ABOVE: The City of Lakes Garden Club has planted these flowers near the “Fairmont City of Lakes” sign in town. This is one of many projects the club has done over its 65 years.

FAIRMONT — Things are blossoming for the City of Lakes Garden Club, which, celebrating its 65th anniversary, is still leaving its mark in Fairmont.

“It’s wonderful,” said club president and acting secretary Leslie Walkowiak, who has been a member for 12 years, club president for six years and is the longest member currently.

According to Walkowiak, the City of Lakes Garden Club was officially formed in the spring of 1961 by a group of individuals who shared a mutual passion for gardening.

The club was organized with a constitution and bylaws and closely followed the Minnesota State Horticultural Society recommendations. After the member count fell below the qualifying number, the City of Lakes Garden Club no longer belonged to the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. The members, despite this, continued to serve the community, following the club motto, “God Creates, We Cultivate,” and their purpose to “encourage all forms of horticulture in the home and community, and to increase the pleasure derived from them.”

“What I think is so, so neat is that throughout the years, everybody that’s been in the garden club really felt strongly about sharing their knowledge with each other in the garden club and with others in the community, and doing that community service, to the community. And, you know, I just really give a lot of credit to the ladies who were in the garden club when I started because they really just wrapped their arms around me and took me in,” Walkowiak said.

Members have completed approximately eight projects per year, bringing the garden club’s community accomplishments to more than 500 over the years.

Notable projects include four corners flower gardens at the intersections of Highway 15 and Highway 16, the City of Lakes Garden Club sailboat that was planted with flowers and the club’s logo painted on the sail, beautification of “Welcome to Fairmont” signs, Arbor Day celebrations and tree donations, Lakeside Cemetery ‘champagne cup’ flowers, shrubs and bench donations for the Martin County Historical Society Pioneer Parsonage House, Hobo Trail sidewalk marker, several non-perishable food donations to Heaven’s Table Food Shelf, hanging flower baskets across Fairmont and Christmas gifts and greeting cards for nursing and homes assisted living facilities.

“I think we all feel very proud to share what we have done with the community. The people, you know, really enjoy giving back to the community,” Walkowiak said.

Through the lens of president, acting secretary and member, Walkowiak said serving the area and making connections with fellow club members have been the most rewarding elements of being in the City of Lakes Garden Club.

“It’s a two-fold thing. Meeting the [people] that have been in the garden club, and all the projects we do for the community. That’s been rewarding, and looking back on all the things that garden club has done in the past, the garden club has put its mark on this community in many different ways,” Walkowiak expressed.

She added that the member’s unwavering passion for gardening, learning about gardening and the strength of the club have led the garden club to stand for 65 years and counting, and that the City of Lakes Garden Club is very important for Fairmont.

“To have been an organized group for 65 years and show the community that the garden club members are always interested in beautifying different spots in the community or giving back. I think we can all agree that we really feel proud, that we can give back to the community and the community can benefit in many ways,” Walkowiak said.

In the upcoming agenda, the City of Lakes Garden Club will have its annual free Garden Party and Plant Swap, part of Interlaken Heritage Days, from 9 to 11 a.m. today, Saturday, June 13, at Lincoln Park in Fairmont.

“We’re excited, we always have a lot of fun doing that. It’s fun to see all the people that come and bring plants or garden art or any kind of gardening tools or items that are in good condition,” Walkowiak said. “It’s a lot of work pulling it all together, but it’s such a reward when people come and they’re always having a good time.”

To additionally celebrate the club’s 65th anniversary, Walkowiak will present the first scrapbook volume at the event, and the City of Lakes Garden Club members can revisit their roots.

Looking toward the future, Walkowiak hopes the City of Lakes Garden Club can continue to thrive and contribute to the community through flowers, horticulture education and beautifying Fairmont.

The City of Lakes Garden Club currently has 11 members and can have 20 members in compliance with club bylaws. The club typically meets on the first Wednesday of each month. For additional information about the City of Lakes Garden Club, meetings and membership, contact Walkowiak at (651) 895-6578.