Inverness Garden Club celebrates 85 years with ‘Enchanted Forest’ luncheon

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Garden Club of Inverness hosted its “Enchanted Forest” luncheon at the Medinah Country Club. Nancy Kaye and Pam MacGillivray chaired the event which capped off the club’s 85th anniversary celebrations.

Guests of the sold-out event entered the Great Room which had been transformed into a magical woodland scene by Shirley Putman and her crew.

Raffle packages, a silent auction, “Enchanting Treasures” grab bags, and a variety of handcrafted trees were offered. Mary Rubino, Susan Erickson, and Mary Ann Laforet created centerpieces from lamb’s ear, twig, and bottlebrush trees, complemented with fresh greens and florals that adorned each table in the Grand Ballroom.

Designer Janet Gallagher of the American Institute of Floral Designers presented the program showcasing a variety of beautiful holiday arrangements. And one lucky person won the grand cash raffle prize of $1,000.

The proceeds fund scholarships for students living in the Palatine and Barrington high school districts who will pursue careers in horticulture or related fields. More information about the scholarship application process is available at gardenclubinverness.com.

The club meets at 9:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month, August through November and February through April at All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. There is an extensive range of speakers, and the meetings are free to attend.