The Catawba Island Garden Club has a long-term relationship with John Braun Park. The Park has served as the location of the Club’s plant sale every May for many years. Club members also maintain the flower beds at the entrance to the park.

“We appreciate the support we have received over the years from the park’s administrators. This year we are very pleased to be able to give back with a donation to help upgrade the pavilion we use for our plant sale each year,” said  President Terry Zeman of the club.

The Catawba Island Garden Club Plant Sale is May 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at John Braun Park, 2280 NE Catawba Road.

The plant sale is a long running tradition. The garden club members offer beautiful plants, many from their own gardens, at reasonable prices. This year’s co-chairpersons of the plant sale, Kathy Ohm and Connie Long, have been working diligently to make sure there are some great perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetable plants for sale as well as some exciting raffle items.

Native plants are once again featured at this year’s sale. The club members researched and began growing plants native to Ohio and will have some ready for sale. Growing native plants has become quite popular. They draw back native bird species, butterflies and bees to the area and are nurturing for the environment. Plants available will include common milkweed, butterfly milkweed and swamp milkweed.

Through generous support from local sponsors and the garden club members, proceeds from the sale are used to purchase park benches throughout Catawba and Port Clinton as well as contribute to other community projects, which include the Catawba Historical Society’s history museum, the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy and the new West Harbor Landing park.

Once again Jim Stouffer, owner of the Catawba Island Club, has generously donated three great prizes: Two rounds of golf with lunch packages and a yacht cruise and Sunday brunch package. Raffle tickets for these as well as other wonderful donated prize packages will be sold at the plant sale and can also be purchased from a club member.

Plant sale co-chair Kathy Ohm said, ”We hope to see our many loyal customers return again this year as well as new friends and supporters of our Garden Club projects.”

John Braun Park is not owned by Catawba Township.  It is not state, township or federally funded.  It is maintained by local volunteers and donations. Donations can be sent to: Dr John E Braun Memorial Park, P.O. Box 207, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452.

President Terry Zeman of the Catawba Island Garden Club presents a $500 donation to Don Dougherty, treasurer of John Braun Park. Also in the photo are club members Jodi Hawk, Sandy Pienta, Kathy Ohm, Linda Higgins and park board president, Larry Schultz.