Garden clubs have come a long way over the years, and in the case of The Issaquah Garden Club, it has been making Issaquah beautiful for 85 years. The group celebrated this milestone Nov. 13 at Tibbetts Creek Manor.

“As we’ve progressed, we’ve become more environmentally concerned,” said June Ann Hassebroek, the club’s president.

Hassebroek said anyone who is interested in stewardship, gardening or landscaping is welcome to join.

Gone are the days of garden clubs that involve sitting around drinking tea. Now the club is working on bringing awareness to the drop in population of honey bees. Not only are bees necessary for honey, but also for pollination.

“No bees means a loss of crops,” Hassebroek said.

Since the club was founded, its goal has been to teach as many people as possible, young and old, how to protect and beautify our world. As the club has evolved, Hassebroek said it’s important that children learn how to grow organic food.

The East Lake Washington District of Garden Clubs raises money through a program called “Give Kids a Hand,” for schools to have vegetable and flower gardens said Karen Lee, chair of the 85th anniversary activities. It also raises funds for scholarships for the state and national garden clubs, as well as fund-raising for community organizations.

Over the years, the Issaquah Garden Club’s community service has included creating an entrance garden for the Issaquah Historical Museum using native plants, designing and helping maintain gardens at Pickering Farms, creating floats for parades and contributing an award for Salmon Days.

Members also participate in Art Walks, Earth Day and planting trees for Arbor Day both in Issaquah and Sammamish parks.

Members donated a permanent marker as a tribute to veterans called a Blue Star Marker and add fresh flowers for special patriotic days. Creating and donating fresh centerpieces for senior care centers on holidays has long been one of the ways to brighten the days of residents of the centers.

Hassebroek said floral design is taught at the club, which is one of her specialities.

“I try to get students to think of it as a sculpture,” she said.

The Issaquah Garden Club draws members from Issaquah and Sammamish. Lee said there are 16 garden clubs on the Eastside. The Issaquah club is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that follows National Garden Club objectives on a local level.

Garden club meetings are open to the public. For details, visit IssaquahGardenClub.org.