Down a Garden Path
Memories Of The Bedford Garden Club
1927 to 2002
Calvin Coolidge is president, Vic Donahey is governor of Ohio, and Tom Day, the mayor of Bedford. The new Bedford Hospital is going up, the Fountain House torn down. Red streetcars of the ABC Interurban line run along Broadway connecting Akron to Cleveland. On a warm summer weekend laughter and music is heard from Bedford Glens Park, near the edge of Tinkers Creek ravine. Industries such as Taylor Chair, Marble Chair, and Walker China create a very healthy economy for the town. A new housing development called Metropolitan Park, with streets named Eldred, Gould, and Grand Boulevard emerge. Social clubs, civic organizations, and music groups fill leisure time. Churches are well established. Bedford is thriving. Life is comfortable in 1927 – the Great Depression is yet to come.
Around April, 1927, a group of people with like interests, a love of gardening and a thirst to learn more, gathered together to form The Bedford Garden Club. By July 7, 1927, bylaws are established. Article II set the direction for the Club:
“The purpose of the club is to promote the improvement of streets, public parks, and private grounds by creating public sentiment for the preservation of trees and the elimination of weeds and unsightly rubbish, and by assisting members in the solution of their garden problems, providing speakers at meetings and offering opportunities to buy flowers, shrubs and trees at reduced prices through club orders.”
Through the years the Club maintained these basic tenets. The following chronicles its history, attempting to give a capsulized view of the people and events of seventy-five years of activity.
Originally, membership in the Club was limited to fifty residents of Bedford who were “in sympathy with the aims above mentioned.” Bedford at this time meant all of Bedford Township, which later was to become Bedford, Walton Hills, Oakwood, Bedford Heights. The Club decided to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at members’ homes, although reference is made at times to meeting “in the Lion’s Club room”.
It was announced in the Bedford Times Register, that August 11, 1927, would be the last date for enrollment as a charter member. Anyone applying for membership after that date would be referred to the membership committee for approval by the Club at the next business meeting.
The first president of the Club, Ernest R. Scovil, was an enthusiastic gardener who shared his knowledge in regular articles called “Garden
Excerpts from “Garden Gleanings” By Ernest R. Coville The Bedford Times 1927
Gleanings” in the Bedford Times Register. His home on Twinsburg Road (Broadway) was an early location for meetings.
Excerpts from “Garden Gleanings” By Ernest R. Coville – The Bedford Times 1927
The meetings had an agenda that is still followed today: a business meeting followed by a guest speaker on a garden-related subject, or a City official would give a report. Refreshments were always served. Poetry readings often started meetings. Today, inspired by 9/11, the meetings begin with the pledge of allegiance. Occasionally musical entertainment is mentioned, this was mostly in the dormant season. During the warmer seasons, a tour of the grounds or garden of the hosting member was included. The times varied: some meetings were held in the morning and others in the evening.
The Bedford Times – July 8, 1927
Mr. Clyde Steele, an Industrial Arts teacher at Bedford High School, served as president in 1929. The Adirondack-style log furniture at Look-About-Lodge (formerly Cleveland Natural Science Club) on Miles Road in the Metroparks was made by Mr. Steele and his students. During his tenure the first Flower Show, was announced. This was to become a much anticipated event in the community.
By 1930, the Club was well established, becoming a member of the Ohio Federation of Garden Clubs. Miss Estelle Maxeiner became the first woman president of the Bedford Garden Club. Dues would “remain a $1.35 yearly.” During this time plans for beautifying Bedford, a tree planting in the village park, and the adoption of a town flower were being made. Miss Theodora Blake circulated a petition raising the issue of cleaning up the dumps, which seemed to be “springing up all over town.” Thus, a plan was being formulated for community involvement lasting long into the future.
The idea of a board of directors was introduced in 1938, its purpose to take care of Club business, “thereby allowing more time for speakers.” Ballots were cast. “The results of the voting were as follows: Mr. C.C.Steele, Mr. Lloyd Hagerty, two years; Mrs. Ruth Bell, Mrs. Margaret Mills, one year.”
In November, 1946, the traditional voting time for a new slate of officers, events appeared to be a bit gloomy. No one wanted to accept the office of president. A meeting was called by past presidents to discuss whether the “Garden Club should continue or not.” Fortunately, it was decided to continue and “membership might have to be opened to the public,” in order to increase the Club’s numbers. This also meant revising the Club’s Constitution. Mrs. Lucy Warren was voted as president; Mrs. A.M. King, vice-president; Mrs. Fay Hott, secretary; and Mrs. Sterling Prestage, Treasurer. Nomination and approval for membership appear to continue to the late 1950’s. It was not until January, 1964, that revision of the by-laws was discussed. In March, these were approved.
As the membership grew, larger quarters were necessary. They included the Methodist Church parlor, the Masonic Temple on Tarbell Avenue in 1944. Other sites were Moody Junior High on Washington Street; Ellenwood School (when it was a school); the brand new library on Center Street in 1957, later the Bedford City Hall on Columbus Road; finally coming back full circle to Ellenwood, which is now the City’s recreation center. The Club is still looking for a permanent site.