Elmhurst garden walk a big success

The air was warm, the sky was blue, and more than 700 visitors toured the gardens, visited the fair and mansion in Wilder Park, and made the 15th annual Elmhurst Garden Club's Garden Walk and Faire in July a huge success.

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. A special thank you to the homeowners who graciously opened their gardens and shared their expertise, style, and gardening styles with us. The Elmhurst Doings, Elmhurst Independent, Elmhurst Press, Daily Herald and Triblocal published information, features and pictures. Chicagoland Gardening Magazine, Chicago Tribune, West Suburban Living, Community Bank of Elmhurst, Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst YMCA and many others promoted the event, as did several websites.

Our talented local artists, DiCianni Graphics, Trilobite Graphics, and many others helped publish the nationally recognized guidebook. Garden hosts, service organizations, community members and Elmhurst Garden Club members volunteered before, during, and after the event. Individual donors and businesses gave generously, while vendors and gardening experts delighted and informed.

Proceeds from An Afternoon in the Garden enables EGC to provide seven 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 the Children's Garden at the new Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, school and park projects, and other local endeavors. To all who made the event a success, thank you.

Georgia Dolan

Walk chairwoman

Penny O'Neill

Publicity chairwoman

Elmhurst Garden Club