Submitted by Debbie Karpf
(November 11, 2025) — The Haddam Garden Club was proud to be recognized at the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Annual Awards Luncheon held at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on October 22, 2025. There were more than 300 garden club members from all over the state in attendance.
Longtime HGC member Rogene Gillmor (left, with FGCCT member Nan Merolla, right) was given The Lillian M. Rathbun Award, presented to a member who is involved in all phases of garden club work and is considered the highest award given by FGCCT to an individual each year.
In the past 25 years Rogene has been an active member of many committees and programs in our club including many years chairing the Hospitality Committee, coordinating club volunteers who prepare homemade and delicious luncheons for our monthly meetings. Her floral arrangements are legendary and have helped brighten Haddam Historical Society house tours, Brainerd Library fundraisers, many garden club functions and of course town buildings as part of our Holiday arrangements. She is also part of the garden club team who maintains the Higganum Green.
She is a generous host, opening her home in Higganum for an “Afternoon at the Vineyard” fundraiser in 2018. This special event featured horticultural talks, vineyard tours, auction, and food and wine provided by members. Rogene is a beloved member of the club and we could not be prouder.
HGC was also given a Certificate of Achievement for management of the Flower and Horticultural show at the Haddam Neck Fair during Labor Day weekend. (Photo, left to right, Sharon Bailey, Debbie Karpf, Lori Chadwick, Dodie Ruimerman, Lynda Birch, Lynne Cooper, Kate Hull; seated, Rogene Gillmor and Caroline Gold)
Club member Lynne Cooper (left, with FGCCT member Nan Merolla) works tirelessly organizing volunteers, judges, creating a theme, maintaining the submissions and generally making sure this four-day event runs smoothly. Since the club took over this project in 2019, Lynne has helped to make it a community favorite.
For information about Haddam Garden Club and what we do in our community, please visit our website at HaddamGardenClub.org.
Photos provided by Haddam Garden Club
