The Shenandoah Garden Club’s April meeting was held on club member Pat Magnone’s beautiful and spacious back porch. The rainy, cold, cloudy weather had finally left, and it was a fine, pleasant, sunny April afternoon. Norma Akers and Susan Guay provided a lunch of soup and salad, with orange cake and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
After a brief business meeting, the group moved into the living room to admire the spring flower display as well as the exquisite “Traditional American Mass” created by Jewell Hellems (for which he was awarded a ribbon blue).
There was no program this month, as all attention is turned to the upcoming 66th Annual House and Garden Tour. This year Shenandoah will feature the historic home, Linden Spring, located on Engle-Molers Road, outside of Shepherdstown. Five other historic homes in Jefferson and Berkeley counties will be displayed by other garden clubs; the event will be held on April 27 and 28. Tour hours are from 10 am to 5 pm daily.
Linden Spring, in addition to these houses will be on the tour:
· Happy Retreat, the home of Charles Washington, the founder of Charles Town (and younger brother of the famous “George”) is on tour this year. The address is 600 Mordinton Avenue, Charles Town.
· Thomas Shepherd Grist Mill, built about 1738, by Thomas Shepherd Sr., who was the founder of Shepherdstown. This address is 207 East High Street, Shepherdstown.
· The Welsh Farm, which was established in 1785. The address is 363 Swan Pond Road, Martinsburg.
· Pitzer/Poland House, an elegant “American Foursquare” brick Victorian home in Martinsburg. 526 W. Burke Street.
· Gable Five, also in Martinsburg, a Federal-style house built in 1856. The address is 1076 Clyde Borum Road, Martinsburg.
Tickets are on sale in all the houses on the days of the Tour. For more information, visit ShenandoahPotomacGardenCouncil.org.
