Mission Statement
The object of this Club is to promote horticulture, conservation, and the enjoyment of gardening through activities and study.
2019-2020 Officers and Committees
Club Officers
- President: Andrea Stork
- Vice President: Sharon Eaton
- Co-Secretary: Suzanne Budrow and Mary Ann Laurell
- Treasurer: Mary Beth Montague
- KGC Council Director: Bonnie Borak
Standing Committees
- Awards Committee: Carol Beckius (chair) Suzanne Budrow, Jennifer DiGiuseppe
- Donations: Peg Mickelson, Laura Jane Colber and Dianna Schneider
- Facebook: Sharon Zinser
- Friendship: Marilyn Van Neer and Sharon Zinser
- Flower Show (on even years): Evelyn Flynn (chair), Carol Beckius, Linda Ricca
- Garden Therapy: Bonnie Borak, Pary Ebadi, Janet Everitt, Peg Mickelson, Marilyn Van Neer, Ann Wunderly
- Green Sale Projects: Diana Schneider and Wendy Peterson (co-chairs) + Club members
- Greens Sale Post-Sale at KGC House: Andrea Stork
- Historian/Scrapbook: Bonnie Borak
- Horticulture: Michelle Oliva
- KGC House Project—Butterfly Garden: Wendy Peterson (chair) + Club members
- Membership: Laura McCloskey
- Nominations: Sharon Zinser
- Plant Acquisition: (as needed) Kathy Hathaway, Patt Hewitt, Mary Beth Montague, Mary Ann Laurell, Wendy Peterson, Linda Ricca, Andrea Stork, Gail Thompson, Marilyn Van Neer
- Plant Sale: Joann Wespinter (chair) Kathy Hathaway, Patt Hewitt, Andrea Stork
- Programs: Sharon Eaton (chair), Kathy Hathaway, Wendy Peterson,
- Yearbook: Andrea Stork and Sharon Zinser
Petal Pushers 2019-2020 Community Projects
- Amber Way Cut flowers & Plant Therapy for Alzheimer patients (first Monday of the month)
- Kalamazoo Garden Council Butterfly Garden (throughout growing season)
- Petal Pushers Annual Plant Sale (first weekend in June)
- Kalamazoo Garden Council Greens Sale (beginning of December)
Petal Pushers Meetings 2019-2020
The regular meetings of this Club will be held at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, unless noted. Members are encouraged to come a half-hour early for socializing and snacks. Meetings consist of a program or activity and a Club business meeting. Petal Pushers Fisical Year is July through June
July 2019
Virtual Tour – Food Innovation Center
7/10/19 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pmLocation: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Guest Speaker: Hristina Petrovska, Food Systems Coordinator – KVCC Culinary School in Kalamazoo
Co-Hostesses: Sharon Zinser & Linda Ricca
August 2019
A Tale of Two Gardens — Crane Park and Garden at the home of Natalie Patchell
8/14/19 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Meet at Crane Park, 2001 S Westenedge, Kalamazoo, MI
Details: Tour at both locations conducted by Natalie Patchell, Master Gardener
Please bring a chair and your own lunch
Co-Hostesses: Joann Wespinter & Gail Thompson
September 2019
Daylilies and more Daylilies!
9/11/19 Wednesday social begins at noon, Meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Guest Speaker: Gus Guzinski, Daylily Hybridizer specializing in early bloom
Co-Hostesses: Michelle Oliva & Jennifer DiGiuseppe
October 2019
Painting Rocks with Kathy and Patt
10/9/19 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Details: Please bring a fist size rock to paint. All other supplies provided.
Co-Hostesses: Bonnie Borak & Ann Wunderly & Laura McCloskey
November 2019
Biltmore Gardens Virtual Tour
11/13/19 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Guest Speaker: Pat Pawlak, Gardenettes Garden Club
Co-Hostesses: Peg Mickelson & Diane Schneider
December 2019
Holiday Luncheon
12/11/19 Wednesday at noon
Location: Bravo! Restaurant and Café / 5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49002 / 269-344-7700
Details: RSVP to Eva Braganini – Members only
Hosted by Eva Braganini and Evelyn Flynn
January 2020
Fitness for Gardeners
1/8/20 social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: at the home of Carol Beckius, 5727 Briarhill Dr., Portage, MI 49024
Guest Speaker: Sailesh Satpathy, PT, Auro Physical Therapy
Co-Hostesses: Carol Beckius & Sharon Eaton
February 2020
What are Vernal Pools
2/12/20 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Guest Speaker from MSU Extension — Daria Hyde or Yu Mann Lee
Co-Hostesses: Wendy Peterson & Mary Ann Laurell
March 2020
Sharpening Garden Tools
3/11/20 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Guest Speaker: Jeremy Jubenville, Floriculture Educator, MSU Extension
(Bring a gardening tool or two)
Location: Kalamazoo Garden Council House, 5333 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI
Co-Hostesses: Eva Braganini & Evelyn Flynn
April 2020
Vertical and Small Space Gardening
4/8/20 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center, 5020 Texas Dr., Kalamazoo, MI (269) 345-119
Guest Speaker: Wedel’s Staff
Co-Hostesses: Sharon Eaton & Patt Hewitt & Kathy Hathaway
May 2020
Plant Sale Work Day and Short Meeting
5/13/20 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: 2129 Ames Dr., Portage, MI
Details: Work Day @ Joann Wespinter’s in preparation for June Plant Sale
Co-Hostesses: Andrea Stork & Laura Jane Colber
June 2020
Installation Luncheon
6/17/20 Wednesday social begins at noon, meeting begins at 12:30pm
Location: Oakland Hills Condominiums Clubhouse, 8720 Oakland Hills Circle, Portage MI
Details: Members only. Note: this meeting is on the third Wednesday
Hosted by Mary Ann Laurell & Committee
NOTE: Co-Hostesses will provide a drink and light refreshment
Club History
Organized in 1957 – Federated in 1960. Petal Pushers was the vision of two women, Gladys Seseman & Claudia Rice in 1957. Their first program book included a constitution, by-laws, a garden creed, and a list of officers and members.
Through the years the club has been involved in many activities throughout the community. These activities have changed over time, but they always involve ways to enhance and beautify our surroundings. Kalamazoo in Bloom, which involves Bronson Park and Portage Center, are activities that we contribute to as well as working with Alzheimer patients in ‘touch & feel’ activities, with flowers and greens. Our club participates in the annual KGC Greens Sale with creative gifts, and arrangements, plus set up, floor work and tear down.
In 2008 the club had its first plant sale. The plants for the sale come from club member’s yards and the yards of friends. This sale in now in its 11th year and has become a favorite of all plant sales in the area.
Many years ago two friends with a vision planted a seed and from that our club has grown. It has deep roots and strong branches that have provided interesting activities and enjoyment to a diverse group of women.
