Stepping Stones Garden Club

In November, 2005, Onaway's "STEPPING STONES GARDEN CLUB" applied for, and were
awarded,  a $1000 grant from Principal Financial Group Civic Development Grant Program,
 "Let Freedom Ring."  This is a Civic Development Grant Program that works with National
Garden Clubs, Inc. and our state garden club to help with civic projects. The funds from this
matching funds grant  will be used to honor those who serve our country by creating
a "Let Freedom Ring" Memorial Garden at the Onaway School.  

Projects like this in Onaway bolster civic pride among residents and help make our community
attractive to visitors.  We are also proud to pay homage to the service men and women
from our community who have so bravely served our nation.

On May 2, 2006  Club members turned out in force in front of the school armed with
shovels, soil amendments, buckets,  and a couple of dozen trees and shrubs.  On May 11,
Al Jophich presented the Garden Club a grant check from the Communities First Funds
for the purpose of installing an irrigation system for the Memorial Garden plantings at the
school. That system was installed during the summer months. Completion was scheduled
for Spring 2007. During the last phase, there has been so much help from school - kids and
personnel- civic groups and businesses.

There was a dedication ceremony for this project on May 28 at 12:00 noon. There was a
representative from the Principal Financial Group participating, as well as others. The public
was invited to attend, to see what a difference there is on the School grounds. Refreshments
were served.
 

"Let Freedom Ring" Memorial Garden

Dedication Ceremony  is Memorial Weekend: May 28, 2007

NOON At the Onaway High School

The following is information on what the memorial garden is and who has been involved. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this project a  success. We invite everyone who would like to support this project to attend the dedication ceremony.

Click here to print off form to buy a memorial brick.

Stepping Stones Garden Club

"2006-2007 Let Freedom Ring" Project Summary:

The Stepping Stones Garden Club of Onaway, Millersburg & Tower is pleased to submit this request for the Presque Isle Electric & Gas ' Communities First' grant. We look forward to your review and approval of our plan to create a Veteran's Memorial Garden on the campus of the Onaway Areas Schools (K-12).

The Stepping Stones Garden Club is a member of the Michigan Federated Garden Clubs (#461). We currently have 35 members who are active in numerous civic and social projects. Kay Mclnnes, a founding member and immediate past president, will be the project manager on this project. Contact information for Ms Mclnnes: 6281 M-68/33, Onaway MI 49765,989-733-8124, email ID: dig-it(5)earthlink.com. 2005 Garden Club President is LeeAnn Ayotte, email: peacocklady41@core.com. (2006 Club budget and complete listing of club officers - Attachment A)

Garden Club Involvement: The impetus for starting this project was to support the club's goals and objective to encourage interest in all phases of gardening and to promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty and the conservation of our natural resources.

Our project has been divided into 2 phases:

Phase One: Provides landscaping on the west side of the school building from the main entrance to the southern most entrance including the Media Center. In addition to planting material, there will be edging, mulch, benches and memorial bricks. Plant material will reflect Northern Michigan's natural beauty and add to the existing landscaping. (See attachment D).

Phase one is being funded from a $1,000 grant received from the Principal Financial Group's "Let Freedom Ring" grant program. Matching funds have been pledged and received from local businesses, service & social organizations and local individuals. (Attachment E). Total cost of Phase One is estimated at $2,810.

Phase two: Will provide for the installation of an automatic, multi-zone in-ground sprinkler system. We are requesting $3,500 of  "Communities First" Grant monies to purchase the materials needed for the system. Materials will include such items as: PVC pressure pipe, flexible pipe, valves, adjustable rotor and pop-up heads, programmable dock as well  as installation tools such as PVC cutters, and trencher rentals. (See attachment C).  Garden club members and other community members will volunteer roughly 75 hours of time to install the system.  And In-kind support Is estimated to be $4,000.

Stepping Stones Garden Club will pursue other grants and fund raising projects should additional funding be required to complete this project

Project's impact on the community: This is a low income and depressed area and the community needs their young people to see the possibilities. We would like to show the beauty and spirit of the people who live, work and play in Onaway.   Visitors to the school will see and feel the pride we have in our community and our country. (Letters of Support - Attachment B)

'As long as one has a garden, one has a future— as long as one has a future one is alive'. -Frances Hodgson Burnett "The Secret Garden".

The Garden Club will supervise volunteers from the Kiwanis Key Club, Onaway Public Works, Girls Scouts/Boy Scouts and local Veterans organizations  to weed and maintain the garden on a  weekly basis during the growing season.

Plans for Future Maintenance:  Spring Clean-up - Kiwanis Key Club and veterans groups;  Fall Cleanup — Garden club and scouts;  Bi-weekly maintenance- various grades of school children

A dedication Ceremony is planned for Memorial Weekend 2007

"STEPPING STONES GARDEN CLUB"

RECEIVES $1,000.00 GRANT

The Principal Financial Group and National Garden Clubs, Inc. Bolster Civic Pride and Honor Service Men & Women 

Onaway, Michigan - "Stepping Stones Garden Club" of Onaway has been awarded a $1,000.00 grant from the Principal Financial Group Civic Development Grant Program, "Let Freedom Ring." The funds will be used to honor those who serve our country by restoring/preserving/creating the "Let Freedom Ring" Memorial Garden at the Onaway School. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. established the grant program under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. to boost civic development across the nation and honor service members at the same time.

We are thrilled to receive the financial gift from The Principal and the National Garden Clubs. The dollars will make it possible for us to start and complete the work needed to purchase plants and landscaping materials said Stepping Stones Garden Club spokesperson, Kay Mclnnes. Projects like this in Onaway bolster civic pride among residents and help make our community attractive to visitors. We are also proud to pay homage to the service men and women from our community who have so bravely served our nation.

We are pleased to once again work with the National Garden Clubs, Inc., to support these patriotic Community projects across the nation," said Libby Jacobs, assistant director, the Principal Financial Group. "Let Freedom Ring" Memorial Garden is an inspiring program that instills pride in the community and pride in our service people."

Thanks to all who have donated money and time towards the implementation and completion of the "Let Freedom Ring" Memorial Garden.

Completion date is May of 2007

For information about the club please email info@steppingstonesgardenclub.com