June 1st, 2025 by WCBC Radio
The Garden Club of Cumberland will sponsor the annual garden tour on June 21, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. rain or shine. Charlotte Lapp serves as chairperson for the tour. Five local gardens and the Gilchrist Gallery will be featured. The Gilchrist Gallery and Museum, 104 Washington Street, Cumberland will feature plants, boutique items and crafts for sale. Master gardeners will be available for questions and planting advice. Refreshments will be available inside the gallery and visitors will be able to view art exhibitions by Shauna McClure and Logan Hartlaub.
At the home of Jim and Stephanie Furstenburg, 514 Avondale Avenue, Cumberland, the owners have transformed this property front entrance, side garden and back yard. A beautiful wall made of landscape blocks, built by the owner, outlines the front entrance. River rocks are incorporated in garden areas which include a large Serpentine Beech tree with liriope grass used as a border. The lighted backyard displays a tropical theme which includes a small bar area and a swimming pool. A sitting area creates an oasis for dining and relaxing. An assortment of shrubs, perennials, trees and grasses provide privacy. The Furstenburgs have adopted an area which parallels their neighbors’ driveway. This garden beautifies what was once overgrown and unattractive. Large and small boulders add beauty to the area where small trees, grasses ground cover and perennials display beauty.
The home of Tracy Adams and Jim Patterson is located on 310 Cole Street, Cumberland. Cole Street is located Off Shades Lane- turn at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Shades Lane. Drive .4 miles on Shades Lane and turn left onto Cole Street. From Naves Crossroad intersection at Shades Lane, drive 1.7 miles and turn right onto Cole Street. The front entrance of this home has been beautified with handmade porch railing. Ivy and daylilies border the front and side of the home. Tucked not far away is “Caesar’s Corner.” A beautiful statue beautifies the lighted nook where vinca and a climbing pink honeysuckle add interest. In the rear of the home, the owners enjoy watching TV under a covered sitting area warmed from an electric fireplace adorned by an antique frame. The screen door on the back porch was hand made by the owners in addition to an old wooden barrel that holds a shade umbrella.
Floyd and Autumn Norris 12803 Old Church Lane, Cumberland. Old Church Lane is located across the road from Cumberland Mennonite School at 11916 Bedford Road. The home owners have resided at this location for only 3 years. The front area is beautified by an inviting front porch outlined with beautiful roses. Canna lilies create beauty in a side garden. The back yard displays a massive pond with Koi and a double waterfall. This masterpiece was designed and built by a local artist. This area is lighted creating a serene atmosphere on the patio, deck or in the hot tub. A variety of shrubs, trees, and grasses provide beauty and privacy.
Upon arriving at the home of Ed and Denise Hanna, 12509 Bedford Road, visitors will see beautiful large trees lining a section of the semicircular driveway. Front and side gardens contain shrubbery, lilies, and sedum. Many large backyard gardens are bordered with special rocks from a local business or seashells from Myrtle Beach. Dogwood, hosta, grasses and hydrangea are among the many perennials and shrubs beautifying this large backyard. A meticulously manicured lawn is breathtaking.
Judy and Bud Waters 12714 Bedford Road, Cumberland
The front garden of this home is accented by an oriental sitting bench, garden statuary and many concrete planters filled with red and orange flowers, the favorite colors of the owner. The side yard has 2 beautiful Witch-Hazel trees known for their fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in autumn and winter. Statuary elves enhance a fenced backyard where large trees provide shade for a sitting area. An outside planting and tool shed are decorated with interesting yard art. Wooden planting boxes contain herbs. The concrete garden statuary, planters and yard art have been relocated from Washington State where the owners previously resided.
Tickets can be purchased from garden club members, Downtown Dollar in the Dingle, Ebyland , 12072 Ali Ghan Road, Cumberland. Craft Table, 11 S. Liberty Street, and at individual gardens day of tour, or online at www.gilchristgallery.com. Check us out on Facebook at Garden Club of Cumberland.
Proceeds from the tour support projects such as George Washington Headquarters, Helen Miller Garden in Constitution Park, Veteran’s Park, Nature Conservancy, Assateague Coastal Trust, Allegany College of Maryland and a FSU Scholarship.
