Member Activities

Club members enjoy an annual summer picnic and holiday party and also various garden walks and outings and celebrations.

Outing to Steel Heart in August 2026

On August 14th, 2026, some of the McHenry Garden Club members had an outing to Steel Heart-House of Seven Gables in Harvard, Illinois. The group got a guided tour of the property from the owner Gretchen and did shopping in the Steel Heart “Barn”, which had many interesting garden items for sale. After the visit, members went to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

2026 Club Picnic – July 2026

The 2026 summer picnic was held July 15th, 2026 in the garden of Club Member Edyta Greczek. Members brought appetizers and desserts this year with an Italian theme to share while eating at tables outside in Edyta’s garden This year we enjoyed having a sommelier attend our picnic, who educated the members on Italian wine as well as pouring samples for us to taste. Everyone had a wonderful summer evening with great food, wine and conversation.

McHenry County College 2026 Master Garden Walk, July 11th, 2026

Several Garden Club members had an outing to tour the gardens chosen in 2026 for the MCC annual Garden Walk. It was special for the McHenry Garden Club because 2 of our members were in the Walk this year. Congratulations to both members Edyta Greczek and Kim Elia for being chosen and how beautiful their gardens are. Members stopped during the walk to enjoy lunch together in McHenry. A great day was had by all who attended.

Photos of Edyta Greczek’s garden

Photos of Kim Elia’s garden

December 2025 Holiday Party

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2025 Holiday party was held on December 10th, 2025 and was hosted by member Sandi Kelly at her home. Members enjoyed an evening with a “potluck” of appetizers, , salads, desserts and beverages, and good conversation. This year members brought donations to the party which were given to the Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society, which cares for homeless exotic cage birds. The new club officers for 2026-2027 were installed at the party, and previous officers were recognized as well.

: Newly elected 2026-2027 Board members, from left: Kim Elia, Erin Vache, Edyta Greczek, Pat Leucht, Marge Richardson. Not pictured: Pat Dicker, Diane Boedecker, Linda Wood

: Former Board Members honored, from left: Marge Richardsob Mary Conkling, Carol Haske, Wanda Comein, Karen Liston, Megan Green

Members enjoying the great food and conversation

Volunteers at The Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society in Villa Park, a shelter for homeless exotic cage birds received the donations collected at the club’s December 2025 Christmas party.

Outing to Rose Innovations in Greenfield, Wisconsin in September 2025

McHenry Garden Club members visiting Rose Innovations, Greenfield, Wisconsin

On September 20th, 2025, some club members took a day trip to Rose Innovations, the “home” of Knockout Roses. The club members got to meet, talk to and get a photo with Will Radner, the man who invented Knockout roses. The grounds we visited had all of his rose varieties and also other flowers and evergreens and beautiful landscaping. After touring the garden, members enjoyed a late lunch together at a local restaurant.

: Will Radner, inventor of Knockout roses talking with club members

September 2025 Outing to a concert at Glacial Park

Some club members enjoyed a “First Friday” outdoor concert one evening in September at Glacial Park Conservation District.

Outing to Al’s Hosta Arboretum in Walworth, Wisconsin in June 2025

On June 28th, 2025, some club members took a day trip to A’s Hosta farm. Al, the owner, gave a guided tour of the various Hosta varieties in the arboretum. After the arboretum tour, members enjoyed lunch together.

McHenry 2025 Fiesta Days Parade- July 20th, 2025

The float is decorated, and we are ready for a parade!

For the third year in a row, the McHenry Garden Club again participated with a float in the McHenry Fiesta Days 2025 Parade. The theme this year was Gardeners Gone Wild. The float in the parade was designed and hand decorated by members with flowers, of course!

Members walked with and rode on the float, advertising the Club, what we are and do. The parade was once again a very enjoyable experience for the club.

2025 Club Picnic – July 2025

The 2025 summer picnic was held July 16th, 2025 in the garden of Club Member Edyta Greczek. Members brought appetizers, food and desserts to share at tables outside after viewing Edyta’s beautiful garden. Again this year, a highlight of the evening was music provided by a keyboard player. Everyone had a wonderful summer evening with great food and conversation.

