Elmhurst garden walk rousing success

What a spectacular summer day for all who strolled the featured gardens, shopped the boutiques in Wilder Park and attended the open house at the Wilder Mansion at the 14th annual Elmhurst Garden Walk and Faire. A heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the July 13 event.

The assistance, advice and hard work of the Elmhurst Park District is appreciated. The event is not possible without their cooperation and is key to our continued success.

To the homeowners who opened their garden gates, we are grateful for your hard work and graciousness as you prepared your gardens for hundreds of guests who were inspired by your landscapes, hardscapes and green thumbs.

Elmhurst Camera, enzee boutique, Petal Pushers, NuCare Pharmacy/Vallette and the Uptown Shop sold tickets and local merchants displayed signs. The Elmhurst Doings, Elmhurst Independent, Elmhurst Press, Triblocal and Daily Herald published informative features and pictures. The Chicago Tribune, Chicagoland Gardening Magazine, WGN Radio, the Community Bank of Elmhurst, the Elmhurst Park District and the city of Elmhurst's Front Porch also promoted the walk. Local artists, DiCianni Graphics, Trilobite Graphics and many more produced the Garden Guidebook. Garden hosts, service organizations, local musicians, community members and Elmhurst Garden Club members volunteered extensively. Individual donors and businesses gave generously while vendors and gardening experts delighted and informed.

The garden walk was a success, enabling the garden club to again provide several scholarships to college students majoring in horticultural and science fields through our Mildred Hartney Scholarship Fund. We will also be able to continue to assist in local horticultural projects, including a fund for the Children's Garden at the new Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.

Penny O'Neill

publicity chairwoman, Elmhurst Garden Club Garden Walk and Faire