When drivers approach the town of Brodheadsville from Route 209 and Old Route 115, their first glimpse of the community is a beautifully manicured flower garden triangle. It is maintained by the Western Pocono Women's Club throughout the year. Thanks to the hard work of its members and family members, it makes a great first impression.

The club's conservation committee green thumbs are made up of co-chairwomen Pat Mackes and Pat Krome, and Phyllis Bond and Linda Bryfogle.Pat Mackes entered the triangle in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Gardening and Greening Contest.On Oct. 25, she received a large manila envelope from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society informing her that WPWC won.The letter stated that the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society recognized "the Western Pocono Women's Club Community Improvement Project for motivating people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture in the category of public spaces."They received an award certificate and will receive a garden sign recognizing the achievement to place in the triangle."The letter went on to say that we were selected from over 350 entries. We were very happy and impressed," Mackes said.In honor of this year's contest recipients, Pennsylvania's first lady, Susan Corbett, invited the winners to the Governor's Residence on Dec. 8 for a wine and cheese reception. Mackes and Krome attended."This was truly an unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Mackes said.Mackes and her husband, Gene Mackes, and Pat and Larry Krome had to go through two different stations outside the mansion to check them on the RSVP list."I was impressed with security," Mackes says.The mansion had wreaths and candle lights in every window and a fruit display over the entrance. One of the first things Pat noticed, besides the beautiful Christmas decorations, was the screen in front of the reception room with rotating pictures of the various winning entries."When we saw our garden on the screen, we were quite excited."There was a huge Christmas tree at the far end of the room with handmade ornaments she assumed were made by children, and a large village display with trains."It was very impressive," she said.About a half-hour after they arrived, Susan Corbett came in and was presented a gift from the horticultural society for promoting horticultural projects and for her work in the gardens at the mansion. The 25 Blue Ribbon winners were announced in the various categories of gardens, followed by Gardens of Distinction Awards.After the awards, the guests were allowed to tour several rooms all decked out for Christmas: the Eric Room, used for business meetings; the Governor's Library, which houses the historic books of PA; the Mellon Parlor; The Dining Room; and the Grand Hall. This year's theme was "Christmas Throughout the Years," and each room was decorated from a different decade.Before the Mackeses and Kromes left, they received a "Gardens of Distinction" sign to put in the WPWC triangle."Outside, the grounds were all aglow with Christmas lights, which left a beautiful lasting impression of an event that will be forever etched in our memory. It was so neat that the four of us could share this memorable occasion together," Mackes said.An awards ceremony will be held at the 2015 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Philadelphia Flower Show in March, and the club's conservation committee members plan to attend."I can't thank the gals and all those who volunteered their help for all their hard work and sweat to make this possible. They are awesome," Mackes said.