December 2024 Holiday Party

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2024 Holiday party was hosted again by member Karen Liston at her home. Members enjoyed an evening with a “potluck” of appetizers, desserts and beverages, and good conversation. For another year members brought donations for dogs and cats to the party. This year our many donations were given to Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions n Woodstock. Also new club officers for 2025-2026 were installed at the party.

Members enjoying the great food and conversation

: New club officers Linda Wood, Pat Dicker and Diane Boedecker with club president Wanda Comein

The donations collected at the club’s December 2023 Christmas party being delivered to Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions in Woodstock by members Wanda Comein and Diane Boedecker

McHenry Garden Club 20th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon

September 22nd, 2024

The McHenry Garden Club, founded in 2004, marked its 20-year existence in 2024. The celebration was held at the Woodstock Country Club, with members and their guests enjoying a social hour followed by luncheon, speakers and a raffle. Photos were on display showing the many activities and civic donations the Club has had during the 20 years of the Club. Marita Sension, who was one of the founders of the club, and also previous presidents were recognized.

Members enjoying the luncheon and conversation

Speakers at the Luncheon highlight history of McHenry Garden Club

: Marita Sension

: Pat Dicker

: Suzanne Yazel

: Former Club Presidents in attendance

: Members Traudl Koeberlein and Marita Sension picking raffle winners

: Raffle prizes made by members

: Table centerpieces made by members Traudl Koeberlein and Debbie Hoffman

2024 Club Picnic – July 2024

The 2024 summer picnic was held July 17th, 2024 in the garden of Club Member Edyta Greczek. Members brought a potluck of. food and desserts to share at tables outside in Edyta’s beautiful garden. This year, a highlight of the evening was music provided by a keyboard player. Everyone had a wonderful summer evening with great food and conversation.

Members enjoying themselves at the picnic

McHenry 2024 Fiesta Days Parade- July 21st, 2024

After the success they had in 2023, McHenry Garden Club again participated with a float in the McHenry Fiesta Days 2024 Parade. The float in the parade was designed and hand decorated by members with flowers and Club signs. A car with members was also there, with the McHenry Garden Club signs. Members walked with the float and car, advertising the Club, what we are and do. The parade was a very enjoyable experience for the club.

June 2024 Outing to Northwind Perennial Farm

On June 1st, 2024, some of the McHenry Garden Club members had an outing to Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wisconsin. The members enjoyed a container presentation given by Russ Buvala as he made flowerpots using alternative with traditional ingredients. The group did shopping from the many perennials and garden decor the Farm had for sale. Then they met for lunch at the BratHaus Restaurant in Richmond.

Members enjoying Perennial Farm and lunch

December 2023 Holiday Party

New club officers. From left: Wanda Comein, Karen Liston, Mary Conkling, Marge Richardson, Pat Dicker, Carol Haske. Not shown: Edyta Greczek, Diane Boedecker

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2023 Holiday party was hosted again by member Karen Liston at her home. Members enjoyed an evening with a “potluck” of appetizers, desserts and beverages, and good conversation. For another year members brought donations for dogs and cats to the party, to be given to the Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock. Also new club officers for 2024-2025 were installed at the party.

Members enjoying the Holiday Party

The donations collected at the club’s December 2023 Christmas party were delivered by some members to the Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock.

McHenry 2023 Fiesta Days Parade- July 24th, 2023

For the first time, McHenry Garden Club participated with a float in the McHenry Fiesta Days parade. The float was designed and hand decorated by members with flowers and Club signs. The theme of the float was ‘Let’s grow together”. Members rode on and walked with the float, advertising the Club, what we are and do. The parade was a very enjoyable and successful experience for the club.

2023 Club Picnic – July 2023

The 2023 annual summer picnic was held in the garden of club member Sandi Kelly It was a beautiful summer evening get together where members had time to socialize and view Sandi’s garden. Then they shared food and desserts brought by members, sitting at outside tables in Sandi’s beautiful garden.

