Robertsdale Garden Club installs officers ahead of 93rd year of operation

Ceremony initiated 10 representatives to positions for 2023-2024 year

GCM Staff Report
Posted 6/5/23

After a long absence, the Robertsdale Garden Club celebrated its 93rd year in existence at the installation of officers for 2023-24. Hostess for the meeting was President Mary Frances Boykin.

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Robertsdale Garden Club installs officers ahead of 93rd year of operation

Ceremony initiated 10 representatives to positions for 2023-2024 year

Posted

After a long absence, the Robertsdale Garden Club celebrated its 93rd year in existence at the installation of officers for 2023-24. Hostess for the meeting was President Mary Frances Boykin.

The officers consenting to serve for the coming year included President Mary Frances Boykin, First Vice President Sharon Rowland, Second Vice President Patricia Weber, Secretary Katie Warren, Treasurer Hilda O'Clair and Corresponding Secretary Madeline Fernandes. Don Lambert volunteered to be historian, and Mary Ann Lindsay volunteered to be Parliamentarian.

Member Katie Warren created a flower arrangement and explained the importance of balance and other flower arrangement principles. Her green and white arrangement included flowers and greenery from her garden. Warren has been the recipient of Best of Show and blue ribbons at the Baldwin County Fair.

President Mary Frances Boykin circulated the Baldwin County Master Gardener speakers list and asked members to indicate topics of interest for future meetings. She also asked members to suggest ways to assist the community and these suggestions will be considered at the September meeting. Handouts of the Foley Antique Rose Trail and Master Gardener helpline were also available for members.

Mary Ann Lindsay gave a short history of the organization which was founded in the 1930s. Harry Starnes, a vocational agriculture teacher, designed a landscaping plan for shrubs and plants at the Robertsdale schools.

Starnes' ideas caught the interest and imagination of many Robertsdale women. Helen Taylor was one of those women, and she initiated a gathering of others with new homes to discuss the formation of a Woman's Club. Taylor was the first president and was active in the organization for nearly 40 years.

Past President Charlotte Zinner was also active in the organization for many years. The group's name was eventually changed to the Robertsdale Garden Club and Boykin indicated that she knew most of the past presidents since her mother was a garden club member.

Mary Ann Lindsay and Patricia Weber conducted the installation of officers which included bouquets of various colors for the officers and a recital of their duties. Members were encouraged to support the officers in any way possible.

Following the meeting, refreshments were served and door prizes were given to those in attendance.  There was also a free plant exchange of plants and flowers from members' gardens.

The Robertsdale Garden Club encourages all people from the community to visit and learn about gardening. Future meetings and contacts will be posted at a later date.