Rotary Club of the Plainfields Creates Butterfly Garden at the Drake House Museum By TAPINTO PLAINFIELD STAFF May 31, 2021 at 9:54 PM PLAINFIELD, NJ — On Saturday, May 1, several members of the Drake House Museum board joined members of the Rotary Club of the Plainfields and Plainfield Boy Scout volunteers to beautify a section of the Drake House backyard by planting a beautiful and colorful Butterfly Garden. The team worked for almost four hours. The Rotary Club provided the funds to purchase the flowers and materials needed for the day, and has applied to the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission for a grant to help offset the costs. The project was chaired by Louise Colodne, a master gardener and Rotary club member. "We were inspired by a recent article in "Rotary" magazine that described the migration of Monarch butterflies and their need to feed at host plants and gardens." She carefully selected a host of plants, such as butterfly bush, milkweed, marigolds, etc. that will attract butterflies and birds to the garden. Butterflies are not only fun to watch, but they are also important pollinators. They help reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides since they attract other beneficial insects to the garden. Turning over the soil, clearing out the rocks, and planting the flowers was the first step in establishing the Butterfly Garden. Donated soaker hoses were strategically placed around the plants. New fencing and gates are planned as well. Two club members spent several hours spreading 17 bags of cedar mulch to help conserve water and keep the plants' roots nice and moist during the growing season. Everyone present made new friends and had a great time. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the flowers, as they continue to grow and bloom, and of course the butterflies! Historical Society of Plainfield President Nancy Piwowar told TAPinto Plainfield, "The Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of Plainfield is very appreciative of the generosity of the Rotary Club of the Plainfields and the Club's members for the installation of the butterfly garden at the Drake House Museum. This garden is a beautiful addition and enhances the rear area of the Museum. The garden is part of a series of projects celebrating the centennial of the Historical Society." If you would like more information about the garden or how to arrange for a visit, please contact the Drake House Museum at [email protected] or contact the Rotary Club secretary and he will follow up with you at [email protected]. The Rotary Club of the Plainfields normally meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month for lunch to share in friendship and to plan projects and activities that support the people in the Plainfields. Meetings are currently held at duCret School of Art, located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield. Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, for more information, at [email protected].