Community Garden Club: A 96.5-Year-Old Gift Still Growing
(Marlin, Texas) - “I believe in my community. I believe in her people, her boys and girls. I will endeavor to make this a more beautiful place to live. I believe in the preservation of our parks. I believe in trees and grass instead of ash heaps and tin cans, flowers instead of weeds.”
So says every member of Community Garden Club of Marlin, as a motto. Yet, every man, woman, or child who ever planted a seed, pulled a weed, mowed a yard, moved a plant shrub, or trimmed a tree can share these very words in his or her heart.
How do you turn a personal act of gardening into a gift to the community? A friend explained, “…by beautifying the community which attracts visitors to the town. Sharing the skills are another way to improve the lives of the entire community.”
Fact: Community Garden Club of Marlin is a member of National Garden Club, Inc.-South Central Region, plus Texas Garden Clubs, Inc.-District V, Zone II.
Beauty: It is a body of twenty-one Marlin gardeners, each with a personal gift, united to fulfill the Texas Garden Club’s mission: “…promote the love of gardening, floral design, horticulture, civic responsibilities, landscaping, environmental concerns, and gardening for men, women, and children and encourage participation and support in educational programs for both the very young and advanced students. It is the purpose of this organization to preserve the natural resources of this country and to maintain and enhance the beauty of its lands.
Our Community Garden Club is 96.5 years old! It is the oldest garden club in Texas! Throughout nine decades, the number of members has fluctuated and today the Community Garden Club is growing! Club President Susan Byrd, Esq., explains, “This year has been extraordinary for our garden club. Despite the fact we have had to cancel our March – May meetings, Tuesday socials and fund raisers, we still have installed two new members and a couple of candidates (including a Master Gardener) are on the waiting list...”
Community Garden Club Officers are President Susan Byrd; First Vice President Terri Glover; Recording Secretary Marjorie Fiola; Treasurer Letitia Estep; Publicity Kaylee Ayers; Historian Ella Chamberlain; and Parliamentarian Mildred Wilson.
Club members are Mary Adams, Sharon Bachert, Hilda Blann, Sue Johnson, Sheila Lawson, Reda Martin, Beth Mullins, Darlene Plott, Debbie Short, Jan Smith, Dee Ann Thompson, Bettye Trotter, Ramona Watson, and Tabitha Worthy.
There is a passion in gardening that produces more than vegetables and flowers. It grows members steadfast to meet civic responsibilities; they serve as volunteers throughout the community – they want to enrich their community - in addition to participating in the club’s varied projects. There is the Agri-Life Family/Consumer Committee, Palace Theatre, Falls County Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and even the Robinson Police Auxiliary. Civic responsibility calls to other members to serve in Lions Club, Marlin Animal Rescue Society, Rotary International, H.O.T. Sewing Guild, Home Spun Quilters, and Historic Downtown Marlin Association. Some members volunteer at the Marlin Public Library, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.), American Legion Auxiliary, Central Texas Food Bank, Girl Scouts, and the Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.). Still others serve at Neighborhood Litter Warriors, Essex County Mentors, and Volunteer Mediation. Some even open their homes to home tours at Christmas time. A popular proverb comes to mind: If you want something done, ask a busy person!
Monthly programs of Community Garden Club fall into seven categories: 1) Flower Arranging; 2) Educational/Historical; 3) Horticulture/Conservation; 4) The National Gardener; 5) Legislation/Education; 6) Pollinators; and 7) Ways and Means. In September 2019, Mildred Wilson and Terri Glover gave us How To-s for creating flower arrangements. In October 2019, the program was Seeds for Growth with Mayor Carolyn Lofton speaking about the community of Marlin. In November, 2019, Master Gardener Jenette Kelly presented “Texas Superstars”, plants that do especially well in Texas. December’s program was, of course, a Christmas Party. Members brought flower arrangements and refreshments to the Allen House. Sheila Lawson’s program featured a National Gardener Magazine article.
January 2020 introduced Legislation and Education with the program “What is CBD and is it legal?” Jannie Smith explained the application of CBD oils and creams. February’s program was Pollinators and making butterfly feeders with Terri Glover.
Community Garden Club members have continuing projects and activities. They collect plastic for recycling, submit favorite recipes for a fundraiser cookbook, and make crafts and plants for a club fundraiser. They attend TGC Conventions, Palace Dinner Theatre presentation (“Greater Fatty Bottoms”), and Flower Show School Courses in Dallas. They help the Central Texas Food Bank Mobile Pantry. They carve pumpkins, and dress up for a Halloween Costume Party. Members make wreaths, and attend HDMA Valentine’s Day at the Allen House and a Palace Theatre Fashion Show celebrating 94 years.
President Susan Byrd applauds, “I know I am not alone in thinking our programs over the past few months have been outstanding and truly inspirational. I know I have learned a lot and I believe the increase in our membership is a direct reflection on the quality of our monthly programs…A special thanks to our Vice President, Terri Glover, for keeping us informed and entertained.”
The By-Law Revision Committee has been active as well. There will be a final draft of the proposed amended By-laws delivered to each member for review and consideration prior to the September meeting.
Ultimately, what is the Community Garden Club’s passion? During summer, they grow personal gardens and share vegetables, plant clippings, plants, and/or seeds with neighbors. They propagate plants to share throughout the community, and some grow vegetables in the community garden. Every year, in a challenge of Community Garden Club (CGC) versus Allen House, CGC members make financial donations to Food for Families. In their walks in the fresh air about town and neighborhoods, they port a trash bag and pick up any litter they might see. “We will adjust our goals for the season to accommodate social distancing, of course, but even in the heat of summer, we will continue our civic beautification work,’ stated a member.
All year-long, they maintain several garden areas in town, firstly, keeping clean the statue and flower bed located in front of Falls County Community Hospital. Secondly, Faulkner Park owes its trimmed and clean state to the CGC. Thirdly, the beautiful rose bushes at the triangle on the corner of the courthouse are the result of constant care. Fourthly, City Hall can depend on Community Garden Club members to keep its exterior plants healthy and attractive. Most importantly, armed with a small plant and seeds for growth, members welcome newcomers to the community; they try to answer questions, point out services, and in general help the newcomer feel welcomed in their new community.
Community Garden Club of Marlin’s next general membership meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., at the Senior Citizen Center, 104 Hays Street, Marlin, TX.
Interested in Community Garden Club? Send us a message through Facebook to Garden Club of Marlin.