Snow might cover the ground outside, with plants nipped by the season’s first frost, but a festive atmosphere of greenery arrangements could provide some warmth and merriment.
The annual Open House and Greens Show at the historic Mynderse-Fredrick House, located at 451 Main St. in Guilderland Center, will kick off on Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. The show continues through the weekend and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7. This year’s theme, “Memories of Christmas Past,” will pay homage to the 50th anniversary of the Guilderland Garden Club through creating decorations highlighting themes from prior years. The Garden Club and Guilderland Historical Society sponsor the free event.
Maureen McNamara, a past president of the Garden Club, said she enjoys getting to meet people and showcasing the house to the community.
“It is just really enjoyable to get people’s response when they come in and see the home if they had never been there,” said McNamara. “Every year it is a little something different, with always having the fresh greenery or dried arraignments.”
There will be musical entertainment and performances throughout the weekend. Helene Runion, a soloist, will be accompanied by Jean LaCrosse on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. Tom Thorpe, a folk and bluegrass performer, will perform on Saturday at 3 p.m. Children and adults can listen to stories told by Karl Felsen as Sinterklaas on Sunday at 2 p.m.
“We have complimentary refreshments made by the members — cookies and cakes. We also will have a warm spice tea and cold punch,” said McNamara. “There will be ornaments wreaths and flower arraignments made by members for purchase.”
Since 1975, the Garden Club has decorated the house for its annual show with the Historical Society. This is the first time the event will showcase themes from prior years, which include “Ice and Snow” and “Victorian Christmas.”
“Every year, we try to think of a different theme, so that takes a lot of time until we really nail something down that everybody agrees with,” she said.
The event provides an opportunity for the public to see the inside of the Mynderse-Fredrick House, which was built by the first supervisor of the Town of Guilderland.
“It is not open that often. There are special tours conducted by the Guilderland Historical Society,” said McNamara. “This is one of the few times it is open, and here it is opened three days in a row. … That is what I think it makes it so special, too, for the community.”
There will be historical society members available to give tours of the house during the event.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Pine Bush Discovery Center. There will also be a collection for non-perishables to be donated to a local food bank.
The Garden Club, with help from the town Parks Department and a local master gardener, began developing a perennial garden at the historic home in the summer of 2009. The ongoing project received a Landscape Design Award at the Fall 2013 District Meeting of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, according to President Merril-Lee Lenegar.
Club members have also won awards at local, state and national flower shows, including the Capital District Flower and Garden Show, and have prepared arrangements for sale and exhibits at the New York State Museum New York in Bloom show.
Through the clubs affiliation with the National and Federated Garden Clubs, members are eligible to attend seminars and other training sessions to learn about flower design and judging flower shows.
For more information, visit www.guilderlandgardenclub.com.