The Norway Area Garden Club Mission Statement
The Norway Area Garden Club is dedicated to individuals who enjoy coming together to share ideas, successes, and failures, in our passion for gardening.
We will endeavor to inspire, enrich and educate its members: by providing information, fostering a climate suitable to sharing, encouraging the enjoyment of all forms of gardening, promoting gardening to the community through education, sharing of enthusiasm and example.
Norway Area Garden Club History
2006 Master Gardeners planted a perennial garden at Norway Town Hall
2007 The NORWAY GARDEN CLUB was founded
Original members: Becky VonHaden, Karen Koeller, Jean Jacobsen, Judy Ohl, Sara Krause (sp), Bonnie Meyer
No dues were paid by members. If a paid speaker was hired, a collection was taken up.
2007-2013 Judy Ohl, President
2014 Ann Marie Kowalski, President
2015 Ann Marie Kowalski, President, Terry Fischer Program planner. Dues paid to Norway Rec Dept. & Expenses paid by Norway Rec Dept. any left over $ was retained by NRD.
2016 Ann Marie Kowalski, President; Terry Fischer Program planner; Becky VonHaden & Jean Mierow, Membership
2017 Terry Fischer, Chair; Becky VonHaden & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Roger Condrad Program Planning; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors. Norway Rec Dept broke with Norway Garden Club in November
2018 Terry Fischer, Chair; Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Roger Condrad Program Planning; Gail Willert, Librarian; Becky VonHaden, Financial; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors. Changed name to Norway AREA Garden Club at beginning of 2018.
2019 Terry Fischer, Chair; Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Linda Suerth Program Planning; Gail Willert, Librarian; Becky VonHaden, Financial; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors. First plant sale at Erdmann’s Flightline Interiors.
2020 Terry Fischer, Chair; Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Linda Suerth Program Planning; Gail Willert, Librarian; Becky VonHaden, Financial; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors. Outreach Committee: Board of Directors will act as committee this year. No activity.
2021 Terry Fischer, Chair; Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Linda Suerth Program Planning; Gail Willert, Librarian; Anne Marie Kowalski, Financial; Sue Grueter, Sunshine Lady; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors. Outreach Ctte: Board of Directors will act as committee this year. Jan Loebel initiated 1st Waterfordd Library donation. Plant sale at Erdmann’s Flightline Interiors.
2022 Terry Fischer, Chair, Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Linda Suerth Program Planning; Anne Marie Kowalski, Financial; Sue Grueter, Sunshine Lady; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors; Jan Loebel Outreach/Library.
2023 Terry Fischer, Chair; Linda Suerth, Gail Willert & Jean Mierow, Membership; Tom Horner, Abby Erdmann, Terry Fischer, Linda Suerth Program Planning; Anne Marie Kowalski, Financial; Sue Grueter, Sunshine Lady; Anne Marie Kowalski, Karen Koeller, Advisors; Jan Loebel Outreach/Library; Laurie Daft Blogspot
In the Beginning - our roots
2005 or 2006? “Meyer Park is a 22 acre park with too much grass and not enough interesting things. It took over a year for Town Chair Jean Jacobson, to convince the Norway Town Board to plant a prairie garden in Meyer Park. Jean contacted Patti Nagi of Racine County Extension, knowing that there were Master Gardeners in our areas. Master Gardeners from the area agreed to take on the project. As the garden has evolved, it has turned into a beautiful perennial garden. The Town has always referred to it as the “Meadow Garden.” The Norway Garden Club was formed shortly after to bring gardeners from the Town together to share their love for gardening. The club was separate from the Master Gardener organization, although several members were Master Gardeners and were instrumental in its’ formation, plus they were wonderful teachers using their knowledge and excitement for the subject matter. The club has grown, taken in members from the surrounding areas, and has been a true asset to our community. “ by Jean Jacobsen
“We used Extension agents as speakers and since they were not paid and were coming from work, we had potluck meals. They usually chose their favorite topics and sometimes had a Q&A session. The Q&A meetings were very popular and we had to limit the number of questions. They have all retired now and Sharon Morrisey ( Milwaukee ) is leaving shortly. We also used Paul's Pedal Pushers - they explained how small retailers work together and share plants. They also did tours of their greenhouses.” By Judy Ohl