Club Members enjoying the evening in member Sandi’s garden

McHenry County College 2023 Master Garden Walk, July 8th, 2023

Several Garden Club members enjoyed an outing to tour the gardens chosen in 2023 for the MCC annual Garden Walk. The group visited beautiful gardens in Woodstock, Harvard and McHenry. A garden in Harvard also included many unique sculptures. Some gardens in Woodstock were at beautiful old houses. A great day was had by all who attended.

December 2022 Holiday Party

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2022 Holiday party was hosted by member Karen Liston at her home. Members enjoyed an evening with a “potluck” of appetizers, desserts and beverages, and good conversation. Again this year members brought donations for dogs and cats to the party, to be given to the Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock.

The donations collected at the club’s December 2022 Christmas party being delivered by some members to the Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock.

The Garden Clubs of Illinois District 1 Fall 2022 Meeting & Luncheon

October 27th, 2022

The McHenry Garden Club hosted this falls District 1 Meeting and Luncheon at the McHenry Country Club. Many members of other District 1 Garden Clubs attended. Included was a delicious lunch, socializing with other clubs and enjoying a program presentation about Savage Gardens: Carnivorous Plants. Many beautiful table and room decorations were hand made with a Fall theme by the McHenry Garden Club members.

Fall decorations made by McHenry Garden Club members

Memorial Brick dedicated to the memory of member Dorothy Kowalczyk

Dorothy was a cherished member of the McHenry Garden Club. Our group gathered together with her family on September 3, 2022, to celebrate her life. Many of us spoke about our time spent with Dorothy. We officially remembered our Garden Club Sister by dedicating a Memorial Brick in her honor. The beautiful brick is located in the Prayer Path at the Church of the Holy Apostles in McHenry.

: McHenry Garden Club Members

: Dorothy’s Family

2022 Club Picnic – July 2022

The 2022 summer picnic was held in the garden of Club President Edyta Greczek. Members brought a potluck of food and desserts to share at tables outside in Edyta’s beautiful garden. This year, a highlight of the evening was entertainment provided by Kevin the Magician. With help from some club members, we saw him preform card, hat and other magic tricks. A great time was had by all.

Club Members enjoying the evening in Edyta’s garden

: Members helping Kevin with his magic act

July 2022 Outing to Steel Heart

From top left: Jackie Homa, Linda Wood, Carol Haske, Traudl Koeberlein, Gina Dunkley, Helen Freund, Sandi Kelly, Lorraine Medford. Front: Diane Boedecker, Martha Schooley

On July 7th, 2022, some of the McHenry Garden Club members had an outing to Steel Heart-House of Seven Gables in Harvard, Illinois. The owner of the property told us some information about the house and property, which dates back to 1840. The group gathered for lunch outdoors, walked the garden and did shopping in the Steel Heart “Barn”, which had many interesting garden items for sale.

The McHenry Garden Club 2022 Yard Sale

The sale was held Saturday May 14th, 2022 and was a great success. Many thanks to everyone who came to the sale and brought something home. Your support goes to our club’s local civic projects and scholarship program.

And at this year’s Yard Sale, everyone who came could make donations to Ukraine relief. Those donations totaled $200, and was sent to The American Red Cross, applied to Ukraine Crisis 2022.

We were happy to have a visit at the sale from one of McHenry Garden Club’s recent scholarship winners, Jake Letmanski, who just finished his second year at Iowa State University. See below photo.

From left: Diane Cook. Karen Liston, Diane Boedecker, Jake Letmanski, Wanda Comein

December 2021 Holiday Party

Back from left: Club Board Members Jackie Homa, Diane Boedecker, Linda Wood, Pat Leucht, Wanda Comein, Carol Haske, Edyta Greczek. Front Center: Laurel Mayer

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2021 Holiday party was held at Harm’s Farm in McHenry, in one of their heated greenhouses. Members brought appetizers ,desserts and beverages to enjoy. Each member brought a gift and made bids in an “auction” to bring one home. It was great to be together again, since there wasn’t a Holiday party in 2020 due to Covid.

