President’s Wheelbarrow of Ideas
Alma Bodiford, President of St. Fiacre Garden Club, Luverne, District VI, reports that their members planted more than 40,000 trees last year.
In addition they participated in the Deep South Regional Project, “Kids Count”, by mentoring a group of young ladies who are residents of the Troy Group Home. The home is for girls who have been sent there by the courts, ages 13-18. The club members meet with them each month to give programs aimed toward promoting self esteem.
They also study horticulture, table settings and etiquette. They hold discussions about jobs and careers and have tea parties for them. They give gifts to the girls during the holiday season. The girls are deeply touched by the contribution of time and concern by the garden club members; they express those feelings by writing touching “Thank You” notes. They look forward once a month to the meeting with refreshments are served on fine china, to having a listening ear and to knowing that someone cares about their future.
The club has studied Horticulture, Butterflies, and had a Holiday House/Lighting project; also, Bird Sanctuaries, Conservation and Beautification. St. Fiacre is a supporter of Hortensia; they contributed both by advertising and by becoming a patron.
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Irene Ellis, President of the Rose Garden Club, Mobile, District VIII reports that her club has been involved in several projects of which they are proud.
After the devastating hurricane, Katrina, they furnished assistance and cleaning supplies for the community of Bayou La Batre. At the entrance of the Environmental Studies Center they continue to plant and maintain the flower beds. This includes pruning the shrubs, weeding and mulching and the planting of pansies in November.
They supported the GCA Scholarship Fund at Auburn with a contribution of $300.00.
The club members monitor Allentown, Davidson High School, Denton Middle School, Semmes Elementary , St Mark’s and Theodore High Schools for the Keep Mobile Beautiful Clean Campus Program.
They provided volunteers at the Keep Mobile Beautiful Christmas Tree Recycling site. Christmas trees are recycled and free mulch is provided to the community.
All of their members participate in the Community Club Awards sponsored by a local radio station. They collect trash to earn points for cash awards.
The club provides volunteers for the Spring and the Fall Mobile Botanical Gardens Plant Sales and the Marketplace in the summer.
Included in their membership are two Master Gardeners, several members of the Mobile Botanical Gardens, the Audubon Society and Rachael Carson Society.
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Janice Freriks, President of Greystone Garden Club, Birmingham, District III, reports that they have taken field trips, attended seminars at local business establishments and worked with problems in landscaping their yards and gardens.
The Butterfly Garden at the Greystone Elementary School keeps their members the most busy. From the time they designed it in the shape of a 35 foot by 50 foot butterfly, the members have worked many hours to maintain, study, plant and replant and enjoy this lovely outdoor addition to the school. The students do studies about plants that attract butterflies, host plants to feed them, weeding, and a yearly release of the butterflies they raised. They tell us that it is a joy and delight to see the children’s faces; there is such pride in their accomplishments!
The club is a member of Shades Valley Council and participates in all of the meetings and events planned by fellow council members.
