Scholarship News
by Michele Babakian
The Sea Lavender Garden Club is awarding four scholarships with funds raised by the Mother’s Day Plant Sale held at Curtis Park, Manasquan. All of the applicants are highly qualified and will be entering college this fall. Each applicant wrote an essay focused on environmental projects that could realistically and economically be i n l o c a l be instituted in local communities. Samantha Albeit, from Manasquan and Manasquan High School, will be majoring in Environmental Policy with minors in Pre-Law and Marine Biology at the University of Tampa with a goal to practice Environmental Law. Her essay proposal was to create pollinator mini gardens which promote food sources for wildlife. Using recycled o r r e p u r p o s e d c o n ta i n e r s throughout the community, these gardens would be located in existing or new gardens, and be comprised of native plants, clean water and pollinator houses. Ryan Mary McLaughlin, from Spring Lake Heights and Manasquan High School, will be majoring in Environmental Science at UCLA. Her essay proposal focused on development of a compost program which would provide the community with material to correct soil depletion. Using local food and landscaping waste, the program would reduce the amount of garbage usually brought to landfills. Local management and businesses would be active participants in the program. Reagan Scime, from Manasquan and Manasquan High School, will be majoring in Biology at the University of Alabama with plans to work in the medical sciences. Her essay proposed the introduction of fishing pier regulations to prohibit the disposal of fish carcass waste into the water as this waste is toxic to other living organisms. Fish waste disposal stations at marina and pier locations would be i n s t a l l e d a n d e m p t i e d o n designated garbage days. Sean Galvin, from Spring Lake and Christian Brothers Academy High School, will be majoring in Biological Sciences at Cornell University, NY, with the goal to become a Pediatric Surgeon. His essay proposal was to continue support of CLONet, a Monmouth University organization, that routinely tests coastal lakes for chemical levels. This information is collected weekly by marine biologists with the goal to improve the health of our waterways. The presentation of the scholarships will be held on Friday, June 14 at Curtis Park. All members are welcome to attend.
Welcome!
Our Mission
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Encourage interest in all phases of home gardening.
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Promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty, and the conservation of natural resources.
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Develop a community spirit of town beautification.
We nourish our friendships as we cultivate our gardens.
Our Sea Lavender Garden Club Mother's Day Plant Sale was a Huge Success!
Read the Coast Star article:
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MANASQUAN — The Sea Lavender Garden Club held its annual Mother’s Day plant and bake sale on May 11 at Curtis Park, drawing a crowd of eager shoppers with its display of baked goods and hundreds of plants.
Karen Ryan, one of the event chairs, who spoke with Star News Group at the event alongside Susan Shanley and Lou Ann Mopsik, commented that in her 15 years running the sale, it was the nicest weather they have had.
The club had about 600 plants for sale, including 300 hanging baskets as well as potted planters of various sizes and, of course, the garden club’s namesake plant, lavender. Ryan said that many of the plants sold out early in the morning, soon after the sale began.
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The arrangements and flower choices were part of a planning process that began as early as January, Ryan said, in addition to the logistics of the event. Once the flowers had been delivered and unloaded, the arrangements constructed, setup for the sale itself had to take place the night prior.
Proceeds from the sale will help fund scholarships for graduating Manasquan High School seniors.
Sea Lavender Garden Club in the News...
Resources
Create a Jersey-Friendly Yard
JerseyYards.org was developed by the Barnegat Bay Partnership with a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Click on the images to learn more.
The Native Plant Society of New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation, protection, and study of the native flora of New Jersey. Click to learn more.
2025 Garden Tour
Keep checking back!
This event is held every other year in June.
The local gardens included on the tour have been lovingly created and tended by the homeowners. If you would like to recommend a garden for the tour, please contact the Sea Lavender Garden Club.
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Our Gardens
Our members maintain public gardens
throughout Manasquan.
The map below shows where they are located.
How many have you seen?
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Dig In and Get Involved!
We encourage you to join us!
Click here to view our membership application.
Please complete and mail to the address indicated.
Feel free to contact us via email or phone.
908.963.8909
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