Propagating Trees to Remediate Climate Change and Ground Water Contaminants
The Portage Lake Garden Club, Onekama Consolidated Schools and Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA) work together to teach tenth grade students how to remediate climate change and ground water contaminants by propagating and planting appropriate trees and shrubs. The Portage Lake Garden Club is the lead agency for this project and purchases the stakes, weed barrier and protective tubes needed for planting.
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Classroom education focuses on how trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, biodiversity and the importance of native trees, plants and insects to our food supply. While at AATA, the students propagate dogwood and black willow trees, and see thousands of previously propagated trees, including very young giant sequoias. Dogwood and black willow trees are native to Manistee. They are known for their flood resilience and erosion control. Both are able to clean contaminates such as mercury from the soil. Several studies have confirmed that planting willows and dogwoods are successful cost-efficient methods for restoring contaminated soils in mining areas and landfills. Working with PLGC and AATA gives OCS students hands-on experience propagating, growing and planting trees that are well-suited for the Portage Lake area.
Civic Beautification Award
The 2025 Civic Beautification Awardee is Rick Delekta of Onekama. The award recognizes Rick’s beautiful flowers and dedication to enhancing the community of Onekama. His home is surrounded by thirty-eight large planters filled with orange geraniums, plus several flower beds with roses, hostas, hydrangea and other perennials. It is a visual delight from the street or from Portage Lake. He believes that the award is a “very nice compliment from the community.”
Garden Harvest Award
The 2025 Garden Harvest Awardees are Jerilyn and Rodney Schimke of Onekama. The award recognizes their outstanding vegetable garden and dedication to fresh food availability in the Onekama community.
Jerilyn and Rodney have had their produce garden about thirty years. Although they eat much of their harvest, they give extras to their friends and food banks. Jerilyn states “You just get better quality food from your garden.”
Flower Show - September 2025
Held at the Wagoner Community Center, there were nearly 350 entries and almost 400 people in attendance over two days. These weren’t just flowers in vases — some were — but there was so much creativity in many of the entries. It was truly incredible. Three garden clubs hosted the show: the Portage Lake Garden Club of Onekama, Spirit of the Woods Garden Club of Manistee and the Periwinkle Garden Club of Frankfort.
Farr Center Gardens
Located at the Farr Center (home to Onekama Village offices and Onekama Library), our club members maintain all of the gardens and landscaping around the building. The Butterfly and Native Plant gardens were created by the club. They are educational as well as being a lovely backdrop for events held at the Center. The Butterfly Garden is a recognized Waystation for butterflies and other migratory species. The Memorial Brick Patio gives the community an opportunity to honor or remember people.
Farr Center Mural
Working with a local artist and students from Onekama Consolidated Schools, the club had a mural painted on the east side of the Farr Center in Onekama. The mural features the 150th anniversary of “the Cut”, a key point in Onekama's history and directs the public to our gardens.
Civic Gardens
The club maintains the areas underneath the Welcome to Onekama signs along M-22, as well as the underneath the Onekama Consolidated Schools sign.
Onekama Village Park Fountain & Garden
The club recently completed a four year restoration of the 135 year old cast iron fountain. In 1887, the fountain was installed at the Manistee County courthouse. Fire destroyed the courthouse in 1950. Soon after, the club acquired the fountain and moved it to Onekama Village Park. The fountain is listed as both a Michigan Historic Site and in the National Register of Historic Places. It is the last surviving 19th century cast iron fountain in the state. It is unique because it features a merman, not a mermaid. The restoration work received national and state level awards. The club maintains the garden surrounding the fountain.
Environmental School
Portage Lake Garden Club and Manistee’s Spirit of the Woods Garden Club partnered to host a National Garden Club Environmental School consisting of 40 hours of study divided into four courses. Open to the public, Environmental School emphasizes action for sustainable development, the interrelationship of all living things and environmental literacy.