Making sure the event will be safe, (l-r) Connie Schaefer, Peggy Paterra, Phyllis Cofrancesco and Regina Derojas are ready to take temperatures and provide hand sanitizer. Photo provided
By Amy Woods
Face masks and social distancing are not the highlights of the Boca Raton Garden Club’s new event, Spring Fling, but they are required.
Instead, the highlights are clever hand-painted terra cotta “people” pots with heads and dangling hands and legs and angel figures created from tropical palm fronds. There are also one-of-a-kind wind chimes made of natural wood, embroidered casserole carriers, jewelry bags and kitchen aprons.
“One of the ladies today was making a wreath with flowers on it,” said Patty Moum, the club’s third vice president and event co-chairwoman. “They are all things that you would put in your house for the summer.”
Spring Fling is a combination craft show and plant sale set for March 19 and 20. Attendees at the indoor/outdoor event must wear face masks and practice social distancing as well as submit to temperature checks and comply with other COVID-19 safety measures.
“We are really following all the rules,” Moum said. “In addition, we know with COVID, a lot of people are out of work or are struggling a bit, so we’ve made our prices very, very affordable.”
The angel figures created from palm fronds — the club’s signature product — usually are sold at Christmastime in gold, silver, maroon and other colors of the holiday. Now they are available in blue, green, pink and turquoise.
“Some are decorated with shells on their collar,” Moum said. “People just love them. They sell like hotcakes because they’re so beautiful.”
“We’re the only ones who make them, and we don’t tell people how we make them,” added Mary Kaub, the club’s president and event co-chairwoman. “It’s something that is unique to our club.”
They are 18 or so inches in length and run less than $20. The more that are sold, the better.
“We desperately need the money because we’ve lost a lot of fundraising this year, and as a nonprofit we have to keep our door open,” Kaub said. “It’s been quite challenging.”
Spring Fling anticipates 200 guests during its two-day run and $4,000 in proceeds.
“Meanwhile, our garden club is trying everything we can to help our club survive so we can continue to serve our community,” said Charlene Smith, publicity chairwoman. “Our mission is to educate the public about the environment, conservation, the right place right plant — there's a lot of knowledge we want to make the public aware of.”
If You Go
What: Spring Fling
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dates: March 19 and 20
Where: 4281 NW Third Ave., Boca Raton
Cost: Free
Information: 561-994-5642 or www.bocaratongardenclub.org
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