Roscoe Gardening Club brings special deliveries to North Pointe Terrace

The Roscoe Gardening Club has been spreading joy to the residents of North Pointe Terrace assisted living facility in Roscoe by creating and delivering "bodacious bouquets" of flowers they had grown. They plan to keep up this cheerful action throughout the month of July.

Bodacious Bouquets is the club's new community outreach. Each week, six club members have taken the opportunity to highlight what is beautiful and flourishing in their gardens, and to give it away.

The first dose of colorful happiness came to North Pointe the morning of Monday, July 8, 2024, with a second delivery on the following Monday, July 15.

Roscoe Gardening Club member Sheri Henson helped with deliveries. "Every one of the people receiving these bouquets loved them and were so surprised to be getting one - they just oohed and aahed!"

Henson says she's looking forward to going back for those who didn't receive a bouquet on the first day. "The gentlemen who received the patriotic themed ones couldn't wait to show us his military pictures."

Roscoe Gardening Club marketing director Lisa Brown reflected on reactions to these surprise deliveries.

“It was so nice to see the residents' faces light up when we presented our bouquets and from those receiving them. Flowers are simply synonymous with joy," adds Brown. " Our club is all about spreading our love of gardening with others.”

Member Renee Klinefelter said, “This was such a fun opportunity, and so obviously appreciated by the residents. Their reactions were absolutely precious and it was so nice to have the chance to talk with them. I really hope it brightened their day, because it sure brightened mine.”

Member Rebecca Beneditz brought her children with her. Her six year old daughter Audrey said that she was excited to do this again in the next week because she liked making people happy.

Beneditz shares, “On our way home from the first delivery, she was discussing in the back seat of the car with her sister, four year old Lucy, which part was better, sharing flowers or getting a piece of chocolate. Lucy stuck with the chocolate, but Audrey said that sharing the flowers was better.”

Megan Shuller, who is a personal care aide at North Pointe, said, “They all loved them and were so happy to receive them. The people who live there all love things like that to liven up their places, and we appreciated them as well. The residents talked about it afterwards. The children that came and helped on both rounds were so happy as well.”

“July is such a beautiful time of year, when everything is in full bloom and gardens are at their most glorious,” says Roscoe Gardening Club president Renee Mealey. “By gathering and delivering these bouquets, we give our members a chance to share their passion by giving to others who no longer may be able to garden.”

"Since it is a part of the Roscoe Gardening Club's mission to provide engaging programs for our club members, our board of directors are always looking for ways to connect with our local community,” Mealey said.

"Bringing "bodacious bouquets" to the residents of North Pointe Terrace gave us a unique opportunity to recognize our elders with a joyous and beautiful gift. The event not only benefited the individual residents of North Pointe Terrace but also created a sense of delight among our club membership."

“Community outreach is an important part of our mission, and we are always looking for as much member participation as possible,” added Mealey.

Local veterans at the Roscoe VFW Post were also saluted with "bodacious bouquets" on the 23rd of July.

The Roscoe Gardening Club, which started in January 2024, is free to anyone wishing to join.

Sponsorship and donations enable the group to host monthly meetings with speakers on a variety of gardening related topics, including wildlife, civic beautification and development and improving our environment. Each meeting includes a seed swap, magazine swap, a plant swap or to choose free items, usually vegetables or flowers, from an “abundance” table.

The group holds their monthly meetings at the Roscoe Township Community Center located at 4562 Hononegah Rd, Roscoe, IL.

On August 17 at 10 a.m .all are invited to learn about “The Art of Butterfly Gardening.” This presentation will be given by Lyndi Toohill, the Nicholas Conservatory resident “Butterfly Lady.”

A calendar of events can be found on the group’s Facebook page, where friends are encouraged to join by signing up.

In addition to this special presentation, the club is hosting a bake sale during the August meeting.

In June, the club hosted a garden walk featuring five gardens. In July, members were welcomed at a private docent-led tour of Anderson Japanese Gardens.

"Rocky the Rock Snake" (at Talcott Free Library in Rockton) is in a friendly competition with “Roscoe the Rock Snake” (at the Roscoe Township Center). Local residents add a painted rock to their favorite snake, seeing which snake can grow the longest. This fun, entertaining project  became very popular in a short time. It lets community members can work together with a common objective and hopefully create a sense of camaraderie on a local level. (But please don't take any rocks from the snakes.)

Roscoe Gardening Club is continuing the good work of spreading joy and beauty through sharing information and by giving "bodacious bouquets" from the heart.