Friends of Laurelwood Salutes Volunteers

Alice Moskowitz

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA) hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Saturday, March 14. The program featured a talk and slide show about Native Plant Gardens, presented by FOLA’s Executive Director, Elaine Fogerty. Ms. Fogerty was formerly County Agricultural Assistant, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County and has taught many of the Master Gardener classes.

“We are very proud of our dedicated group of volunteers who have put in so many hours in the gardens and greenhouses of Laurelwood Arboretum, as well as those who serve on the FOLA Board of Directors,” said FOLA’s president, Alice Moskowitz. “In the 8 years since 2007, FOLA volunteers contributed a total of 82,798 hours of work in the arboretum. This translates into an estimated value to the community of $2,098,726.”

100-hour-volunteers — Volunteers who have logged 100 hours or more were honored at FOLA’s Recognition Luncheon. The volunteers, many of whom are Master Gardeners, come from Wayne, Little Falls, Oakland, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale, Kinnelon, and other Passaic and Morris County communities. From left, back row: Roland Reynolds, Alex Fadynich, Nancy Fadynich, Jim McHugh, Betty Ryan, Peter Lowry, Lillian Sayeg, Dawn Healey, Alice Moskowitz, Mike Wilson, Carol Huber and Sara McHugh; Seated, from left, Jean Reynold, June Ra, Betty Montagne and Bonnie Joachim.

Volunteers who contributed 100 hours or more in 2014 were recognized, as were all those who worked either in the gardens, on the Board of Directors, or in other behind-the-scenes roles. Those who logged 100 hours or more were Nancy Alexander, Deb Bryant, Pat Engrissei, Nancy Fadynich, Alex Fadynich, Ruth Hayden, Dawn Healey, John Hegranes, Barbara Hegranes, Carol Huber, Bonnie Joachim, Kasey Lai, Peter Lowry, Sara McHugh, Jim McHugh, Betty Montagne, Alice Moskowitz, June Ra, Ro Reynolds, Jean Reynolds, Betty Ryan, Lillian Sayeg, Penny Tarpey, and Rick Wild. They came from Wayne and other nearby communities in Passaic, Bergen and Morris counties.

This year’s Volunteer Kick-Off in Laurelwood Arboretum is Tuesday, April 14 at 9 am. Volunteers are welcome Tuesdays through October. (Volunteer groups must make arrangements ahead of time by calling 973-202-9579 or sending an email to info@laurelwoodarboretum.org)

FOLA volunteers include students, scouts, corporate groups, Passaic County Master Gardeners and private citizens of all ages. Volunteers prune, thin and propagate; divide and replant perennials; plant bulbs; mulch the gardens; and help eliminate invasive weeds. Others propagate plants in the greenhouses and help repair paths, bridges and waterways. Members of FOLA’s hard-working Board of Directors manage Laurelwood’s employees, work with Wayne Township to maintain the 30-acre property, give tours of the arboretum and plan educational programs and outreach activities for the community.