Gardens, Tea Parties and Berries

Safenet Services Celebrates 21st Annual Garden Tour with New Additions

Many gardens and stops on the tour include various plants and flowers.

The 21st annual Safenet Services Garden Tour will be held Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Claremore. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Stonebridge Garden Center, Pixley Lumber or at the Safenet Services office in Claremore. Proceeds from the event benefit domestic violence victims.
Garden Tour homes and stops are selected by the event planning committee. They look for homes that will inspire both beginning and experienced gardeners with new ideas to try in their own yards.
“My favorite thing about this event is seeing all the gardens,” said Resource Coordinator Emily Brown. “ I’m not really a gardener, but it’s really inspiring to see what people can do with their backyard space. We try to do different styles of gardens too so people see a variety including modern, outdoor kitchens and hardscapes, vegetable, naturalist and traditional with a lot of blooming flowers.”
“The tour includes landscapes designed by professionals as well as some that are planned by the homeowners themselves,” said Donna Grabow, executive director at Safenet Services. “Tour-goers will be exposed to a good variety of different tastes.”
Different stops include various items for sale. Vendors will be set up at each location on the tour selling items such as plants, jewelry and garden decor. The organization has also partnered with the Master Gardeners of Rogers County. An expert representative will be at each of the houses to answer any questions about planting or particular plants on the tour.
This year’s tour attendees can expect to see exquisite outdoor living areas, elaborate stonework, organic vegetables and beautiful flowers.  
In tradition, a garden party luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul Episcopal Church, located at 1310 N. Sioux. The menu includes a variety of homemade salads, lemon cake and peach tea. The cost for the luncheon is $7.50 and benefits Safenet.
The tour will conclude this year with a venture to Canyon Berry Farms. Attendees can come and pick blueberries themselves, buy ones that are pre-picked and even purchase local honey.
Safenet Services creates a healthy, supportive environment for individuals and families healing from the consequences of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The organization has helped more than 3,100 abused women and their children change their circumstances and their lives since opening its doors in 1991.