Each year in June, we take a break from regular business duties and gardening work to gather as friends for good food and conversation. For the 2018 annual luncheon, we met at Il Palio in Shelton.

The busy work of planning community garden projects and maintenance, keeping members up-to-date on committee activities, hosting guest speakers, and discussing new volunteer opportunities doesn’t leave much time at monthly meetings for enjoying one another’s company or building camaraderie.

Fortunately, our annual luncheon gives plenty of time to relax and visit with fellow gardeners. We filled multiple tables in the glass-fronted, lower reservation room of Il Palio and enjoyed a selection of finely-plated lunch entrees.

Regarding club business, we had the installation of the new officers.  Joyce Donnelly, outgoing Vice President, made the presentations.  The new officers are (left to right) Recording Secretary Patti Leung, Corresponding Secretary Judy Wise, Treasurer Alfreda Mozdzer, Assistant Treasurer Mercedes Esposito, Second Vice President Donna Kay Pensiero, and Vice President Holly Secskas.  Missing from the picture is President Renee Protomastro.

In the spirit of conservation, each member received a reusable shopping bag as a gift, and the miniature rose centerpieces were given to the member at each table whose birthday was closest to the date of the luncheon.

We’d like to extend special thanks to Marie Vitka for organizing the elegant lunch!