guilford Food Center), Leetes Island Garden Club also manages the many container and floral plantings sprucing up sidewalks along Whitfield and Boston streets (led by Co-Project Chairs Marilyn Russo and LeslieAnn Powers).
"When we're out there working or watering, people come by and thank you all the time," said Powers.
Among other civic projects, programs, and community support efforts, the club perks up the Town Marina parking lot and surrounds. After Tropical Storm Irene cleared the decks in August 2011, members spent months assisting the town with its recovery, creating this season's beautiful come-back.
The Marina Commission paid for plantings, based on a design submitted by the club with suggestions on which plants would be best. Last spring, club members worked to install new garden and container plantings. Club member Julie Sengstacken designed the new marina plantings and the club project was coordinated by member Mary Mackenzie (see Mackenzie's before and after project photos at www.zip06.com/guilford).
"We tried to use as many indigenous species as we could," said Sengstacken. "We should be planting more local plants. It helps the birds and bees and other species relying on them."
Tropical Storm Irene's surging salt water destroyed plants in landscape boxes and portions of planters themselves and completely washed away planted barrel containers, sending them far into the salt marsh.
"The only thing left was the Rugosa roses. Everything else was wiped out," said Sengstacken.
The Marina Commission helped restore the infrastructure and added new benches at the overlook near the water's edge, while the club replanted boxes at the end of the dock and helped restore and replant all landscaping boxes and other containers, then deadheaded flowers and watered everything through the growing and blooming seasons. The club installed new plants selected specifically for the area, including high bush blueberry, sumac, sea oats, and yarrow.
"It's a nice story. It was such a mess here," said Powers, who joined Sengstacken, Mackenzie, and other club members at the marina last week to talk about the club's work there, and share details about the upcoming Couture for the Season club event.
Club President Barbara Henningson is co-chairing the Nov. 16 luncheon and fashion show with member Bet Cuminskey. Henningson said the popular fundraiser draws from 100 to 150 attendees.
"We would love to have more," said Henningson. "This is a great event for anyone who would like to support the garden club, enjoy a wonderful luncheon and camaraderie, and see wonderful fashions from local stores."
Leetes Island Garden Club presents Couture for the Season Luncheon and Fashion Show on Friday, Nov. 16 at noon at the Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, Branford. Tickets, $35 per person, may be ordered by mailing a check payable to LIGC, 77 Chimney Corner Circle, Guilford, CT 06437; by emailing babsbh8561@aol.com; or by calling 203-458-0291. Make reservations by Friday, Nov. 9. Proceeds benefit Guilford beautification.