While the Coronado Public Library hosts a plethora of people who walk through its doors, there is one room that holds a meeting for a very special group.
On the fourth Monday of every month, the Winn Room holds a number of members of the Bridge and Bay Garden Club, many of whom are women who live in Coronado.
“This is a club where everyone is welcome.”
-Claudette Harshberger, Bridge and Bay Club president.
“This is a club where everyone is welcome,” says Claudette Harshberger, the current BBGC president, who has been a member since 2007. “We are very open and welcoming [to] anyone who is interested in flowers and gardening and taking care of the earth.”
Positive words to start meeting
Club meetings commence with coffee and other refreshments, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, a few announcements and inspiration, usually in the form of encouraging and positive words.
Then, guest speakers discuss different topics around tending a garden, horticulture and community gardening.
If this group sounds familiar, you just might recognize them in the Coronado Fourth of July Parade.
Each year, the BBGC dawns bright pink shirts, yellow bird-like feet, and a flamingo hat, complete with palm tree props and an entertaining dance for the parade.
Why the flamingo?
Dorothy Stanley, or Dodo, has been a member since 1987 and helped develop the flamingo mascot for the club.
“Every year, we had an entry in the parade, and it was always a chore to think of what to do,” she said. “So I got to thinking about the ubiquitous and corny pink flamingo that was, you know, in everybody’s yard.”
This bright pink, feathery symbol stuck, and with the help of Dodo’s daughter, Carrie Ewing, it materialized as a Fourth of July costume.
Numerous community contributions
The parade is only a fraction of what the club contributes in Coronado.
Penny Pines is an annual project where the BBGC contributes to planting new trees in the Cleveland National Forest, where many areas are scarred by fires.
There’s also the The Coronado Floral Association Hand Tied Bouquet, an event which recently occurred, where the club members hosted and taught middle schoolers to create their own bouquets.
This year was the 101st year of the tradition.
“We want them to become interested in flowers and growing them and appreciating them,” says Harshberger.
June Installation Luncheon
The next event for the Bridge and Bay Garden Club is the June Installation Luncheon, which is to honor and thank members who have served on the board and usher in the next board members.
The installation will be held at the Coronado Yacht Club on June 17.
“When people come to the meeting as a guest or invited, they don’t have to be invited, they can just come,” Harshberger said. “And they join!”
Club longevity
Keeping the interest and connection thriving serves as a possible challenge for the longevity of the club.
With about 75 members, the club hopes to keep the community involved.
“For new people coming to Coronado, it’s a good way to get to know people.”
-Claudette Harshberger, Bridge and Bay Club president.
“We do positive things that people enjoy,” Harshberger said. “So for new people coming to Coronado, it’s a good way to get to know people.”
