By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Gardendale Civic Center’s Exhibition Hall looked more like a flourishing New Orleans garden on Thursday and Friday.

That is where the Federated Garden Clubs of North End Council hosted the 57th Annual Flower Show.

Six area garden clubs make up the council: Blue Star Garden Club, Cheerful Gardeners, Dixie Gardeners, Garden Dale Garden Club, Magnolia Garden Club and Twin Oaks Garden Club.

This year’s theme for the flower show was “Take a Stroll through the Mardi Gras Gardens.”

Margie Thomas, co-chairman of the event along with Betty Thompson, said that the caliber of submissions to this year’s flower show was higher than any she has ever seen.

“Everyone just outdid themselves this year,” said Patricia Akers, a member of the flower show committee.

The show featured three main divisions: Horticulture, design and special exhibits.

Anyone could submit entries in the horticulture division, which was further divided into 14 sections and many more sub-categories.

Only club members were allowed to submit entries in the design category, which had five sections: Tricolor, designer’s choice, table artistry, miniature designs and small designs.

In the special exhibits division, there were two categories: Educational exhibits and youth division.

The educational exhibits featured displays titled “Conservation,” “Caring for Butterflies,” “Plants That Come Alive at Night” and “Drought-Tolerant Plants.”

A favorite category in the flower show is the youth division.

Jan Thomas, a former teacher at Warrior Elementary School for more than 30 years and member of the Magnolia Garden Club of Warrior, serves as consultant for the youth division.

That division is sponsored by the Magnolia School Bees, a group of Warrior fourth-graders.

All entrants for the youth division were third- and fourth-graders. There were four categories: Design, horticulture, hobby collections and educational.

A special feature at the flower show was tables set up to honor special women in the community. The tables were decorated with flowers and pictures of the women.

One table was decorated to honor Vivian Irwin, a long-time member of the Garden Dale Garden Club. Akers said that Irwin is known for her generosity and talent.

Another table was a memorial to Martha Wilson, who died earlier this month. She was a member of the Twin Oaks Garden Club.

A third table memorialized three deceased members of the Blue Star Garden Club: Nelle Bruce, Betty Hardiman and Deedie Kelley.

Organizers also wanted to recognize some husbands who helped set up the flower show. They said the show could not have happened without the help of Butch Thomas, Dan Ricks and Bud Pinyan.

Judges using the rules of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. judged all categories of the flower show.

Look for a complete list of winners in Wednesday’s The North Jefferson News.