Caitlen Cameron [00:09:32] When did you get started with the Garden Club?

Helen Schreiber [00:09:39] Over 40 years ago, probably 42, 43 years. And Erika Reale sponsored me. I was a little intimidated at first. I think I was one of the few people that nursed a baby on a bus for the club. We were going on a trip to Kingswood Gardens and I wanted to go even though I had a nursing baby. It has been a nurturing experience.

I think our first flower show, I was talked into doing an arrangement and it was at the Botanical Garden Center and I won a blue ribbon and I thought it was a huge mistake that I could never live up to it again. But I was encouraged. I wanted it to look like a Rembrandt flower arrangement with tulips and daffodils and roses, some things out of season, berries, lovely foliage. And there was a... I didn't follow the rules. It's because I didn't know the rules. I have an assortment of ribbons from white to blue, and I do enjoy flower arranging, and I think it was the knowledge that I had acquired from being in the club. I do small weddings.

[00:13:34] And I like I don't like arrangements to look like they come from the florist shop. I like them to look like you walked into your garden, you picked whatever you could find—or your neighbor's garden—and make something out of it. It's more of a relaxed look than a structured look.

Caitlen Cameron [00:25:10] So what are some details outsiders might not know about the club? Because you've been involved for so long.

Helen Schreiber [00:25:26] I think that we raise money for good causes. I personally feel we could have more causes for the amount of money we have, personally, but I do like that we make the park beautiful where we're at. I would like to see more help given to people that are not exposed to beautiful parks somehow, but, that's our main focus.

Caitlen Cameron [00:26:04] Yeah. So this is kind of different I guess but, so you grew up a different way than some of these other women. I guess how does that put your perspective on the Garden Club and how we do things?

Helen Schreiber [00:26:19] I guess I think I didn't know what to expect for at first because my mother didn't belong to a garden club or her mother. I feel like I come from a different world sometimes, but you find people in the club that you like. Mhm. And everyone is pretty neutral, though. It's very down to earth. Yes. My kids went to the public schools. They did not go to private schools. They all graduated from college. They have advanced degrees. We had three surgeons in our house at one point.

It is because I've been in [the club] so long, and you do have these relationships with people from the committees that you've worked on together, which I think is very nice. And if you participate in the club, of course you get to know people.

Caitlen Cameron [00:55:25] And do you have any advice for people wanting to join?

Helen Schreiber [00:55:31] Mmm, I think if you join, you know, hope to be on a committee or asked to be on a committee, something that might interest you. It's the only way you get to meet more people on a personal level. And I was intimidated at first. But as you meet people, it's nurturing.

Caitlen Cameron [00:55:56] Mhm. Do you think you have to have a big garden to join?

Helen Schreiber [00:55:59] No, no. You could be interested in conservation, maybe less plastic, maybe... There's all sorts of wonderful things you could get involved with. But you do get to learn about plants and things or public, public land or the Nature Center. There are things we could definitely help out with There's something about green space in a community. This is why we love living here.