By Susie A. Wolfe
The Pelahatchie Petals Garden Club was established on October 15, 2024.The non-profit volunteer group is a member of the Natchez Trace District and affiliated with the Garden Clubs of Mississippi (GCM), which now has 96 clubs around the state. They are also affiliated with Deep South Garden Club and National Garden Club, Inc.
The small garden club has completed projects around town to beautify Pelahatchie, including planting flowers at the four corners by the four-way stop on Highway 80 as well in pots down Brooks Street. The cone flower is the designated flower for the club.
Pelahatchie Petals Board Members include Jearleen Holly, president; Olivia Glassmire, vice president; Kaitlyn Murray, secretary; and Ramona Pearch, treasurer.
Angelia Wade, executive secretary of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, was instrumental in helping Pelahatchie establish the club with their bylaws. She is a substitute teacher at Pelahatchie schools and saw the need to beautify downtown. The Spring Lake Garden Club of Pearl mentored the first few meetings and is the parent club.
“It was wonderful seeing so much excitement and enthusiasm fill a room by the new club members eager to start a new project”, Wade said.
“I was honored to present President Jearleen Holly with a $200.00 check from GCM to help the club get started,” she continued. “During the meeting, President Holly presented then Pelahatchie Librarian Angela Ward with a book to show the club’s appreciation for the being allowed to hold their meetings in the library.”
The Pelahatchie Garden Club has been recognized in its first year with the Rising Star Award for quickly gearing up to immediately improve the Town of Pelahatchie. They were able to recycle old flowerpots in the downtown area and made seeds and tree saplings available to children and parents.
The garden club also received Certificates of Merit for Community Development, Arbor Day, and Environmental Awareness. Plus, they were the 2024 Winner of the MS Plant America Community Grant for $350.
According to Holly, the garden club has also worked with the Town of Pelahatchie, the Pelahatchie Beta Club, and Pelahatchie FFA on similar service projects. The local Mississippi State Extension Office and local businesses have helped by providing supplies too.
The Pelahatchie Petals Garden Club meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Pelahatchie Public Library. All flower lovers are invited to attend. It is not about physical ability. The club needs knowledge too, according to Holly. She also encourages businesses to get involved in these Pelahatchie community projects.
Comment
Comments