Rotary Club of Branchburg inducts new member By Frank Mustac / Messenger-Gazette September 15, 2009, 7:22PM Courtesy Rotary Club of BranchburgLaura De Prado, center, being inducted into the Rotary Club of Branchburg back in July. BRANCHBURG, NJ — Laura De Prado is the newest member inducted into the Rotary Club of Branchburg was sponsored by Ken Knops. Laura brings a diverse and interesting background to the Rotary Club as a gifted writer and news reporter who started her career for a publishing company and ultimately landed a story on the cover of the NY times. She has worked with Phil Lempert at the Lempert Company, Phil Donahue, Joan Lunden, met Dan Rather, George Bush Sr., and many famous musicians, while working as a reporter.
Her passion changed from writing to fitness and wellness and making a difference in the lives of others. While working as a reporter, she wrote about fitness, and taught exercise classes. For 16 year Laura had career in the fitness industry teaching aerobics, training instructors, and customizing corporate fitness plans for employees. “It was exhilarating to watch clients transform before my eyes and know that I was making a difference in their lives,” said Laura.
Laura now resides in Branchburg with the love of her life and her two children. She is a certified Master Gardner and is the proud owner and creator of “Final Touch Plantscaping,” a name that came to life from a client who nicknamed her “The Finishing Touch” because of that “something extra” she added to personalize the design for clients. She uses plants to tell stories from place to place and space to space. She now can transform a property into personal oasis. With this new career Laura said, “I could once again make a difference in someone’s life – not with fitness, but with plants. I knew this was my calling.”
“The healing effect of nature never ceases to amaze me,” said Laura. Currently, she is working on an initiative that will bring horticulture therapy to a diverse population in a clinical setting. She also provides extensive horticultural support and is writing a curriculum for a women’s halfway house in Whitehouse Station, NJ.
Branchburg Rotary is happy her new passion is Rotary and she is enthusiastically involved in many of the Rotary programs that strive to make the world a better place and improve the lives of those in need. If you would like to join Laura and participate in this welcoming and worthwhile organization contact Julie Ann Juliano at or visit branchburgrotary.org.