Arbor Day January 18, 2019
Vicky Fannaly, Bill Poland, Anna Poland, Margaret Bailey, Johnnie Sliegelmeyer, Kathy Bedenbaugh, Sonya Avery,Mary Domiano, Garnett Bedenbaugh, Marilyn Wright, Jim Anderson, Margaret Hardin, Pat Walsh, Karen Moran, Joan Morse, Cricket Ayala, Louise Steadman, Mayor Bob Zabbia, Barbara Lessard, Brooks O'Connor, Chamber of Commerce President Tammy Murphy
Gardenettes planted three trees in Memorial Park honoring deceased club members Flora Nelson and Liz Anderson. A third tree was dedicated for Don Steadman, husband of former club member Louise Steadman. Ponchatoula Chamber donated the trees and helped officiate at the ceremony.
Gardenettes are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Sonya Avery, garden club president, opened the ceremony prior to the planting. Featured were testimonials given by Gardenettes Anna Poland and Marilyn Wright for Anderson and Nelson. Chamber president Tammy Murphy gave the dedication for Steadman. Joan Morse read two poems appropriate to Arbor Day.
The groups and their friends proceeded to the planting site to finish planting the trees. Representing the city were Mayor Bob Zabbia and Rhonda Sheridan. Murphy and Billie Jo Laird stood for the Chamber.
Gardenettes are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Sonya Avery, garden club president, opened the ceremony prior to the planting. Featured were testimonials given by Gardenettes Anna Poland and Marilyn Wright for Anderson and Nelson. Chamber president Tammy Murphy gave the dedication for Steadman. Joan Morse read two poems appropriate to Arbor Day.
The groups and their friends proceeded to the planting site to finish planting the trees. Representing the city were Mayor Bob Zabbia and Rhonda Sheridan. Murphy and Billie Jo Laird stood for the Chamber.
Bill Poland, Star Reporter, Jim Anderson, Jim's Friend, Garnett Bedenbaugh, Kathy Bedenbaugh
TESTIMONIALS
LIZ ANDERSON BY ANNA POLAND, GARDENETTES:
Liz Anderson was a wife to Jim, a mother to Patrick and Mary, and a grandmother (Nini) to Allison and Chloe. She was extremely proud of her family. She thought of Jim as her soul mate, was happy to see her adult children in successful careers and starting families of their own. She was grateful for the opportunity to cuddle with her granddaughters. She had time to create happy memories with three year old Allison who will always remember Nini and to welcome baby Chloe to the world.
Liz was an educator with a long list of accomplishments. She was a teacher in Plaquemines and Jefferson Parish Public School Systems; an instructor at the University of Holy Cross; Program Director of the Intensive English Language Program at the University of New Orleans, an educational administrator in Jefferson Parish Public Schools' English Language Acquisition Department; a national educational workshop presenter. Liz was fluent in Spanish and was a world traveler. She visited Italy, France, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Turkey and Belgium.
Liz always had a smile on her face. She was the most positive and the happiest person I have known. She loved living in Ponchatoula. Upon moving here she became the Office Manager for the Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed participating in everything,,,,, including being Santa's Elf in the Christmas parade. After leaving the Chamber , her passion was gardening. She became a Master Gardener and joined the Gardenettes. Some things she loved were growing and eating veggies from her garden and attracting hummingbirds to her yard. She never hesitated to volunteer for whatever was needed in these organizations. When the Gardenettes needed a treasurer, Liz immediately said, "I'll do it." Liz made good friends along the way. We will continue to miss her.
One thing that all of these honorees have in common is that they all had lives that were well lived, which leaves their families and friends with many cherished memories.
Liz Anderson was a wife to Jim, a mother to Patrick and Mary, and a grandmother (Nini) to Allison and Chloe. She was extremely proud of her family. She thought of Jim as her soul mate, was happy to see her adult children in successful careers and starting families of their own. She was grateful for the opportunity to cuddle with her granddaughters. She had time to create happy memories with three year old Allison who will always remember Nini and to welcome baby Chloe to the world.
Liz was an educator with a long list of accomplishments. She was a teacher in Plaquemines and Jefferson Parish Public School Systems; an instructor at the University of Holy Cross; Program Director of the Intensive English Language Program at the University of New Orleans, an educational administrator in Jefferson Parish Public Schools' English Language Acquisition Department; a national educational workshop presenter. Liz was fluent in Spanish and was a world traveler. She visited Italy, France, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Turkey and Belgium.
Liz always had a smile on her face. She was the most positive and the happiest person I have known. She loved living in Ponchatoula. Upon moving here she became the Office Manager for the Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed participating in everything,,,,, including being Santa's Elf in the Christmas parade. After leaving the Chamber , her passion was gardening. She became a Master Gardener and joined the Gardenettes. Some things she loved were growing and eating veggies from her garden and attracting hummingbirds to her yard. She never hesitated to volunteer for whatever was needed in these organizations. When the Gardenettes needed a treasurer, Liz immediately said, "I'll do it." Liz made good friends along the way. We will continue to miss her.
