Old Saybrook Garden Club's Senior Outreach Chair, Lajla Hanes, is a treasured volunteer around the Estuary Council of Seniors in Old Saybrook. She began working there to assist her husband, Stuart, who is the local coordinator for the AARP Tax Aide program. One day she happened to mention that she had to do some flower arrangements and immediately the staff convinced her to put her design talents to work for the Senior Center .

Ms. Hanes conducts floral-design classes for seniors several times a year and oversees the decorations at the Estuary Council's fundraisers. For the April "Tea by the Sea" event she also created three floral designs featuring teapots full of roses that were among items included in a raffle. Upcoming fundraisers will include a Painted Chairs Auction on June 3, "Wine by the Water" August 9, and "Autumn on the Dock" in September. For all of these events Ms. Hanes will lend her design skills, hard work, and enthusiasm. "We love Lajla," says Sandy Hart, Development Director, "she inspires us all."

Indeed,Ms. Hanes is truly a woman for all seasons: In addition to serving as the the garden club's Senior Outreach Chairman, she is also the club's Youth Coordinator and directs the "Sprouts" volunteers who present programs at Goodwin Elementary School. "Sometimes, when I get up in the morning," says Lajla, "I can't remember if I'm a first grader or an old lady!"