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The second meeting of the newly organized Port Washington Garden Club was held. A lecture “Beautifying the Home Grounds of America” was presented with 64 colored slides to illustrate it.

A bill for $10.00 was presented to the treasurer by Arthur Lonergan for planting trees at the water tower.

“The Dirt Garden Clinic” will be presented by Mr. Rahmlow at the March meeting.

At the January 11, 1943 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehringer, twenty members were present. A new member, Mr. Hirsch spoke about starting a Victory Garden project in the city and outlined a series of lectures to assist gardeners in doing the work right. It was moved that the Garden Club proceed with promoting Victory gardens in the city of Port Washington together with the facilities of the Vocational School, their assistance and equipment, and the club sponsor a Victory Garden Fair in the fall. Herb Peters and John Mehringer then presented a quiz program on conservation, also supplying the correct answers.

The Garden Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Haehn on January 27, 1959. Thirty-three members and two guests attended. Joyce Mueller asked if the club could have a Question and Answer period on gardening problems and time was allowed for this.

The meeting was held at the home of George U. Gilson, 746 W. Grand Ave. Members discussed periodicals and books about gardening they had found helpful solving their own gardening problems.

The Gilsons also showed slides of spring flowers taken along a nature path in the Boerner Botanical Gardens of Whitnall Park, Milwaukee.

The second meeting of the year was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Marquart on February 8, 1943, with 26 members present. The club decided that at the next meeting which would be March 15, we would make scrap books consisting of cartoons, short stories, jokes, etc. for the armed forces in the hospitals at Camp McCoy and Truax at Madison. Bird houses will also be appreciated.

The February 20 meeting was held in the carpentry shop of the J.E. Gilson company. After some initial difficulties, the 23 members present busied themselves making one duplex and 32 single family bluebird houses.

The second meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held on February 28, 1951 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ubbink with 21 members present. John Bittner told the club that Mr. DeMerit would like to have some organization sponsor some project to give the children at the high school an incentive to work harder and take more of an interest. They could build a variety of bird houses, feeding stations, etc. which could be exhibited and sold. Mr. DeMerit would classify and suggest appropriate prizes. The motion was carried and Hazel Schneider offered her show window for a week's display of the houses, etc., in April The following judging committee was appointed: Marion Wilburn, Lucille Bittner, Sam DeMerit, Frank Hoehn, Herb Peters, and John Bittner.

Twenty-two members of the Port Washington Garden Club met at the home of Ruth Henzie on February 24, 1954. Anna Ubbink asked the club to consider the question of the placement of the Sewage Disposal Plant. A discussion followed. Anna Ubbink moved that the Garden Club circulate a petition objecting to the location of the Plant and suggesting that it be built on the South Shore. A petition to that effect was written.

Grace Peters suggested the club ask the city to plant maple trees rather than elms since Dutch Elm disease has reached Wisconsin.

Mrs. Arnold Barr reviewed a book on the subject of rock gardening and a discussion followed.

A sheet of 100 wildlife poster stamps was purchased for $1 (dues at the time were 50 cents per year) as part of National Wildlife Restoration Week (3/17/40 - 3/23/40). The stamps will be used by the club secretary on outgoing mail and some will also be donated to the local boy and girl scouts for use in their clubrooms.

The club secretary was instructed to write to Senator Buchan urging him to make all effort to retain daylight saving time.

Edward Maeser, Marshall Maeser, George Gilson and Herb Peters put up 32 blue bird houses between Port and Newburg. The West Bend Bird Club will put up houses from Newburg to West Bend

The March 22, 1955 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Ubbink. Mr. Phil Smith, an entomologist with the state Department of Agriculture and Evelyn Ubbink's brother, gave a talk and showed slides of insect warfare which would quickly destroy civilization were it not for the wonderful insect control which provides relief by quick death.

The March 22, 1955 Port Washington Garden Club meeting at the home of Carolyn and Craig Heatwole, a discussion of the Pebble House ensued concerning the four proposed locations for the building and its use as a tourist information center. Several members indicated that the Pebble House should be surrounded by a grassed area. At the close of this portion of the discussion, Edith Moser suggested that the Garden Club take an active role in landscaping the Pebble House.

