Centennial Board
May 7, 2025
The Coral Gables Garden Club Commemorates Centennial Year with 100th Executive Board Installation
Founded in 1925, the club celebrates a historic milestone with "Havana in Bloom" themed luncheon at Granada Church, honoring 100 years of dedication to gardening, horticulture, environmental education, and community beautification in The City Beautiful.
CORAL GABLES, FL (May 7, 2025) – The Coral Gables Garden Club marked a historic milestone in celebrating its Centennial year with the 100th Installation of Executive Board Members during a "Havana in Bloom" themed luncheon on May 7th at Granada Church in Coral Gables, a Platinum Centennial Sponsor of the garden club.
Founded in 1925, the Coral Gables Garden Club focuses on educating members, youth, and the public in gardening, horticulture, environmental issues, civic projects, the art of floral design and community beautification.
The festivity began with the introduction of guests, honorary members, new active members and new provisionals, followed by the presentation of awards, scholarships, remembrances, recognition of legacy members and special thanks to the 2024-2025 Executive Board.
2024-2025 Executive Board
- President – Bonnie Seipp
- First Vice President – Barbara Reese
- Second Vice President – Jo Wanda Peterson
- Treasurer – Jose Riera
- Assistant Treasurer – Liz Parnes
- Recording Secretary – Denise Glasser
- Corresponding Secretary – Fabiola Bolanos
- Auditor – Sandy Milledge
Acting as emcee for the 100th Installation, Director Betsy Tilgman cleverly and humorously incorporated gardening tools to describe the duties for each position. The seven-member 2025-2026 Executive Board includes four members from the 2024-2025 Executive Board, including Bonnie Seipp as President.
2025-2026 Executive Board
- President – Bonnie Seipp
- First Vice President – Jo Wanda Peterson
- Second Vice President – Vicky Busot
- Treasurer – Alexis Ehrenhaft
- Assistant Treasurer – Liz Parnes
- Recording Secretary – Denise Glasser
- Corresponding Secretary – Jo Anne Matthews
- Auditor – Sandy Milledge
Following the installation of officers, Bonnie Seipp, President of the Coral Gables Garden Club for the second year in a row stated, "I am so proud and thankful to all of you for your dedication and contributions to the continued success of our garden club. From the successful home and garden tour, our historical exhibition, community outreach, Heritage Garden planting and our centennial celebration, our 100th season has been an exceptional year. I look forward to our 101st year!"
Highlights from 2024-2025 Season include:
- Centennial Home & Garden Tour
- Butterfly Garden Centennial Refresh at the Coral Gables Library
- Centennial in Bloom Historical Exhibition at George Merrick House
- Centennial Pollinator Plant Coloring Book
- Centennial Anniversary Book
- Centennial in the Garden Celebration at Fairchild Tropical Garden
- Field Trip to The Society of the Four Arts Garden in Palm Beach
- Greenfingers Movie at Coral Gables Arts Cinema
Upcoming Projects:
- Installation of the Coral Gables Garden Club & Xavier Cortado Centennial Sculpture at the Coral Gables Library
The Coral Gables Garden Club is a not-for-profit organization whose sole purpose is to educate youth and the broader public in various aspects of gardening, horticulture, environmental issues, civic beautification, and floral design. Organized in 1925 by ladies who wanted to share plant knowledge and were committed to civic beautification, George Merrick's mother Althea and wife Eunice were founding members. Eunice was the Club's 2nd President. The club continues this tradition and has several initiatives planned for the remainder of its centennial year.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Coral Gables Garden Club: Dinah Marzullo, (786) 514-0145
