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The 13th Annual Hidden Gardens of Lambertville Tour
The 2009 Garden Tour was held on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 from
10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Visitors to historic Lambertville had a unique opportunity to enjoy
a June 13 tour of the community’s “hidden gardens”
– enchanting flower, herb and specialty gardens tucked off
main streets and quaint alleyways winding throughout the Hunterdon
County river town.
Tickets to the 13th annual self-guided tour provided access to 11
gardens, many complemented by sculptures, fountains, themed art
and an astonishing array of blooming perennials, annuals, bushes
and trees as well as edibles, berries and herbs.
The walking tour's net proceeds further the Kalmia Club’s
mission and assist with its community outreach and annual scholarship
programs.
Featured plots included:
• A Southwest-themed garden with night-blooming cereus, numerous
cacti, succulents and desert grasses, as well as a train running
through an old-time town, complete with a sheriff on horseback and
a “lady in red” at the saloon.
• A garden reminiscent of the New Orleans French Quarter,
featuring a three-tiered fountain, charming pebble walkway and a
variety of perennials, including pink and white Astilbe, vibrant
blue Spiderwort, deep red Coral Bells and variegated Caladiums.
• A Victorian-era jewel that perfectly complements an 1887
Fenwick Pew house, complete with Japanese lanterns, gargoyles and
a variety of wrought iron and ceramic ornaments set among palms,
orchids, New Dawn roses, spectacular tree peonies, oakleaf and climbing
hydrangea, crape myrtle and even a hardy camellia.
All along the garden tour, artists from Lambertville’s Artists
Gallery cooperative captured the horticultural wonders of these
selected private gardens in “plein air” paintings. These
paintings will be sold during an announced event this Fall.
To view a photo gallery of the gardens, click
here. To view more photos, click here.

Hidden Gardens Revealed 2
It's hard to keep a secret hidden in Lambertville, especially when each year in June the Kalmia Club lays open to view the horticultural wonders of selected private gardens during the "Hidden Gardens of Lambertville" tour. Along with tour-goers, this rare opportunity was taken advantage of by a dozen well-recognized, highly skilled, professional artists from the Artists' Gallery who settled into the garden sites to paint "plein air" for the tour day.
Besides the beautiful paintings that resulted, the Artists' Gallery artists created quite a buzz of interest and spirited conversation among tour-goers. "They added a wonderful compliment to our event." said Fran Bardusco, Garden Tour Chairwoman, "and now these beautiful paintings are going to be offered for sale with half of the proceeds being donated to the Kalmia Club to help benefit our community efforts."
"This is the second year that we have had the privilege to paint for the Kalmia Club," said Stacy Rogers, President of the Artists' Gallery cooperative, "last years benefit exhibition and sale was a great success". The "Hidden Gardens Revealed 2" exhibition and sale is for one weekend only starting with an opening reception for the donors, patrons, friends and members of the Kalmia Club on Friday, October 17th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Then the gallery doors will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The Artists' Gallery is an artist run cooperative. "Unlike most privately owned galleries, the Artists' Gallery members can mobilize to help good causes and organizations by doing what we do best - create," said gallery member Gail Bracegirdle.

The Hidden Gardens of Lambertville 2008
The 2008 Hidden Gardens Tour was held on Saturday, June 14. The weather was hot, but the gardens were beautiful!
Proceeds from the Hidden Gardens of Lambertville event are used to sponsor community outreach programs and Kalmia's annual scholarship award given to a local female high school senior.

Nightclub at the Riverside - A Community Fundraiser
The Riverside Ballroom at the Inn at Lambertville Station was transformed on March 28, 2008 into a swanky nightclub for the Kalmia Club’s “Nightclub at the Riverside” community fundraiser. As guests entered, “The Shackers” were performing – setting the tone for the night. Glamorous cigarette girls circled the room, selling raffle tickets and handing out “Lucky Lights” candy cigarettes. Guests danced and mingled, the bar was busy and the raffle bags filled with tickets from the hopeful.
This event surpassed all expectations and raised over $5,000 which will be donated to SAFE in Hunterdon, the crisis center serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The high point of the night was the eclectic mix of wonderful music performed by Lambertville residents. Many local musicians donated their time and talent: Carol Heffler with Fred Van Doren; Jean Milman, John Sonntag, and “The Shackers” (Bill Kershaw, Shaun Ellis, Tim McKenzie, Misha Sumichrast, Art Banker, Steve Antos, Tom Larkin, Jason Bonthron, Chris Zaic and Hannah Zaic).
Kalmia would like to thank our generous event sponsors: The Inn at Lambertville Station; Hope Arvanitis; The Burkard Group “Tax Family;” Burton & Browse, LLP; Richard Cushing, Esq. of Gebhardt & Kiefer; Rachel Finkle; Holly Havens of NT Callaway; Hopewell Valley Community Bank; Lawrence D. Moore, CPA; Steven H. Morland, Jr., Esq. of Pellettiere, Rabstein & Altman; Niece Lumber; ShopRite of Flemington; Gough & Irene Thompson; and Wells Appel Land Strategies.
Naomi Drew, the Chairwoman for this event committee, did a fabulous job, as did her committee: Jena Dillon, Suzanne Gitomer, Carol Heffler, Beverly Kershaw, Leigh McKay, Mila Montemayor, Maryann Ranson and Jane Wesby whose beautiful photo adorned the event posters and programs.

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