By Pat Kent
posted
Jun 27, 2012
Valerie Cleary, Mendon resident and current president of the
Rutland Garden Club, has received the Member of Honor Award from
the National Garden Clubs, Inc. This prestigious award recognizes a
member who serves her club and the community in numerous ways.
Valerie was nominated by her club and then was selected by the
state of Vermont as its representative for the New England Region
competition. Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and
Rhode Island also submitted applicants. Cleary was then chosen to
represent the New England Region and was awarded the honor. Only
eight members nationwide are recognized in this way. Her extensive
accomplishments and her generous donation of her time and talent to
the local area contributed to this award.
During the time that she has been a member of the Rutland Garden
Club, she has served as President three different times, 1986 -
1988, 2000 - 2002, and 2004 - 2006, and is the newly elected
President for the next year. She has served as the Floral Design
Chairman for the club for the last eight years.
Cleary is an Honorary National Life Member of the National Garden
Clubs, Inc. and is an Honorary Member of the Rutland Garden Club.
She currently serves as Chairman of Judges' Council at the state
level. She is responsible for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Garden
in the city of Rutland. In addition, this year, Cleary planted a
garden with residents of the Dodge House. Cleary's own garden at
her home in Mendon was one of the featured gardens in the Rutland
Garden Club's recent Up-Country and Around Town Garden Tour.
In the past, she has worked on the design for the Green Mountain
Boy Garden and the landscaping at the new Mendon Town Hall. She has
chaired four National Award Winning Standard Flower Shows, two for
the Rutland Garden Club, one for a state flower show, and one for a
Judges' Council Show. This year, Cleary coordinated a small flower
show for members of the Rutland Garden Club called "Living
Reflections of Art." She is fast becoming a recognized artist in
the Rutland area and has donated some of her work to local
charities for their fundraisers. In addition, as an accredited
judge and as Chairman of the Vermont Judges' Council, Cleary has
judged at the Philadelphia Flower Show, the New England Flower
Show, as well as numerous Flower Shows in New York and New
Hampshire.
Cleary has competed and won top awards in the following flower
shows: New England Flower Show in Boston, Rhode Island Flower Show
in Providence, and flower shows in New Hampshire, Vermont, and at
local clubs within the state of Vermont. Her talents have been
recognized throughout the New England Region. This national award
is truly an honor for Valerie Cleary and for the Rutland Garden
Club.
Tagged:
national garden clubs, rutland garden club