Members enjoying the Holiday Party

Member Laurel Mayer running the gift auction

Gift Table

Food Table

2021 Club Picnic – July 2021

The 2021 summer picnic was at the home and garden of Club President Edyta Greczek. Members brought a potluck of food and desserts to share at tables outside in Edyta’s beautiful garden. After members enjoyed touring Edtya’s garden, eating and conversation, there were raffles to win prizes.

Club members enjoying the 2021 summer picnic

Some photos of Edyta’s garden and the raffle prizes tables

McHenry County College 2021 Master Garden Walk, July 10th, 2021

Some Garden Club members enjoyed a day long outing to tour the gardens chosen in 2021 for the MCC annual Garden Walk. The group visited beautiful gardens in Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake, taking a break for lunch at a local restaurant. A great day was had by all who attended.

Members at the MCC Garden Walk

Some of the beautiful gardens that members visited at the Garden Walk

Tulip Festival at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove – May 5th, 2021

Members of the Garden Club enjoyed an outing to see the tulips at Richardson Farm. After viewing the tulips, some members had lunch together and went to the available wine tasting.

2020 Club Picnic – September 2020

The 2020 picnic was at the home and garden of member Karen Liston. Due to Covid-19 the picnic was not until September this year. Our usual large and varied potluck was replaced by individual “sack” dinners for all, and after eating and conversation, games were played to win prizes.

Members enjoying dinner

: Game prizes

: Member Sandi Kelly was one of the winners

July 2020 McHenry Garden Club Garden Walk

Various Garden Club members opened their gardens for other members of the club to visit and enjoy on July 18th, 2020, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. It gave members a chance to socialize, admire other members beautiful gardens and share ideas for their own gardens.

Members who displayed their gardens:

Karen Liston

Diane Boedecker

Jackie Homa

Pat Leucht

Carol Haske

Maureen Andrews

Edyta Greczek

Wanda Comein

Cass Becker

Laurel Mayer

From left: Edyta Greczek, Patrick Greczek, Jackie Homa, Diane Boedecker

In January 2020 the donations collected at the club’s December 2019 Christmas party were delivered by some members to the Helping Paws animal shelter in Woodstock.

December 2019 Holiday Party

The McHenry Garden Club’s 2019 Holiday party was at the home of member Edyta Greczek. Members enjoyed an evening of appetizers and desserts and conversation. This year members brought donations for dogs and cats to the party, which will be given to the Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock.

Member Edyta Greczek with our Helping Paws donations

Member Laurel Mayer made this awesome cake for the party

New club officers for 2020-2021. From left: Laurel Mayer, Edyta Greczek, Pat Leucht, Wanda Comein, Diane Boedecker, Jackie Homa, Linda Wood. Not shown: Cass Becker, Dorothy Kowalczyk

Members enjoying the party

McHenry Garden Club 15th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on September 19th, 2019

The McHenry Garden Club was founded in 2004. The celebration was held at the McHenry Country Club, with members and their guests enjoying a social hour followed by dinner and a guest speaker. Photos and albums were on display showing the many activities and civic donations the Club has had during the 15 years of the Club. Marita Sension, who was one of the founders of the club, was recognized.

Above photos are of Club members and their guests enjoying the social hour

: Marita Sension, on left is being presented a gift by member Jackie Homa, on the right

: Member Laurel Meyer made the cake that was served for dessert

: One of the windows made by member Pat Leucht to display Club photos

Outing to Al’s Arboretum in Walworth, Wisconsin in September 2019

Club members at Al’s Arboretum

Some club members took a day trip to Walworth. Al, the owner, gave us a guided tour of the various hosta varieties in the arboretum and showed us a new hosta he has developed. After the arboretum tour, members had lunch in Walworth.

August 2019

Members met at Happy Jack’s in McHenry for an Ice Cream Social and to see Ivan Dejesus , one of our former scholarship winners. We heard about his college time and job experiences. Ivan is very appreciative of the scholarships he has received from our club.

2019 Club Picnic – July 2019

The 2019 picnic was at the home and garden of member Lyn Nuk. Members brought food to share and after eating and conversation, enjoyed a pontoon boat ride on Wonder Lake, viewing the waterfront homes and seeing the sunset on the lake.