By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Several local garden clubs were recognized recently for their talent and hard work.

At conventions this spring in Montgomery and Boston, Mass., the Garden Club of Alabama and the National Garden Club honored the North End Council of Garden Clubs with achievement awards for its 2006 annual flower show.

During the 2006 flower show, the North End Council was made up of seven local garden clubs: Blue Star, Cheerful Gardeners, Dixie Gardeners, Garden Dale, Magnolia, Springdale and Twin Oaks.

There are about 90 women in the clubs. Three of the clubs are located in Gardendale, with one each in Warrior, Pinson and the Roebuck/Tarrant area. The Springdale club is now defunct.

Margie Thomas served as chairman of the 2006 show and Pat Akers served as co-chairman. The theme of the show was, “Back in Time.”

Club members decorated the Gardendale Civic Center Exhibition Hall with a rustic fireplace, spinning wheel and antiques, according to Kitty Ricks of Mt. Olive, who now serves as president of the North End Council of Garden Clubs.

Thomas attributes the success of the 2006 show to the hard work of garden club members and those who participated in the design classes, educational exhibits and junior division.

“Without the 227 horticulture division entries by garden club members and gardeners in the community, there would not have been a show,” she said.

Thomas also said the Civic Center staff always goes “above and beyond” in helping with the flower show.

The North End Council of Garden Clubs has been in existence since October 1949. The most recent flower show, held in April, was the club’s 55th annual flower show.

Ricks is just beginning her first term as president of the North End Council of Garden Clubs.

Being a member of a garden club is not just “little sandwiches and tea,” said Ricks with a smile.

Besides working hard, garden club members are constantly learning.

“It’s about people learning about our environment and about horticulture,” she said. “It’s not only a study of flowers, but of birds, butterflies and insects — anything to beautify the world around us.”

When she joined Garden Dale five years ago, Ricks knew nothing about horticulture.

She happened by the Gardendale Civic Center and saw the sign for a flower show, and decided to stop.

She said she is glad some of the women convinced her to join the club.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends,” she said. “We have some really talented ladies in our garden clubs.”