Deck your halls and house with greens for the holidays

Do you want to find beautiful and affordable holiday decorations and gifts while benefiting the Rochester community? Then come to the annual Greens Market!

For the 67^th year, the Rochester Garden Club, a branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden will offer fresh greens and arrangements, preserved botanicals and unique handcrafted items at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Rochester. Market days for the annual holiday fundraiser are Friday, December 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Admission is $2. Credit cards are accepted.

Garden club members have been creating one-of-a-kind permanent wreaths, centerpieces, trees and swags designed for Christmas decorating. “Everything is reasonably priced and one-of-a-kind,” says member Gerri Hintz, “and makes great gifts for teachers, coaches, grandparents or as hostess gifts.”  There is something for everyone, she adds, whether you are in a small apartment or large home.  Those searching for a little something special will find great stocking stuffers.

If fresh greens are preferred there will be noble fir and boxwood wreaths along with blue berried juniper, boxwood, incense cedar, fir, and white pine and holly branches. Cedar and pine roping will be available by the coil or yard. Candle rings and swags of mixed greens will be sold with ready made or custom bows for the final touch. Prepackaged bags of fresh greens are wonderful to make your own arrangements.

The market also features fresh arrangements which are created from greens cut locally just prior to the event.  “They are made by our designers during the sale,” explains Hintz, “and will last well into the New Year.” They include simple mugs filled with greens and ribbon all the way up to elaborate table centerpieces.  Custom orders can be completed upon request and you can even bring your own container.

In the herbal and gourmet specialty section, shoppers will find traditional herb mixes along with homemade jellies and jams. “Our preserves are made from local fruits and vegetables,” says Pat Hambleton who is a market chairman along with Sally Edwards and Colleen Dykstra. In fact, she exclaims, we proudly proclaim most of our items are truly “Made in Michigan.”  And, she adds, the cookie corner is not to be missed.

Shopping at the Greens Market means supporting the greater Rochester area, continues Hambleton. All proceeds are returned to the community in the areas of environment, education, scholarships, conservation, horticulture therapy, and civic improvement. The club supports the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm and its Children’s Garden, Rochester Community Schools, Preschool planting programs, Dinosaur Hill, Clinton River Watershed Council, scholarships, landscaping, annual flower plantings at parks and buildings and many other causes. The club has received much civic recognition over the years for its contributions to the quality of life for the local community.