2010 Accomplishments:

• Carried out the annual Spring clean-up, planting and re-planting of flowers and bushes
• Maintained the flowers and the fountain through the year
• Held the Garden’s annual “appreciation and membership drive” picnic
• Carried out power wash and tuck-pointing of the upper level stone structures and tuck-pointing of the fountain

2011 Plans:

• Clean up the bust of “Basanavicius” which has a “weeping” problem which is causing a discoloration of the base of the bust
• Reconstruct the balusters of the balcony on the upper level of the Garden
• Hold the Garden’s annual “appreciation and membership drive” picnic

As a delegate representing the Ukrainian United Organization and president of Branch #8 of the Ukrainian Women’s League of America , the latter  organization that  not only commissioned and paid for the bronze statue of Lesya Ukrainka back in 1961 but  has spearheaded this project by engaging our community in helping us raise funds for the restoration of the statue of  the ukrainian poetess and nationalist.

The  benefit/ dinner event “An Evening for Lesya” will be held at the Grand Hall of the Holy Trinity Church on State Rd. in North Royalton Ohio Sat. May7th,  2011 at 5:30p.m. Tickets are $45.00 per person which include appetizers, wine with dinner, homemade  desserts,and a cultural program filled with poems and songs by the poetess Lesya Ukrainka performed by a wonderful cast of talented artists. Our two featured performers; renowned N.Y. Metropolitan Opera singer Stephan Schkafarowsky and the virtuoso bandurist artist and balladeer, Julian Kytasty.

The work on the statue and gardens will begin in April , completed and  ready for the rededication ceremony of the newly restored “Lesya” for the “One World Day ” event August 28th, 2011.

With the total restoration expenses exceeding $10,000, we have consistently raised funds by selling photo cards of our Gardens, pastries, organized events and solicited sponsorships in our community to small businesses and individuals.

I cordially invite all delegates and members of the Federation  to support us for an incredible evening  event May 7th. Tickets  can be purchased by calling 216- 857-4878.

Respectfully,

Dozia Krislaty

{ 1st delegate for the Ukr. Cultural Gardens}

Cleve. Ohio

The culmination of the 2010 season was the dedication and blessing of the new fountain at the          Irish Cultural Garden on October 30^th. In preparation for the arrival of the fountain, the north end of the garden was completely refurbished including a new retaining wall, a six foot sandstone walkway that encircles the fountain structure and new gardens at the fountain and front entrance to the garden. The fountain operated daily until being shut down for the season in November. The Irish community looks forward to starting it back up in the spring as early as possible!

From March through November the ‘Irish Volunteers’ came monthly to maintain the garden. Annuals were again planted in May.  And in the fall 400 spring flowering bulbs were planted including daffodils and tulips. The Irish Garden recognizes and thoroughly appreciates the volunteers that show up month after month to weed, cut back perennials and clean trash and leaves from the garden. We had many first timers this season and hope to build on that enthusiasm in 2011. December 31^th our New Year email greeting was sent to a list of over 350 friends and volunteers of the Irish Garden.

The Irish Garden Club website has been updated with new photos and links to videos of the               2009 Rededication and the 2010 Fountain Dedication.

In 2011 we hope to install four new author’s monuments, complete the front entry garden and begin to install our allee of crabapple trees. We also hope to begin a music & dance series in the garden sharing and celebrating our beautiful garden with the community while gathering support for future projects and maintenance of the garden.

Char Crowley, Delegate

The Irish Cultural Garden,  January 30, 2010

• Annual Brunch and Bloom volunteer event attracted over 100 people in mid-June to plant annuals and some perennials as well as generally clean-up the Garden.
• Worked with various volunteer groups during the season to clean-up more than Brunch and Bloom was able to accomplish
• Replaced broken, original sandstone pavers in two sections:  1) Between East Blvd sidewalk and stairs entering core of Garden; 2) from foot of the East Blvd entrance stairs to the center of the core Garden area.  Used extra thick concrete to withstand large utility trucks, tinted to match existing sandstone, and cut to resemble the original sandstone slabs.  Areas were also raised above adjacent soil to prevent soil creep onto the walk areas.  Used broken sandstone to replace some missing pavers.  Will be distributing more of the broken sandstone in the Garden during 2011.
• Began the process of replacing seven (7) of the 27 total bronze plaques that are missing.  The seven being replaced are the largest and are in the most prominent areas of the Garden.  Installation of the seven replacement plaques expected in June, 2011.