Genesis Award 2025
Paul's Cafe - November 17, 2025
Paul’s Cafe receives the November-December 2025 Genesis Award. Accepting the honor is Becky Smith, second generation owner, who has continued the family tradition at this popular restaurant located in the center of town at 100 East Pine Street.
Gardenettes present are Karen Hotard, committee chairman Darnell Kimber, Linda Fabre and Vicky Fannaly. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc.
The cafe has huge pots of golden chrysanthemums flanking the entrance. There are also hanging baskets of petunias and pots of crotons. Plants are donated by Smith's Nursery. Congratulations to Paul’s for keeping these beautiful plants to brighten the center of Ponchatoula's main street. Paul's Cafe also received this honor in 2019.
Gardenettes present are Karen Hotard, committee chairman Darnell Kimber, Linda Fabre and Vicky Fannaly. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc.
The cafe has huge pots of golden chrysanthemums flanking the entrance. There are also hanging baskets of petunias and pots of crotons. Plants are donated by Smith's Nursery. Congratulations to Paul’s for keeping these beautiful plants to brighten the center of Ponchatoula's main street. Paul's Cafe also received this honor in 2019.
Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center - August 20, 2025
Bottom Row: Gardenettes Vicky Fannaly, Susan Pizani, Linda Fabre, Margaret Bailey, Cricket Ayala presenting plaque to Leyla Hekmatdoost, Twin Steeples Executive Director. Top Row: Twin Steeples Board of Directors: Kim Zabbia, Ashley Gilless, Catherine Yoli, President Matt Barattini, Vice-President Trina Haynes, Treasurer Fred Trapp, Secretary Patti McGehee, Wanda Evans, Jodi Schaff, Marc Settembrino - not pictured Lauren Fannaly. Photo by Virginia Hawkins
Genesis Award for August-September was presented by the Gardenettes to Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center at 220 East Oak Street on August 20. The organizations board of directors assembled to accept the award from the garden club.
Attending were Gardenettes Virginia Hawkins, Vicky Fannaly, President Susan Pizani, Linda Fabre, Margaret Bailey, and Cricket Ayala. Twin Steeples Board of Directors included Executive Director Leyla Hekmatdoost, Kim Zabbia, Ashley Gilless, Catherine Yoli, President Matt Barattini, Vice-President Trina Haynes, Treasurer Fred Trapp, Secretary Patti McGehee, Wanda Evans, Jodi Schaff, Marc Settembrino (not pictured Lauren Fannaly.
Founded by Harry Gabriel in 2020 these two historic churches provide a venue for visual, literary and performing arts. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The entrance to the courtyard is surrounded by azaleas accented by bright vinca blossoms. Maple trees are planted in the courtyard which is bordered in the back by Japanese Yews. Leyla Hekmatdoost is the Executive Director of Twin Steeples.
Attending were Gardenettes Virginia Hawkins, Vicky Fannaly, President Susan Pizani, Linda Fabre, Margaret Bailey, and Cricket Ayala. Twin Steeples Board of Directors included Executive Director Leyla Hekmatdoost, Kim Zabbia, Ashley Gilless, Catherine Yoli, President Matt Barattini, Vice-President Trina Haynes, Treasurer Fred Trapp, Secretary Patti McGehee, Wanda Evans, Jodi Schaff, Marc Settembrino (not pictured Lauren Fannaly.
Founded by Harry Gabriel in 2020 these two historic churches provide a venue for visual, literary and performing arts. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The entrance to the courtyard is surrounded by azaleas accented by bright vinca blossoms. Maple trees are planted in the courtyard which is bordered in the back by Japanese Yews. Leyla Hekmatdoost is the Executive Director of Twin Steeples.
Collinswood Museum - July 1, 2025
Collinswood Museum receives the July-August Genesis Landscaping Award from Gardenettes. Pictured are Virginia Hawkins, Mary Hirsch, Vincent Thibodaux, Lark Thibodaux, Jim Perrin, Marilyn Wright, Glenn Drude, Bart Migues, Cricket Ayala, Margaret Bailey and Dale Tate.
Collinswood Museum was awarded the Genesis Award for commercial landscaping for their well planted grounds by the Gardenettes, July 1. Receiving the award for July and August were museum board members Lark Thibodaux, Vincent Thibodaux, Jim Perrin, Bart Migues, Glenn Drude, Dale Tate and Daniel Taylor.
Garden club members present for the honor included Cricket Ayala, Susan Pizani, Margaret Bailey, Mary Hirsch, Virginia Hawkins, Marilyn Wright and Vicky Fannaly. Gardenettes are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The museum was selected because of the colorful flower beds and well maintained grounds. A focal point of the Ponchatoula downtown area, the museum houses the USS Ponchatoula artifacts. Located on property donated by Andrew M. Edwards II to the city of Ponchatoula for use as a museum and park on December 28, 1995, the property has evolved over the years into a serene area in the heart of town for residents and tourists to enjoy. The club was pleased to honor the members of the museum who work so hard to keep this beauty spot for all to enjoy.
Garden club members present for the honor included Cricket Ayala, Susan Pizani, Margaret Bailey, Mary Hirsch, Virginia Hawkins, Marilyn Wright and Vicky Fannaly. Gardenettes are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The museum was selected because of the colorful flower beds and well maintained grounds. A focal point of the Ponchatoula downtown area, the museum houses the USS Ponchatoula artifacts. Located on property donated by Andrew M. Edwards II to the city of Ponchatoula for use as a museum and park on December 28, 1995, the property has evolved over the years into a serene area in the heart of town for residents and tourists to enjoy. The club was pleased to honor the members of the museum who work so hard to keep this beauty spot for all to enjoy.
Jani King - March 6, 2025
Jani-King Gulf Coast Corporate Office in Ponchatoula, received the Gardenettes' Genesis Award for January-February to applaud their landscaping efforts.
Gardenettes are a garden club are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Receiving the award were Karen Raiford, Comptroller; Melissa Stanga, VP of Finance; Margaret Bailey, Gardenettes; and Connie Drury, Franchise Accounting Manager. Eunice Lawn Care maintains all landscaping. Just a few of the plants are: Chinese privet, pink muhly grass, multiflora roses, American holly and creeping juniper.
Gardenettes are a garden club are members of District VI Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.
Receiving the award were Karen Raiford, Comptroller; Melissa Stanga, VP of Finance; Margaret Bailey, Gardenettes; and Connie Drury, Franchise Accounting Manager. Eunice Lawn Care maintains all landscaping. Just a few of the plants are: Chinese privet, pink muhly grass, multiflora roses, American holly and creeping juniper.