The March 22, 1955 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held at the home of Roy and Jeannie Protzman. At this meeting, Dorothy Kelm said that someone would have to take over the planting of the flowers at the courthouse. Hud Peters graciously accepted the responsibility of planting the flowers. After an excellent program, we decided to adjourn the meeting and talk about our garden problems over Jeannie's delicious dessert, coffee and tea.

A meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held Tuesday evening April 18, 1939 in the home of the Paul Marquarts. A motion was made by Herb Peters that a letter be written to the City Council protesting against the garbage dump near the high school; also regarding the beautifying of the water tower and grounds beautification of the city, including the spraying of trees.

The third meeting of 1940 was held on the evening of April 30 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilke. Arthur Loneragan, reporting for the committee on landscaping the water tower, suggested planting a number of flowering crab trees. The committee will use their discretion in purchasing the material and having it planted as soon as possible.

The third meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held on April 3, 1945 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Ubbink, with 16 members present. Vann Wilke reported on the Regional meeting held at Kohler on March 12. She mentioned that Mrs. Dakin, state federation president told that horticulture would play a big part in the rehabilitation of our returning servicemen. Mrs. Thomas, war service chairman, asked us to save scrap book material, as there will be requests for more scrap books.

Port Washington Garden Club met at the home of Anna and Viola Ubbink in April 1947. Mrs. Dunwiddie read a letter she had sent to the Mayor a year ago and showed the club some enlarged photos taken of the Northeast corner of our city park atop the lake bluff which is being used as a dumping ground. The club decided Mr. Lefty Hoehn should give the letter and pictures to our new mayor, Mayor Larson, and tell him the P.W.G.C. would like some action.

The members of the Port Washington Garden Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehringer. The members, at Mrs. Barr's suggestion, decided to open their gardens to the public instead of having a flower show. The following gardens were offered: the Barrs, Moesers, Ubbinks, Peters, Dixes, Wilkes, and Dunwiddies.

At the April meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club at the home of Fred and Grace Boerner, volunteers were solicited to plant the flower pots which decorate the city. The Junior Chamber of Commerce will put up the brackets on the poles. The plants will be kept at the Boerners' before being put into the brackets.

The Port Washington Garden Club met at the home of Lucille Bittner for the April 26, 1967 meeting. The Garden Walk for the residents of Lasata was discussed. It was decided to be held on a Sunday afternoon and the Lasata residents would be picked up in cars by Garden Club members.

During the April, 1968 Port Washington Garden Club meeting at the home of the Hy Heatwoles, Grace Peters asked the club to help with the planting of vetch on the bluff overlooking the water filtration plant. The club was also asked to take charge of the Groessil Woods park and help in establishing it as a nature arboretum.

The April 1973 Port Washington garden Club meeting was held at the home of Grace Boerner. At this meeting Bill Fullmer reported that Vern Arendt will take a picture of the elm tree on the corner of Washington and Wisconsin Avenues. It is the oldest tree in Port Washington and will be featured in the local papers.

At the May, 1938 garden club meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milke, Arthur Lonegan asked the club to help with the campaign against the rose stem girder.

The fourth meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held on May 13, 1948. The Christmas Lighting Project prizes were announced. The first prize winners had a choice of trees or delphiniums as prizes. Second prize winners received eight delphiniums. Third place prize was four delphiniums. The grand prize was a blue spruce.

At the May 24, 1950 Port Washington Garden Club meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Waiter Dunwiddie, a sample of TAT "Flower Set" was shown. It is an ideal medium for holding flowers in position. Merely pack it into vases, add water, then insert stems of flowers which will be held in whatever position they are placed. Our members were very anxious to try it and placed their orders right away.

Herb and Grace Peters were the hosts for the May 26, 1954 Garden Club meeting. The question of decorating for the High School Commencement was considered., Lucille Bittner moved that the garden club provide and arrange flowers for Commencement this year and in succeeding years. It was suggested that parents of graduating seniors be excused from acting on the committee for that particular year.

