Earlier this month, we visited the Garden Club of the Back Bay's Wreath Week workshop for a story Penny was preparing for the Back Bay Sun. We wanted to post some of the photos here and salute this wonderful organization with the words of just a few of the more than 60 volunteers who make this fundraiser possible.
Here's the caption that went with the cover photo, (above)
Twenty Years of Wreaths!
“There’s something about coming here and doing this,” said Mary Ellen Udelson. “Everything else in your life kind of falls away. It’s just pure joy!” As one of the original volunteers, this was her 20th year decorating wreaths for the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s annual fundraising event, “Wreath Week.”
“Everyone has to come here to get an assignment,” said Janet Murphy from her seat at “Control Central.” She explained that the wreaths are highly personalized, and that she works with the decorators to be sure customers’ requests are reflected in the finished wreaths.
Stacey Richards (left) was a first year volunteer. “I’m not creative, but I can do this… And, someday,” she said with a big smile, “maybe I’ll do wreaths.” She was preparing ribbons for the bow makers with Louesa Gillespie. “Whatever you do is fun, here– doesn’t matter what your job is. And, there’s something for everyone,” Gillespie said.
“Margaret and I have the hands that are made for it,” said Nancy Devereaux who was making bows with Margaret Pokorny. Good hand strength is needed to fashion the lively bows that are one of the trademarks of these wreaths.
“It’s controlled pandemonium,” said first-timer, Nancy Stone as she helped to organize materials. “You can come here for 10-minutes or for 10-hours and, either way, you feel equally as purposeful.” “And, it’s so festive, it really is.”
Darwin Cordoba has been volunteering since 2009. He spent his day off from Ralph Lauren on Newbury Street creating wreaths for the Garden Club.
“It’s fun, and it’s for a good cause,” said Glenda Mattes who spent the past two “Wreath Weeks” helping one of the senior decorators. This year she was, “…picking out things that would go with my bow,” for the wreath she was about to create.
“Many of the most important jobs are stuff like keeping things orderly, sweeping the floor, checking to make sure things don’t fall off,” said Sherley Smith. Testing a finished wreath included giving it a good shake and tugging at the design elements to be certain they were secure.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino
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