Wayne County Wanderings: Garden Tour benefits Mark Graziadio Scholarship Fund
At first, I didn't hear the two ladies walking down the path toward me. No, I was so focused on a dazzling hydrangea that I didn't notice until they were just a few steps away.
It was Sunday afternoon and White Mills was buzzing with visitors, many of whom had descended on this one Charles Street property in particular.
“Such beautiful flowers,” said the first lady, nodding and smiling at her companion.
“They're amazing,” I replied, looking up and then shifting my gaze skyward at at the ominous dark clouds gathering above us. “Let's just hope it doesn't rain and spoil everything.”
Not two seconds later, a deep basso profundo rumble of thunder rolled from one end of the valley to the other. It was as if an ancient Celtic storm god had heard me and decided to have a little fun at my expense.
“Uh-oh,” I said as the two ladies stared at me in mock horror. “Hope I didn't just jinx us.”
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Fortunately, the thunder didn't really do much to dampen the spirits of those folks who were strolling around the property.
Rain did eventually come to Charles Street, but not before many people had enjoyed one of the area's best-loved summer traditions.
Nature's beauty
The Wayne County Blooms Garden Tour was held Sunday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by Quality Printing & Design in partnership with the Wayne County Democratic Party.
There were a total of eight stops on this year's tour, starting at Orson in northern Wayne County, continuing down through Honesdale and White Mills, and culminating just outside Hawley.
Tickets were available several weeks in advance and proceeds from the event were donated to the Mark Graziadio Scholarship Fund. Graziadio passed away suddenly in 2021, but left a lasting legacy in the community he loved.
“Mark devoted his life to serving his community,” said longtime friend and colleague Brian Wilken.
“He was a huge influence on me. Not a day goes by that I don't ask myself what Mark would do in a given situation. And, the answer is always the same: Do the next right thing.”
An idyllic scene
The Graziadio home in White Mills was stop number six on this year's Wayne County Blooms Garden Tour.
Sue and Mark purchased the house back in January of 1979. Six month later, after countless hours of hard work, the couple finally moved in.
“I think Mark was probably questioning my sanity at the time,” Sue said with a laugh. “At first, he didn't even know how to use a hammer. But, my Dad taught him so much. He went on to build the deck and porches and finished a lot of the garage himself.”
The property was originally owned by Christian and Elizabeth Dorflinger. They sold it to Jacob Hirt, who was a worker at their world famous cut glass factory, in 1898.
Sue's gardens are a labor of love into which she pours her heart each spring. There are happy, hardy impatiens almost anywhere you look, along with beautiful nikko blue hydrangeas and dark pink geraniums.
One of my favorite spots is a small garden pond right next to the house. It features a tiny hand-built waterfall and is framed by an “ambush” of tiger lilies.
Without question, though, the highlight of this garden is a delightful faerie village that takes up the large portion of the backyard.
Sue began collecting Cicely Mary Barker garden fairies more than a decade ago. She first encountered them while visiting Creekside Gardens in Tunkhannock.
In the beginning, Sue used a large bowl to display them. But, as she acquired a few more each year, she had the idea to incorporate them in her gardens outside.
Now, the little faerie village nestled among the impatiens includes more than 100 figures. And, judging from the reaction of visitors, they're one of the garden tour's most popular attractions.
“These days, I only put them out for the tour because they'll start to fade in the sun,” Sue said. “It's just fun and they always seem to make people smile.”
Honoring his memory
In addition to all the volunteer work Mark did, he was also passionate about politics.
A lifelong Democrat, Mark served in many capacities at different levels of local government. He was Chairman of the Wayne County Democratic Party, a PA committee representative, and also a member of the state's Executive Committee for the 20th Senatorial District.
Mark served as committeeman for Texas Township No. 3 and was also elected a county commissioner in 1999.
In recognition of Mark's tireless devotion to his community, the Wayne County Democratic Scholarship Committee created an annual award in Mark's memory. This $1,000 grant is presented each year to a local high school senior who writes an essay focusing on civic engagement.
The application reads in part: “Mark was deeply committed to the ideals which shaped the United States of America and devoted much of his life to service in our local community. Wayne County residents owe a debt of gratitude to Mark for his tireless efforts.”
If you'd like to donate to the scholarship fund, please visit the website at waynedems.com.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Wanderings: Garden Tour in memory of Mark Graziadio