On May 24, 1967, Viola and Anna Ubbink held the Garden Club meeting. At this time, the club was asked for volunteers to help plant Crown Vetch to hold the side of the bluff. Volunteers included Ed Moeser, Paul Beer, Art and Dorothy Kelm, Mary Smith, Sally Puckett, and Anna Ubbink.

At the June 26, 1963 Flower Show, the following punch was made and served by Garden Club members to approximately 300 Flower Show visitors to the library:

Flower Show Punch

1 quart of cranberry juice

1 quart of apple juice

1 quart and 1 cup of Seven Up

A mixture of the punch was frozen in ring molds and used in place of ice to chill the punch in the bowl.

The annual picnic was held at the Bill and Loretta Fullmer home on June 24, 1970. On the following Tuesday, the male members of the club were to meet at the Eghart House to trim trees and bushes and help with some of the planting.

On June 22, 1977, the annual picnic was held in the Fullmer's back yard. Bill and Loretta's garden was a joy to behold and their three uninvited guests (baby skunks) demanded much attention. Thanks to Loretta and Bill for a fine party.

During the June 27, 1979 Garden Club meeting, Anna Ubbink gave a short resume of the struggle to replant the Wisconsin Street Hill after all of the topsoil had been removed. Over 200 trees, bushes and plants have been planted and most of them are growing, but very slowly. With luck and perseverance, it should be an interesting place in time to come.

The July 28, 1946 picnic was held at Groessel’s Gron. After the swimming and horseshoes and plenty of food, the members felt it had been a most successful outing. The Marshall Moesers picked up a load of Groessel's 15 year-old manure on their way home and Viola Ubbink expressed a desire that the Moesers drive at the end of the line.

The July 28, 1982 Garden Club meeting summer picnic was held at the home of Ellie and Ken Christensen. Monika Clauer gave the suggestion that, if tomato plants were protected by cartons in early spring, they seemed to grow better.

The Garden Club held a Plant Sale and Garden Walk on July 11, 1998. Included in the tour were the homes of Jerry & Pat Baganz, Roger & Sara Ziegelbauer, Tom Hudson & Elizabeth O'Connell, Ron Kotecki & Barbara Carini and Joe & Rosa Zingsheim. A cookout was held afterwards at Tom & Elizabeth's home.

At the August 23,1978 Garden Club meeting at the home of Lucille Bittner, Art Kelm announced that the elm tree which was memorialized by the club several years before (in 1975) was to be cut down. A discussion followed in which members suggested having a ring cut from the tree.

The Port Washington Garden Club met on August 28, 1985, at Lower Lake Park to be guided by Grace Peters on a tour of the Guentier Pond area and Upper Lake park. Afterwards the club adjourned to Grace Peters' home for a meeting and refreshments.

On August 27, 1987, at the Fred Ziegenhagen home, Port Washington Garden Club member Scott Heatwole raised the question of why there seem to be no loons or other water fowl at the Harrington Beach quarry. Dorothy Kelm volunteered to call the Park and find out. Art Kelm also related information on walnut trees in the garden. Apparently the toxin is detrimental to a variety of plants; tomatoes and potatoes are especially vulnerable. The general rule is to plant only shallow-rooted plants which will be less likely to touch the walnut tree's deep-root system.

The annual meeting of the Sheboygan (Garden Club) district was held in Port Washington, preceded by a dinner at 6:30 at Smith's Fish Shanty. There were eighty present, including twenty-seven of our own members .... After committee reports, there was an interesting discussion of spiritual gardening combined with practical gardening given by Reverend Donald Miller of Two Rivers.

Marshall and Edith Mouser hosted the September 13, 1948 Port Washington Garden Club meeting. Edith suggested the Club plant a tree or shrub in memory of the deceased Garden Club members and that the one for Dr. Drissen should be planted on the hospital grounds.

The Port Washington Garden Club met on September 27, 1950 at the home of Julia Munster. At the meeting, the men brought five Horticultural arrangements which were judged by the women members. First prize went to Herb Peters for his "Autumn Fence Row" and Mr. Dunwiddie received second place for his marigold arrangement.

