Inside Northshore Magazine March-April 2020
Oops! They misspelled our name but did a lovely article on our club! So nice to be in the first half - page 36 of 90! The Gardenettes are so proud for your mentioning us! See article text below.
The Gardenettes
Blooming since 1942
The stately magnolias in front of Ponchatoula’s former post office, the Bradford pear trees at the library, and the cypress stand on Hickory Street have all been there for quite some time. As visitors and residents pass by, the trees are beautiful reminders of what the Gardenettes have done for well over 77 years.
Formed during World War II by strong women who wanted to make their town and homes beautiful, the club has made many changes to the face of Ponchatoula. The garden at the Collinswood Museum, a focal tourist attraction on East Pine Street, is there because of the Gardenettes. They were set with the task of starting a garden where a concrete building slab rested. The beds had to be raised and laid on top; many fundraisers and raffles were held to get it started.
The present day Gardenettes continue the tradition to help the town make a positive, lasting impression on those who visit or live here. The club meets September through May on the second Wednesday of each month either at the Strawberry Board building in Memorial Park or at a member’s home. Each year, members attend a joint parish meeting hosted by an area club on a revolving basis.
As members of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc., the Gardenettes interact with others who are interested in conservation, floral design, horticulture studies, environmental studies, live oak registration and generally making their town litter free and attractively landscaped.]
However, flowers and trees are not the only thing the Gardenettes plant. They’re committed to making a lasting impact elsewhere in their community. Throughout the year, Boxtops for Education are collected and presented to a local school to be cashed in from the sponsoring companies. Among other 2020 projects, a scholarship will be given to a Ponchatoula High School student who is active in Future Farmers of America. Raffles and baked goods sales are some of the ways that members are building the funds.
Most members have been touched in some way by friends and loved ones who have had cancer. That is why they started “Bosom Buddy” bags. The cheerful bags are made by members and distributed through the local hospital to patients to conceal and carry their drip bags. The club has received may thank you notes for their cutting, sewing and ironing of these bags,, averaging over 150 a year.
The women participate actively in the annual make a Difference Day and in National Garden Week. On Arbor Day, they work with city administration for the ceremonies in which the mayor joins in on tree planting. To encourage further beautification of their homes, awards and acknowledgements are given to civic, commercial and residential properties that uphold superior landscaping.
Membership is open to those interested in learning or sharing their knowledge of gardening with other people who also speak “flowers.” Guest speakers and refreshments are offered at each meeting. To learn more about the Gardenettes, visit http://www.gardenettesgardenclub.weebly.com
Blooming since 1942
The stately magnolias in front of Ponchatoula’s former post office, the Bradford pear trees at the library, and the cypress stand on Hickory Street have all been there for quite some time. As visitors and residents pass by, the trees are beautiful reminders of what the Gardenettes have done for well over 77 years.
Formed during World War II by strong women who wanted to make their town and homes beautiful, the club has made many changes to the face of Ponchatoula. The garden at the Collinswood Museum, a focal tourist attraction on East Pine Street, is there because of the Gardenettes. They were set with the task of starting a garden where a concrete building slab rested. The beds had to be raised and laid on top; many fundraisers and raffles were held to get it started.
The present day Gardenettes continue the tradition to help the town make a positive, lasting impression on those who visit or live here. The club meets September through May on the second Wednesday of each month either at the Strawberry Board building in Memorial Park or at a member’s home. Each year, members attend a joint parish meeting hosted by an area club on a revolving basis.
As members of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc., the Gardenettes interact with others who are interested in conservation, floral design, horticulture studies, environmental studies, live oak registration and generally making their town litter free and attractively landscaped.]
However, flowers and trees are not the only thing the Gardenettes plant. They’re committed to making a lasting impact elsewhere in their community. Throughout the year, Boxtops for Education are collected and presented to a local school to be cashed in from the sponsoring companies. Among other 2020 projects, a scholarship will be given to a Ponchatoula High School student who is active in Future Farmers of America. Raffles and baked goods sales are some of the ways that members are building the funds.
Most members have been touched in some way by friends and loved ones who have had cancer. That is why they started “Bosom Buddy” bags. The cheerful bags are made by members and distributed through the local hospital to patients to conceal and carry their drip bags. The club has received may thank you notes for their cutting, sewing and ironing of these bags,, averaging over 150 a year.
The women participate actively in the annual make a Difference Day and in National Garden Week. On Arbor Day, they work with city administration for the ceremonies in which the mayor joins in on tree planting. To encourage further beautification of their homes, awards and acknowledgements are given to civic, commercial and residential properties that uphold superior landscaping.
Membership is open to those interested in learning or sharing their knowledge of gardening with other people who also speak “flowers.” Guest speakers and refreshments are offered at each meeting. To learn more about the Gardenettes, visit http://www.gardenettesgardenclub.weebly.com
Chamber of Commerce After Hours
January 10, 2019
Gardenettes visited with State Representative Steve Pugh at the January Ponchatoula Chamber After Hours event held at the Lions Club. More delicious fish than we could eat and great company! — with Steve Pugh, Anna Boyd Poland, Louise Steadman, Cricket Hamaker Ayala,Margaret Hardin, Margaret Varnado Bailey, Sonya Avery Dottie Boudreaux and Vicky Fannaly. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.