By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Parkland Garden Club celebrated its Silver Anniversary Garden Tour on July 13.
Despite the hot weather, many visitors toured the various venues throughout the club’s presentations.
The garden of Jean Hoopes, in North Whitehall Township, was included in the tour.
Her daughter, Diane Mellen, grandson Matthew Mellen, and granddaughter Ava, had a unique Parkland Garden Tour story to tell.
Seventeen years ago, Diane, who was expecting son Matthew at the time, was with her mother, Jean on the garden club tour.
They were on their way to the last garden when Diane said it was time to deliver her baby and, that meant “Right Now.”
They missed the last garden on that tour.
Stephens Funeral Home in Upper Macungie, was also on the Parkland Garden Club Silver Anniversary Tour.
According to the owner, Matt Stephens, he traveled to Williamsburg, Va., to propose to his wife, Ava.
As a fan of the Williamsburg history, he planned the new funeral home to mimic the construction style of Williamsburg buildings, as well as the garden layout.
PRESS PHOTO BY LOU WHEELANDSparrow Gougher, 3, and mom, Brittany, of Danielsville, enjoy time together at the Jean Hoopes’ garden in North Whitehall during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary Tour on July 13. Story and additional photos appear on page A2.
A beautiful Sumatra Lilly graces the front of Jean Hoopes home in North Whitehall during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour.
Matthew Mellen’s mom, Diane, was pregnant with Matthew for the Parkland Garden Club Tour in 2007 when he decided it was time to arrive, cutting short her tour. Daughter Ava arrived a few years later without the drama of her brother.
Parkland Garden Club member Jean Hoopes (center) was joined by her grandchildren, Matthew and Ava Mellen during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour, July 13.
Mimicking the design of the gardens in Williamsburg, Va., Stephens Funeral Home, Upper Macungie, was one of the many stops on the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour.
Parkland Garden Club’s Marie Pert gives out sunflower seeds to visitors Judy Prinz, Lena Candido, Mary Ann Campbell and Tom Conroy at Stephens Funeral Home during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour.
Martha Reitz, Glass Garden Art By Martha, was on hand at Stephens Funeral Home during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour, July 13. Reitz creates her art from recycled household items. The proceeds are then donated to charity.
Friends Tom Pruzinsky, Al Frankel, Josie Beke, Brigette Pruzinsky, Jackie and Jordan Bold, Stacey Wirth and Suzanne Boundy were enjoying time together at Stephens Funeral Home during the Parkland Garden Club’s Silver Anniversary tour, July 13.