One thing that all of these honorees have in common is that they all had lives that were well lived, which leaves their families and friends with many cherished memories.
FLORA NELSON BY MARILYN WRIGHT, GARDENETTE:
It is my honor to speak of Flora McLendon Nelson who passed from this life on July 11, 2018. Flora was the wife of Jack Nelson and beloved by him and family and friends. She lived in Ponchatoula in a beautiful home builton her families homesite. Her garden was spectacular. Flora was very involved in many community and volunteer activities, among them, and most dear to us, Gardenettes. Many people were touched by her kindness and generosity.
Her legacy will live on in three generations of Flora's named in her honor - a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. May this tree grow tall and beautiful and branch out as did dear Flora.
It is my honor to speak of Flora McLendon Nelson who passed from this life on July 11, 2018. Flora was the wife of Jack Nelson and beloved by him and family and friends. She lived in Ponchatoula in a beautiful home builton her families homesite. Her garden was spectacular. Flora was very involved in many community and volunteer activities, among them, and most dear to us, Gardenettes. Many people were touched by her kindness and generosity.
Her legacy will live on in three generations of Flora's named in her honor - a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. May this tree grow tall and beautiful and branch out as did dear Flora.
DON STEADMAN BY TAMMY MURPHY, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT:
A few years ago while I was managing Le Fleur de Lis, a wonderful couple walked into my office. I instantly took a liking to this couple; they felt so much like home to me. We talked about everything Ponchatoula and by the end of our meeting, they signed a contract to have their son’s rehearsal dinner there. Every month they would come in and I would fall starry eyed, lost in my own imagination of the wonderful stories that Mr. Don was telling about Ponchatoula. His memories were filled with so much love and admiration that I could almost feel how proud he was of his accomplishments coming out of him. We talked about the band stand where Mi Patio is today, Ponchatoula beach, his time in the Jaycees, the first Strawberry Festival and so much more. I wish I would have recorded them so I could listen over and over again. As time went on, they became family to me. I would hear about their trips they were taking and time spent with family. I would see them at every after hours and Chamber event. They were so passionate about the Casino not coming to Robert and the economic development of Ponchatoula.
I soon realized who the Alligator in the Ponchatoula Times was calling the Mayor of Bedico. My last time seeing Mr. Don was a heart breaking one. We were at last year’s Kiwanis After Hours and I was told about his illness. My heart instantly broke, remembering every story, like video snap shots of all the wonderful memories of his own that he had given me. It was not soon after that the dreadful news came to us of his passing. While reading everything that Mr. Don accomplished in life, the organizations that he was a part of, the time spent in the Coast Guard, the love and passion he had for his job and above all, his family. It was hard to accept the truth that I would never see him again.
Ponchatoula is a better place because of the love Mr. Don Steadman had for it, Bedico is a better place because Mr. Don Steadman fought for it, I am a better person from having Mr. Don in my life and Heaven is now a better place because he is there.
I am thankful for meeting Mr. Don, for his wonderful stories that I will never forget but of all, I am thankful to really know what loving a town as much as he did could mean to others. He will forever be missed.
A few years ago while I was managing Le Fleur de Lis, a wonderful couple walked into my office. I instantly took a liking to this couple; they felt so much like home to me. We talked about everything Ponchatoula and by the end of our meeting, they signed a contract to have their son’s rehearsal dinner there. Every month they would come in and I would fall starry eyed, lost in my own imagination of the wonderful stories that Mr. Don was telling about Ponchatoula. His memories were filled with so much love and admiration that I could almost feel how proud he was of his accomplishments coming out of him. We talked about the band stand where Mi Patio is today, Ponchatoula beach, his time in the Jaycees, the first Strawberry Festival and so much more. I wish I would have recorded them so I could listen over and over again. As time went on, they became family to me. I would hear about their trips they were taking and time spent with family. I would see them at every after hours and Chamber event. They were so passionate about the Casino not coming to Robert and the economic development of Ponchatoula.
I soon realized who the Alligator in the Ponchatoula Times was calling the Mayor of Bedico. My last time seeing Mr. Don was a heart breaking one. We were at last year’s Kiwanis After Hours and I was told about his illness. My heart instantly broke, remembering every story, like video snap shots of all the wonderful memories of his own that he had given me. It was not soon after that the dreadful news came to us of his passing. While reading everything that Mr. Don accomplished in life, the organizations that he was a part of, the time spent in the Coast Guard, the love and passion he had for his job and above all, his family. It was hard to accept the truth that I would never see him again.
Ponchatoula is a better place because of the love Mr. Don Steadman had for it, Bedico is a better place because Mr. Don Steadman fought for it, I am a better person from having Mr. Don in my life and Heaven is now a better place because he is there.
I am thankful for meeting Mr. Don, for his wonderful stories that I will never forget but of all, I am thankful to really know what loving a town as much as he did could mean to others. He will forever be missed.