The Garden Club of Newtown will formally mark its 60th anniversary with a luncheon on Wednesday, April 1, at Rock Ridge Country Club.

The public is invited to join the club’s membership for the event, which will begin at 11 am with a social hour and silent auction. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by the speaker’s program at 1.

The featured speaker will be Marta McDowell, who will be discussing her books on Emily Dickinson’s Gardens: A celebration of a poet and gardener and Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life: The plants and places that inspired the classic children’s tales.

Emily Dickinson’s Gardens, Ms McDowell’s first book-length project (released October 2004), explores Dickinson’s work through the lens of her gardening interests across the seasons. Released in November 2013, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life takes readers on a journey through the intersection of gardening and literature while celebrating Potter’s classic characters in a world born of her own passion for nature, its flora, and fauna.

There will be a sale of Ms McDowell’s books following her presentation, where she will be available for personal book signing.

The cost for the luncheon and program is $40. A cash bar will be available.

Cash or checks only will be accepted the day of the event for the silent auction and book sales. 

Rock Ridge Country Club is at 214 Sugar Street (Route 302).

Seating is limited, so reservations are required. The deadline for reservations is March 18.

To make a reservation or for additional information contact Holly Kocet at 203-426-4303 or hollyk325@yahoo.com.