At the September 28 1955 meeting held in Grace Briner's home, Ina Dunwiddie reported on the Nature Trail. The club discussed the question of using the old swimming pool as an ice-skating rink in the winter. It was suggested that the club label the plants and shrubs in the Spring. Mrs. Barr moved that the committee present the plan for planting the Nature Trail to the City Council.

The September meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held at the home of Anna and Viola Ubbink. Edith Moser brought up the subject of renovating the Eghart House as a museum and art center and wanted to know if this would materialize if the garden club would help with some of the landscaping. Motion by Jackie Wilbur, seconded by Sally Puckett, that this be one of our Garden Club projects.

The Port Washington Garden Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kelm. Anna Ubbink reported that she called the city concerning the historic elm tree on Wisconsin Street which must be cut down. She requested that two or three slabs 12 inches thick be cut to be given the the library, City Hall, and the Biology department of the high school.

The ninth meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held on October 3, 1943, at Waubedonia Park. All members present enjoyed a hike through the woods which at the time nature produced coloring far beyond the imagination. After the hike, we enjoyed delicious Hunters Stew, doughnuts, and coffee.

At the October 25, 1962 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club, held at Herb and Grace Peters, Grace organized and read the history of the Garden Club (1932-1960). Mrs. Barr and Mr. Wilke were charter members. A corsage was presented to Mrs. Bart and a boutonniere to Mr. Wilke by Herb Peters.

The October meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held October 23, 1963 at the home of Anna and Viola Ubbink. A spirited game of "Password in the Garden Way" was played, after revising the game using only gardening terms.. The imaginations of the players were stretched to find the correct "password".

At the October 12, 1973 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club, Herb and Grace Peters submitted a report of the Grounds Committee of the Eghart House. Some of the work completed include the planting of a shadblow (serviceberry) bush near the library's tool shed and the planting of the following: red ensign tulips, violas, lobelia, dusty miller, geraniums and a parsley plant. Primroses were planted in the early spring. The garden club was also responsible for mulching, sod replacement, and grass cutting.

The eighth meeting of the 1942 Port Washington Garden Club was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Gilson on November 26. At the meeting a letter from the British War Relief was read and tabled. It was moved that the club purchase $1.00 worth of conservation stamps and give them to the Boy and Girls Scouts or the schools and library.

The tenth meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held November 8, 1948 at the home of Mrs. Munster with twenty-seven members present. Edith Moeser moved that the club plant a tree for every deceased member of the club instead of sending flowers. Herb Peters suggested that the trees be planted in a grove with a marker; this grove to be known as Garden Club Memorial Park.

At the November 19, 1953 meeting, which was a pot luck dinner at the home of Bill and Van Wilke, Edith Moeser said that the public demands for African violets had increased the number of varieties from four last year to twenty-seven this year at Halton and Hunkel. She also stated that a light coming through a south window through a glass curtain on a sunny day is best for African violets, or between six and eight hundred foot candle power.

The November 6, 1955 Port Washington Garden Club met at the site of the proposed Lake Park Nature Trail at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. The group looked over the area and the plantings and the shrubs that were there.

The eleventh meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club was held at the home of Anna and Viola Ubbink on December 9, 1943. Mrs. Grace Peters gave a very interesting report on her visit to the district Executive Board Convention held in Sheboygan. A letter from Mrs. Chester Thomas had been read asking members to make jams and jellies for the armed forces in hospitals at Army Camps in Wisconsin. The club decided to take action in this respect, there being no further business, our hostesses planned a very interesting game and a delicious lunch.

At the December 8, 1947 meeting of the Port Washington Garden Club, the question was brought up as to what should be done for the State Centennial in our city. It was suggested that people should be encouraged to plant trees and designate when they were planted. The mayor suggested planting trees in the new sub-division.

Joyce and Fred Mueller took over as our hosts for the Christmas party on December 17, 1958. Gifts were on display and everyone put their tickets on the articles they would like to Take-a-Chance on. Hot buttered rum was served by Fred which added life to the venture. Ice cream balls of rainbow colors and beautiful Cookies and coffee were served.