Los Alamos Garden Club representatives Joyce Zaugg, left, and Kersti Rock, right, and Los Alamos County Councilor Denise Derkacs hold up a proclamation, which recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Los Alamos Garden Club. The proclamation was presented during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Council issued a proclamation during Tuesday night’s meeting recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Los Alamos Garden Club.

Councilor Denise Derkacs read the proclamation:

WHEREAS, this year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Los Alamos Garden Club; and

WHEREAS, over the years, the Los Alamos Garden Club members have exchanged knowledge and experience with others to master gardening techniques in the difficult Los Alamos conditions, hosted several large flower shows and published a book, “High Altitude Gardening,” in 1967; and

WHEREAS, after receiving a plot of land in 1956 from the Zia Parks Department, the Los Alamos Garden Club members landscaped the area, planting 56 rose bushes that were purchased with the proceeds from its annual plant sales; and

WHEREAS, that rose garden quickly outgrew its original space and, in 1958, was moved to its current location adjacent to Fuller Lodge and is now the oldest public rose garden in the state of New Mexico, continuously managed and maintained by the garden club members; and

WHEREAS, the Los Alamos Garden Club is also responsible for various projects throughout the community, including the installation of a memorial to Enrico Fermi, a birdbath in memory of Ernest Lang, Sr., a sundial in memory of William Strickfadden, an arbor in memory of Norma and Robert Lanter, a fountain created by Hans Van de Bovenkamp, the Blue Star Memorial Byway marker honoring the Armed Forces, the memorial for fallen workers of Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the issuance of annual high school scholarships and science fair awards; and

WHEREAS, the Los Alamos Garden Club’s long history is documented in beautiful yearbooks, each one lovingly decorated and illustrated by club historians. These albums are housed in the archives of the Historical Society.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby recognize and express my gratitude to the

LOS ALAMOS GARDEN CLUB ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

and acknowledge that as a community, we benefit tremendously from its many contributions that beautify our neighborhoods with gardens that bring us a feeling of peace, well-being, and joy.