Garden club decorates Sacra Via park
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MARIETTA -- Red, white and blue decorations and flags adorned a tree at the Muskingum Garden Club's Sacra Via Street garden as members gathered Nov. 10 to honor veterans.
The Washington County club completed the display ahead of Veterans Day, with help from a neighbor who supplied a ladder and stayed to assist.
Longtime member Judy Van Dyk added a flag to the decorations, according to a club release. Other members participating were Nadine Kasick, Carolyn Murphy, Ruth Heidorn and club President Rose Poulton. The club also thanked neighbor Keith Ault for his help.
Van Dyk said the idea for the patriotic decorations grew out of the nation's 250th anniversary. With Veterans Day approaching, members decided to have the display in place before the holiday.
The tree is one of two tall trees in the garden. Members initially planned to decorate only part of it because of its height, Van Dyk said.
While they were working, a neighbor, Ault, came over to thank them. When the conversation turned to the difficulty of reaching higher branches, he offered to bring a ladder.
He returned with the ladder and stayed beside it while a member worked above, remaining until the decorating was finished, Van Dyk said.
"I just thought this was wonderful," Van Dyk said of the neighbor's help.
The group also added small lights and hopes to expand the display.
Founded in 1940, the Muskingum Garden Club has continued its work through changes in membership, Van Dyk said.
"As we get new members, we are able to do more things," she said.