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FITCHBURG — Members of the Laurelwood Garden Club celebrated famous artists from the 18th and 19th century at their 15th annual Scholarship Tea this past Saturday at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
“You could see that each designed centerpiece creation, tablecloths, napkins, plates, tea cups, tea pots, silverware, glass ware, artifacts and favors for each guest reflected the composition of the artist’s artwork,” said Julie Palioca, public relations for the Laurelwood Garden Club.
Among the featured artists and members of the Laurelwood Garden Club designing the themed tablescapes included: “Girl With The Pearl Earring” featuring artist Johannes Vermeer and “Woman and Flowers” featuring artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema — designed by Karen Fluet; “Starry Starry Night” featuring artist Vincent van Gogh — designed by Jo Ferrell and Carol Camerin Ferrell; “Women In the Garden” featuring artist Claude Monet — designed by Grace McWalter, and several others.
While sipping on Irish tea from Ireland and wearing fascinators, guests enjoyed homemade currant scones with blackberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream, a flurry of savory tea sandwiches, decadent chocolate chip brownies, rich, cream-cheese cupcakes, French apple cakes-delicieux, zesty lemon squares and fancy tea cup cookies.
“All of the food was deliciously provided by the club members,” Palioca said. Those members included Grace McWalter, Ray Bowen, Kathryn Nowosielski, Carol Camerin Ferrell, Jo Ferrell, Fran McCluskey, Mary Ed Cain, Julie Palioca, Deb Vilandry, Lucille Cormier, Marilyn Talley, and Kelly West.
Scholarship applications are in the process of being sent to the following schools: Francis W. Parker School, Montachusett Vocational/Regional School, Lunenburg High School, Leominster High School, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, Oakmont Regional High School, North Central Charter School, and Fitchburg High School.
The club offers a scholarship to a high school senior who will pursue an education in agricultural, horticultural, landscaping design or architecture, conservation, forestry, agronomy, city planning, land management, botany, biology and environmental studies.
Students should contact their high school guidance counselors for an application.
For more information on the club’s scholarship, contact the club member and scholarship chair, Barbara Reynolds, at 978-582-4662.
The next big event for the Laurelwood Garden Club will be the 27th Annual Art in Bloom to be held Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, April 27, in partnership with the Fitchburg Art Museum.
“Over 40 floral interpretations will be displayed throughout the museum galleries,” said Palioca. “Weekend festivities will include lectures, music, and a Champagne Gala on Friday evening.
If interested in interpreting a piece of artwork, contact the Fitchburg Art Museum at acotnoir@fitchburgartmuseum.org or call the museum at 978-424-4506.
The Laurelwood Garden Club will hold its next monthly meeting from 9:30 a.m. until noon Friday, Feb. 14, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St. The meeting’s program, titled “Creative and Inspiring Floral Design”, will be presented by Christy King.
“Christy will present information on elements and principles of design, tool and material selection, technique and arrangement styles, color, theory and flower selection and care and maintenance,” Palioca said.
Meetings for the remainder of the year will include one on Friday, March 14 to “spring” into the Art in Bloom event; a visit to The New England Botanic Garden at Towel Hill on Friday, April 11; “Container Gardening”, presented by Deborah Trickett, owner of The Captured Garden in Westford, on Friday, May 9, and the club’s annual meeting and elections on Friday, June 13, at 873 Cafe & Smith Hill Tavern, in Ashby.
The Laurelwood Garden Club holds meetings, featuring speakers and/or programs, from 9:30 a.m. until noon on the second Friday of each month at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
“Meetings are held from September through June and are open to guests who are interested in attending or joining the club,” said Palioca.
For more information on the Laurelwood Garden Club, or if you wish to attend a meeting, contact Julie Palioca at 978-537-7630. or visit gcfm.org/LaurelwoodGardenClub/Fitchburg.
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