Suzanne Perley receives Opechee Garden club orchid award

GILFORD — Opechee Garden Club Co-Presidents, Judy Robertson and Doreen Worthley, welcomed club members attending the Annual June Meeting and Luncheon, hosted by the Executive Board. A delicious roast pork loin meal was provided by local caterer, Eloise Post, at the Gilford Community Church.

The club received several awards from the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, and one award from the New England Region of the National Garden Club. Included were a GROW award for increased membership, a second place award for the 2014 OGC Scrapbook , two awards for the OGC Publicity/Press Book, a first place award from the NHFGC, along with a second place award from the New England Region of the National Garden Club, and finally, an OGC Silver Seal Citation to Barb Sargent in recognition of her many years of service to the club.

The newest award, the Orchid Award, is a beautiful tulip-shaped crystal vase created by Pepi Herrmann. It is given to a club member for exemplary service to the Opechee Garden Club, and is passed from recipient to recipient each year. The 2015 Orchid Award was presented to Suzanne Perley, a member of the club since 2006.

Currently, Suzanne is the OGC Treasurer, the Club Administrator, Co-Chairs the WOW Trailhead Gardens in Lakeport, Co-Chairs the renovation and maintenance of the Laconia Library Gardens, Chairs the Scholarship and Awards Committee, oversees the design and publication of the OGC Yearbook, advertising booklets and tickets for our fundraisers. She is a Master Gardene and has previously received the OGC Silver Seal Citation from the NH Federation of Garden Clubs.

Out-going Co-Presidents, Judy Robertson and Doreen Worthley, were each thanked for their service, and presented with a succulent garden. Other retiring Board members, Linda Belcher, Helen Murphy, Carmel Lancia and Rachel Achber were given lovely hanging baskets of flowers in appreciation for their work on behalf of the OGC.

Newly elected and installed officers for the 2015-2016 year are Co-Presidents, Audris Clark and Phyllis Corrigan; Vice President, Carol Block; Recording Secretary, Susan Primeau; Corresponding Secretary, Donna Vernon; Treasurer, Suzanne Perley; Hospitality Directors, Jane Rollins and Judy Nelson; Program Directors, Marge Dyer and Virginia West; Membership, Sandy Hickok; and Past Presidents, Judy Robertson and Doreen Worthley.

Standing Committees will be chaired by Debbie Cotton, Auditor; Barb Sargent, Civic Gardens; Suzanne Perley, Club Administrator; Sandy Gove, Federation Representative; Simone Routhier, Parliamentarian; Joan Stephenson and Marge Dyer, Photography; Dorothy Duffy, Local Publicity; Marge Dyer and Donna Vernon, Scrapbook; and Suzanne Perley, Scholarships and Awards.