SUMMIT STATION — The South Schuylkill Garden Club observed its 85th anniversary recently at a dinner meeting in Summit View Restaurant.
Jeanne Zulick was honored as the club’s longest continuous member.
Carol Haldeman, president, surprised Zulick with a plaque honoring her 60 years of service.
A 24-year-old Pomeroy’s sales clerk when she joined the club in 1965, Zulick went on to become an award-winning floral arranger and grower of native plants at her North Manheim Twp. home.
“When I first joined,” she recalled, “members would bring flowers and vegetables they grew to club meetings.”
Jane Kruse, who reviewed its history at the meeting, said the club has changed with the times.
“Originally, it focused on floral designs,” said Kruse, a board member of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. “Now, we’re very much focused on the environment and a sense of community.”
One of only two remaining garden clubs in Schuylkill County, the South Schuylkill club’s tenure spans from an era from World War II to the present.
The Schuylkill County Commissioners presented the club with a proclamation outlining its more than eight decades of beautification projects in the county.
Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora, left, and Gary Hess present proclamation to Carol Haldeman and Kim Morgan on 85th anniversary of the South Schuylkill Garden Club on Dec. 3, 2025. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO
Among them is stewardship of a 28-acre preserve of woodland and native plants that would become the Frog Hollow Educational Center in Wayne Twp.
Under the club’s tutelage, walking trails, a foot bridge and bird blind were constructed with the help of volunteers, including the Wayne Twp. Lions Club.
In 2024, the Frog Hollow Nature Area became Schuylkill’s second county park.
The club established butterfly gardens in Pine Grove and Schuylkill Haven, helped the 4-H Dairy Club put a pollinator garden at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds and planted a memorial garden behind the Schuylkill Haven Recreation Center.
A National Garden Club award winning children’s garden, designed by Kruse, helped the Walborn Playground in Orwigsburg become more interactive.
Looking back
Women with a like interest in gardening formed the club in March 1940, according to a club history.
The club stopped meeting during World War II, but resumed operations in 1950 under the leadership of Alice Heffner, who owned Jersey Acres farm.
Known as the South Schuylkill Flower Club in its early years, it drew members from towns across the county.
Carol Haldeman, Jeanne Zulick and Kim Morgan at South Schuylkill Garden Club 85th anniversary on Dec. 3, 2025. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO
Initially meeting at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Friedensburg, the club also met at Reedsville Church and Wayne Twp. Elementary School and other locations. Since 2021, its meetings have been held in First United Church of Christ in Schuylkill Haven.
In 1991, the club became affiliated with the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and the National Garden Club.
Beginning in 2000, the club developed programs in folklore, plantings at local libraries and seasonal wreaths sold at Schuylkill Haven Borough Day festivities.
Many of its members became master gardeners.
Ongoing projects include a children’s garden at the Bunker Hill Playground in Pottsville, a butterfly garden along the Union Canal near Pine Grove and a garden planted for the nation’s 250th anniversary at the Schuylkill Haven Island park.
In spring, the club sponsors a sale of native plants, shrubs and trees at Sweet Arrow Lake Park.
New leadership
The anniversary meeting was attended by about 40 club members and guests.
Outgoing officers recognized for their service are: Carol Haldeman, president; Kim Morgan, 1st vice president; Sue Williams, 2nd vice president; Karen Huff, secretary and Kaye Moyer, treasurer.
New officers, who will serve for the next two years, are: Kim Morgan, president; Sue Williams, 1st vice president; Pat Schuettler, 2nd vice president; Nancy Russial, secretary and Karen Huff, treasurer.
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