By Nicole Heubusch
The Riverview Garden Club has been a part of the community since 1954. This club, open to anyone in the community, recently got together to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
The luncheon was lead by President Virgil Keller, and began with a speech from local veterinarian, Dr. Bob. He gave club members an in depth lecture about the history of Riverview, and even brought in his fossil collection to share with the group. The lunch was catered by Armwood High School’s Culinary Department, which the members enjoyed while catching up with one another.
The Garden Club began when 12 or so women got together to help make Riverview beautiful. What began as such a small group eventually led to about 125 members. Now, “the seeds of the original group have blossomed.”
The club meets once a month, the second Wednesday, and dues are $10 for the whole year. The group still enjoys gardening and sharing information about plants, but they also enjoy being with friends. The group takes field trips together, in the past they’ve visited Sunken Gardens and Bok Towers, and they usually begin their meetings with a potluck lunch. Gladys Durell, a member since 1977 said, “I’m just happy to see everyone at the meetings and be here.”
The Garden Club holds a yearly rummage sale with the next one in February 2015. It also makes Christmas baskets of different plants and flowers to sell, and the proceeds go to its scholarship fund to help students that are interested in horticulture. It also sponsors local community gardens. Each monthly meeting they has a theme, and members dress accordingly. Newsletters are also given out, as well as a commemorative tile and yearbook at the end of the year.
“Being a part of this club is like being a kid again,” said Keller. “We all get to dig in the dirt and have fun.”
Individuals interested in learning more about the Riverview Garden Club and how to become a member, e-mail kellervirgilf@gmail.com or call 671-7600. Meetings take place at the Riverview Civic Center, located at 11020 Park Dr. in Riverview.
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