![](../images/for_pdf/0505-04301.jpg) | | Sporting jaunty hats, Moraga Garden Club Members and their guests Carol Larson, Faye Edwards, Helen Frank, Ginger Thompson, and Joann Reid celebrate "A Day at the Races." The table decorations for this table were designed by Phyllis Reed. Photo provided
| | | | | | How about celebrating Halloween, Christmas, Earth Day, and Chinese New Year all at once?
That's what the Moraga Garden Club did recently at its annual Salad Luncheon fundraiser.
The featured speaker for the event was Katharine Stuart, an El Cerrito floral designer of weddings and events whose style favors simplicity. She works with texture, structure and unique materials. Her creations were raffled off along with plants donated by McDonnell's Nursery, Moraga Garden Center, and Orchard Hardware Stores.
Planning for 167 attendees, luncheon chairmen Kathi Balousek and Nancy Comprelli asked members to decorate 22 tables with centerpieces each depicting a different world celebration.
"I was amazed at the variety of celebrations that were honored, said Balousek. Our member's creativity seemed to be truly outstanding this year."
The salad luncheon has been a tradition of the club since its beginning, 41 years ago. The money raised goes to support club activities, which include horticultural speakers, field trips, workshops, and outreach. "We do a lot for the beautification of Moraga by purchasing and planting daffodil bulbs, maintaining four garden sites in Moraga including the Rheem circle, and planting Arbor Day trees." Comprelli said. The club also purchases garden-related books for the library and supports the elementary, and middle school gardens with funds and daffodils.
"Our club is composed of a large wonderful group of friends who all get together to enjoy a love of gardening and gardens," said new president Mardi Potts. "Everyone who shares this love is welcome to join us." The Moraga Garden Club meets the third Thursday in the month, from September through May.
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