Josette Sheets, of Lowell, likes to plan fun activities when her mother comes to visit on the weekends.

She recently found a unique one when she purchased tickets to the Miller Garden Club’s 17th annual fundraiser, Raising the Roots Garden Walk. Activities were based at the Aquatorium in Marquette Park, with shuttle buses available for those visiting the six garden stops.

“It’s a beautiful day today and we’re both interested in looking at different types of flowers and other greenery,” Sheets said as the duo boarded the first shuttle bus of the morning. “I’m sure we will be getting some ideas. This trip was a good idea.”

The idea for the fundraiser was presented by former Miller Garden Club founder John Nickerson in 2000. He had previously been involved with a similar event in Chicago that was well received, according to current club president Corya Channing.

“We are fortunate to have such a unique location — the most southern tip of Lake Michigan,” she said, listing this fact as one of the reasons the garden walk has grown each year. “This area (Miller) has much diversity in plant matter.”

Hundreds of visitors to the two-day event attested to that.

The first stop on the tour was the garden of Jacques Marquette, the Gary park’s namesake.

It is located at the entrance of the park, and Garden Club members were on hand to give information about the history of the French Jesuit priest and the colorful garden surrounding his statue.

“I had no idea that natural plants to northwest Indiana were so beautiful,” said Ken Harrington, at this stop. “We’re learning about history too. We were told that this entire park is decorated with only natural (native) plants.”

Michele Lojas, of St. John, won four tickets to the garden walk at a silent auction last spring. She attended with Ken Krska, Nicholas Krska and Natasha Krska.

The auction for the tickets took place during an event where Natasha performed with the NWI Youth Orchestra.

“This walk is very interesting,” Natasha said. “We’re seeing a lot of beautiful gardens.”

During a stop at Garden No. 4, located next to Wells Street Beach, visitors observed a backyard Zen garden. They also had the opportunity to travel the extended backyard of the condominium, which led to a small sand dune overlooking the beach area.

Four outdoor chairs were set up under an umbrella. The informal break area was enjoyed by many of the garden guests for a short while as they passed through.

“I could get used to this,” said Susan Coffinger, of Chicago, as she relaxed in one of the chairs and observed beachgoers and the crystal-blue sky. “This garden walk is so much more than observing flowers. It shows not only what these creative gardeners can do with their soil, but what beauty we have right here in northwest Indiana.”

Volunteers for this year’s event numbered well over 100, according to Channing.

“We couldn’t do this without them,” she said. Attendance has increased every year, she added.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.