Garden club seeks members

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Tim Hitchcock with Day Lily Nursery, shows one of his plants to McMinnville Garden Club members, from left, Martha Gillespie, Diane Martin, Helen Elkins, Peggy McColloch, Mary Jo Boyd, Melba Hale and Judy Worthington. (Photo provided)

The McMinnville Garden Club is celebrating 78 years of gardening in Warren County. The group, organized April 26, 1927, is the oldest garden club in the county and is currently conducting a membership drive to seek new members.

The object of the club is to create a more beautiful community environment by: Stimulating the planning and care of home grounds and gardens; supporting and encouraging horticulture, conservation and the fine arts; cooperating with government departments and other agents on all levels of civic improvement.

Current president Martha Gillespie said, “We got together several times this summer and went on some very informative outings.”

The group visited a greenhouse in Cowan, enjoying luncheon at a unique tea room; toured Russell Watson’s iris farm in Smithville and met with Tim Hitchcock at Day Lily Nursery in Rock Island.

“We really have a good time on these trips. Mr. Watson and Mr. Hitchcock were both so helpful and served as wonderful hosts.” said Gillespie.

Other club officers are: Peggy McColloch, vice president and Melba Hale as secretary/treasurer. The club meets the second Monday of each month at varying locations. Dues are $10 per year, with the next meeting to be held Sept. 12 at TSU Nursery Research Station.

The club’s future plans include being active in the Downtown McMinnville beautification process. Anyone interested in joining the club, can call Gillespie at 473-9531, Peggy McColloch at 635-2583 or Melba Hale at 668-8074.